Rio Celeste Costa Rica

A Great Day at Rio Celeste  Blue River

The road was winding  and rocky.  I thought we would never arrive.  The sun was warm but dark clouds settled in the east.  An impending rainstorm, hopefully not,  since we were on our way to the Tenorio Volcano National Park to see a river with clear sky blue water.  With a name very befitting–Rio Celeste.   Or Blue River.

This blue river has its birth place at the base of the Tenorio Volcano in the highlands of Northwest Costa Rica.   The water picks up sulphur and when the sunlight filters through, the water looks blue.

The hike was not easy to the river, through dense rainforest and mountainous terrain. Several inches of rain in the previous days had left the pathways deep in mud.  But off we treked  with much anticipation having heard there was a hot springs in the river near  the large waterfall.

After about one hour of hiking we reached the hot pool and of course could not wait to get it….so relaxing and soothing to the aching muscles.

The waterfall  was at least ten feet high and the sounds of the force of the water filled the tropical humid air.

I just could not believe my eyes!  Such a beautiful sight.  We all had to take photos so our friends back home would believe that we actually saw a river with blue waters.

The trip from La Fortuna (Arenal Volcano) took us around three hours because the last portion of the road is rocky  and loose gravel.  So come in a 4×4 vehicle.  (Look at your Costa Rica map and see this route.)

The other route: from San Jose drive north on highway 1.   Past the Canas Exit– turn right when you see signs to Bijagua – around Bijagua  you can can find small hotels and tours to the Tenorio Volcano National park  and the beautiful Rio Celeste River.

Read more about Tenorio Volcano National Park and the Rio Celeste River at
www.costarica-nationalparks.com/tenorionationalpark.html

See photos of Rio Celeste  www.ruralcostarica.com/photos4.html