Celeste River (Río Celeste) Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Celeste River. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Rio Celeste Hiking, Sloth Sanctuary and Llanos de Cortes Waterfall Tour

• Rio Celeste Full-Day Hike: Blue Waterfall and Tenorio Volcano

• Rio Celeste & Tenorio Volcano Hike - Blue River Adventure

• Rio Celeste Horseback Riding Tour

• Tubing in Rio Celeste

Tickets to Tenorio Volcano National Park, home to the Celeste River, cost about US$14 for adults and US$6 for children. You must reserve your tickets online in advance if you’re visiting on your own. Guided tours for activities such as tubing, white water rafting, or combo tours with other park activities range from about US$50 to US$250 and include park entrance.

Yes, the Celeste River is worth visiting for its turquoise waters and adventure opportunities. No matter your appetite for adrenaline, you can find a tour that fits, whether you're walking as slow as a sloth on a guided wildlife tour or white-water rafting with an expert guide.

Per one customer who booked the Rio Celeste Full-Day Hike: Blue Waterfall & Tenorio Volcano, "Lots of impromptu stops to see wildlife on the way there made the trip amazing. Great coffee stop also! The hike was challenging and fun. Beautiful blue falls! Santiago was great and spotted snakes and sloths along the way. Fun day with a small enough group that everyone got to be friendly."

The best time to visit the Celeste River (Río Celeste) is during Costa Rica’s dry season—December to April—when you'll have the clearest skies and the best chance of seeing the river's vibrant blue color. In the rainy season from May to November, the trails can be muddy and the river can appear less blue.

The unique blue color of Celeste River is caused by a rare phenomenon: The confluence of two clear rivers—the Rio Buenavista (which is alkaline) and Quebrada Agria (a creek bearing the mineral aluminum silicate, making it acidic)—mixes and, under certain light conditions, scatters light wavelengths, creating the magical turquoise hue.

No, swimming in the Celeste River isn’t allowed—it’s prohibited to protect the delicate ecosystem and preserve the water's unique color. However, you can swim in the river’s turquoise waters outside the park at the Rio Celeste Free Pool.

A guide is not mandatory for hiking to and along the Celeste River. The trails are well maintained, linear, marked, and partially concrete, so it’s unlikely you’ll get lost or have issues. However, a guide can offer valuable insights into the local flora and fauna, as well as the area's history and geology.

Most consider the hike to Celeste Waterfall to be moderately challenging, though it depends on your level of fitness. The trail is 3.7 miles (6 kilometers) and involves some steep and uneven sections, including over 200 stairs. The path can be muddy, especially during the rainy season, so suitable footwear is a must.

It’s about a 4-hour drive if traveling to Celeste River from San Jose by car. Alternatively, buses run from San Jose to Bijagua, a town near the park entrance, and then you can take a taxi into the park. Of course, an organized tour takes out all the navigation hassles, as most tours include round-trip transportation.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting the Celeste River. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Costa Rica:

• La Fortuna Waterfall

• Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park

• Arenal Volcano National Park

• Manuel Antonio National Park

• Rosario Islands

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Costa Rica.