Time to trade in my flip flops for hiking boots - Tenorio Volcano National Park

One of the many things I love to do here in Costa Rica is hiking. The country is full of national parks with plenty of hiking trails. It is a peaceful experience to be walking along in the middle of the rainforest and just listening to the sounds of the birds, insects, frogs, and other critters that live here.
Today we went to Tenorio volcano national park to hike to see Rio Celeste and the falls.

The park opens at 8:00am and of course we were there 7:45am. As much as I can be slow in the mornings getting out the door it is always great to in places when they first open. Entrance to the park is $12.00. We were the first people here and had the park all to ourselves. The trail starts right at the entrance and is 2 miles to the end and you come back the same way. They estimate the hike to take about 4 hours.

The start of the trail is all cement ( this part of the trail is better then most roads we have been on) with some nice bridges to go over, nice easy walk but do not let that fool you it does get challenging the further in you go.

 
The first point you get to is the falls, Catarata. The Rio Celeste (Blue River) waterfalls are the best spectacular I have ever seen and this alone was worth the trip here. The falls cascade down into a turquoise pool, a color I have never seen before.

  To get to the bottom of the falls there are steps, fairly steep steps that while going down the thought of what goes down has to come up keep popping up in my mind. But it was so worth seeing this beautiful spot tucked away in the rainforest.

There are 255 steps. Yes, I counted them on the way up to help me with the climb.

The next part of the trail become strenuous and very muddy. The trail takes you up and down the mountain with some area mud up to your ankles.

The next point of you come to is Mirador - view point, where there is a platform looking out over the canopy. It was very clear and did have lovely views.

Now it was all down hill ( remember what goes down has to come back up) in the mud to Poza Azul - Blue pond. It is amazing spot. There are even some bubbling springs.

  The last part of the hike was fairly easy from the pond to where the two rivers meet. You can see exactly where the water changes color.

 Time to turn around and do it again. About half way back we started to pass lot of people just starting the hikes.

There were big groups and it was fun watching as many tried hard to not get their shoes muddy. Some going to great lengths to avoid the mud, one climbed a huge rock on the side of the trail. I noticed a few looking at the mud that was now coated on my legs my boots covered up to my ankles, I though you wait. On the cement trail a women was in flip flops with her freshly manicured toes would love to see her when she gets to the mud part.

They do rent rubber boots and there is a reason. At least at the end of the trail is a much needed boot washing station, a hose.

 The hike took as 3 hours and it was one of my favorites. 

Right across the road from the park entrance is a local soda, wonderful spot for lunch. Fresh fish casado and a cold beer $10.00. The vegetables were fresh from his garden. I have no idea what they were but they were delicious.

When we were leaving the park we saw some fellow hikers one wearing a Get the Led Out shirt. They were from Kentucky and saw the band there. No matter how far you travel or remote you go seems you always find a little piece of home somewhere.

Great Day!!!