Río Celeste Bridge on Route 4 (Katira)
Bridge · Arenal & La Fortuna
The highway bridge where Route 4 crosses the Río Celeste near Katira: from the sidewalk you look down on the river's milky turquoise water winding through the forest, far from the park crowds.
- Cost
- Free
- Time there
- 15 min
- Best time
- sunny morning
- Kids
- 6 / 10
- View
- 7 / 10
- Crowds
- 2 / 10
- Swimming
- 8 / 10
- Effort
- 1 / 10
- Location
- 10.7309, -84.88819 — Google Maps
- Ratings
- 4.6 on Google (23)
Before you go
- Entry
- Free
- Tickets
- Free entry, no ticket
- Parking
- No parking
- Road
- Paved all the way
- Swimming
- No swimming
- Checked
- 2026-10
Tip
The color is best after a few dry days in sunshine; after heavy rain the river runs brown.
Be careful
This is a busy highway with trucks — pull fully off the road before the bridge and stay on the sidewalk.
Places nearby
- Laberinto de KatiraParks & WildlifeOwner Rafael Arguedas grew two big hedge mazes and a park of about 30 topiary animals 500 m north of Katira's center; climb the platforms for views.
- Soda River BlueSodas & Local FoodA small, top-rated family soda on the Katira side of Río Celeste with cheap Costa Rican plates.
- Soda y Rancho Doña IrmaSodas & Local FoodRustic roadside rancho near the Tenorio park road serving typical Costa Rican food.
- 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.
- 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.
Sources: OpenStreetMap way/586669802 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/586669802