Understanding the Costa Rican SINAC Booking System

Planning a visit to the turquoise waters of Tenorio Volcano National Park? The days of showing up and purchasing a paper ticket at the gate are officially over. In an effort to manage conservation and visitor flow, Costa Rica has transitioned to a 100% digital entry system. This guide ensures you don’t get turned away at the trailhead by navigating the technicalities of the Sistema de Cobro de Reservaciones (SICORE).

The Digital Shift: No Walk-ins Allowed

Tenorio Volcano National Park, home to Rio Celeste, no longer accepts cash or credit card payments at the park entrance. Every visitor must possess a valid digital permit purchased through the SICORE portal. This system is strictly enforced; without a pre-purchased QR code, park rangers will not allow entry, regardless of how far you have driven from Bijagua or La Fortuna. The shift is part of a broader mandate by the Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación (SINAC) to protect the sensitive cloud forest ecosystems and prevent the “over-tourism” that can degrade trail stability and water quality.

Category	Price (USD Total with 13% IVA)	Booking Requirement
Non-Resident Adult	$13.56	Mandatory Online (Visa/MC)
Non-Resident Child	$5.65	Mandatory Online (Visa/MC)
Park Hours	8:00 AM – 4:00 PM	Timed Entry Slots
Last Entry	2:00 PM	Strictly Enforced
Parking Fee	~2,000 CRC ($4-5 USD)	Cash Only (Private Lot)
Gate Restrictions	No Single-Use Plastics	Mandatory Bag Check

Accessing the Official SICORE Portal

Always ensure you are booking via the official government domain: serviciosenlinea.sinac.go.cr. Be wary of third-party websites that look official but add significant ‘service fees’ to your ticket price. These sites are intermediaries, not the official authority.

Navigating the Conservation Area Hierarchy

The most common error international visitors make on the SICORE portal is failing to find “Tenorio” in the list of parks. The system is organized by “Área de Conservación” (Conservation Area) rather than a simple alphabetical list. For Rio Celeste, you must first select ACAT (Área de Conservación Arenal Tempisque) in the primary dropdown menu. Only after selecting ACAT will “Parque Nacional Volcán Tenorio” appear as an option in the secondary “Sector” list. Selecting the wrong administrative region will leave you searching through parks on the opposite side of the country.

The ID Mandate: Why Passport Numbers are Non-Negotiable

The SINAC system utilizes an individual validation protocol. You cannot simply purchase “four tickets” under one lead name. For every single member of your traveling party, you must input their full name and Passport Number exactly as it appears on their legal identification. This data is checked against your physical IDs by park rangers at the trailhead. If the name on the digital permit does not match the ID presented, the ranger has the legal authority to deny entry. Have your passport data ready before you begin the checkout process to avoid timing out the session.

Step-by-Step: Creating Your Profile

1. Visit the official SICORE website and select “Check In” or “Sign Up” to begin the registration process.
2. Enter your full name as it appears on your passport and a valid email address; ensure you have access to this email immediately.
3. Wait for the verification email and click the confirmation link to activate your “Digital Wallet.”
4. Log back in and navigate to the “Buy” or “Reservations” tab to start a new booking.
5. Select “ACAT” as the Conservation Area and then choose “Parque Nacional Volcán Tenorio” from the dropdown menu.
6. Choose your date and specific entry time slot; morning slots are highly recommended as they offer the best chance of seeing the blue water before afternoon rains, which can be researched on our Best Time to Visit page.

Managing the Staggered Entry Windows

Tenorio operates on 40-minute entry windows (e.g., 8:00 AM, 8:40 AM, 9:20 AM). This is not a suggestion; it is a capacity management tool. While there is a 30-minute grace period for arrivals, being late can result in forfeiture of the ticket if the park has reached its hourly limit. Conversely, do not arrive more than 15 minutes before your slot, as you will be asked to wait in the parking area. Given the drive times from places like Liberia or San José, always factor in a 20-minute buffer for road conditions.

Cellular signal is notoriously spotty at the Tenorio park entrance. You must download your PDF ticket or take a clear screenshot of the QR code while still in the town of Bijagua. The live portal often fails to load at the trailhead, and rangers will not grant entry without seeing the code.

Location & Navigation

Recommended Guided Tours

If the SINAC portal proves too cumbersome or you prefer a hands-off experience, booking a guided tour is a viable alternative. Many professional operators include the entrance fee in their pricing and handle the digital registration on your behalf. This is particularly useful for those staying in La Fortuna who want to combine the hike with other adventure activities like tubing or rafting.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I buy tickets at the park entrance? No, physical ticket booths were permanently closed several years ago to modernize park management. All tickets must be purchased through the official SICORE online portal prior to arriving at the trailhead.
• Do I need to print my ticket? Printing is not mandatory as long as you can present a clear digital QR code on your smartphone. However, because cellular service is unreliable at the park gates, you must take a screenshot of the confirmation or download the PDF while you still have a strong internet connection in town.
• What happens if I miss my entry time slot? Park rangers generally allow a 30-minute window of flexibility for late arrivals due to transit issues. However, if you arrive significantly late and the park is at its hourly capacity, they have the legal discretion to deny entry without providing a refund.
• Can one person buy tickets for the whole group? Yes, one person can create a single account and purchase tickets for their entire party in one transaction. However, you must have the individual names and passport numbers for every person in the group ready at the time of purchase.
• Are tickets refundable if it rains and the water turns brown? SINAC tickets are strictly non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled due to weather conditions. Unless the Ministry of Environment declares a total park closure for safety reasons, a ticket purchased for a rainy day remains valid only for that specific date and time, regardless of the water’s color, which is explained in detail on our science of the blue water page.

---

Success at Rio Celeste begins at your computer, not the trailhead. By securing your permits early and understanding the “Tax Gap” that brings the final price to $13.56 USD, you ensure that your time in the Tenorio cloud forest is spent observing wildlife rather than troubleshooting a website. Remember to bring your physical passport or a clear high-resolution photo of it to match against your digital permit at the ranger station.

---

Field Report: 2026 Park Updates

⚠️ Trail Alert (February 2026): The steep concrete staircase descending to the base of the waterfall is currently subject to intermittent closures due to recent landslides. While the upper observation platform—which offers the classic postcard view—remains fully open, rangers may restrict access to the river level for safety. If the yellow caution tape is up, do not attempt to bypass it.

New Visitor Center: A modern Visitor Center opened in late 2025, significantly upgrading the park’s amenities. It features clean restrooms, a first-aid station, and a potable water refill point. Note that while there is a physical counter, it is for check-in only. Staff will not sell you a ticket on-site; you must arrive with your QR code ready.