Río Celeste & Tenorio Volcano National Park Guided Rainforest Hike, Arenal/La Fortuna
Hike four hours through the jungle along the stunning blue Río Celeste to a spectacular waterfall
Timing was right, if too raining you won't see the turquoise color, we were lucky and it was amazing.
Beautiful nature, helpful guide. The waterfall is pretty scenic
Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. We learned a ton during the hike and had a great time. We worked well with our kids, even... Read more
Overview
Venture into Tenorio Volcano National Park for a refreshing hike along the Río Celeste, one of the most stunning natural attractions in Costa Rica. As the legend goes, after God finished painting the sky, he washed his brushes in this river, resulting in its famous electric-blue waters. There's nothing quite like it anywhere in the world! On this guided four-hour hike through the tropical rainforest, you'll stop at Los Teñideros, where two streams of crystalline water come together. You'll also see volcanic furnace vents that expel gases of extremely high temperatures. Take in views of the spectacular Río Celeste waterfall on your descent. Enjoy lunch at the end of the journey.
Highlights
- Hike along the bright blue waters of the Río Celeste, considered one of Costa Rica's most beautiful natural attractions
- Witness volcanic activity in Tenorio Volcano National Park
- Marvel at Río Celeste waterfall
- Enjoy a picnic lunch served in the national park
Know before you go
7 hours
5 years old & up
Small group
Lunch Included
What you'll do
Follow your naturalist guide on a moderate four-hour hike through the rainforest along the Río Celeste river. Highlights along the 5-mile (8 km) trek include tropical vegetation, volcano views — your guide will point out the volcano's furnace vents, where extremely hot gases are released — and Los Teñideros. This is the point where two streams merge, forming the gorgeous blue color that gives the river its name. (Río Celeste means "blue river" in Spanish.) However, after heavy rains, the water can turn murky and brown, particularly from September through early December. Swimming is prohibited.
The first part of the trail is flat, and then the path angles uphill. The next section of the trail has a staircase with about 250 steps leading down to a lookout point over the spectacular Río Celeste waterfall. Travelers will descend the stairs to the viewing area, then climb back up, so this excursion is not recommended for people with knee problems or other mobility issues. The trail can get quite muddy after rainfall, so proper footwear is essential. Rain gear is also recommended.
Take your time enjoying lunch at the end of the hike. It's a great chance to try a classic Costa Rican dish, casado, made with white rice, black beans, fried plantains, and meat, chicken, or fish, served with a green salad.
Finally, you'll head back to La Fortuna.
Start times
-
Daily7:00 am
What's included
- Transportation
- Bilingual guide
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- Snack
- Entrance fee to park
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Get startedSee alternatives
Sky Adventures Zip Lines
Get your thrills at Sky Trek, a zip line circuit and aerial amusement park. You'll start in an open-air gondola, rising up over the rainforest and enjoying sweeping views across the mountains. Arriving at the end of the line, the exhilarating adventure of whizzing down the mountain begins. Connect to a zip line cable stretching over rainforest treetops and clifftops. After traversing seven cables and reaching heights of 660 feet (201 meters), you'll arrive back at the starting point of the adrenaline-pumping adventure.
Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall
First, you'll head towards the base of the volcano to hike Arenal 1968. This is a network of trails named after Arenal's last major eruption. The event was so catastrophic it transformed some of the region’s topography, and lava fields now dominate one side of the volcano. The trails wind through those lava fields as well as the surrounding rainforest. Along the way, you'll find lookout points featuring prime views of Arenal.
Later in the afternoon, you'll experience the other star of the Arenal Volcano region: La Fortuna Waterfall. If Arenal is the most famous volcano in the country, then La Fortuna is easily the most famous falls. It's located a 15-minute drive from the town of La Fortuna, at the base of the dormant Chato Volcano. The waters here plunge 210 feet into a tropical lagoon, and a 500-step downhill hike provides the opportunity to see the falls from the bottom up. Besides taking photos, be sure to swim and relax in the La Fortuna River below the falls.
La Fortuna Waterfall Guided Hike
Canyoning in the Lost Canyon
Go waterfall rappelling, also known as canyoning, in the jungle. This activity is one of the most popular adventure sports in Costa Rica. In a canyon in the heart of the rainforest, your guide will provide brief safety instructions and outfit you with a harness. You'll then rappel down the side of three different waterfalls, feeling the mist and spray of the falls as you descend along a wall of rocky cliffs. Finish with a splash into the largest waterfall's pool before drying off for lunch at a Costa Rican restaurant on the banks of the La Fortuna River.
Sky Adventures Tram & The Hand of Arenal
Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
Explore the thrilling Arenal Hanging Bridges on this popular excursion. The trail system, located inside a rainforest reserve, features suspension bridges that take you high above the treetops before treating you to a once-in-a-lifetime view of Arenal Volcano. Venturing along these spectacular elevated walkways, up to 180 feet (55 meters) above the rainforest floor, you'll have a chance to appreciate this area's incredible biodiversity, including some of the 350 avian species that live here.
Arenal Volcano National Park Boat & Hike
Trekking to Laguna de Hule
Hike to one of the natural highlights of Costa Rica, the volcanic Hule Lagoon. The moderate trek begins in Juan Castro Blanco National Park. You'll hike 5 miles (8 km) through the plains bordering the volcanic crater before heading up into the rainforest toward the 136-acre (55-hectare) lagoon. Along the way, enjoy the rich biodiversity of the area. Keep your eyes open for tropical birds, monkeys, and even three-toed sloths! You'll also pass several other lagoons on your way before reaching the magnificent Hule, located at the base of the Cerro Congo Volcano. Enjoy a traditional Costa Rican lunch in the home of a local family before returning to La Fortuna.
Whitewater Rafting on the Balsa River
Embark on an adrenaline-pumping whitewater rafting adventure down the Río Balsa. You'll transfer from La Fortuna to the put-in spot on the river, where your guide will give you safety instructions and outfit you with a helmet and life vest. Then, push off into the current and start paddling through rolling Class II and III rapids with names like Morning Coffee and Rock around the Croc. Enjoy wildlife spotting along the way—you'll even have a chance to swim while passing through calmer stretches of the river.
Sky Adventures Hanging Bridges
Explore the forest from an elevated perspective on this excursion to Sky Walk, one of the first hanging bridges in Costa Rica. Follow a naturalist guide along a series of nature trails and five suspension bridges (some as high as 230 feet or 70 meters), stopping to appreciate various flora and fauna along the way. You'll see monkeys and snakes if you're lucky! During the 2-mile (3-km) hike, you'll enjoy views over the forest canopy and spot colorful birds, butterflies, and insects.
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