Rio Celeste
Rio Celeste
4.7
Admission tickets
from
S$43.80
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.7
1,797 reviews
Excellent
1,336
Very good
347
Average
81
Poor
20
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13
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Kevin H
4 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Beautiful park with a spectacular waterfall and great hiking trail! Absolutely worth seeing!
However, we would recommend visiting the park as early as possible to avoid crowds of tourists. Attention - tickets must be purchased online in advance with a fixed time slot for entry.
In addition, the hiking trail is sometimes very steep and steps - you should have a certain level of sportiness ;)
However, we would recommend visiting the park as early as possible to avoid crowds of tourists. Attention - tickets must be purchased online in advance with a fixed time slot for entry.
In addition, the hiking trail is sometimes very steep and steps - you should have a certain level of sportiness ;)
Written 24 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim L
Orillia, Canada875 contributions
Jan 2025 • Solo
I hiked the trail on a rainy day, which dilutes the water somewhat, but it was still blue! Very cool. The waterfall is quite spectacular. Most of the crowds only go as far as the waterfall, so it’s worth continuing on for a more rugged trail, the source of the blue water, and a bubbling spring. The trail, especially past the waterfall has significant elevation change, and there are many stairs down to the waterfall, so expect a good workout. The surrounding forest is beautiful, and being a rainforest, usually wet. Keep a sharp eye for wildlife – it’s out there.
I’m surprised at the number of comments about tickets. Do your research – most Costa Rica national parks use the SINAC on-line ticket system. It’s a pain, it’s poorly designed, but get used to it. You can’t buy tickets in person at most (not all) of the national parks. Set up your account before you even leave home, practice doing a booking, and do the booking before you leave your hotel. You won’t be happy about standing around a sketchy hotspot, surrounded by strangers, while you enter your credit card and passport info.
The park is a 5, the crowds -1
I’m surprised at the number of comments about tickets. Do your research – most Costa Rica national parks use the SINAC on-line ticket system. It’s a pain, it’s poorly designed, but get used to it. You can’t buy tickets in person at most (not all) of the national parks. Set up your account before you even leave home, practice doing a booking, and do the booking before you leave your hotel. You won’t be happy about standing around a sketchy hotspot, surrounded by strangers, while you enter your credit card and passport info.
The park is a 5, the crowds -1
Written 21 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wanderer823958
Chesham, UK6 contributions
Mar 2025 • Couples
We arrived without getting tickets and you have to buy the tickets online. Unfortunately the internet isn't good and you need to register with Sinac first which takes a long time and then buy the tickets. There was a park official who offered to help for 20 dollars each! We didn't have cash and after registering another park official finally helped us for free. The walk to the waterfall was easy and we saw a poisonous snake on the way back. The hike to where the two rivers meet isn't really worth it but the waterfall was very blue and beautiful.
Written 12 March 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emma
Montreal, Canada2 contributions
Mar 2025 • Family
During our recent excursion to the Rio Celeste Rainforest in Costa Rica, we had the pleasure of being guided by Manuel. He demonstrated exceptional knowledge and passion for the rainforest and its unique ecosystem. Manuel provided us with fascinating insights into the flora and fauna of the rainforest. His expertise was evident as he pointed out various species of plants and animals.
Throughout the tour, Manuel was incredibly professional and attentive to our needs. He ensured that everyone in the group was comfortable and engaged, answering all our questions with patience and enthusiasm. His enthusiasm was contagious, making the excursion not only educational but also incredibly enjoyable.
One of the highlights of the tour was when Manuel led us to the stunning Rio Celeste waterfall. His knowledge of the best viewpoints and photo spots ensured that we captured the beauty of the waterfall perfectly. This moment, along with many others, made the excursion unforgettable.
Our experience with Manuel was exceptional. He made our visit to the Rio Celeste Rainforest a memorable and enriching experience. We highly recommend this excursion if you travel to Costa Rica.
Throughout the tour, Manuel was incredibly professional and attentive to our needs. He ensured that everyone in the group was comfortable and engaged, answering all our questions with patience and enthusiasm. His enthusiasm was contagious, making the excursion not only educational but also incredibly enjoyable.
One of the highlights of the tour was when Manuel led us to the stunning Rio Celeste waterfall. His knowledge of the best viewpoints and photo spots ensured that we captured the beauty of the waterfall perfectly. This moment, along with many others, made the excursion unforgettable.
Our experience with Manuel was exceptional. He made our visit to the Rio Celeste Rainforest a memorable and enriching experience. We highly recommend this excursion if you travel to Costa Rica.
Written 17 March 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anthonyzag
Nashville, TN10 contributions
Mar 2025 • Family
The striking blue waters and waterfall on the Rio Celeste is gorgeous, and makes for wonderful photos! The blue water is due to the volcanic minerals, and if you hike to the blue lagoon, you will also notice a sulphuric smell from the water too.
A few things to keep in mind, you will need to purchase your tickets online before you arrive, and they have set entry times, that also have limited spots (Most people go first thing in the morning, so you will have a fewer people to contend with if you go late morning or early afternoon).
Also, they label this hike as moderate difficulty, but it should be labeled as hard. There are a lot of very steep elevation changes as you are basically going straight up/down a mountain. I had to carry my two-year old child in a backpack carrier the entire way, so if you have a small child this is a must-have to do this hike.
A few things to keep in mind, you will need to purchase your tickets online before you arrive, and they have set entry times, that also have limited spots (Most people go first thing in the morning, so you will have a fewer people to contend with if you go late morning or early afternoon).
Also, they label this hike as moderate difficulty, but it should be labeled as hard. There are a lot of very steep elevation changes as you are basically going straight up/down a mountain. I had to carry my two-year old child in a backpack carrier the entire way, so if you have a small child this is a must-have to do this hike.
Written 16 March 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MT B
4 contributions
Dec 2024 • Family
Beautiful national Park and would go again but keeping the following in mind - go as early as possible. The crowds and tours that come through are a bit overwhelming and quite frankly annoying with how much of the trail they take up with no regard to other people around them. We arrived at 10 am and regretted the late start but we had a check out to do and a 1.5 hour drive so thought this was reasonable. Get there earlier!!
As well, any pre-booked self guided tour we booked at other places, if we arrived a bit early, they would let us go ahead. Here we arrived at 9:30am and had to wait until our 10 am entrance ticket time. Which I can understand in one sense, but everyone had to also wait until 10 am to even begin a bag check process. People at the table were doing nothing in the meantime. I didn't understand the logic of not checking bags while people waited and then sending us through the ticket line at 10. This created a very congested start right from the beginning, with tour groups being let ahead of people in line to get bags checked and blocking the trail right from the get go.
The park is hands down gorgeous. The crowds and tour groups took away from the natural surrounding and beauty. If I go again - 6am is go time at any location in Costa Rica. Anything past an 8 am start is miserable.
As well, any pre-booked self guided tour we booked at other places, if we arrived a bit early, they would let us go ahead. Here we arrived at 9:30am and had to wait until our 10 am entrance ticket time. Which I can understand in one sense, but everyone had to also wait until 10 am to even begin a bag check process. People at the table were doing nothing in the meantime. I didn't understand the logic of not checking bags while people waited and then sending us through the ticket line at 10. This created a very congested start right from the beginning, with tour groups being let ahead of people in line to get bags checked and blocking the trail right from the get go.
The park is hands down gorgeous. The crowds and tour groups took away from the natural surrounding and beauty. If I go again - 6am is go time at any location in Costa Rica. Anything past an 8 am start is miserable.
Written 6 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Felix G
Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany96 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
Very important: Buy tickets online in advance. Otherwise, like us, you stand stupidly at the entrance and try to make up for it via the bad wifi connection while being offered rain ponchos in the chord.
If it worked out, a beautifully maintained national park awaits you. The waters of the Rio Celeste are incredibly blue and definitely worth a visit.
The only thing to complain about is that no ticket can be bought in cash or with a card on site.
If it worked out, a beautifully maintained national park awaits you. The waters of the Rio Celeste are incredibly blue and definitely worth a visit.
The only thing to complain about is that no ticket can be bought in cash or with a card on site.
Automatically translated
Written 30 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thierry B
Paris, France18 contributions
Feb 2025 • Family
The path to the points of interest is pretty easy and well maintained. The blue river is really magic and the jungle so beautiful. The only problem is that you ll cross someone every 30 sec …it is full of tourists, like us :)
Written 22 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ricardo Alessandro
Brazil565 contributions
Mar 2025 • Solo
Nice walk in Costa Rica with the waterfall being the main attraction. My visit took place on a sunny day so the water was beautiful and clean. Trail well marked and there was some animals too but I would like to see more. What weighs on this attraction is the value. I paid $100 and would like the park to offer me more, but as everything here is expensive it is within the usual value. The tour finds you at the hotel and has lunch including
Automatically translated
Written 7 March 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tashaaa1
London, UK544 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
We had a great time exploring the national park and seeing the rio celeste waterfall.
The day was rather rainy however that is to be expected in the middle of the rainforest, so we didn't get the clear turquoise waters you see in the pictures of others. I wouldn't go there and expect the sun to be out either to see it in that colour. Our guide said most days of the year it rains there so it's very rarely as blue as you see in the pictures.
The national park surrounding it is full of tropical flora and fauna, we saw so much from birds to snakes. Poisonous and harmless.
Definitely worth a visit and not too far from the resorts in the guanacaste area.
The day was rather rainy however that is to be expected in the middle of the rainforest, so we didn't get the clear turquoise waters you see in the pictures of others. I wouldn't go there and expect the sun to be out either to see it in that colour. Our guide said most days of the year it rains there so it's very rarely as blue as you see in the pictures.
The national park surrounding it is full of tropical flora and fauna, we saw so much from birds to snakes. Poisonous and harmless.
Definitely worth a visit and not too far from the resorts in the guanacaste area.
Written 11 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
is there a place nearby the park where we can store luggage for 1 day (just for the afternoon).
Written 14 November 2023
There is a very small cafe adjacent to the park office at the entrance. Not sure if they would keep this for you. You might want to email the Tenorio Volcano National Park Office to see if staff would let you keep this in their booth where they sell tickets.
Written 14 November 2023
Would this be a suitable hike for children age 7 and 12?
Written 30 April 2023
I don't know the fitness level of your children but I don't see a problem. There are quite a lot of stairs but you don't need to go down as you can see the waterfall also from above. I recomend to go early in the morning because of the heat and there are also less people. Enjoy!
Written 1 May 2023
During February 2021 will be open for tourism or there are some restrictions because of the virus?
Written 22 January 2021
Devons nous prendre les billets avant? Quel site?
Written 18 January 2021
Bonjour , le parking est il sécurisé ? Car nous aurons sûrement les bagages à l’intérieur ?
Written 14 March 2020
hola, si por unos dolores hay parking vigilado
Written 15 March 2020
Enter “Rio Celeste waterfall parking” into your waze or google map
Written 5 January 2021
Hike time to/from the falls? Or other must do places to see?
Written 2 November 2019
For us it was less than an hour each way. Most of it is easy; the steps may be difficult for some people.
Written 5 January 2021
Vicki121976
Yaphank, New York
Can I take a taxi or uber from my hotel in Liberia to National Parks and Refuges? If so are they pricey?
Written 17 October 2019
Will we still see the blue water of the river if we go after rains? Planning to go in a week.
Written 12 August 2019
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