Rio Celeste - Tenorio Volcano National Park

Lake Arenal in the Costa Rican highlands is a very big lake. And north of the western edge of the lake is Volcan Tenorio one of six active volcanos in the country. Río Celeste is undeniably one of Costa Rica’s most photogenic sights, and it’s all thanks to the volcano: sulfur emissions from the volcano plus calcium carbonate in the precipitation creates unbelievably blue water. You have to see to believe! It’s all part of a visit to Tenorio Volcano National Park.

Playa Bejuco

An awesome, expansive and sleepy beach that we coincidentally timed just right so that our low tide walks at sunrise were aligned with the rising sun on the shoreline horizon east. And our low tide walks at sunset were aligned with the opposite shoreline horizon west. Absolutely stunning. If there was not already a reason for reverence, this beach is clean and free of trash. A Costa Rican gem with limited low-rise development! We loved it so much we came back a second time several months later and stayed our last week on the “Good Life” tour.

Lake Arenal

If you are driving anywhere around Lake Arenal in the Costa Rican highlands you have hit the jackpot for a breathtaking view! We stayed near the tourist town of La Fortuna inland a bit from the eastern edge of the lake. Loved the way the lake and Arenal volcano created clouds and rain. But the photo below was taken from the far southwestern shore, near the town of Tilaran and even closer to the village of Tronadora. If you need to re-create, just visit the lake for a couple of days to gaze out while reading a good book, wind surf or easily hike along the water’s edge. We recommend a drive, bike ride, stroll or hike along the southern edge east of Tronadora as far as you can until you can’t, or won’t, ford a too-big stream. Instant renewal!