National park · Costa Rica
Tenorio Volcano National ParkParque Nacional Volcán Tenorio
Enter Tenorio Volcano National Park for the Rio Celeste hike (2 km (1.2 mi) trail, US$12 entry) in the dry season, or add the hanging‑bridge loop (3 km (1.9 mi)) in the early morning; avoid the rainy months (May‑Nov) for safer footing.Enter Tenorio Volcano National Park for the Rio Celeste hike (1.2 mi (2 km) trail, US$12 entry) in the dry season, or add the hanging‑bridge loop (1.9 mi (3 km)) in the early morning; avoid the rainy months (May‑Nov) for safer footing.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
40 km² (15 sq mi)15 sq mi (40 km²)
approximate
Established
1999
Best months
Dec–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Costa Rica ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Costa Rica's immigration authority (Migración) or a Costa Rican consulate; proof of onward travel is commonly required.
- Costa Rica ↗Rental cars require mandatory local liability insurance, often not included in online quotes: check the full price before booking.
- Costa Rica ↗Do not feed wildlife, including monkeys and coatis; it is illegal and harmful.
- Costa Rica ↗Buy national park tickets (Manuel Antonio, Poás, Irazú and others) online from SINAC before you go; several parks do not sell at the gate and cap daily numbers.
- Guanacaste ↗Dec–Apr is the dry season; many beach towns are at peak prices and full over Christmas and Easter week.
- Guanacaste ↗A car helps on the coast; unpaved access roads and one-lane bridges are common, and Waze is the standard app.
At a glance
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Area
- 40 km² (15 sq mi)15 sq mi (40 km²)
- The park protects roughly 40 km² of volcanic terrain, rainforest and cloud forest (check).
- Established
- 1999
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
Tenorio Volcano National Park straddles the border of Guanacaste and Alajuela provinces, featuring the inactive Tenorio stratovolcano, the famed turquoise Rio Celeste, waterfalls, hanging bridges and diverse cloud‑forest wildlife. A paved access road opened in 2018, boosting visitor numbers to its short but scenic trails.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1999.
Size and age
40 km² (15 sq mi)15 sq mi (40 km²) · national park since 1999
The park protects roughly 40 km² of volcanic terrain, rainforest and cloud forest (check).
Why go
- See the turquoise Rio Celeste waterfall and its striking blue color.
- Walk forest trails with hanging bridges and spot abundant birds and insects.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry, sunny, river glows.
- FebDry, good visibility.
- MarDry, warm.
- AprEnd of dry season, pleasant.
- MayStart of rains, trails get slick.
- JunFrequent showers, mud.
- JulRainy, possible trail closures.
- AugRainy, high humidity.
- SepRainy, lower visibility.
- OctRainy, but less intense.
- NovTransition to dry, occasional rain.
- DecDry, cooler.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toucans and other forest birdsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Insects (butterflies, beetles)Mar–Aug | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Fer‑de‑lance (pit viper)All year · Venomous; wear long pants. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance / ranger station | Ticket office, parking, information board. | Open daily. |
| Rio Celeste trail | 2–3 km (1.2–1.9 mi) walk to waterfall, hanging bridges, hot‑spring side trail.1.2–1.9 mi (2–3 km) walk to waterfall, hanging bridges, hot‑spring side trail. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Hot springs (west side) | Natural hot springs near the western exit. | Open, no extra fee. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, based on park centre and main attractions.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | US$12 | person | Includes Rio Celeste trail. |
| Camping at entrance | US$6 | night | Basic site, no facilities. |
| Cabin lodging | US$40 | night | Cabin at park entrance (2008 price). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$12
- US$6
- US$40
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on SINAC – Tenorio Volcano National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without park authority permission.check
- Fires
- No open fires; only use designated camp sites.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no plastic bottles allowed.
- Off‑trail
- Stay on marked paths to protect fragile vegetation.
Where to stay
In the park
Cabins at park entrance
Simple cabins, US$40/night, basic amenities.
In the park
Camping at entrance
Tent site, US$6/night, no services.
Near the park
Hotels in Bijagua
Various hotels and lodges 5–10 km (3.1–6.2 mi) from the park.Various hotels and lodges 3.1–6.2 mi (5–10 km) from the park.
Safety
Muddy trails medium
Venomous snakes low
Rainstorms medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Entrance area reachable by car; short walks are wheelchair‑inaccessible due to uneven ground.
- Main waterfall trail is uneven and may be difficult for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Bring reusable water containers; disposable bottles are prohibited.
- Stay on marked trails to protect cloud‑forest habitat.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Tenorio Volcano National Park?
US$12 per person for the entry ticket, which includes the Rio Celeste trail.
What are the best hikes in Tenorio Volcano National Park?
The Rio Celeste waterfall walk (2–3 km, easy) and the hanging‑bridge loop (adds ~1 km, moderate) are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Tenorio Volcano National Park?
The dry season, December through April, offers sunny days and clear water colour; avoid the rainy months May‑November for safer trails.
Can I camp inside the park?
Yes, at the entrance campsite for US$6 per night; bring your own gear and follow fire‑free rules.
Is there food for sale inside the park?
No shops inside; bring snacks or eat at nearby Bijagua restaurants.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Tenorio Volcano National Park
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