Volcano·Guide
Dense, wet rainforest in Tenorio Volcano National Park: ferns and foliage in deep green The Teñideros on the Río Celeste: a clear, brownish stream meets milky turquoise water, rainforest behind The Río Celeste waterfall drops between green-covered rock walls into a pale blue pool

Río Celeste

Parque Nacional Volcán Tenorio. At first, just rainforest, mud and roots.

Then two clear streams meet – and the water turns blue.

Downstream it drops as a waterfall into a turquoise pool.

Scroll –
until the water turns blue

Parque Nacional Volcán Tenorio · As of 21 September 2026Río Celeste right now: park open, waterfall stairs only halfway

The national park is open daily; you get in only with an online ticket booked in advance for a set time. Tenorio volcano itself plays no role in the visit: it's considered dormant and OVSICORI has it at the lowest level, "Calma." What closes trails here is the weather – heavy rain, falling branches, landslides.

Check the booking system before you travel: on 21 September 2026, "PN Volcán Tenorio" appeared in the FAQ list of parks bookable online but was missing from the public "Disponibilidad de Parques Nacionales" selection menu on the homepage of serviciosenlinea.sinac.go.cr. We could not check without an account whether the park is bookable after logging in; the park's Facebook page still points to this system. So book before you drive to Bijagua – there's no ticket at the entrance.

Open
8 am–2 pm

The Misterios del Tenorio trail

Daily, no closing day. Entry only within your booked time slot, up to 40 minutes after the chosen time; you can stay in the park until 4 pm.

Admission, online only$13.56
Partial
½

Waterfall staircase

Officially open only halfway since 13 June 2025, with immediate evacuation in heavy rain. Travel portals reported the lower platform still closed into February/March 2026. No confirmation is available for September 2026.

Latest updates: the "Parque Nacional Volcán Tenorio ACAT" Facebook page
Banned
0

Swimming in the park

Banned throughout the national park – at the waterfall as well as at Laguna Azul and the Teñideros. There is no official swimming pool in the park. Swimming happens downstream, outside the park boundary.

You don't need swimwear in the park
Weather
?

The color

After heavy rain the river turns brown or gray for hours to days. SINAC explicitly gives no refund in that case. If it poured overnight, the river will be brown in the morning.

No refund, no guarantee
Sources: SINAC notice on online sales from 1 August 2023 (via Radio Santa Clara) · SINAC booking system SICORE, FAQ (accessed 21 September 2026) · MINAE/SINAC via Delfino.cr on the staircase's partial reopening from 13 June 2025 · status of the lower platform: travel portals only, most recently 02/2026 · OVSICORI-UNA and the National Seismological Network on the volcano. The official park page at sinac.go.cr was unreachable on 21 September 2026. The swimming ban is named consistently by all sources; the official wording was not accessible.
Laguna Azul on the Río Celeste: a still, brilliantly turquoise pool framed by dense rainforest
You don't quite believe it until you're standing in front of it. And only if it didn't rain overnight.

Photo: Panegyrics of Granovetter · CC BY-SA 2.0

The experienceThe Río Celeste hike: from the waterfall to where the water turns blue

There's exactly one trail, the Sendero Misterios del Tenorio. It starts at the El Pilón ranger station and runs through wet rainforest – roots, mud, all year round. After about 1.5 km (0.9 miles) the staircase to the waterfall branches off, roughly 250 steep steps. Most people turn back here. Keep going.

Beyond the waterfall come a viewpoint, the still Laguna Azul, and the Borbollones: spots where gas rises through the riverbed and the water bubbles – it smells of sulfur here, the volcano's only sign of life. Hanging bridges lead on to the Teñideros. There, two clear streams flow together, and right at the seam the water turns milky turquoise in an instant. That's the real reason to come here.

It's about 3 km (1.9 miles) to the Teñideros, and you go back the same way: 6 to 7 km (3.7–4.3 miles) total, about three hours, up to four with breaks. A guide isn't required.

Most bookedFrom La Fortuna: Rio Celeste Full-Day Tour8 hours · day trip · 4.7 ★ · 698 reviews · GetYourGuide
from€77
La Fortuna: Río Celeste + Tenorio National Park Day Trip8 hours · day trip · 4.5 ★ · 36 reviews · GetYourGuide
from€80
Rio Celeste Waterfall: Rain Forest Hike & Sloth Observation3.5 hours · guided tour · 4.6 ★ · 8 reviews · GetYourGuide
from€98
Ticket to Rio Celeste Waterfall & Tenorio National ParkEntrance ticket via an agency · 4.1 ★ · 146 reviews · GetYourGuide
from€28

Affiliate links to GetYourGuide: if you book, we earn a commission and the price stays the same. Prices and ratings as of 21 September 2026. Whether the river is blue is up to the weather – even on a booked tour. For comparison: official admission through SINAC costs $13.56 (approx. €12).

The rulesRío Celeste tickets: online only, six time slots, no refunds

Since 1 August 2023, the park service SINAC has sold admission only through its online system SICORE. There's no more ticket booth in the park. "Arrive early and buy at the entrance" – that advice from older guidebooks now just leads to a closed gate.

1

Check the weather, then book

There's no refund if rain turns the river brown. If you're flexible, decide based on the previous evening's forecast – staying overnight in Bijagua gives you that room. In high season and on weekends, the early slots go first.

2

Account, date, time

Create an account at serviciosenlinea.sinac.go.cr, then choose the park, date and one of six time slots between 8 am and 2 pm. Enter each visitor's name, ID number and home country, and pay by card. Maximum 10 tickets per transaction.

3

A 40-minute window

You may enter up to 40 minutes after your chosen time, after which the slot expires. Show your booking code and passport at the entrance – a clearly legible photo of your passport is enough.

4

Take the 8 am slot

The trail is still empty then, and there's no line at the half-closed waterfall staircase. You must be out by 4 pm – the full route takes a good three hours.

Official prices · as of 09/2026
Foreign adults ($12 + 13% VAT)$13.56 (approx. €12)
Foreign children 2–12 · free under 2$5.65 (approx. €5)
Costa Ricans and residents: adults / children₡904 / ₡565
Parking at the entrance – privately run, not included in the ticket (per travel portals, 02/2026)₡3,000
24 August, National Parks Day – online booking still requiredfree admission
Sources: SINAC notice on online sales (rates incl. VAT, six time slots, the 40-minute rule) · SICORE FAQ (no refunds, not even for weather; rebooking for emergency closures via reservaciones.sinac@sinac.go.cr). Cap per the SINAC park page: 1,200 people a day, no more than 500 on the trail at once – the page was unreachable on 21 September 2026, and the figures come from its search-engine snippet; an older SINAC notice gives 400 at once. Euro figures per the ECB reference rate of 18 September 2026, rounded.

On footThe trail at a glance: waterfall, Laguna Azul, Teñideros

Moderate fitness is enough: no major elevation change, but a slippery, uneven surface. Treaded, waterproof shoes – or rent rubber boots at the entrance if it has rained.

Sendero Misterios del Tenorio · stations from the El Pilón ranger station · lengths rounded, no official trail description available
Río Celeste waterfallafter about 1.5 km (0.9 miles), about 30 minutes. A turnoff with about 250 steps; the staircase has officially been open only halfway since 13 June 2025, current status unconfirmed.
Viewpoint and Laguna AzulA viewpoint, then the still blue pool in the forest. Swimming banned.
BorbollonesGas vents in the riverbed, the water bubbles, a smell of sulfur.
Hanging bridges and Teñiderosafter about 3 km (1.9 miles): the confluence where the water turns blue. End of the trail – the volcano's summit is not developed for visitors.
Total6–7 km (3.7–4.3 miles) round trip on the same trail, about 3 hours, up to 4 with breaks.

A little scienceWhy is the Río Celeste blue?

Not because of copper, not because of sulfur, and there's no dye in the water. It's physics.

At the Teñideros, two clear streams meet. As they mix, aluminosilicate particles grow to a size that scatters mainly the blue part of sunlight – scientists call this Mie scattering. Researchers from the Universidad Nacional and the Universidad de Costa Rica demonstrated this in 2013; we rely here on secondary sources and have not reviewed the original study.

That's also why the color vanishes so quickly: after heavy rain the river carries sediment, and the turquoise gives way to brown or gray – sometimes for a whole day.

The Río Celeste flows deep blue through the rainforest in Tenorio Volcano National Park, ferns and moss-covered trees along the bank
No filter. Just light, caught on tiny particles.

Photo: Panegyrics of Granovetter · CC BY-SA 2.0

Good to knowGetting there from La Fortuna and Liberia, best time, tips

On timing, there's no official climate data we can rely on: that the river is most reliably turquoise from about January to April, and that most outages fall between October and February, comes from travel portals. More reliable than any calendar is checking last night's weather.

Getting there

By car: From Route 6 (Cañas–Upala) turn east in Bijagua, about 9 km (5.6 miles) to the El Pilón entrance. The parking lot sits opposite the ranger station and is paid separately. Access can be rough in the rainy season; a car with ground clearance helps.

  • From Liberia · about 1.5 hours (ICT)
    Pan-American Highway to Cañas, then Route 6 to Bijagua
  • From La Fortuna · about 1.5–2.5 hours depending on route
    rental car via San Rafael de Guatuso and Katira, or an organized day tour
  • From San José · about 3.5 hours (ICT)
    Route 27 and the Pan-American Highway to Cañas, then Route 6 to Bijagua

Best time to go

The color depends on the weather: after heavy rain the river turns brown or gray for hours to days, and there is no refund for that. It is most reliably turquoise in the drier months from about January to April; the main rainy season with the most outages falls between October and February. Choose the first, 8 am time slot – the trail is still empty then (later, up to 500 people are on it at once), and there's no line at the half-closed waterfall staircase. If you're flexible, decide based on the previous evening's forecast; staying overnight in Bijagua gives you that flexibility.

Who it suits

Children
Manageable to the waterfall with sure-footed kids; the full route (6–7 km/3.7–4.3 miles, mud, roots, stairs) is long for small children. Strollers are not suitable.
Minimum age
none
Fitness
Moderate: no major elevation change, but a slippery, uneven surface and about 250 steep steps at the waterfall.
Heart and lungs
No official restrictions found. There's a sulfur smell at the Borbollones.
Wheelchair
Not suitable – a natural trail with roots, mud and stairs.
Dogs
Pets are banned in all SINAC areas.
Clothing
A rain jacket in any season (about 3,500 mm/138 in of rain a year), quick-drying clothes, spare socks. You don't need swimwear in the park.
Footwear
Treaded, waterproof hiking shoes; rubber boots can be rented at the entrance.

Tips you will need on site

  • Book the ticket before driving to Bijagua – there is none at the entrance, and the booked slot expires 40 minutes after the chosen time.
  • Have your passport ready, or a clearly legible photo of it; rangers match the number against the ticket.
  • Take the 8 am slot. You must be inside by 2 pm and out by 4 pm – the full route takes a good three hours.
  • Go all the way to the Teñideros. The waterfall is the photo stop, but the moment the water turns blue is the real highlight – and the lower waterfall platform may still be closed anyway.
  • Check the previous day's weather: if it poured overnight, the river will be brown. If you can, reschedule (a new ticket is required) or book only the evening before.
  • Rent rubber boots at the entrance if it has rained – the trail turns ankle-deep muddy.
  • Only swim outside the park. The freely accessible spot downstream is reached via the access road.
  • Eating is allowed, but trash must be carried back out; there's no food service inside the park.

A short history

  • Tenorio is a stratovolcano massif with several craters, 1,916 m (6,286 ft) high, about 15 km (9.3 miles) southwest of Miravalles. No historical eruptions are recorded; the RSN lists it as dormant.
  • What remains are fumaroles and acidic hot springs: the RSN measures 46°C at pH 3.5 at the "La Casa" spring and gas emissions of 31–94°C at pH 2 at "Los Hervideros."
  • The national park was established on 27 April 1995; it covers about 18,400 ha (71 sq mi) across four cantons and has been part of the Agua y Paz UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2007.
  • The color of the Río Celeste is not a dye but physics: at the Teñideros two clear streams meet, and aluminosilicate particles grow to a size that scatters mainly the blue part of sunlight (Mie scattering). Researchers from the Universidad Nacional and the Universidad de Costa Rica demonstrated this in 2013.
  • The park had 173,159 visitors in 2022. On 1 August 2023 it became the ninth protected area added to the SINAC online system – with six time slots a day and no ticket booth.
  • In late May 2025 the park had to close for three days after heavy rain; since 13 June 2025 the waterfall staircase has been only partly open following a CNE assessment.

Outside the park boundarySwimming and tubing on the Río Celeste

Downstream of the park boundary the river is just as blue and freely accessible – swimming is allowed there. Local operators run tubing trips down the blue river. None of this has anything to do with the national park or the SINAC ticket.

Most bookedRío Celeste Tubing – Guided Adventure with Natural Pools2 hours · guided tour · 5.0 ★ · 188 reviews · GetYourGuide
from€40
Tubing Rio Celeste: Adventure and Nature2 hours · guided tour · 4.9 ★ · 58 reviews · GetYourGuide
from€46
Tubing on Rio Celeste: The Perfect Family Adventure.2 hours · private tour · 4.9 ★ · 14 reviews · GetYourGuide
from€41

Affiliate links to GetYourGuide: if you book, we earn a commission and the price stays the same. Prices and ratings as of 21 September 2026. The same rule applies here: after heavy rain the river turns brown.

Outdated onlineWhat other sites get wrong

“You can swim in the Río Celeste – at least in the designated thermal pool.”
Swimming is banned everywhere inside the national park, at the waterfall as well as at Laguna Azul and the Teñideros. There is no official swimming pool in the park. Swimming happens outside the park boundary.
“You buy tickets at the entrance, best to arrive early.”
Wrong since 1 August 2023. SINAC has discontinued on-site ticket sales; there are only online tickets with a time slot.
“The water is blue because of copper or sulfur.”
It's an optical effect: sunlight is scattered by aluminosilicate particles of a specific size. No dye, no coloring from minerals.
“Admission costs $12.”
$12 is the net rate. With 13% VAT, foreign adults pay $13.56, children $5.65.
“You walk the staircase all the way down to the platform right at the waterfall.”
Since June 2025 the staircase has officially been open only halfway; travel portals still reported the lower platform closed in early 2026.

Quick answersBefore your visit

Is the Río Celeste worth it in the rainy season?

It can be, but you carry the risk: after heavy rain the river turns brown or gray, and SINAC won't refund the ticket. Best to book only the evening before, based on the forecast, and take the 8 am slot. That January to April are the most reliable months comes from travel portals, not official climate data.

Can you visit the Río Celeste as a day trip from La Fortuna?

Yes. By rental car it's about 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on the route, via San Rafael de Guatuso and Katira; organized day tours also run from La Fortuna. You'll need about three hours for the trail itself.

Can I buy the ticket at the entrance if everything is sold out online?

No. Nothing is sold at the entrance. If a time slot is full, only another slot or another day remains.

Tenorio is missing from the SINAC menu – can you still book?

That's unclear. On 21 September 2026 the park was missing from the booking system's public availability menu but appeared in its FAQ list of bookable parks. We could not check without an account whether it shows up after logging in. Check the system before you travel, or call the park: 2200-0135 or 2206-5369.

Can you climb Tenorio volcano?

No. The summit is not developed for visitors; the only trail ends at the Teñideros.

How do I buy tickets for the Río Celeste?

Only online at serviciosenlinea.sinac.go.cr, the booking system of the national park service SINAC. You create an account, choose a date and one of six time slots, enter the passport details of everyone visiting, and pay by card. No tickets have been sold at the park entrance since August 2023.

What does admission to Tenorio National Park cost in 2026?

Foreign adults pay $12 plus 13% VAT, so $13.56 (about €12); children 2 to 12 pay $5.65. Parking costs extra, about ₡3,000 per travel portals.

Can you swim in the Río Celeste?

Not inside the national park – the ban covers the waterfall, the Blue Lagoon and every other spot. Outside the park boundary the river is just as blue and freely accessible; swimming is allowed there.

How long does the hike to the Río Celeste take?

Plan about three hours for the full route to the Teñideros and back, which is 6 to 7 km (3.7–4.3 miles). To the waterfall alone is about 30 minutes.

When is the park open?

Daily, with no closing day. Entry runs from 8 am to 2 pm within your booked time slot; you may stay in the park until 4 pm.

How many visitors are allowed in per day?

SINAC states a cap of 1,200 people per day and no more than 500 on the trail at once. In high season and on weekends the early slots sell out first.

What happens to the color when it rains – is the river still blue?

After heavy rain the river turns brown or gray, sometimes for a whole day. SINAC gives no refund for that. In severe weather the park can close sections or the entire trail; the waterfall staircase is evacuated immediately in heavy rain.

Do I need a guide?

No. There is only one marked trail, and you can walk it alone. A nature guide from Bijagua is worthwhile if you want to spot wildlife.

Why is the Río Celeste blue?

At the Teñideros, two clear streams flow together. This forms aluminosilicate particles at a size that scatters mainly the blue part of sunlight. So it's an optical effect, not a dye in the water.

Is the Río Celeste waterfall open?

You can view the waterfall, but the staircase has officially been open only halfway since June 2025. Check the park's Facebook page shortly before your visit to see whether the lower platform has reopened.

Is Tenorio volcano active or dangerous?

It is considered dormant, no historical eruptions are known, and OVSICORI has it at the lowest level, "Calma." The real risks in the park are weather, falling branches and slippery trails.

Is the hike suitable for children?

Yes to the waterfall, if the kids are sure-footed. The full route is tough for small children because of mud, roots and about 250 steps, and strollers can't get through.

How do I get to the Río Celeste?

By rental car to Bijagua on Route 6, then about 9 km (5.6 miles) east to the El Pilón entrance. It's about an hour and a half from Liberia, about three and a half hours from San José; organized day tours run from La Fortuna.

Costa Rica's volcanoesOn through the volcanic chain

The same basic rule applies to all four: admission only with an online ticket from the SINAC system.

ArenalThe postcard cone near La Fortuna. Dormant since 2010 – you hike across the solidified 1968 and 1992 lava flows.Rincón de la ViejaThe country's most active volcano right now. Boiling mud pots and fumaroles – the park is open, the crater trail closed since 2011.PoásThe crater rim on a paved trail: time slot, at most 20 minutes at the viewpoint, currently with a helmet required.

Sources · accessed on 21 September 2026