Looking for locations to go in Costa Rica? Whether it’s your first or hundredth go to, there’ll at all times be someplace new to discover on this lush and delightful nation. Tenorio Volcano National Park is a kind of. Best identified for its star attraction, the brilliant turquoise Río Celeste, this park is a must-visit.
Since too many vacationers skip over the chance, this information provides you with the within scoop on why it’s price seeing, together with some key factors of curiosity, info on the best way to get there, and whether or not I feel a tour of the park is merited (versus going by yourself).
Let’s get into it:
Where Is Tenorio Volcano National Park?
If you’ve even scratched the floor of Costa Rica itineraries, chances are high La Fortuna is on a majority of them. This is an space on the base of the long-lasting Arenal Volcano and is the closest giant city to Tenorio Volcano National Park. Most vacationers visiting La Fortuna follow the waterfalls, volcano climbing trails, and sizzling springs close by, lacking out on the nationwide park, which is a 90-minute drive away.
To get there from La Fortuna, you’ll head northwest on the freeway Corredor Noratlántico 4. It’s a straight shot and a scenic route (with the potential for sloth sightings alongside the way in which). You can both drive there by yourself with a rental automotive or do a tour, which is what I did (test it out right here). Another choice that’s far more inexpensive is taking a public bus from the Transpisa firm from La Fortuna to San Rafael de Guatuso after which from there to Río Celeste (which is the cease for the nationwide park). The experience prices round $10 every means.
Things to Do in Tenorio Volcano National Park
Cross the Río Celeste
Río Celeste (“sky-blue river” in Spanish) is really a marvel to behold. I had by no means seen water so vibrantly blue earlier than. The distinction between it and the inexperienced hues of the encircling jungle mixed for some actually spectacular surroundings. That made the journey price all of it by itself.
There are a number of factors throughout the park the place you may cross small footbridges over the water. The greatest one is close to Los Teñideros, the place the water modifications colour.
Marvel at Catarata Río Celeste
After seeing the spectacular Catarata La Fortuna, I didn’t assume the waterfalls in Costa Rica may get any higher. However, after I arrived at Catarata Río Celeste, I spotted I used to be mistaken. This one is simply as thunderous because the La Fortuna waterfall however maybe higher preserved, as a result of swimming on the base isn’t allowed. Here you may see the namesake blue colour in all its glory, and possibly a rainbow within the mist on a sunny day.
There are dozens, possibly even tons of, of steps main all the way down to the waterfall, so be ready for a exercise on the way in which again up. This was additionally the busiest a part of the nationwide park, so getting there at peak time meant wading by different guests with a purpose to snap a photograph. Try to get there very first thing within the morning, when the park opens at 8am, and head straight to the waterfall.
Look for the bubbles at Los Borbollones
Since the nationwide park is on the foot of a volcano, there’s a flurry of geothermal exercise right here. One of the locations the place that is most current is at Los Borbollones. Here you may see bubbles carrying sulfuric gases rising to the floor, producing its peculiar rotten-egg odor. This is a neat place to cease in case you get as enthusiastic about pure phenomena like this as I do.
Watch the river change colours at Los Teñideros
Los Teñideros was by far one of the crucial puzzling locations I visited in Costa Rica. It is the positioning the place Río Celeste seems to alter to its iconic blue hue. The phrase teñideros in Spanish means “dyers,” which refers to this abrupt change within the river’s colour. The change occurs the place two clear rivers merge; the blue colour comes from the mix of volcanic minerals, producing a chemical response.
Los Teñideros just isn’t solely an unimaginable scientific marvel, it additionally has vital cultural significance. For centuries, folks referred to this website because the place the place God dipped his brush whereas portray the sky blue.
Go for a swim in a sizzling river
Just a kilometer from the doorway to the nationwide park is a bridge over a sizzling river; its heat temperature is as a result of geothermal exercise of the Tenorio Volcano — and it’s good for a soak. From the highway, you may simply climb all the way down to the river and luxuriate in it at no cost. This is a well-liked spot, so that you’ll possible discover loads of different guests right here. If you stroll a bit of additional alongside the river, away from the bridge, you’ll find a quieter spot if you wish to soak in solitude.
Best Tours of Tenorio Volcano National Park
If I had been to go to this nationwide park once more, I might in all probability go for a rental automotive or go alone, in order to have the liberty of deciding when to go and the way a lot time to spend there. However, I completely loved exploring with a information, as a result of he was there to offer useful details about the river and waterfall, and different science-y tidbits. He was additionally an authorized naturalist, and so was in a position to level out uncommon birds, lizards, and different animals alongside the way in which.
Since it was my first go to to Tenorio Volcano National Park, a tour was perfect, and I like to recommend every other first-time guests do the identical. Even although going it doesn’t grant you as a lot freedom, having a information makes for a way more built-in expertise.
Here are some nice choices for excursions that embody Tenorio Volcano National Park:
Where to Stay
There are two choices close to Tenorio: keep in La Fortuna, or keep near the nationwide park. In La Fortuna, there are various extra lodging, starting from backpacker hostels to luxurious resorts. Here are just a few to select from:
- Budget: The Arenal Poshpacker hostel focuses on offering an elevated backpacker expertise, with spacious rooms and dorms beginning at simply $18/evening. Book right here.
- Mid-range: Casa Luna Hotel & Spa has its personal nature trails, together with a pool and 4 jacuzzis, plus beautiful views of Arenal Volcano. Rooms right here begin at $160 per evening, which is about mid-range for this space. Book right here.
- Luxury: When it involves luxurious stays in La Fortuna, it doesn’t get a lot better than Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa. With personal entry to pure sizzling springs, the $300-700/evening price ticket is price it for vacationers who wish to go all out on their lodging. Book right here.
If you wish to keep nearer to Tenorio Volcano National Park, there are fewer choices basically, however extra distinctive lodging. Here are some that I like to recommend:
- Budget: For a comfortable cabin really feel, take a look at Cabaña Vista Río Celeste. The rooms are quaint, and the resort is in the course of nature, good for vacationers on the lookout for peace and quiet. Rates begin round $38/evening; you may e book right here.
- Mid-range: Garza del Sol Glamping has beautiful tents that match as much as three folks, beginning at round $58/evening. These tents are proper on the sting of the rainforest and an epic place to remain close to the nationwide park if you wish to actually immerse your self in the great thing about Costa Rica. Book right here.
- Luxury: With the last word mixture of luxurious lodging and wild nature, Río Celeste Hideaway Hotel is a good choose if you would like a really unforgettable expertise. Rooms begin round $350/evening; e book right here.
Pin me for later:
Although Tenorio Volcano National Park is gaining reputation, it nonetheless looks like a hidden gem in comparison with different mega-touristy locations in Costa Rica. I preferred it greater than Arenal National Park, as a result of it has all the things Arenal has, plus the added bonus of being much less crowded.
If you’re heading to Tenorio Volcano National Park quickly, tell us what you’re most enthusiastic about!
Click to learn extra posts about
Costa Rica