Your Guide to Tenorio Volcano National Park in Costa Rica

Seeking for spots to go in Costa Rica? No matter if it is your to start with or hundredth stop by, there will normally be somewhere new to explore in this lush and gorgeous place. Tenorio Volcano National Park is just one of these. Greatest known for its star attraction, the vivid turquoise Río Celeste, this park is a will have to-take a look at.

Considering that too lots of vacationers skip over the chance, this guideline will give you the within scoop on why it is value viewing, together with some important factors of desire, information and facts on how to get there, and regardless of whether I consider a tour of the park is merited (as opposed to going on your possess).

Let’s get into it:

Where Is Tenorio Volcano Countrywide Park?

If you have even scratched the surface area of Costa Rica itineraries, likelihood are La Fortuna is on a bulk of them. This is an area at the base of the iconic Arenal Volcano and is the closest substantial town to Tenorio Volcano Nationwide Park. Most vacationers visiting La Fortuna stick to the waterfalls, volcano mountaineering trails, and warm springs nearby, missing out on the nationwide park, which is a 90-minute generate away.

To get there from La Fortuna, you will head northwest on the highway Corredor Noratlántico 4. It’s a straight shot and a scenic route (with the prospective for sloth sightings together the way). You can either travel there on your have with a rental car or do a tour, which is what I did (check it out in this article). A different alternative that is much extra cost-effective is taking a general public bus from the Transpisa business from La Fortuna to San Rafael de Guatuso and then from there to Río Celeste (which is the cease for the nationwide park). The journey expenses all-around $10 each way.

Issues to Do in Tenorio Volcano National Park

Cross the Río Celeste

Río Celeste (“sky-blue river” in Spanish) is genuinely a surprise to behold. I had under no circumstances viewed drinking water so vibrantly blue just before. The contrast involving it and the eco-friendly hues of the encompassing jungle blended for some certainly amazing scenery. That manufactured the excursion truly worth it all on its individual.

There are a number of points within the park the place you can cross small footbridges in excess of the h2o. The ideal one is in close proximity to Los Teñideros, where the water adjustments coloration.

Marvel at Catarata Río Celeste

Just after seeing the remarkable Catarata La Fortuna, I did not assume the waterfalls in Costa Rica could get any superior. Having said that, when I arrived at Catarata Río Celeste, I realized I was mistaken. This one is just as thunderous as the La Fortuna waterfall but most likely superior preserved, for the reason that swimming at the base is not authorized. In this article you can see the namesake blue colour in all its glory, and probably a rainbow in the mist on a sunny day.

There are dozens, possibly even hundreds, of steps main down to the waterfall, so be well prepared for a exercise session on the way back again up. This was also the busiest section of the nationwide park, so finding there at peak time intended wading by other people in buy to snap a picture. Attempt to get there first point in the morning, when the park opens at 8am, and head straight to the waterfall.

Glimpse for the bubbles at Los Borbollones

Considering the fact that the nationwide park is at the foot of a volcano, there’s a flurry of geothermal activity in this article. A person of the locations in which this is most present is at Los Borbollones. Right here you can see bubbles carrying sulfuric gases rising to the floor, creating its peculiar rotten-egg scent. This is a neat place to stop if you get as excited about natural phenomena like this as I do.

Observe the river transform shades at Los Teñideros

Los Teñideros was by considerably just one of the most puzzling destinations I frequented in Costa Rica. It is the web-site the place Río Celeste seems to modify to its iconic blue hue. The word teñideros in Spanish signifies “dyers,” which refers to this abrupt alter in the river’s coloration. The adjust transpires exactly where two distinct rivers merge the blue shade will come from the combination of volcanic minerals, creating a chemical reaction.

Los Teñideros is not only an unbelievable scientific surprise, it also has significant cultural significance. For centuries, men and women referred to this web site as the put where God dipped his brush although painting the sky blue.

Go for a swim in a very hot river

Just a kilometer from the entrance to the countrywide park is a bridge around a sizzling river its heat temperature is thanks to the geothermal action of the Tenorio Volcano — and it is great for a soak. From the street, you can conveniently climb down to the river and love it for absolutely free. This is a common location, so you will likely obtain a lot of other people right here. If you stroll a little more along the river, away from the bridge, you can obtain a quieter spot if you want to soak in solitude.

Very best Excursions of Tenorio Volcano Countrywide Park

If I have been to visit this nationwide park once more, I would most likely decide for a rental motor vehicle or go on my very own, so as to have the independence of determining when to go and how substantially time to devote there. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed checking out with a guidebook, for the reason that he was there to supply handy info about the river and waterfall, and other science-y tidbits. He was also a accredited naturalist, and so was ready to position out rare birds, lizards, and other animals together the way.

Considering that it was my initially go to to Tenorio Volcano Countrywide Park, a tour was excellent, and I suggest any other first-time guests do the exact same. Even however going it does not grant you as considerably independence, obtaining a tutorial tends to make for a a lot extra built-in working experience.

Listed here are some wonderful options for tours that include Tenorio Volcano National Park:

Where to Keep

There are two choices near Tenorio: keep in La Fortuna, or keep close to the countrywide park. In La Fortuna, there are lots of more lodging, ranging from backpacker hostels to luxury resorts. In this article are a few to decide on from:

• Budget: The Arenal Poshpacker hostel focuses on giving an elevated backpacker practical experience, with roomy rooms and dorms beginning at just $18/night time. Book listed here.
• Mid-array: Casa Luna Hotel & Spa has its own mother nature trails, along with a pool and 4 jacuzzis, as well as spectacular views of Arenal Volcano. Rooms right here start out at $160 for every night, which is about mid-selection for this area. Book in this article.
• Luxury: When it will come to luxurious stays in La Fortuna, it does not get a lot much better than Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa. With non-public obtain to all-natural scorching springs, the $300-700/evening price tag tag is really worth it for travelers who want to go all out on their lodging. Book in this article.

If you want to continue to be closer to Tenorio Volcano National Park, there are fewer choices in general, but much more unique accommodations. In this article are some that I advise:

• Price range: For a cozy cabin experience, test out Cabaña Vista Río Celeste. The rooms are quaint, and the lodge is in the center of character, perfect for travelers seeking for peace and peaceful. Premiums start off all over $38/evening you can reserve here.
• Mid-assortment: Garza del Sol Glamping has magnificent tents that in shape up to 3 folks, starting off at all around $58/evening. These tents are right on the edge of the rainforest and an epic location to stay close to the countrywide park if you want to genuinely immerse oneself in the magnificence of Costa Rica. Guide in this article.
• Luxurious: With the supreme blend of luxurious accommodations and wild character, Río Celeste Hideaway Lodge is a fantastic pick if you want a truly unforgettable encounter. Rooms start all-around $350/night time e-book listed here.

Pin me for later on:

Although Tenorio Volcano Nationwide Park is attaining acceptance, it still feels like a concealed gem as opposed to other mega-touristy spots in Costa Rica. I liked it far more than Arenal National Park, mainly because it has all the things Arenal has, plus the extra bonus of being significantly less crowded.

If you’re heading to Tenorio Volcano Countrywide Park shortly, let us know what you are most enthusiastic about!