Río Celeste, Costa Rica, is a fairy-tale place you must visit if you find yourself in that beautiful nation. Contact with nature is profound in the “Tenorio Volcano National Park.”
When you travel as a tourist, your greatest desire is to see the most attractive areas of your chosen republic. And in this, you should not miss staying in this natural sector, which has many beauties. Keep reading and find out.
Río Celeste Waterfall: a nature paradise
Its name is because of the turquoise blue color that it possesses. The color uniquely blends blue and green tones, creating a distinct and captivating appearance. It is this color that gives the place its name, setting it apart from other objects with different colorations.
It was created because of two rivers called Buena Vista and Quebrada Agría. When they meet, they generate a chemical reaction that makes that color possible in the cascade’s water. Curiously, the place these rivers join is known as “Teñideros.”
The National Park is in the country’s north. The district to which said park belongs is called Bijagua de Upala, a rural and quite picturesque town. It is surrounded by hills with lots of flora and also cropland. To get to the Río Celeste Falls, you must cross a 1.5 km path.
The first part of the path that leads to the cascade, starting from the central station, is paved; the rest of the road is mud. It is because the land remains wet. After all, it is located in a dense rainforest. Most of the route is flat; however, you will get steep areas and small streams, and rocks, flora, and fauna will surround you.
When you get to the waterfall entry, you come across 250 steps that make up the steps that lead to the base. It would be best to remember that you would not have access to the cascade since swimming in it is prohibited. However, the photographic memories you will take with you will be wonderful.
More fantastic facts about Rio Celeste, Costa Rica
The height of the waterfall of Río Celeste, Costa Rica, is 90 meters, which ends inside a deep turquoise blue pond. This pond and the cascade have thick green vegetation around them. The ideal time to visit is the dry season. That way, you can see its color.
The two rivers that converge to form this fall combine their minerals. Among them are silicone, oxygen, and aluminum. As these three elements remain suspended due to their size, they produce the beautiful color you will see near the waterfall when they come into contact with sunlight.
In addition to all this, you can see and hear different species of birds. One is the “Black-headed Pygmy Tyrant,” a tiny bird.
Another factor that will be perceived with the union of the Buena Vista and Quebrada Agría rivers is the sulfur smell. The particular ailment can be attributed to a chemical reaction that occurs between the element mentioned above and calcium carbonate, leading to its manifestation.
What you should be clear about if you plan to explore it?
Going to the waterfall in Río Celeste, Costa Rica, would be best in December to April. The Tenorio Volcano hours are Monday to Sunday between 8 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon. However, after 2 pm, you can no longer enter the park. You must arrive before that time.
Some park areas may not be open if the weather is stormy. Ideally, you should wear appropriate footwear to walk without problems. In some parts, you will get slimy terrain that can make you slip if your shoes are inappropriate.
The rates to access the park will depend on the type of tourist you are. If you are an adult of Costa Rican nationality or resident, the cost will be ₡800 (Costa Rican colon). For non-residents, the price will be $12 (US dollars).
Other natural attractions of the Tenorio Volcano
The “Tenorio Volcano National Park” has over 12 thousand hectares of jungle area. Consequently, it has other natural attractions, such as the cascade. The names of these other attractions are the following:
• The Tenorio Volcano Viewpoint. With good weather, you will be able to see the volcano massif. It is composed of 5 small inactive cones. You will also observe Cerro Montezuma.
• The Blue Lagoon. It is a natural pool where the turquoise-blue color is most robust. Due to the volcanic waters, the sulfur smell will become more concentrated between this area and the Borbollones area. It would be best to remember that you are not allowed to immerse yourself in them.
• The Borbollones. It has an area of 50 meters. It is named so because of how the river bubbles in this sector, it is a phenomenon that is created by the release of volcanic gases to the surface.
• Dyeing plants. It is the convergence zone of Buena Vista and Quebrada Agría. Although neither of the two rivers has color, the turquoise-blue color appears when they combine minerals.
• Río Celeste Adventures Tubing. It is a river raft tour for one hour and thirty minutes.
It will be an unforgettable walk in this nation’s lively and lush nature—a jungle area is provided with a pure environment that will fill you with excellent energy.
Come to Río Celeste, Costa Rica
Getting closer to nature and recharging your energy is possible in Río Celeste, Costa Rica. This National Park is a jungle full of fascinating places you can explore without any danger—of course, respecting all the warnings they indicate. Enjoy a few magical hours inside this park.