Your Guide to Tenorio Volcano National Park in Costa Rica

Looking for places to go in Costa Rica? Whether it’s your first or hundredth visit, there will always be somewhere new to explore in this lush and beautiful country. Tenorio Volcano National Park is one of those. Best known for its star attraction, the bright turquoise Río Celeste, this park is a must-visit.

Since too many travelers skip over the opportunity, this guide will give you the inside scoop on why it’s worth seeing, along with some key points of interest, information on how to get there, and whether I think a tour of the park is merited (as opposed to going on your own).

Let’s get into it:

Where Is Tenorio Volcano National Park?

If you’ve even scratched the surface of Costa Rica itineraries, chances are La Fortuna is on a majority of them. This is an area at the base of the iconic Arenal Volcano and is the closest large town to Tenorio Volcano National Park. Most travelers visiting La Fortuna stick to the waterfalls, volcano hiking trails, and hot springs nearby, missing out on the national park, which is a 90-minute drive away.

To get there from La Fortuna, you’ll head northwest on the highway Corredor Noratlántico 4. It’s a straight shot and a scenic route (with the potential for sloth sightings along the way). You can either drive there on your own with a rental car or do a tour, which is what I did (check it out here). Another option that is much more affordable is taking a public bus from the Transpisa company from La Fortuna to San Rafael de Guatuso and then from there to Río Celeste (which is the stop for the national park). The ride costs around $10 each way.

Things to Do in Tenorio Volcano National Park

Cross the Río Celeste

Río Celeste (“sky-blue river” in Spanish) is truly a wonder to behold. I had never seen water so vibrantly blue before. The contrast between it and the green hues of the surrounding jungle combined for some truly spectacular scenery. That made the trip worth it all on its own.

There are several points within the park where you can cross small footbridges over the water. The best one is near Los Teñideros, where the water changes color.

Marvel at Catarata Río Celeste

After seeing the impressive Catarata La Fortuna, I didn’t think the waterfalls in Costa Rica could get any better. However, when I arrived at Catarata Río Celeste, I realized I was mistaken. This one is just as thunderous as the La Fortuna waterfall but perhaps better preserved, because swimming at the base isn’t…