Tenorio Volcano National Park, Rio Celeste and incredible trees: the complete guide

Unlike Manuel Antonio, the Tenorio Volcano National Park is not among the most visited in the world, but it is home to many wonders of nature. Starting from the stupendous waterfall and passing through lush vegetation, you arrive at the famous Laguna Azul: a body of water with celestial hues.

Things to know before entering Tenorio Volcano National Park

This park is made up of three main areas and you can reach about 2000 meters above sea level by following its path. Pre-montane rainforest has the largest extent compared to tropical humid forest and tropical very humid forest. If you visit Tenorio you should know that its route is not the easiest, so consider numerous differences in height characterized by steep climbs and very high steps.

Here the maximum temperature usually reaches 23° and the rains are quite frequent. On the other hand you are in a rainforest, it couldn’t be otherwise. Equip yourself with waterproof clothing and water-resistant shoes, especially suitable for terrain that is not the easiest. The presence of mud and stones is frequent, so pay close attention during your route.

Opening times and prices of the Tenorio Volcano National Park

Every day from 08:00 to 14:00. The stay can last until 4pm at the latest.

Adults: $13.56

Children ages 2 to 12: $5.65

Infants: free

Regulations of the Tenorio Volcano National Park

At the entrance to the park a ranger will check your backpack, as you know it is not possible to let in certain objects, so make sure you leave anything you won’t need at home or in your car.

What is allowed to do inside the Tenorio Volcano Park?

• Take photos and capture videos WITHOUT FLASH
• Bring water, but only in water bottles or special containers.
• Bring sunscreen and mosquito repellent

What is not allowed inside the Tenorio Volcano Park?

On some sites you may find conflicting information, but we who have been there in person have found that inside the Tenorio Volcano National Park it is not allowed:

• Taking Photos with Flash
• Bring water in plastic bottles
• Go off the beaten track
• Introduce alcohol and drugs
• Feed the wildlife
• Speak loudly
• Collect flora, animals and minerals
• Smoking cigarettes and e-cigarettes
• Bring lighters and matches
• Introduce animals
• Camping, hunting and fishing
• Using drones

How to get to Tenorio Volcano National Park?

The Tenorio Volcano National Park is located on the volcanic mountain range of Guanacaste and its entrance is about 9km from the town of Bijagua.

By car

Reaching the park by car can be challenging for the less experienced, especially due to some very rough roads and very steep climbs. The two best (and asphalted) roads are via Cañas following these directions and via Guatuso which you can find here. In this regard, I advise you to get an eSim to be able to exploit data traffic without having to pay a fortune to your operator.

By bus

To reach Tenorio National Park by bus we recommend taking the San José-Upala line: you can find numerous companies that operate this route on Avenida 7 in San José. The bus will not take you to the National Park, so you may need to take a taxi from Bijagua.

Parking at the Tenorio Volcano National Park

The park does not have its own car park, but in front of the entrance there is a wide choice of private car parks. Prices are more or less the same ($6.00/$8.00), but make sure you pay for a full day or however many hours you need for your visit.

Tips for getting to the Tenorio Volcano National Park

Be very careful when the weather is rainy. As you climb towards the volcano the visibility may reduce a lot, so moderate your speed and be prepared to cut through the clouds with your vehicle – it’s also very fascinating.

What will you see at Tenorio Volcano National Park?

In the Tenorio Volcano National Park you will be able to enjoy truly particular vegetation, with trees that reach up to the sky and very bizarre flowers. As in all of Costa Rica, there is a varied fauna and if you are lucky you will be able to admire animals such as pumas or tapirs.

What kind of wildlife can you expect at Tenorio Volcano National Park?

The fauna is quite rich and in the park, in addition to the usual capuchin monkeys, there are also howler monkeys. The rich vegetation of Tenorio Park is inhabited by colorful butterflies and snakes, but also by coatis and anteaters.

During our visit we had the honor of meeting our first coati together with his family. But let’s see what else to expect from a faunal point of view:

• Capuchin monkeys
• Howler Monkeys
• Coati
• Raccoons
• Agouti (rodents)
• Tamandua (Anteater)
• Snakes
• Quetzal
• Other birds
• Various insects and butterflies

What kind of flora can you expect at Tenorio Volcano National Park?

The vegetation of the Tenorio Volcano National Park is perhaps the most impressive attraction of the protected area. Trees and plants give life to designs that are as bizarre as they are unique, as well as giving shelter to numerous animal species. The flora of the park is mainly divided into:

• Palms
• Ferns
• Bromeliads
• Orchids

The paths of the Tenorio Volcano National Park

The Tenorio Volcano National Park actually has a single trail (Sentiero Misterioso), which then branches out towards the largest attractions in the park. In fact, along the route you will be able to admire the waterfall, the Rio Celeste, the Laguna Azul, the so-called Borbollones and the Teñidero: here the Buena Vista river and the Quebrada Agria come together to give life to astonishing colours.

Cascada Rio Celeste

After a pleasant walk of about 1.5 km you will find a staircase (very tiring) to go down and admire the Rio Celeste waterfall. The jet of water launches from a height of 30 meters and, depending on the sunlight, can give a variety of colors ranging from white to blue.

Laguna Azul

This is a small basin in the Tenorio Volcano National Park and bathing is not possible, however even here, thanks to various and numerous plays of light, you can admire the blue color of the Rio Celeste.

Borbollónes

The Borbollónes, literally “bubbles”, offer a spectacle due to volcanic activity, which releases gases at high temperatures. Through underwater cracks these gases give rise to real bubbles.

El Teñidero

The Buena Vista River and the Quebrada Agria converge here to create the famous light blue color you will have seen in so many photographs. With 36km of length, the river seems to be of a common greenish colour, but then suddenly the blue stands out forcefully on the surface. This is definitely the strong point of the Tenorio Volcano National Park, so even if you are tired due to the steep stairs, know that with a little more effort you will see a one-of-a-kind show.

Where to eat at Tenorio Volcano National Park?

As you know, in the national parks of Costa Rica it is not possible to bring in food, even if in this specific park there are no official restrictions. However, we still advise you to have a hearty meal before entering, because the route will not take you long: about 2/3 hours. Outside the park there are some soda and bars where you can have a snack.

Where to stay to visit the Tenorio Volcano National Park?

If you have decided to stay near the park to avoid making a long journey from San José, we recommend an accommodation that we were able to try first hand. Located on land planted with cocoa trees, the lodges made available by Yorleni guarantee privacy and relaxation. The host will take care of making you enjoy a delicious cocoa wine and, if you wish, lunch and dinner in perfect Costa Rican style.

Cacahúa Paradise Lodge also offers night hikes in a small rainforest nearby. We took advantage of a private trip and admired many frogs, characteristic of this area.

Where to buy tickets for Tenorio Volcano National Park?

Entrance tickets can be purchased on site only by credit card, or online on the official SINAC website.

For the entrance ticket: SINAC

How to contact the Tenorio Volcano National Park?

Email: cattemi@visitcostaricanorth.com

Tel: +506 2206-5369

Conclusion: our experience at Tenorio Volcano National Park

Although not the most popular park in Costa Rica, Tenorio Volcano is a truly one-of-a-kind area. The walk was pleasant, even if there was a considerable expenditure of energy, however our encounters with a family of Coatis, with an arboreal snake and with the fantastic plays of color of the Rio Celeste, fully repaid every effort made . Along the route there are many observation points which – given the altitude – offer very picturesque views. The walk is short and based on our experience we would highly recommend a stop at the Tenorio Volcano National Park.

If you still have no idea how to organize your trip to Costa Rica you can contact us, we at Trip Around Costa Rica will help you.

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