In search of locations to go in Costa Rica? Whether or not it’s your first or hundredth go to, there’ll all the time be someplace new to discover on this lush and delightful nation. Tenorio Volcano Nationwide Park is a type of. Finest recognized for its star attraction, the intense turquoise Río Celeste, this park is a must-visit.
Since too many vacationers skip over the chance, this information will provide you with the within scoop on why it’s value seeing, together with some key factors of curiosity, info on the right 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:
The place Is Tenorio Volcano Nationwide Park?
If you happen to’ve even scratched the floor of Costa Rica itineraries, chances are high La Fortuna is on a majority of them. That is an space on the base of the long-lasting Arenal Volcano and is the closest massive city to Tenorio Volcano Nationwide Park. Most vacationers visiting La Fortuna keep on with the waterfalls, volcano mountain climbing trails, and scorching 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 possibly can both drive there by yourself with a rental automobile or do a tour, which is what I did (test it out right here). An alternative choice that’s far more reasonably priced 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 journey prices round $10 every approach.
Issues to Do in Tenorio Volcano Nationwide Park
Cross the Río Celeste
Río Celeste (“sky-blue river” in Spanish) is really a surprise to behold. I had by no means seen water so vibrantly blue earlier than. The distinction between it and the inexperienced hues of the encompassing jungle mixed for some actually spectacular surroundings. That made the journey value all of it by itself.
There are a number of factors throughout the park the place you possibly can cross small footbridges over the water. The perfect one is close to Los Teñideros, the place the water adjustments coloration.
Marvel at Catarata Río Celeste
After seeing the spectacular Catarata La Fortuna, I didn’t suppose the waterfalls in Costa Rica may get any higher. Nevertheless, once 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. Right here you possibly can see the namesake blue coloration in all its glory, and perhaps a rainbow within the mist on a sunny day.
There are dozens, perhaps 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 way of different guests with a view to snap a photograph. Attempt to get there very first thing within the morning, when the park opens at 8am, and head straight to the waterfall.
Search for the bubbles at Los Borbollones
For the reason that nationwide park is on the foot of a volcano, there’s a flurry of geothermal exercise right here. One of many locations the place that is most modern is at Los Borbollones. Right here you possibly can see bubbles carrying sulfuric gases rising to the floor, producing its peculiar rotten-egg scent. This can be a neat place to cease in the event 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 puzzling locations I visited in Costa Rica. It’s the website 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 coloration. The change occurs the place two clear rivers merge; the blue coloration comes from the mixture of volcanic minerals, producing a chemical response.
Los Teñideros is just not solely an unbelievable scientific surprise, it additionally has vital cultural significance. For hundreds of years, individuals referred to this website because the place the place God dipped his brush whereas portray the sky blue.
Go for a swim in a scorching river
Only a kilometer from the doorway to the nationwide park is a bridge over a scorching river; its heat temperature is because of the geothermal exercise of the Tenorio Volcano — and it’s excellent for a soak. From the highway, you possibly can simply climb all the way down to the river and revel in it without spending a dime. This can be a well-liked spot, so that you’ll possible discover loads of different guests right here. If you happen to stroll a bit of additional alongside the river, away from the bridge, you could find a quieter spot if you wish to soak in solitude.
Finest Excursions of Tenorio Volcano Nationwide Park
If I had been to go to this nationwide park once more, I’d most likely go for a rental automobile or go alone, in order to have the liberty of deciding when to go and the way a lot time to spend there. Nevertheless, I completely loved exploring with a information, as a result of he was there to supply useful details about the river and waterfall, and different science-y tidbits. He was additionally a licensed naturalist, and so was capable of level out uncommon birds, lizards, and different animals alongside the way in which.
Because it was my first go to to Tenorio Volcano Nationwide Park, a tour was supreme, and I like to recommend some other first-time guests do the identical. Although going it doesn’t grant you as a lot freedom, having a information makes for a way more built-in expertise.
Listed below are some nice choices for excursions that embody Tenorio Volcano Nationwide Park:
The place to Keep
There are two choices close to Tenorio: keep in La Fortuna, or keep near the nationwide park. In La Fortuna, there are a lot of extra lodging, starting from backpacker hostels to luxurious resorts. Listed below are a couple of to select from:
- Finances: The Arenal Poshpacker hostel focuses on offering an elevated backpacker expertise, with spacious rooms and dorms beginning at simply $18/night time. E-book right here.
- Mid-range: Casa Luna Resort & 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 night time, which is about mid-range for this space. E-book right here.
- Luxurious: Relating to luxurious stays in La Fortuna, it doesn’t get a lot better than Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa. With non-public entry to pure scorching springs, the $300-700/night time price ticket is value it for vacationers who need to go all out on their lodging. E-book right here.
If you wish to keep nearer to Tenorio Volcano Nationwide Park, there are fewer choices typically, however extra distinctive lodging. Listed below are some that I like to recommend:
- Finances: For a comfy cabin really feel, try Cabaña Vista Río Celeste. The rooms are quaint, and the lodge is in the midst of nature, excellent for vacationers in search of peace and quiet. Charges begin round $38/night time; you possibly can e-book right here.
- Mid-range: Garza del Sol Glamping has attractive tents that match as much as three individuals, beginning at round $58/night time. 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. E-book right here.
- Luxurious: With the final word mixture of luxurious lodging and wild nature, Río Celeste Hideaway Resort is a superb decide if you would like a really unforgettable expertise. Rooms begin round $350/night time; e-book right here.
Pin me for later:
Though Tenorio Volcano Nationwide Park is gaining recognition, it nonetheless looks like a hidden gem in comparison with different mega-touristy locations in Costa Rica. I appreciated it greater than Arenal Nationwide Park, as a result of it has all the pieces Arenal has, plus the added bonus of being much less crowded.
If you happen to’re heading to Tenorio Volcano Nationwide Park quickly, tell us what you’re most enthusiastic about!
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