During the Thanksgiving break of 2017; Becky (my wife) and I, took a trip to Costa Rica. Our first trek, (November 21st), was to take a hike into the, “Rio Celeste”.

      The Rio Celeste is found in the Tenorio Volcano National Park, (pictured above), a 32,000 acre park that is home to a large number of Costa Rica’s natural wildlife (most of Costa Rica’s feline species can be found here including jaguars, cougars, ocelots, and margays).

       The Rio Celeste’s blue coloring is the result of a chemical reaction between sulfur and calcium carbonate from the nearby Tenorio volcano. The sulfur and calcium carbonate is carried from the surrounding volcanic soil to the Rio Celeste by smaller streams that feed into the river. The strange brew is then heated by natural thermal steam emitted from hot thermal springs that feed into the river. After the chemical reaction, the water perfectly reflects wonderful turquoise blue waves of light. (Pictured above) Becky is standing in front of the Y Los Tenideros, part of the Rio Celest.  

     (Pictured above) I’m standing in front of the Union Rios of Buenavista Y Quebrada Agria, where sulfur is introduced and turns the combination of the two rivers aqua-marine blue. Notice the point of where they change color. Amazing…..

     Below, Becky and I viewed a Brown-Throated Sloth on the trail back to the car rental.  Our hike consisted mostly in the rain that day.  We were very, very wet.  A true Costa Rica rainforest.