Hideaway Rio Celeste — Hotel in Katira

A Hidden Gem in the Costa Rican Jungle – Absolutely Unforgettable!

Our stay at Hideaway Rio Celeste was nothing short of magical! Nestled in the heart of the lush rainforest, this boutique hotel offers a perfect blend of comfort, adventure, and warm hospitality. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with genuine smiles and outstanding service that made us feel like treasured guests.

The rooms were beautifully designed, spacious, and immaculately clean, with large windows that brought the jungle right to our doorstep. Each afternoon, we enjoyed sitting on our private terrace with a glass of freshly squeezed juice, soaking in the peaceful surroundings. We also spent time by the beautiful pool, basking in the sun and enjoying the swim-up bar, which added an extra touch of relaxation to our days.

Beyond the tranquility, Hideaway Rio Celeste provided endless adventure. Every day, we took advantage of the incredible tours offered by the hotel, each one giving us a new way to experience the stunning beauty of the region. We explored the Tenorio Volcano National Park, went horseback riding to Rio Celeste, and had an exhilarating time tubing down the river. We also participated in a cooking class, where we learned about local flavors, and visited Tapir Valley, where we marveled at the area's diverse wildlife. To complete our experience, we indulged in the spa services, which were the perfect way to unwind after a day of exploration.

One of the standout highlights was the restaurant. The food was beyond delicious—fresh, locally sourced, and expertly prepared. Each meal was a treat, from the flavorful traditional dishes to the beautifully presented desserts. The staff went above and beyond to accommodate any request, making every dining experience feel special.

But what truly sets Hideaway Rio Celeste apart is the people. The warmth, kindness, and genuine hospitality shown by the staff made our stay extraordinary. Their efforts, both seen and unseen, are a reflection of God’s love in action.

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." – Hebrews 13:2

Though I would love to name each staff member individually, I fear leaving someone out—not because they were any less wonderful, but because each contributed in their own special way to making this stay truly unforgettable. However, I do want to take a moment to acknowledge an extra gesture of love and care from Mirliona, our housekeeper. Some people go about their work, and others serve with their whole heart—Mirliona is one of those special people. One day, we returned to our room to find a beautiful design she had created, a simple yet profound reminder that kindness, when given with a joyful heart, becomes a work of art.

Her thoughtfulness reminded me of Matthew 5:16: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

Mirliona doesn’t just clean rooms—she blesses lives. Her dedication and warmth embody the true spirit of hospitality, as does every single member of the Hideaway Rio Celeste family.

And then there was one of the most special moments of our trip—my birthday dinner.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." – James 1:17

That night, I was reminded that the best gifts are not always wrapped in paper but in kindness, thoughtfulness, and the joy of shared moments. The staff’s efforts in preparing such a special dinner touched my heart in a way that words can hardly express. From the beautifully prepared meal to the warmth of their smiles, every detail spoke of the love and care they poured into making the evening unforgettable.

Jesus Himself often shared meals with others, using the table as a place of fellowship, gratitude, and love. That night, the team at Hideaway Rio Celeste exemplified that same spirit of hospitality, creating an atmosphere of joy and celebration that I will...

This was the best relaxing vacation that we have had. The resort is nestled inside a rain forest, so in addition to the wonderful room and amenities, you are also surrounded by the natural beauty. The rooms were spacious and beautifully decorated with a blend of modern and traditional pieces. The outdoor shower was amazing and and we loved sipping coffee and reading at the porch secluded by the tropical plants and trees . The grounds were maintained very well and they did a really good job of doing the minimal disturbance to the rainforest. You really feel like you are walking through the rainforest. There were two trails - the tapir trail that is the longer trail through the rainforest. We had gone to the ho rainforest in Washington and compared to that , this felt like the real rainforest. The second trail is the shorter trail that gives you quicker access to the Rio Celeste. Being able to access the river a quick walk from our room was priceless. It was so beautiful and serene. We would just soak in the water and let the gurgling water just melt all the stress. I even took a video of the peaceful blue river so I can later playback during my stressful work days. Everyday coming to the restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner was such a relaxing experience as well. The restaurant is beautifully designed just to make you feel at peace. It's greenery all around with tropical plants and birds and animals and fishes. The staff put fruits outside so you get to see so many birds and animals up close. On the last day we were leaving we saw atleast 4 new birds including a toucan that we hadn't seen before. Everyday coming to dinner felt like another relaxation ritual before going to bed. There was live music everyday. The food was very good but this was the only that we would like to see a change. We would have loved to see some more local food. Don't get me wrong , the food was really nice , it was what you would expect to see at a high end restaurant in United States. The staff was amazing, they were very welcoming and took very good care of us . There were many adventurous tours that you could go on. But as my husband and I were looking for just relaxing and getting away from our busy lives, we only did the tour to the torino national park. We went first thing in the morning and because the hotel is like 2 minutes to the entrance to the national park, we were able to get there before it got crowded. If you go with a guide, just ask them to take you the waterfall right away and then show you around after that. It was rainy and misty the day that we went to the waterfall . The first glance of the waterfalls from the steps was magical. To see this waterfall surrounded by the big lush mountain and the bright blue water at the bottom was just surreal. I was waiting for some of the avatar beings to fly in. It felt like it could be a scene from the movie. It was beautiful. But once the crowd comes in, all the magic is broken, so try to get there as early as you can. All in all, we had the most beautiful relaxing vacation at...

The Hideaway delivers on a riverside higher end lodging experience in the middle of the rainforest. ||I will begin with a brief criticism - and that’s the food quality - especially at breakfast and somewhat at dinner in the main dining room, was average at best, with an uninspired menu. Frozen reheated waffles at breakfast just doesn’t cut it at a $1,000/night resort. It’s too bad, because the atmosphere, with the curated soundtrack, is so good, and the friendly service exceptional. Their pacing met mine (which is fast) and was much appreciated. ||With that out of the way, highlights include:||Comfortable, well kept casitas. Ours was steps away from the incredible pool, could easily walk there barefoot.||The pool: perfectly designed for the rainforest environment with a somewhat protected shaded/covered area for the loungers, and umbrellas over each of the 3 hot tubs. With that said, there was no rain during the many hours we spent at the pool and hot tubs during various parts of the day, and our stay was during the rainy season. Also, most of the time we enjoyed the pool to ourselves. Gorgeous natural aesthetic that blended into the environment, no straight lines anywhere. The swim up bar, also covered from the elements, had fantastic drinks and a friendly bar tender. This pool was probably the best designed pool for both relaxing lounging and socializing that I’ve seen anywhere. A+ to the very thoughtful design team!||Speaking of design, there are very thoughtful architectural elements throughout - including the Cafe Romance and Mandarina, which appear to be newer additions. Also love the dark hardwoods in reception and main dining, and the integration of Asian elements such as the koi pond. Absolute perfection!||Cafe Romance - treat yourself and order anything. It’s expensive, but worth it.||The river, the main event, certainly delivered. Almost indescribable blue, and current fast enough to make it feel like an adventure for casual swimming/wading, but not particularly dangerous, at least the conditions we experienced. I’m sure that can change - also caution is warranted maneuvering through and over the rocks and boulders. It is definitely not an experience for everyone and sturdy water shoes are a must! Surprisingly, we had the river all to ourselves every time we went down! I should note it is a somewhat strenuous hike to access, but very pretty. ||Mandarina - I walk in and feel transported, was I really in the middle of the jungle or a chic eatery in South Beach? The lighting and mood was perfect, and they had a tight limit on guests to ensure exceptional service. This was probably the best meal, but my family said the sushi was...