Nestled in a lush valley between two dormant volcanoes lies the tranquil town of Bijagua. While many travelers visit this area for the famous Rio Celeste Waterfall, the peaceful countryside offers much more than just a stunning blue cascade.
Here are our favorite things to do in and around Bijagua and the Rio Celeste. We’ve learned the best things to do and what to avoid over our many visits to this region. Below we give the main highlights plus some lesser-known activities that showcase the area’s rich biodiversity and local culture.
Top Activities in Bijagua
1. Rio Celeste Waterfall
No visit to Bijagua would be complete without experiencing the magical Rio Celeste Waterfall.
Often described as one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful falls, the Rio Celeste captivates visitors with its bright blue water.
The hike to this stunning waterfall takes you through Tenorio Volcano National Park.
The first leg of the trail is a relatively easy, half-hour walk. To reach the waterfall’s viewing platform, you’ll then descend a well-maintained staircase with 250 steps (and yes, you’ll need to climb back up!). The effort is totally worth it, though, as you catch your first glimpse of the blue cascade and pool below.
For those interested in exploring further, the trail continues to other cool features like the tenideros. This is where the two clear streams converge and transform into the famous blue river. The second part of the hike is more challenging but worth it in our opinion.
For lots more about the Rio Celeste Waterfall hike, read our full post, Rio Celeste Waterfall: Essential Tips. We give tips on when to visit to see the blue color and important info on getting tickets.
Check out our short video of the Rio Celeste Waterfall
You don’t need a guide for this hike as the trail is well maintained. But a guide can make for a better experience. The guides that we work with are locals who know the ecosystem well and can share lots of cool insights with you on the trail.
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2. Rio Celeste River Tubing Adventure
While swimming isn’t allowed at the waterfall in the national park, there’s still a way to dip into the Rio Celeste’s enchanting blue waters.
Just downstream you can float, by tube, along a 4 km (2.5 mile) stretch of river.
This tour blends relaxation and adventure. Part of the ride is a peaceful float that lets you soak in the stunning scenery and blue water. But other parts have you splashing and bouncing down Class I-II rapids.
For the best/calmest conditions, we recommend scheduling a tour during the dry season (approximately January through April) or when it hasn’t rained lately. Heavy rain can temporarily cloud the river’s vibrant blue color and make the rapids more intense.
If you’d like to try river tubing on the Rio Celeste, you can book this as part of a combo tour with the waterfall hike above. Just use our link below.
Lesser-Known Things to Do in Bijagua/Rio Celeste
3. Heliconias Hanging Bridges
For a lesser known hanging bridge experience in Costa Rica, there is Helicionas Hanging Bridges.
Adjacent to Tenorio Volcano National Park, this property sees way less visitors than hanging bridges in places like La Fortuna or Monteverde. On some days, you might even be the only one on the trail.
The 2.5 km (1.5 mile) hike takes you through mostly virgin rainforest. It’s an easy to moderate trek with some stairs and inclines but nothing too intense. Our kids ages 5 and 9 had no problem during our last visit.
The big highlight at Heliconias is crossing three hanging bridges, each about 312 feet (95 meters) long and suspended 100 feet (30 meters) above the forest floor. These bridges may sound scary but are quite sturdy, supported by thick metal cables.
During our several visits to Heliconias, we’ve encountered white-faced capuchin monkeys, toucans and other tropical birds, butterflies, lizards, and some cool insects.
One special feature our guide pointed out was a fruit tree that attracts the elusive Baird’s tapir, Central America’s largest land mammal. Tapirs are also occasionally spotted on the property (though we’ve only seen their tracks).
A local guide is nice to have for this hike as wildlife in the mature forest can be hard to spot. Click below for more info on booking through the guide we used.
4. Frog Night Tour
As the sun sets over Bijagua’s lush landscape, a different side of the rainforest comes to life. A night tour lets you take part in the action.
On this unique tour, a knowledgeable local guide will lead you along flat, easy trails and around special gardens that attract various nocturnal creatures, especially frogs!
By flashlight, you’ll search for colorful residents like the iconic, red-eyed tree frog, blue-jean poison dart frog (named for its blue legs), hourglass frog, and rain frogs.
During our most recent night walk, we also spotted a sloth moving through the branches, a snail-eating snake (harmless), and some interesting insects with special adaptations for nighttime survival.
Each night offers different encounters, making every tour unique.
Tours start around 5:30 p.m., when diurnal animals are settling down and nocturnal creatures are beginning to stir. Use our link below to book. We work with a small local tour company with excellent English-speaking guides.
5. Bird Watching & Birding Tours
Birding enthusiasts will find Bijagua to be a true paradise.
This region is considered one of Costa Rica’s premier bird-watching destinations due to its location between the Pacific and Caribbean slopes.
The mixed habitats around Bijagua (tropical rainforest, cloud forest, open pasture, plantation, and garden) draw an impressive variety of birds. Many hotels and restaurants also have feeders with fresh fruits, which attract a lot of species.
Some notable birds you may encounter include the rare Bare-necked Umbrellabird, the colorful Tody Motmot, or the Yellow-eared Toucanet.
Hummingbird enthusiasts will be excited by the possibility of spotting the Snowcap or Black-crested Coquette.
Local birding guides know the best spots to find specific target species. As an added bonus, you can often see other wildlife like sloths too.
6. Tapir Valley Nature Reserve
As the name suggests, the Tapir Valley is one of the few places in Costa Rica where you can spot the endangered Baird’s tapir.
Sightings aren’t guaranteed, but the reserve’s 220 hectares (544 acres) provide a safe haven for these large mammals.
Beyond tapirs, the reserve hosts an impressive array of wildlife, including monkeys, sloths, snakes, and hundreds of bird species.
With a large lagoon in the center, frogs are also abundant.
In fact, in 2022, a completely new species called the Tapir Valley tree frog (Tlalocohyla celeste) was discovered there. We were lucky to witness this frog being researched, just before it was formally announced.
For more about the Tapir Valley and to read our experience taking a night tour, see our post, Tapir Valley Reserve Night Tour.
7. Ethical Sloth Tour
While the lush forests around Bijagua and the Rio Celeste provide excellent habitat for sloths, you should always use an eye of caution when selecting a tour.
As we have learned from locals, some sloths are taken from their natural homes illegally to be used in tourism projects. For more, read our post, Sloth Tours in Costa Rica: What’s Ethical?
Luckily, there is a tour in the area that takes a sustainable approach. It works directly with local farmers who know where sloths tend to hang out on their properties. This community-based model benefits both wildlife and locals, while providing authentic wildlife encounters.
When we did this tour, we were able to see a few different sloths from a safe distance and some other cool wildlife as well. Our guide also was able to show us sloths close up through his powerful scope.
It was fun to meet a local farmer and have him give us a short tour of his property.
To have a similar experience, you can book the sloth tour we did as part of the Rio Celeste hike or a cooking class (more below).
8. Finca Verde
Finca Verde is another great option for wildlife viewing. This rustic lodge, organic farm, and reforestation project run by locals is just outside the main area of Bijagua.
Although they call it a farm tour, it focuses more on spotting wildlife like monkeys, sloths, birds like toucans, and frogs. They also have a small butterfly garden and snake/frog enclosure.
Guided tours are $15 per person and are offered several times a day. You can book a tour through Finca Verde’s website.
If you’re looking for an authentic place to stay in Bijagua in a beautiful setting, Finca Verde’s small ecolodge is a great spot. Our family has stayed there and enjoyed it.
9. Local Cooking Class
Being rural and still developing for tourism, the Rio Celeste area is the perfect place to dive deeper into Costa Rican culture. And what better way than with food.
This hands-on cooking class offers delicious insights into traditional cuisine. A local cook will guide you through preparing classic Costa Rican dishes using farm-fresh ingredients.
What makes this experience extra special is that you are literally at the family’s home, cooking over a traditional wood-burning stove. You then get to sit down with everyone involved to enjoy the meal you’ve helped create.
This activity is particularly good if you’re traveling to Costa Rica with kids.
When we did it with our kids (ages 5 and 9), they were fully engaged and proud to eat what they had prepared. One especially memorable highlight was hand-grinding raw corn to make fresh tortillas. Book a cooking class with our link below.
Conclusion
Bijagua offers the perfect blend of must-see natural wonders and off-the-beaten-path experiences. Whether you’re marveling at the electric blue waters of the Rio Celeste, spotting colorful frogs after dark, or connecting with the local culture through a cooking class, this understated destination delivers authentic experiences that many travelers miss.
We recommend spending at least two full days in Bijagua to experience the waterfall and a couple of additional activities without feeling rushed. Those with more time could easily spend 3-4 days. Be sure to check out our full guide to Bijagua for more information.
Have a question about things to do in Bijagua/Rio Celeste or want to share your favorite experience? Leave a comment below.
Looking for more information to plan your trip? Check out these posts:
Costa Rica Car Rental Discount: We recommend having your own vehicle for exploring the Bijagua area, as many attractions are spread out. Be sure to check out our discount through one of the most reliable companies in Costa Rica.
Packing for Costa Rica: Being comfortable on the trail means packing right. See what we recommend for Costa Rica’s many microclimates.
Bijagua: A Gateway to the Rio Celeste Waterfall – Our top accommodation picks for every budget.
Costa Rica Activity Guides: Explore our guides in other destinations throughout Costa Rica.