The Río Celeste (also sometimes called Rió Azul or Blue River) is one of Costa Rica’s most spectacular rivers, some even say is home to a river plagiarized from a fairy tale.
Situated within the Tenorio Volcano National Park, the Río Celeste winds, tumbles and crashes through a verdant rainforest. A trip here involves a moderately challenging, one-hour hike through the park’s secondary forest – an effort that is well worth the trip.
Two rivers merge into one at Borbollones, a confluence where the minerals from the river and volcano meet and subsequently create the famous blue hue.
The Río Celeste is a turquoise wonder, turned neon by nature. It’s all about the minerals, a phenomenon caused by a chemical reaction between sulfur and calcium carbonate.
I don’t know about this wonder’s being so much a secret as it is being less travelled due to its inaccessibility. Many tourists and residents aren’t physically capable of, or interested in making, the hike to see this gem. With any luck, ts inaccessibility will save this attraction from being spoiled.