Rio Celeste Hideaway

We spent the whole month of January exploring the towns, little villages, and beaches of the Guancaste coast of Costa Rica. We stated at the southern point in Manzanillo and traveled up the coast to the northern end just about to the Nicaragua border.

 It's been a fun adventure. Each place uniquely different, even the climate is different. The south is hot and very dry. Having no paved roads the dust can be a lot. Hosing the street in front of your house or business is s full time job. 

 

 

The beaches are endless, just one gorgeous beach after another.
 

 Driving through the Guancaste coast the landscape is farm after farm with wide open space. It is not uncommon to see horses and cattle just wondering about.

 

  While driving through one busy town in the middle of the street along comes a guy on horseback, it was like the Wild West.

 

  You just never know what you may encounter making driving all part of the adventure. 

In the month we have been here we have not had a drop of rain. 

  We are now moving from the coast lined beaches to the central valley. We went to spend a few days around the volcano's. The climate is totally different from the coast. The average temperature is around 70 degrees. When have been to Arenal twice before, both times loving the nature and the hiking. We wanted to try something a little different this time. Reading about the Tenorio Volcano and the beautiful falls we decided this would be the place. The drive from El Jobo to Ternorio took 3 hours 45 minutes. We are staying at the Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel and after experiencing the last 8 miles of road to get here I understand the hideaway part in the name. It was a rough 8 mile road that keep us on the edge of our seat.  Apparently there is a recommended route to the hotel and a adventurous route. Not checking the papers first and just following our GPS we got taken the adventurous route.

 

 

So far this trip we have been on some really rugged roads but this one was the worst. 8 miles of a rock gravel road that winded up and down a mountain with holes so big  you could lose your car in. It took 45 minutes to drive 8 miles, questioning the whole time whether this GPS knew what it was doing and be thankful we had that peace of mind car insurance. This road can do some damage if not careful in your navigation.

Finally we made it to the top and to the lovely hotel, Rio Celeste Hideaway. It borders Volcano Tenorio National Park with a trail leading to Rio Celeste.

 

 

 

 

 We have a lovely room with a view of the jungle and my favorite part an outdoor shower. 

There is one restaurant here, Kantala and after our ride we needed food & a drink.

 

I can not wait to do some hiking.