Costa Rica

Tenorio National Park

Rio Celeste Hike, Tenorio, Costa Rica
Origins, Costa Rica
Origins, Costa Rica
Origins, Costa Rica

Why visit Tenorio National Park?

Tenorio National Park is best known for the otherworldly blue waters of Río Celeste, a natural phenomenon created where mineral-rich rivers meet on the slopes of Tenorio Volcano. Walking the forest trails reveals waterfalls, bubbling volcanic vents and dense rainforest alive with birds, frogs and butterflies, offering a vivid introduction to Costa Rica’s raw, elemental landscapes.

Beyond Río Celeste, the park protects a mix of cloud forest and lowland rainforest, making it one of the most biodiverse areas in the north of the country. Trails wind through quieter sections where wildlife sightings feel intimate and unhurried, and visits here pair beautifully with nearby hot springs, rural communities and wildlife experiences, adding depth to a journey through northern Costa Rica.

Sloth, Costa Rica

Highlights of Tenorio National Park 

  • Río Celeste Waterfall: The park’s showstopper. A powerful cascade plunges into vivid blue pools, created by a natural mineral reaction upstream.

  • Canopy Birdwatching: Explore the rainforest from above at dawn or dusk, when birdlife is at its most active across changing forest layers.

  • Caño Negro Wetlands by Boat: Glide along the Rio Frío through one of Costa Rica’s most important wetlands, rich in resident and migratory birdlife.

  • Tapir Tracking in the Tenorio Foothills: Follow fresh footprints through rainforest in search of the endangered Baird’s tapir, with short, gentle walks.

  • Horse Riding Through Forest and Pasture: Ride across open prairies and shaded forest trails, suited to both first-time and confident riders.

  • Medicinal Garden Walk: Learn how local plants and herbs have been used for healing over generations, with time to sample herbal infusions.

  • Night Walk in the Rainforest: Discover the forest after dark as frogs, insects and other nocturnal species emerge.

  • Tenorio Volcano Landscapes: Walk through cloud forest shaped by volcanic forces, with steaming vents and views towards Tenorio’s craters.

Did you Know?

The vibrant, turquoise-blue water of Rio Celeste isn’t magic; it is a natural phenomenon occurring at a specific point called El Teñidero, where two clear streams mix, causing volcanic minerals to scatter sunlight.

Volcanic Legacy

The park sits on Tenorio Volcano, and volcanic activity still shapes the landscape, from steaming vents to hot springs and crater viewpoints, making it a rare mix of rainforest and geologic spectacle.

Good to know

Getting to Tenorio National Park

The main international gateway to Costa Rica is Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), near San José. From here, it is roughly a four-hour drive to Tenorio National Park.

When to go

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OUR FAVOURITE TIME TO VISIT

The best time to visit Tenorio National Park is during the dry season, from December to April, when trails are easier to walk and Río Celeste is at its clearest.

The green season, from May to November, is also rewarding, with lush rainforest, fuller waterfalls and fewer visitors, though afternoon showers are more frequent.

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