
Ticket to Rio Celeste Waterfall & Tenorio Volcano National Park
Traveler rating
4.2/5
Based on 39 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Ticket to Rio Celeste Waterfall & Tenorio Volcano National Park worth booking?
Ticket to Rio Celeste Waterfall & Tenorio Volcano National Park is a 3-hour experience in Alajuela, Costa Rica, from $32 per person. It scores 60 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.2/5 rating across 39 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 60 / 100
- Rating
- 4.2/5 (39)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $32 per person
The color of the Celeste River, surrounded by a lush forest, offers a stunning landscape worthy to be known and admired. A pristine stream that is turquoise dyed. It is not a magic act: it is a natural spectacle you ca
What you get
About this experience
The color of the Celeste River, surrounded by a lush forest, offers a stunning landscape worthy to be known and admired. A pristine stream that is turquoise dyed. It is not a magic act: it is a natural spectacle you can only witness in the place known as El Teñidero. Located in the Guanacaste Volcanic Mountain Range, this park has a rainforest that protects species of wildlife of regional importance. Within the area, the Tenorio Volcano, with its four cones, it offers natural scenic overlooks that allow appreciate the plains of the Pacific and Caribbean. "It is a magical place that offers a variety of possibilities to appreciate the wonders of nature and difficult to find phenomena. If not known, it is time to do so; not regret
What's included
Included
- All Fees and Taxes
Not included
- Private transportation
- Guide
- Food or drinks
What you'll see and do
Rio Celeste
The Volcan Tenorio National Park is known worldwide for the color of the Celeste River, it is surrounded by an exuberant forest, it offers an impressive landscape worth knowing and admiring. Within its forest you can find a 30-meter waterfall, with a turquoise color, ideal for taking pictures, in the middle of the trail you can find a small lake, where it is easy to observe nearby toatis, tapirs, toucans, monkeys and even with luck some sloth. At the end of the trail you will find how two rivers of crystalline waters cross a rock with minerals, which is what causes the color change, from transparent to light blue, this is not an act of magic: it is a natural spectacle that you can witness only in the place known as El Teñidero. Rio Celeste is a magical place that offers a wide variety of possibilities to appreciate the wonders of nature and phenomena that are difficult to find. If you don't know it, it's time to do it; you will not regret.
Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Alajuela
Located 6 miles away from Bijagua de Upala, 10 miles away from San Rafael de Guatuso. From Liberia will be around 1.5 hours, from San José will be 3 hours. From La Fortuna, it will be around 90 minutes. To use google maps or waze you will find it like Rio Celeste y Los Teñideros
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Located 6 miles away from Bijagua de Upala, 10 miles away from San Rafael de Guatuso. From Liberia will be around 1.5 hours, from San José will be 3 hours. From La Fortuna, it will be around 90 minutes. To use google maps or waze you will find it like Rio Celeste y Los Teñideros
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Tico Paradise Costa Rica
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 39 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Physical effort
5 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
39 verified traveler reviews for Ticket to Rio Celeste Waterfall & Tenorio Volcano National Park. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Bianca Benson review
It is an amazing rainforest area. The Rio Celeste falls are amazing. The rain was intense, but that’s should be expected in the rainy season of the rain forest. However, maybe the site could emphasize that more so that people are more prepared. The trail is a bit tricky, with the mud, some inclines, and rock. I did expect some of it from the description. It was ok for me but would be hard for some.
via Viator
Very fun way to spend a couple of hours!
Very fun! Got to see some wildlife too. Highly recommended!!!
via Tripadvisor
eh would not pay that much again
they literally only gave us 2 seconds to see it bc there was a line and there is no room they let a group of 30 people stay down there longer than groups of two, they advertise like you will be able to enjoy the waterfall but all you get is a picture and get booted. Very pretty to look at if we actually would have got to ! not worth the money and the drive but i recommend stopping and swimming in the part before the park it is still pretty blue water
via Viator
Horrible experience
No signs that shows the route. No alert about how long or how hard the trail will be. Even though it’s labeled “moderate,” many visitors don’t realize there are ~250 steep stairs to the waterfall section. In addition, The waterfall viewpoint often has long queues, especially mid-morning to early afternoon.
via Tripadvisor
Rio Celeste and waterfall!
Fantastic experience and great hike. Often rocky, very muddy and medium difficulty but so worth seeing the water. I would recommend not wearing sandals but many people did. It is not a loop trail but rather walk to the end (so worth it) and walk back. Be prepared to pay for parking/ we paid 3000 colones at the site. Go early as there was a que at the waterfall and it was longer later. Loved it!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 14
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Tico Paradise Costa Rica, who run 25 experiences we rank across 8 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 50.0.
See everything Tico Paradise Costa Rica runsWhy this scores 60
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Ticket to Rio Celeste Waterfall & Tenorio Volcano National Park: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Alajuela.
How much does Ticket to Rio Celeste Waterfall & Tenorio Volcano National Park cost?
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Prices start at $32 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Alajuela usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Ticket to Rio Celeste Waterfall & Tenorio Volcano National Park take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Alajuela is not rushed.
Is Ticket to Rio Celeste Waterfall & Tenorio Volcano National Park worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 60 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.2/5 across 39 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Alajuela, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Ticket to Rio Celeste Waterfall & Tenorio Volcano National Park?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Ticket to Rio Celeste Waterfall & Tenorio Volcano National Park suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Ticket to Rio Celeste Waterfall & Tenorio Volcano National Park?
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Around 14 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Alajuela can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Alajuela and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Ticket to Rio Celeste Waterfall & Tenorio Volcano National Park start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Alajuela within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Alajuela?
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On Outty we rank every Alajuela experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner, Arenal Volcano Experience Full-Day Tour from San Jose, Manuel Antonio National Park Sightseeing and Wildlife Day Tour from San Jose. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Alajuela?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Alajuela?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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