Rio Celeste Waterfall Viewpoint — Attraction in Katira

A WARNING. AS OF JUNE 4TH 2025 THE WATERFALL VIEWPOINT IS CLOSED FOR THE SEASON. AGAIN, YOU CANNOT SEE THE WATERFALL CURRENTLY. THE STAFF WILL NOT TELL YOU THIS. The 30 minute wait was our fault, the staff at the gate take lunch from 11am-12:20pm and you cannot get in during that time. We got in after that and hiked all the way up to the waterfall view only to discover that it was closed for the season as of June 5th 2025. None of the 6 or so staff we talked to at the trailhead mentioned this. Felt very scummy of them. We decided not to hike the extra hour and a half round trip to see the place where the rivers come together. Overall an incredibly disappointing experience. On our way out we happened to pass another family trying to buy tickets and warned them that the waterfall was closed. The staff hadn't told them either. Definitely feels predatory and scummy. Glad we were able to save some other people some money and disappointment. Only giving it a second star because the hike was a pleasant one and we saw a baby pit viper. Parking is also not included in your entry ticket price and is an extra...

We visited Río Celeste early in the morning, and it was absolutely magical. The timing was perfect—it wasn’t crowded when we arrived, which made the experience feel even more serene and special.

There’s a bit of a hike to reach the famous waterfall, including around 100 to 150 steps, but it’s totally worth it. The trail is well-maintained, and the lush jungle surroundings make the walk enjoyable.

You can do this hike with or without a guide. We chose to go without one and still managed to spot wildlife, including a few snakes (thanks to some sharp-eyed friends). The whole trail offers a beautiful connection to nature.

The waterfall itself is stunning, with its surreal turquoise color and powerful drop, it’s honestly one of the most beautiful sights we saw in Costa Rica. Just a tip: it gets crowded fast. Within minutes of arriving at the falls, the area started to fill up, so we were glad we went early.

If you’re in the area, don’t miss Río Celeste—go early, take your time, and soak it...

This is a really nice waterfall. Takes about 2 hours from start to finish. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. About 250 steps down to the fall.

You must book tickets in advance. They do not allow you to purchase there at the gate. The cell phone reception is bad and their WiFi is terrible so you will have a very hard time getting tickets there. Their system is terrible too, very unfriendly. There is no need for all that just to get tickets to see a waterfall. There really need to change the booking system. BUY YOUR TICKETS BEFORE YOU GET HERE.

You have to pay for parking as well ($6 USD). They have restrooms and some restaurants...