The excellent news? Reaching Rio Celeste is comparatively simpler. The higher information? Read by way of the following few paragraphs will make you much more excited to go there than you’re already, if that’s even doable.
By the time you attain the top of this text, you’ll be effectively in your method to Costa Rica’s stunning blue falls. You’ll additionally study an vital secret about swimming in them I want I had know once I visited the primary time.
Where to Stay Near Rio Celeste
Before I get into the small print of how one can go to Rio Celeste, I assumed we might begin with one thing extra basic: Where to remain the evening earlier than you go to. There are two primary choices. Some vacationers will keep in one of many cities near the falls, whereas others will journey from a bigger vacation spot close by, almost definitely the new springs idyll of La Fortuna close to Volcan Arénal.
If you do keep close to Rio Celeste, a easy lodging equivalent to Posada la Amistad might be the very best. Guest homes like this are precious largely due to their comfort, which is essential when touring on this a part of Costa Rica. If you keep at La Fortuna’s Hotel el Silencio del Campo, in the meantime, you’ll go to Rio Celeste on a day journey, both through your personal non-public automobile or on a day tour (extra on that later).
How to Get to Rio Celeste
Rent a automobile
The best method to attain Rio Celeste (and to journey in Costa Rica typically) is to have your personal set of wheels. As a basic rule, it’s greatest to do that upon arrival on the airport in Liberia or San Jose to avoid wasting your self the difficulty of getting to seek out an in-town rental company.
(Or e-book a tour)
On the opposite hand, if you happen to’re planning to get across the nation by bus, you may go to Rio Celeste on a tour from La Fortuna on an organized tour. This will also be advantageous for solo vacationers, because it lets you mix your journey with what is probably going much-needed socialization.
Pay your entry payment
Rio Celeste is within the Tenorio Volcano National Park and consequently, is topic to an entry payment. As of June 2022 that is $12 per individual. Note that if you happen to drive your personal automobile, additionally, you will have to pay $5 to park it on-site, though if you happen to don’t thoughts strolling you might be able to park it alongside the principle street without spending a dime.
Complete the (straightforward) hike
Once you’ve adopted your GPS (or your tour information) to the doorway, the query of how one can go to Rio Celeste is a straightforward one: You hike! The out-and-back path, which ends at Rio Celeste’s well-known waterfall, takes about an hour every approach, and is comparatively straightforward.
Swim—however take care
Contrary to some rumors you discover on-line, it’s doable to swim at Rio Celeste. However, you must keep away from dunking your head into the water, or getting water into your eyes. The very minerals that give it its blue shade can even irritate your mucous membranes.
Is Rio Celeste Worth Visiting?
Rio Celeste is fairly hyped on-line and in social media, not gonna lie. I’ve seen some articles that purpose to painting it as otherworldly and even alien-like. Oddly, many of those additionally counsel that Rio Celeste is one way or the other off-the-beaten path. While which may be true in a really literal sense, it positively doesn’t really feel ignored in any approach—it should virtually actually be crowded once you go to.
Yet I do suppose you must go to Rio Celeste—and that it’ll most likely knock your socks off once you to. The jungles it flows by way of are comparatively regular for Costa Rica, which makes the sight of the blue waters by way of its thick vegetation all of the extra shocking. Then there’s the truth that you solely attain the waterfall on the finish of the path: It’s an enormous pay-off at exactly the fitting second.
Other FAQ About Visiting Rio Celeste
Can you swim in Rio Celeste?
Contrary to well-liked perception, you may swim at Rio Celeste (however solely within the river half—you may’t swim below or close to the waterfall). The secret’s that you just shouldn’t put your head underwater, as sure minerals within the water could irritate your mouth, nostril, ears or eyes.
Why is Rio Celeste blue?
Rio Celeste is blue attributable to a mix of volcanic minerals within the water. These embody, however will not be restricted to, Aluminum, silicon and oxygen. These minerals are additionally the explanation you shouldn’t put your head underwater if you happen to swim in Rio Celeste.
How exhausting is the Rio Celeste hike?
The Rio Celeste hike is comparatively straightforward. Apart from the steps that lead all the way down to the waterfall on the finish of the hike, the path is usually flat and really well-maintained. It ought to take you round an hour every approach, though if you happen to cease typically for images it might require a bit bit extra time.
The Bottom Line
I hope you will have a a lot clearer concept of how one can go to Rio Celeste now than you probably did once you arrive on this web page. Like most issues about touring in Costa Rica, attending to the nation’s stunning, blue waterfall requires simply the fitting mixture of data and endurance, each of which repay in spades when you lastly get there. Some of you’ll journey to Rio Celeste independently, whereas others will take an organized tour from La Fortuna or elsewhere within the nation.