Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel
Eco-luxury jungle hideaway. Polished and intentional, but never stuffy. The pura vida attitude is real — the staff are the highlight for most guests. Feels more like a private reserve with excellent food than a conventional hotel.
Book direct via the official website — you get a complimentary Night Walk, 10% off PRANA Spa treatments, and a yoga session at the new Ayurveda Yoga Pavilion
Why It Matters
The only property with private, legal swimming access to the Rio Celeste river — you cannot swim in the national park itself. Sits within its own 80-acre Tapir Natural Reserve. Recently expanded with an Asian-fusion restaurant (Mandarina), specialty café (Café Romance), modern gym, and PRANA Spa alongside the river.
Rio Celeste Hideaway sits on an 80-acre private nature reserve right on the banks of the famously turquoise Río Celeste — and it's the only luxury accommodation anywhere along the river. Far from Costa Rica's crowded coastal hotel strips, this is 26-casita jungle seclusion done properly: hardwood floors, outdoor shower gardens, three heated jacuzzis, and five dining and drinking spots. The Tapir Natural Reserve wraps around you, and Tenorio Volcano National Park is a 2-minute drive.
Where You'll Stay
4 room types available
Forest View Casita – King
From USD300 / nightThe rainforest-facing pick. Floor-to-ceiling wraparound private deck looks out over the jungle canopy. Inside: hardwood floors, hand-carved wooden furniture, warm tropical colors. The bathroom includes dual sinks on a granite counter plus both an indoor shower and a private outdoor garden shower. Air-conditioning, minibar, gourmet coffee station, free WiFi, safe.
KingForest View Casita – Queen Beds
From USD300 / nightThe family configuration of the forest-facing casita. Two queen beds and the same generous bathroom with indoor and outdoor shower. Rainforest views from a private patio. Same hardwood, same minibar, same generous space. Can sleep up to 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.
Two QueensGarden View Casita – King
From USD300 / nightFaces the hotel's tropical gardens with a private patio for watching coatis and birds at eye level. Same layout and quality as the Forest View — hardwood finishes, indoor and outdoor shower, air-conditioning, minibar. Slightly more sheltered feeling than the forest-facing rooms.
KingGarden View Casita – Queen Beds
From USD300 / nightGarden-facing family casita with two queen beds. Private patio overlooks the lush tropical gardens. Indoor and outdoor shower, hardwood furnishings, minibar, full air-conditioning. Good option for families wanting the garden setting rather than the denser forest view.
Two QueensThe Property
Eat & Drink
5 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Full-day excursion to Arenal Volcano, under an hour away, combining sightseeing and soak time in natural hot springs.
Guided birding tour into Tenorio Volcano National Park. The area's diverse habitats mean sightings of toucans, kingfishers, and many endemic species are typical.
River-boat tour to Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, a Ramsar-recognized wetlands site. Crocodile sightings are common.
Guided excursion into Tapir Valley on the Tenorio foothills in search of Baird's tapir — Central America's largest land mammal. One of Costa Rica's more unusual wildlife experiences.
1.5 miles of private trails through primary rainforest on the 80-acre Tapir Natural Reserve. Ends at the Rio Celeste for swimming in the turquoise waters. This is the hotel's signature complimentary experience — swimming here is not possible anywhere in the national park itself.
Walk among the treetops crossing 3 hanging bridges in the Heliconias rainforest, each offering different perspectives on Costa Rica's wildlife and flora.
Guided or self-guided hike to the Tenorio Volcano National Park trails, leading through rainforest, cloud forest, and lowland tropical forest to the famous Rio Celeste waterfall and the vivid turquoise river. The park entrance is a 2-minute drive from the hotel.
Three different trail options on horseback through the terrain surrounding the Rio Celeste river and Tenorio Volcano.
Canopy zip line over the rainforest with views of the turquoise Rio Celeste below.
Leisurely kayak tour along the Rio Celeste through the Costa Rican rainforest.
Visit to the Maleku people's reserve in Northern Costa Rica. The Maleku Jaica dialect-speaking community numbers around 1,000 people. A genuine cultural exchange, not a staged performance.
Guided nighttime walk through the reserve with flashlights. Nocturnal wildlife encounters including red-eyed tree frogs, insects, and — occasionally — venomous snakes. Complimentary for guests who book direct. Widely considered one of the best activities at the hotel.
Local family-run farm on the slopes of Tenorio Volcano specializing in chocolate production. A popular half-day outing from the hotel.
Float downstream on the turquoise Rio Celeste on tubes through Class I and II rapids with a tropical rainforest backdrop. One of the most-requested add-on activities at the hotel.
A 7-mile rafting run combining intense white water on the Tenorio River with calmer floating sections on the Corobicí. Arranged through the hotel's tour desk.
Guided yoga sessions at a new open-sided jungle yoga platform positioned along the river. The structure is open to the forest so you practice while listening to rain or mist roll in. Complimentary for direct bookers.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Two casitas are designed for guests with disabilities.
Pool table, foosball, darts, and a board game collection. Good rainy-afternoon option with cocktails from the adjacent bar.
State-of-the-art fitness center with floor-to-ceiling windows and forest views. Equipment includes 2 treadmills, 2 stationary bikes, 1 elliptical, 2 Smith machines, a flexion machine, and free weights. Open daily 5am–10pm.
Pets are not permitted. The property is an active nature reserve protecting wild tapirs and other wildlife, so no domestic animals are allowed on the grounds.
Main outdoor pool surrounded by lounge chairs on both sun-exposed and shaded sides. Three heated whirlpool jacuzzis adjoin the pool. The Blue Moon Swim-Up Bar is attached. Open daily.
On-site tour desk arranges all excursions and activities. Concierge can also coordinate private transportation to/from anywhere in Costa Rica.
Private transfers from Liberia International Airport (LIR) or anywhere in Costa Rica. Arranged through guestservice@riocelestehideaway.com or WhatsApp (506) 6061-7193. Not complimentary.
New jungle-immersed yoga platform built open to the rainforest along the Rio Celeste. Guided sessions available.
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