Luxury Northern Costa Rica: Rio Celeste & Cano Negro Tours made for you
Beautiful rivers and waterfalls
Discover the mesmerising beauty of Rio Celeste
The north of Costa Rica remains largely off the beaten path, but if you’d like to get under the country’s skin and explore further afield, then Rio Celeste tours make an excellent starting point. One of the best things to do here is a Rio Celeste waterfall hike to admire its famous turquoise hued water, but you can also enjoy hiking in Tenorio Volcano National Park.
Rio Celeste is located 100 miles northwest of San Jose, with Arenal to the south, Tenorio Volcano National Park to the west and the Caño Negro Forest to the east. The area enjoys proximity to a variety of the country’s different habitats, but still manages to hold its own against them.
It’s renowned for its light blue river and waterfalls, tinged a mesmerising turquoise colour by particles from volcanic activity. There are a variety of trails in Rio Celeste that can be explored on foot, whether you’re just looking for a leisurely stroll or a more strenuous hike. The lush forest is bursting with wonderful wildlife spotting opportunities and bird-enthusiasts will be spoilt for choice with hundreds of species to be spotted amongst the greenery. Go for a dip in the hot springs of Tenorio National Park, or try horse riding, river rafting, canopy tours and bike riding.
Venture into the pristine heart of Costa Rica’s northern wetlands at the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, a luxurious sanctuary where the seasonal rise and fall of the Frío River helps to sustain rare species like jaguars, tapirs and thousands of migratory waterfowl.
If you want to get a feel for the region’s culture, take time to visit the Maleku indigenous tribal village where you can learn about the people who call Rio Celeste home.
From our experts
Experiences picked by our Río Celeste specialists
Take a waterfall hike
Marvel at the vividly blue hues of the waterfall and river, learning about the region’s fascinating volcanic activity which causes it.
Explore Tenorio Volcano National Park
Enjoy scenic guided hikes through Tenorio Volcano National Park, navigating beautiful trails through the jungle
Watch for toucans and umbrella birds
Go wildlife watching – keep an eye out for birds such as toucans, trogons, bear-necked umbrella birds and many other vibrant species.
A word from one of our experts
I really recommend Rio Celeste and the Tenorio Volcano National Park for anyone who loves to immerse themselves in nature. Costa Rica is known for its biodiversity and incredible wildlife, but the remarkable colour of the river here really stands out and is definitely worth a visit.
Delfina Russo
Luxury accommodation in Rio Celeste
There are many incredible places to stay in Rio Celeste. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:
Why book with Jacada?
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Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
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Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
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Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Trip inspiration
Get inspired with our Rio Celeste example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure
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Meet your Latin America team
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Berni De Luca
Client Experience Manager for Latin America
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Charles Kronsten
Senior Travel Designer
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Dan Scott-Kerr
Travel Designer
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Delfina Russo
Travel Designer
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Demi Roberts
Senior Travel Designer
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Em Jennison
Travel designer
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Flavia Toledo
Latin America Concierge
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James Sirotkin
Travel Designer
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Jennifer Richt
Senior Travel Designer
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Kit Wong
Senior Travel Designer
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Lily Bunker
Senior Travel Designer
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Lizzie Slater
Travel Designer
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Melanie Vieira
Senior Concierge – Latin America
When to visit
Costa Rica has two distinct seasons: the dry season, which runs from December to April, and the green season, which runs from May to November. We recommend avoiding travelling from September to October as many regions experience heavy rainfall during this time. No matter when you go, Costa Rica offers the chance to discover some amazing ecosystems and see fascinating wildlife all year round.
Dry season
December – April
Green season
May – November
When Is the Best Time to Visit Costa Rica?
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