Hideaway Río Celeste is a 5-star luxury rainforest hotel in northern Costa Rica, set within an 80-acre nature reserve next to Tenorio Volcano National Park. The Río Celeste flows through the property, so guests can swim in its turquoise waters without leaving the grounds. The hotel offers rainforest casitas, open-air dining, PRANA Spa, a Yoga Pavilion and private nature trails.
The hotel is located 1 kilometer southeast of Tenorio Volcano National Park, in the district of Katira, canton of Guatuso, province of Alajuela, in the Northern Plains of Costa Rica. The nearest town is Bijagua, a 20-minute drive (12 km) away.
Address: 1 Kilometer Southeast of Tenorio Volcano National Park, Alajuela 21304, Costa Rica.
Hideaway Río Celeste is a 2-minute drive (approximately 1 km) from the entrance to Tenorio Volcano National Park, where the trails to the Río Celeste Waterfall begin.
Yes. The Río Celeste flows through the hotel's property, and swimming in the river is always complimentary for guests. This matters because swimming is not permitted inside Tenorio Volcano National Park. Hideaway Río Celeste is the first property outside the national park with prime access to the river.
The trails leading down to the Río Celeste are clearly marked and open from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm. For your safety, please do not swim during rainy conditions or when the water does not have its usual blue color.
The color is a natural optical effect. At a spot known as Los Teñideros, two clear streams, the Río Buenavista and the Quebrada Agria, meet. Mineral particles in the water become larger where the two mix and scatter sunlight, which gives the river its bright turquoise-blue tone. After heavy rain, runoff can make the water look less blue.
Hideaway Río Celeste is officially recognized as a 5-star hotel by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT). It was awarded One MICHELIN Key in The MICHELIN Guide 2025 and received it once again in the MICHELIN Guide Hotel Selection 2026. The hotel was also named among the Top 20 Best Resorts in Central America in the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2026, and is featured in National Geographic Traveller (UK), The Collections: Latin America 2026.
Río Celeste can be visited year-round. Because the hotel is in the rainforest, rain is common even during the drier months, generally from January to April. Rainfall is usually heavier from May to December, and especially in October and November.
Tenorio Volcano National Park is open year-round, although it may occasionally close during heavy rain. After intense rainfall, the river can also lose its characteristic blue color for a short time.
Guanacaste International Airport in Liberia (LIR) is the closest international airport, about a 90-minute drive from the hotel. Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José is about a 4-hour drive. Travelers already in Costa Rica can also fly into La Fortuna Regional Airport (FON), which has regularly scheduled domestic flights to the area. A private flight from La Fortuna (FON) to Upala Airfield (UPL) takes approximately 18 to 20 minutes, depending on the aircraft and weather conditions.
Yes. The hotel can arrange private transportation in a comfortable, air-conditioned van from any airport or location in Costa Rica, including LIR and SJO. To book, contact our team at recepcion@riocelestehideaway.com or on WhatsApp at +506 6061-7193. During high season we recommend booking your transfer about one month in advance.
Yes, driving is a good option for travelers who want flexibility, and a 4x4 is not necessary because the access road to the hotel is fully paved. Rental cars are available at both LIR and SJO, and the hotel can share preferential rates with partner rental companies through recepcion@riocelestehideaway.com. Waze is widely used in Costa Rica and is the easiest way to navigate to the hotel.
Yes. Free on-site parking is available for guests, along with two electric vehicle charging stations that guests can use at no additional cost.
Arenal Volcano is about 1 hour and 30 minutes away by car, so it is easy to combine both destinations in one trip. Our team can also arrange a full-day Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs tour.
The nearest ATMs are in the town of Bijagua, a 20-minute drive (12 km) from the hotel, at selected grocery stores, retail stores and gas stations.
All accommodations are private casitas, in four categories: Forest View Casita King, Garden View Casita King, Forest View Casita with two Queen beds, and Garden View Casita with two Queen beds. The hotel has 26 casitas in total.
The only difference is the view. Forest View Casitas look out onto the tropical rainforest, while Garden View Casitas overlook the hotel's tropical gardens. Otherwise they are identical in size, layout and amenities, and both are available with one King bed or two Queen beds.
Every casita has a private outdoor patio and a generously sized bathroom with both indoor and outdoor showers. In-room amenities include air-conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi, a gourmet coffee station, an in-room safe, a hair dryer, bathrobes and slippers, 100% cotton 300-thread-count sheets and European spa bath toiletries. Bottled water and coffee are complimentary, while minibar items are charged separately. Room service is available, and a flat-screen TV can be provided on request.
The Forest View and Garden View Casitas with two Queen beds are designed for families and offer space for up to 4 guests.
Yes. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available in all casitas and common areas.
Yes. The hotel has two casitas adapted for guests with limited mobility, in accordance with Costa Rica's Law 7600. There are ramps throughout the property and the pool area is accessible. A golf cart is also available for any guest who needs assistance getting around during their stay.
Yes. Daily breakfast is always included in the nightly rate and is served at Kantala Restaurant from 7:00 am to 10:00 am. No reservation is needed.
The hotel has five spaces to dine and drink. Kantala Restaurant is an open-air restaurant surrounded by gardens, open from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm. Mandarina Restaurant brings together Asian flavors and Costa Rican traditions, open from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Blue Moon Swim-up Bar serves casual poolside bites and tropical cocktails from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, Cantina Delirio is a lounge for cocktails open from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm, and Café Romance offers coffee, pastries and sweet and savory bites from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The culinary philosophy is rooted in locally grown ingredients.
Yes. Kantala Restaurant is open to the public for lunch and dinner with a prior reservation, which can be made on WhatsApp at +506 6061-7193.
Yes. Our culinary team can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free preferences, as well as food allergies, with advance notice.
Yes. Room service is available daily from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm.
Yes. PRANA Spa is set above the Río Celeste and draws its inspiration from the river and the restorative energy of Tenorio Volcano. Every treatment begins with a Hydrotherapy Circuit, with complimentary access to a Finnish sauna, a steam room and a therapeutic Jacuzzi. The menu includes Signature Wellness Rituals such as the Sensory Ritual, Blue Zone Longevity Ritual, Mountain's Gift Harmony Ritual and Volcanic Experience Renewal Ritual; massages including Swedish, holistic, deep tissue and hot volcanic stone; body exfoliations and wraps with Costa Rican coffee, wild berries and cacao; targeted rituals for tired legs, back tension and emotional reflexology; and personalized, firming and men's facials.
PRANA Spa is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, and earlier appointments can be arranged on request. It is an adult-only space that welcomes a small number of guests each day, so advance reservations are required. We recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before your treatment to enjoy the Hydrotherapy Circuit.
Yes. Two one-hour group classes are offered every day, at 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, and both are included in your stay at no extra cost. Classes are led by a certified instructor in the open-air Ayurveda Yoga Pavilion, surrounded by rainforest and the sound of the Río Celeste. Please sign up in advance at reception. Private yoga sessions are also available for an additional fee.
Yes. The hotel has a free-form outdoor pool connected to three hot jacuzzis and the Blue Moon Swim-up Bar. The pool is open until 10:00 pm, and the Blue Moon Swim-up Bar serves from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Yes. The hotel's modern Jungle Gym is available from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Yes. Guests have complimentary access to two private trails within the hotel's 80-acre reserve, open from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Armadillo Trail is 600 meters long and takes about 15 minutes. The Tapir Trail is 1.2 km and takes about 40 minutes, and it crosses a small stream that can rise during heavy rainfall, so please do not cross when the water level is high.
Yes, laundry service is available. Dry cleaning is not available. Prices depend on the garment, and our team can share details on WhatsApp at +506 6061-7193.
Yes. Hideaway Río Celeste welcomes yoga retreats, wellness gatherings and group stays, combining its casitas, open-air Yoga Pavilion, PRANA Spa, dining and nature experiences. For group enquiries, write to reservations@riocelestehideaway.com
Yes. The hotel hosts weddings and corporate events for up to 80 guests, with the rainforest and the Río Celeste as a natural setting. Our team is glad to help with the arrangements and, while we do not have an in-house wedding planner, we can connect you with trusted specialists. Groups can also combine their event with casita accommodations, on-site dining, PRANA Spa and nature experiences. For more information, write to reservations@riocelestehideaway.com.
Guests who book directly on the hotel's website enjoy three exclusive benefits: a complimentary guided Night Walk through the rainforest, daily yoga classes at the open-air Ayurveda Yoga Pavilion, and 10% off treatments at PRANA Spa.
The Night Walk starts at 6:00 pm and follows a rainforest trail within the hotel's 80-acre property, where the forest comes alive after dark. Guests often spot insects and amphibians such as the red-eyed tree frog, as well as reptiles, spiders, night birds and, with some luck, tapirs. The walk operates even when it rains, and rainy conditions often bring more wildlife out. It is only cancelled in the event of lightning.
The hike through Tenorio Volcano National Park is the main reason travelers come to this area. The park entrance is a 2-minute drive from the hotel, and its trails pass through rainforest, cloud forest and lowland tropical forest before reaching the turquoise Río Celeste and its waterfall. Swimming is not permitted inside the park.
The hotel offers a guided tour that starts at 8:00 am. We take care of all the arrangements, and guests can settle the cost at check-out.
Popular experiences include hiking Río Celeste and Tenorio Volcano National Park, tubing on the Río Celeste (Class I and II rapids), kayaking on the Río Celeste, zip lining with views over the river, three different horseback riding trail rides, white water rafting on the Tenorio river, bird watching in Tenorio, the Heliconias Hanging Bridges, Tapir Valley, Tree Chocolate Farm, a cultural visit to the Maleku Indigenous Reserve, a river-boat tour of Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, and a day trip to Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs. To arrange any of them, write to recepcion@riocelestehideaway.com or reservations@riocelestehideaway.com.
The Northern Plains of Costa Rica are one of the most biodiverse areas in the world. In and around Tenorio Volcano National Park, visitors can spot howler monkeys, sloths, toucans and many colorful birds and butterflies. Tapir Valley, on the foothills of Tenorio Volcano, is a guided experience in search of the Baird's tapir, Costa Rica's largest land mammal. The Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge is known for crocodile sightings.
Yes. Hideaway Río Celeste is a family-friendly hotel that welcomes children of all ages, including babies. The casitas with two Queen beds are designed for families, and nearby activities such as tubing, horseback riding, the Heliconias Hanging Bridges, Tree Chocolate Farm and the guided Night Walk offer experiences for different ages. Age requirements vary by tour, so our team can help you choose the best options for your family. Please note that PRANA Spa is reserved for adults.
Yes. Private casitas with outdoor patios and outdoor showers, PRANA Spa and dinner at Mandarina make it a natural fit for couples. The hotel also offers the Enchanted Escapes Package, a 3-day, 2-night stay for two that includes:
- A welcome tropical cocktail and refreshing towel on arrival.
- Two nights in a Garden View or Forest View Casita.
- Your casita adorned with tropical flower petals.
- Daily full breakfast for two.
- A guided tour of Tenorio Volcano National Park and the Río Celeste.
- A romantic dinner for two at Kantala Restaurant or on your private deck, upon request.
- An 80-minute Sensory Ritual at PRANA Spa.
- A poolside exotic cocktail of your choice.
Check-in is at 3:00 pm and check-out is at 12:00 pm. On arrival, guests are welcomed with a refreshing towel and a tropical drink in the lobby, next to the koi pond.v
Children of all ages are welcome at Hideaway Río Celeste, including babies. Children under 6 stay at no additional charge, breakfast included. Cribs are available on request at no extra cost.
No. Pets are not allowed at Hideaway Río Celeste. This helps protect the wildlife that lives in the hotel's 80-acre nature reserve.
No. Hideaway Río Celeste is a non-smoking property in compliance with Costa Rican law, and smoking on the premises will result in penalties.
Rates are subject to 13% VAT (IVA).
The cancellation policy varies by season. During the green season (May, June, September and October), reservations can be cancelled free of charge up to 14 days before arrival. During the rest of the year, free cancellation is available up to 30 days before arrival. Reservations for stays during the holiday season, from December 19 to January 3, are non-refundable. Please review the conditions of your selected rate before confirming your booking, and contact our reservations team at reservations@riocelestehideaway.com with any questions.
Hotel phone: +506 2206-4000. Toll-free from the USA and Canada: 954-234-2372. WhatsApp: +506 6061-7193. Reservations: reservations@riocelestehideaway.com. Front desk, transfers and tours: recepcion@riocelestehideaway.com. General information: info@riocelestehideaway.com.