Rio Celeste [2014]

Tucked in the Tenerio Volcanic National Park of Costa Rica, the Rio Celeste is a distinctively turquoise colored river. It gets its appearance from a physical phenomenon called Mie scattering rather than a chemical one. It is such a wonderful shade of blue that before seeing the real deal, I initially thought online photos of the river must have been photoshopped. No wonder the locals say “when God finished painting the sky, he washed his brushes in the Rio Celeste”.

Dec 2014

© Kevin Yao, 2026

Near the entrance, so green and so lush

Near the entrance, so green and so lush (1 of 9)

Turquoise waters flowing through a lush rainforest, what a unique combo

Turquoise waters flowing through a lush rainforest, what a unique combo (2 of 9)

The main attraction with a fairytale entrance. Not pictured are the glasswing butterflies fluttering about.

The main attraction with a fairytale entrance. Not pictured are the glasswing butterflies fluttering about. (3 of 9)

No swimming! Some of these crossings were quite precarious.

No swimming! Some of these crossings were quite precarious. (4 of 9)

The water bubbled up from a spring here.

The water bubbled up from a spring here. (5 of 9)

It suddenly started to pour and the trail got really muddy.

It suddenly started to pour and the trail got really muddy. (6 of 9)

A type of bromeliad. I enjoyed seeing all the branches covered with epiphytes.

A type of bromeliad. I enjoyed seeing all the branches covered with epiphytes. (7 of 9)

Of course, can't forget about all the moss as well.

Of course, can't forget about all the moss as well. (8 of 9)

The cycad catching light. This was taken from the side of the road as the rain started to clear.

The cycad catching light. This was taken from the side of the road as the rain started to clear. (9 of 9)

Near the entrance, so green and so lush
Turquoise waters flowing through a lush rainforest, what a unique combo
The main attraction with a fairytale entrance. Not pictured are the glasswing butterflies fluttering about.
No swimming! Some of these crossings were quite precarious.
The water bubbled up from a spring here.
It suddenly started to pour and the trail got really muddy.
A type of bromeliad. I enjoyed seeing all the branches covered with epiphytes.
Of course, can't forget about all the moss as well.
The cycad catching light. This was taken from the side of the road as the rain started to clear.