Río Celeste Tours
If you are planning on visiting Costa Rica and you want to enjoy some of the most breathtaking sights, Río Celeste, located inside the Tenorio Volcano National Park, should definitely be on your bucket list. Considered as one of Costa Rica’s natural wonders, notorious for its spectacular natural turquoise colours, Río Celeste (Celeste River) is set in the mist of a fabulous rainforest and has an abundance of wildlife species and some of the most unique waterfalls in Latin America. It is a dream destination for any nature-lover.
A visit to this exceptional destination located in the northern lowlands of Costa Rica is sure to be an adventure. While exploring its pristine forests you will find magnificent walking trails, several mineral hot springs, cold natural pools, mineral mud springs, hanging bridges, a great lookout point and the famous celeste river. During these Río Celeste tours, you will enjoy a great hike and will have a glimpse into local life in the Guatuso community, as well as discovering more off the beaten path locations in the area.
An array of exotic wildlife
Río Celeste is best known for its turquoise colours, but once you are there it is impossible to overlook all the shades of green – and the inhabitants of these ecosystems. The Tenorio Volcano National Park, and several private reserves around the area, offer you one of the best opportunities to see wildlife species in the country.
A birdwatcher’s paradise, it offers the possibility of spotting hundreds of species of birds some of them pretty rare like the ornate hawk eagle, the tody motmot, the lattive tailed trogon, the white collared manikin and the King Vulture amongst many others.
In addition, the imposing primary and secondary forests are home to many other species of animals including monkeys, anteaters, sloths, wildcat species, peccaries, agoutis, pacas and the elusive tapir.
Guatuso: A welcoming community
Located three hours from Costa Rica’s capital, San José, in the province of Alajuela, the Guatuso village is the prefect place to get to know a real Costa Rican rural community. Guatuso has a fertile soil and is an agricultural heaven, having pineapple, bananas and sugar cane as the main crops. A visit to the local markets is a must.
Although this is not a touristy destination, this community has a lot to offer For instance, you can learn about cheese farming, go birdwatching, enjoy horseback riding with a local legend, get a true understanding of the local gastronomy by participating in a cooking workshop, or simply enjoy the beautiful rural surroundings.
However you decide to spend your time here, you will be received with open arms and by that warm smile that is so characteristic of its inhabitants.
The Tapir Valley: Community-led conservation
One of the highlights of visiting Río Celeste area is a visit to the Tapir Valley. This unspoiled private land is an incredible ecological reserve that is fully owned and managed by community leaders. This group of concerned citizens purchased the land over ten years ago with the vision of protecting valuable rainforest habitat for many animals including the endangered Baird’s Tapir.
The reserve covers over 220 hectares of primary and secondary rainforest and adjoins the Tenorio Volcano National Park. Here you will experience some of the best birding in Costa Rica and be able to enjoy exclusive access to a rainforest paradise.
Río Celeste is one destination not to be missed!
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