Last Updated: March 21, 2025
Nestled in a lush valley between two dormant volcanoes is the town of Bijagua. This rural village is probably best known as a stop-over destination for those visiting the nearby Rio Celeste Waterfall. And while the famously blue waterfall is quickly becoming a must-see, the town itself remains peaceful and undeveloped. In this post, we’ll give you all the information you need to plan your visit to the charming country town of Bijagua.
Location
Bijagua is located in the mountains of Costa Rica’s Northern Highlands.
Set between the steep slopes of the Miravalles Volcano (6,654 feet) and Tenorio Volcano (6,286 feet), Bijagua offers a beautiful backdrop for nature lovers. The town is a mix of farm land and dense rainforest that stays lush and green year-round
The closest international airport to Bijagua is Daniel Oduber International (LIR) in Liberia, about an hour away.
Beach towns in Guanacaste like Playa Hermosa or Playa Tamarindo are about 1.5-2.5 hours away. The popular destination of La Fortuna/Arenal Volcano is a 1.25-hour drive.
Climate
Bijagua’s rainforest stays verdant year-round thanks to the nourishing rainfall it receives. Be sure to pack a raincoat, especially if you’re traveling during rainy season (May through November).
Even with the rain, the weather in Bijagua is usually very nice. Temperatures consistently stay around 27 ℃ (80 ℉). Nights can be cooler, which is why most accommodations in Bijagua don’t have A/C.
The driest months are typically February through April.
Things to Do in Bijagua
Bijagua is most famous for being the gateway to the Rio Celeste Waterfall. But there is enough to do here to fill at least a couple of nights. The region has areas of thick jungle and is home to an abundance of flora and fauna. Guided birding and wildlife tours are available to take advantage.
You also will find mountain biking, horseback riding, chocolate tours, and river tubing and float trips. It is a great spot for those looking to connect with the local culture as well.
Tip: As activities are more spread out, the Bijagua/Rio Celeste area is best explored with a rental car. Check out our discount through one of Costa Rica’s most reputable rental companies to save 10% on a car.
Rio Celeste Waterfall Hike
As we’ve said, the major attraction of Bijagua is the Rio Celeste Waterfall that flows within the nearby Tenorio Volcano National Park. The intense blue color of this waterfall and river looks like something out of a fairytale but is absolutely real.
The waterfall is best visited when it hasn’t rained lately, since the color can be altered by silt.
You don’t need a guide to go but one can be nice to have. They will help you see wildlife and teach about how the waterfall/river gets its unique color. If you’d like help arranging a guide, just contact us using the link below and we will set you up with the local company we did a tour with. Learn more about our travel agency.
If you’re planning to visit self-guided, be sure to buy your national park tickets in advance. These can be purchased directly from the SINAC (government) website. This is important because tickets are no longer sold at the national park.
Read our post The Enchanting Rio Celeste for more info to plan your visit.
Rio Celeste River Tubing
Since you can’t swim in the national park, a fun way to take a dip in the Celeste River is a tubing tour.
Most of the tour is a laid back float on Class I-II rapids that will let you enjoy the bright blue waters, but there are some rapids for a little excitement. We recommend this activity if it hasn’t rained recently, as rain can alter the blue color.
Book a Rio Celeste tubing tour through our link below and we’ll help with the arrangements through a local tour company we work with.
Heliconias Hanging Bridges
Outside town on the fringes of Tenorio Volcano National Park is Heliconias Rainforest Lodge.
Heliconias offers hiking along a trail through dense forest and across a few hanging bridges before looping back.
We have been a couple of times and loved it. It’s a great option for exploring nature and beating the crowds. The pristine rainforest is a paradise for birders, with some unique species like the Tody Motmot, Yellow-eared Toucanet, and Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo (a relative of the roadrunner).
On our visits, we have seen a large troop of white-faced capuchin monkeys, along with butterflies, lizards, and less rare birds like Toucans and Crested Guans.
You can visit Heliconias on your own and just pay entrance ($14 per person) or book a guide with the link below.
Frog Night Tour
You’ve likely seen Costa Rica’s colorful frogs on banner ads and book covers, but in Bijagua, you can meet them in person.
With a local guide by your side, you will walk around specially made trails and gardens that have been planted to attract and breed frogs.
The kinds of frogs you might see include the red-eyed tree frog, blue jean poison dart frog, and a see-through variety known as the glass frog. You might also see animals like snakes, insects, and even sloths.
Our family has done a night tour in Bijagua and loved our local guide. If you’d like to book with them, contact us through the link below.
Local Cooking Class
If you’re interested in getting to know the local culture, we highly recommend a cooking class.
Alongside a local chef, you’ll get to prepare traditional Costa Rican cuisine like casados (lunch plates of meat or fish with rice and beans and side salads) and even get to help grind corn for fresh tortillas. The tour takes place at a local kitchen and everything is cooked over a woodstove. It’s very authentic.
Our whole family loved this tour.
Sloth Tours
Everyone wants to see a sloth on their trip to Costa Rica so it should be no surprise that one of the most popular activities now in Bijagua is a sloth tour.
You will find several properties in town that will guarantee you will see a sloth, but it’s important to know that not all these tours are ethical. We learned from a local about sloths being taken from the wild and brought to people’s land for tourism.
Luckily, there’s a wonderful option for a responsible sloth tour near Bijagua. We did this and really enjoyed getting to see sloths through our guide’s scope. We saw other wildlife like monkeys as well.
You can book this ethical sloth tour through the links below.
More Things to Do in Bijagua
For more ideas for things to do, be sure to check out our post, 9 Best Things to Do in Bijagua (Rio Celeste).
Restaurants in Bijagua
Bijagua isn’t built up so the restaurant selection is small, but there are still some tasty finds. Here are some places that we have enjoyed over the years.
El Sabor de Dona Carmen – Restaurant & Butterfly Garden
Hidden on a side street just south of the Bijagua High School (Liceo Bijagua) is El Sabor de Dona Carmen.
This restaurant is as authentic as they get. The menu is simple with casados, a typical lunch dish of rice and beans, fish, chicken, or beef, and several side salads. There are also traditional rice dishes and soups like olla de carne (on Sundays).
Adding to the charm is a small butterfly garden next to the dining area. This is a fun spot if you are traveling with kids.
Pizzeria El Barrigon
Located on the main road in town, the pizza at El Barrigon is solid and they have some other typical food options as well. We have tried the veggie pizza, but those who are feeling adventurous might like the house specialty, which is topped with gallo pinto (Costa Rica’s traditional rice and beans breakfast dish).
Hummingbird Cafe
Located at Finca Verde Lodge, the Hummingbird Café offers something different if you’ve had your fill of traditional food. The small but diverse menu has appetizers like hummus and handmade tortilla chips. Entrees include chicken enchiladas, cordon blue, lasagna, pizza, and burgers.
The setting is very laid back, with an outdoor patio surrounded by jungle.
Cafe y Restaurante Semilla
This small cafe has only a few tables but a sizable menu with traditional dishes, healthy options (including a vegan menu), as well as sweet treats. We also really enjoyed the coffee.
Located on the main road in Bijagua, diagonally across from Mega Super grocery store.
La Choza del Maiz
Another great option for traditional Costa Rican food is La Choza del Maiz (the Corn Shack), right on the main road as you’re coming into town. You can’t miss the giant corn statue out front!
As the name implies, this popular local spot specializes in corn. We tried the delicious rosquillas (baked corn snacks), pan de elote (cornbread), and chorreadas (corn-based pancakes). They also have lots of other classic dishes.
Hotels in Bijagua
Although Bijagua may be a small town, it has a good selection of hotels. Much of the lodging is quaint B&B-type places (think cabins).
Travelers of every budget should be able to find something nice. Prices in this area are still fairly modest compared to other destinations in Costa Rica.
Below are our top picks for where to stay in Bijagua.
Note: Many accommodations in Bijagua do not have air conditioning. Because temperatures are cooler at night, most visitors find a fan to be more than adequate.
Budget Hotels
Finca Verde
Finca Verde is a laid back hotel immersed in nature. The two buildings that make up the small lodge have a couple of rooms each and are backed by lush tropical forest. When we stayed, we saw sloths and many birds and woke to the calls of howler monkeys each morning. The rooms are rustic and small, but clean and comfortable.
One of the best things about staying at Finca Verde is that you have easy access to their delicious restaurant, the Hummingbird Café. $75-110/night, includes breakfast.
Katira Tree Houses
For the ultimate nature escape, there’s Katira Tree Houses. This small property is in the village of Katira, a little east of Bijagua and the Rio Celeste. It has a handful of wooden bungalows suspended over the beautiful Celeste River. A raised walkway through the rainforest connects the treehouses to the main property.
The owners are locals who will take good care of you. $80-95/night. Check Rates and Availability Here.
Mid-range Hotels
Casa Areno
Our family stayed at this rental house and really enjoyed it. The property is very private and scenic, with lovely gardens. It sits high on a hill so has nice views, especially from the large porch.
Casa Areno is spacious, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a full kitchen. The decor incorporates a lot of local wood and Costa Rican charm.
Located about 10 minutes north of the main area of Bijagua. $140-180/night. Check Rates and Availability Here.
Sueno Rio Celeste Boutique Hotel
Sueno Rio Celeste is a bed and breakfast right off the main road coming into town. It has spacious, freestanding cabins so that you have plenty of privacy.
Each cabin is tastefully decorated and has a porch where you can watch colorful birds come and go through the gardens.
$180-200/night for a room or bungalow; around $300/night for a 2-bedroom chalet. Check Rates and Availability Here.
Casitas Tenorio B&B and Farm
One of our favorite properties in this area is Casitas Tenorio. This bed and breakfast and working farm has a handful of beautifully crafted bungalows.
We have stayed in one of their larger casitas, El Sol, and loved it. The finishes were modern and sophisticated, but with plenty of Costa Rican flair. Hand-painted tropical scenes adorned the walls, brightly colored linens dressed the beds, and local wood was used throughout.
Guests love the breakfast area, not only for the volcano view, but to watch the many birds that come to the feeders. $135-185/night (double occupancy). Check Rates and Availability Here.
Tenorio Lodge
Another good option for comfortable bungalows is Tenorio Lodge. This eco-lodge has 12 wooden bungalows set on a large 17 acre parcel of garden and forest. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, guests get to enjoy views of Tenorio Volcano from within their cabin. The lodge also has two huge Jacuzzi tubs for soaking. $155-180/night (double occupancy). Check Rates and Availability Here.
High-end Hotels
Rio Celeste Hideaway Resort
Most of the lodging in this area is budget to mid-range, but there is one hotel for those looking for a little more luxury.
The Rio Celeste Hideaway is a small resort with high-end bungalows. Their casitas are nestled in the peaceful forest and each has an awesome outdoor garden shower. Rooms have A/C.
The hotel is right next to the national park entrance but is more remotely located so be prepared to drive to get to restaurants and amenities.
This hotel has obtained the Certification of Sustainable Tourism from the Costa Rican government.
$350-700 (double occupancy). Check Rates and Availability Here.
Conclusion
Bijagua offers travelers an escape from some of the more touristy areas in Costa Rica and has enough activities and amenities to make it just as enjoyable. With lush rainforest, friendly locals, and beautiful sights like the Rio Celeste Waterfall, Bijagua is sure to grow. Get there now and experience this charming town for yourself.
Last Updated: March 21, 2025
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Check out the links below for more practical info for planning your trip to Costa Rica:
Driving in Costa Rica: What to Know Before You Go – The area around Bijagua is spread out and best explored with a rental car. If you have concerns about driving in Costa Rica, read this post. And be sure to check out our rental car discount to save 10% and get free extras.
La Fortuna: What to Expect from Costa Rica’s Most Popular Destination – Bijagua and the Rio Celeste Waterfall are often visited from La Fortuna. If you’re planning a stay here, check out our recommendations for hotels, activities, and restaurants.
Las Pumas Rescue Center – Visiting Bijagua along with a beach town in Guanacaste? This wildlife center near the city of Canas is a nice stop.
