
Celeste River Waterfall and Wildlife Reserve
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 35 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Celeste River Waterfall and Wildlife Reserve worth booking?
Celeste River Waterfall and Wildlife Reserve is a 10-hour experience in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, from $215 per person. It scores 76 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 35 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 76 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (35)
- Duration
- 10 hours
- From
- $215 per person
The excursion to the stunning Rio Celeste Waterfall offers an immersion in the natural beauty of Tenorio Volcano National Park. Enjoy a hike along trails surrounded by lush greenery and marvel at the sky blue waters of the waterfall. Relax on the Río Celeste, where you can connect with nature, and enjoy a typical Costa Rican lunch at a family-run coffee shop in Bijagua. The day culminates in a Private Wildlife Reserve, where you will learn about sustainability and the importance of environmental conservation. In the end, you will receive photographs of your unique experience. - Hike through Tenorio Volcano National Park and visit to the waterfall - Enjoy a swim in the waters of the Celeste River - Typical Costa Rican lunch in Bijagua included - Visit to a Private Wildlife Reserve to learn about sustainability
What you get
About this experience
The excursion to the stunning Rio Celeste Waterfall offers an immersion in the natural beauty of Tenorio Volcano National Park. Enjoy a hike along trails surrounded by lush greenery and marvel at the sky blue waters of the waterfall. Relax on the Río Celeste, where you can connect with nature, and enjoy a typical Costa Rican lunch at a family-run coffee shop in Bijagua. The day culminates in a Private Wildlife Reserve, where you will learn about sustainability and the importance of environmental conservation. In the end, you will receive photographs of your unique experience. - Hike through Tenorio Volcano National Park and visit to the waterfall - Enjoy a swim in the waters of the Celeste River - Typical Costa Rican lunch in Bijagua included - Visit to a Private Wildlife Reserve to learn about sustainability
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
Not included
- Alcoholic beverages
What you'll see and do
Parque Nacional Volcan Tenorio
We will start with a visit to Tenorio Volcano National Park where we will hike and hike to get to see Rio Celeste Fall, this will take about 2 1/2 hours. Outside the park we will swim in the celestial river, and then enjoy a typical Costa Rican lunch in the village of Bijagua and finish with the visit a Private Ecological Reserve where we will observe sloths and other representative animals of the Rainforest.
360 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Costa Rica Family Tours
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Walking poles will be provided if the client requires it, in addition, first aid equipment and hydration will always be taken during activities.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 35 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Good for families
5 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
35 verified traveler reviews for Celeste River Waterfall and Wildlife Reserve. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Waterfalls and rain forest
Verny was absolutely amazing! So knowledgeable and helpful !! He made our trip the best experience!
via Tripadvisor
Amazing experience
Verny was an amazing tour guide and the entire day was our favorite of the whole trip! From start to finish, we had the most incredible experience. Verny picked us up right on time at our hotel to take us to the waterfall. He was so knowledgeable and shared so much interesting information. Verny was so patient and answered all of our questions. He made sure to make everyone comfortable and my kids, aged 10 and 11 absolutely loved everything about it. We hiked to the waterfall, he let us stop and swim in the nearby river and then had lunch. After we went to the coffee and chocolate plantation, a very interesting place! Then we went to the nature reserve and saw the most incredible wildlife. All in all it was an experience you don’t want to miss and I would 100% recommend this tour with Verny to anyone!
via Tripadvisor
An unforgettable day in Costa Rica with the best guide, Verny!
Our all day adventure with Verny was truly one of the highlights of our trip to Costa Rica! My mother and I spent the entire day exploring, learning, laughing, and experiencing so much of this beautiful country, and we honestly could not have asked for a better guide. From the beginning, Verny was incredibly kind, caring, knowledeable, and professional. His enthusiasm was absolutely infectious! He had such incredible knowledge of Costa Rica's wildlife, plants, history, and culture, and he shared it all with us in a way that was facinating, fun, and easy to understand. You could tell how much pride and love he has for his country and how passionate he is about sharing it with others. Our day was packed with amazing experiences. We visited a beautiful waterfall, learned how coffee and chocolate are grown and made, enjoyed two different hikes through the rainforest, and had a delicious, traditional Costa Rican lunch. Every part of the day was special and Verny made sure we saw and experienced as much as possible. One thing that really stood out to us was how much Verny cared about our safety and comfort. His priorities were always to have fun, see amazing things, and do it all safely. He is an excellent and careful driver. The van was immaculate, new and clean. Verny was professional throughout the entire day while also making everything feel relaxed amd personal. In addition, he is an amazing photographer and shared all of his photos he too that day with us. By the end of the adventure, we honestly felt like we had made a new forever friend. I cannot wait to return to Costa Rica and book another adventure with Verny. He is absolutely the best, and we feel incredibly lucky that we had the opportunity to meet him and spend such a wonderful day together. Pura Vida Verny...we'll see you soon my friend!
via Tripadvisor
Family trip
This guy is so amazing ,he helped us out with everything so he made all the fun activities easier and funnier. We're loving him and getting him in our family
Response from the operator: This is something I love about my Job, making not only Friends but new Family members, thank You very much for your kind support, God Bless you all!
via Tripadvisor
BEST DAY EVER
Verny gave us the BEST day and the BEST experience! He was so knowledgeable, funny, and helpful. He took us to see all the things we wanted to see! Waterfall, hiking, river swimming, rain forest, sloths, monkeys, great food, coffee and cocoa farming…he delivered it all! It was an amazing day and I highly recommend both the tour and Verny!
Response from the operator: Dear Michelle I can not say enough to tank you for your kind words, for me was a privilege to meet you and spend the day with your lovely family, I am so happy you had a great time on your tour, and welcome to my Costa Rican Family, Pura Vida!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 10 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 12
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 76
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Celeste River Waterfall and Wildlife Reserve: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Tamarindo.
How much does Celeste River Waterfall and Wildlife Reserve cost?
+
Prices start at $215 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Tamarindo usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Celeste River Waterfall and Wildlife Reserve take?
+
Plan for about 10 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Tamarindo is not rushed.
Is Celeste River Waterfall and Wildlife Reserve worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 76 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 35 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Tamarindo, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Celeste River Waterfall and Wildlife Reserve?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Celeste River Waterfall and Wildlife Reserve suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 10-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Celeste River Waterfall and Wildlife Reserve?
+
Around 12 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Tamarindo can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Tamarindo and add a light layer if any part of the 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Celeste River Waterfall and Wildlife Reserve start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Tamarindo within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Tamarindo?
+
On Outty we rank every Tamarindo experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Surf Lesson in Tamarindo - Stand Up or Your Money Back!, Sunset Catamaran & Snorkeling Tour in Playa Flamingo, Fundive Catalina Islands (2 dives, only for certified divers). The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Tamarindo?
+
Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Tamarindo?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Celeste River Waterfall and Wildlife Reserve?
+
Included: Private transportation. Not included: Alcoholic beverages. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Celeste River Waterfall and Wildlife Reserve include hotel pickup?
+
Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 11 listed pickup locations in and around Tamarindo. Be ready about 30 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Celeste River Waterfall and Wildlife Reserve offered in?
+
It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Celeste River Waterfall and Wildlife Reserve?
+
Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Celeste River Waterfall and Wildlife Reserve wheelchair or stroller accessible?
+
The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Specialized infant seats are available; and Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Celeste River Waterfall and Wildlife Reserve if the weather is bad?
+
This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Celeste River Waterfall and Wildlife Reserve?
+
Across 35 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, good for families. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Celeste River Waterfall and Wildlife Reserve.
Pick your date




