pura vida passENES

Los Teñideros (where Río Celeste turns blue)

Nature spot · Arenal & La Fortuna

The far end of the Río Celeste trail, where two clear streams meet and the water suddenly turns sky blue. You can see the exact line where the color begins.

Cost
about $14
Time there
20 min
Best time
morning
Kids
6 / 10
View
8 / 10
Crowds
5 / 10
Swimming
0 / 10
Effort
5 / 10
Location
10.70057, -84.99701 — Google Maps

Tip

It's the turnaround point of the hike, so keep enough time and water for the walk back.

Be careful

Bridges, roots and steps are slippery when wet; take it slow.

Getting there

Inside Tenorio Volcano National Park, same ticket as the waterfall.

Places nearby

  • Laberinto Río CelesteParks & WildlifeA 4,600 m² hibiscus hedge maze 150 m from the Tenorio Volcano NP entrance — find your way to the lookout platform in the middle.
  • Tapirus Paradise RestaurantFood & CoffeePopular restaurant 300 m east of the Tenorio Volcano NP entrance, a handy lunch stop right after the Río Celeste hike.
  • Kantala Restaurant (Río Celeste Hideaway)Food & CoffeeThe fusion restaurant of the Río Celeste Hideaway hotel, open to the public for lunch or dinner with a reservation — the area's fine-dining option.
  • Tilapiera Los Laguitos y Restaurante Río CelesteFood & CoffeeLunch spot 1.4 km from the Tenorio Volcano park entrance where the tilapia comes from its own ponds, with a pretty pond garden and canoe; a handy meal stop after the Río Celeste hike.
  • Restaurante La Amistad (Río Celeste)Sodas & Local FoodFamily soda by the Posada La Amistad, east of the Tenorio entrance, serving casados — including a colorful vegetarian one — before or after the hike.
  • Tapir Valley Nature ReserveParks & WildlifePrivate reserve at the foot of Tenorio Volcano, reforested around a large lagoon; a sanctuary for the endangered Baird's tapir with 440+ bird species.

Sources: OpenStreetMap node/1538449639 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/1538449639 · https://livetheworld.com/post/ecotourism-hotspot-exploring-rio-celeste-its-trails-and-waterfall-qzas