Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Sactuary Full-Day Tour with Lunch in Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica
Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica

Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Sactuary Full-Day Tour with Lunch

Outty Ranking 65 5.0 · 4 traveler reviews10 hoursFrom $185
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Outty Ranking

65/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 4 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Sactuary Full-Day Tour with Lunch worth booking?

Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Sactuary Full-Day Tour with Lunch is a 10-hour experience in Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica, from $185 per person. It scores 65 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 4 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
65 / 100
Rating
5/5 (4)
Duration
10 hours
From
$185 per person

Hike, admire and explore on our Rio Celeste Hiking & Waterfall Tour. This full-day excursion from Guanacaste includes return transfers from your hotel, entry to Tenorio Volcano National Park, a guided three-hour hike, a visit to the majestic waterfall, and lunch at a local Costa Rican restaurant.

What you get

    About this experience

    Hike, admire and explore on our Rio Celeste Hiking & Waterfall Tour. This full-day excursion from Guanacaste includes return transfers from your hotel, entry to Tenorio Volcano National Park, a guided three-hour hike, a visit to the majestic waterfall, and lunch at a local Costa Rican restaurant.

    What's included

    Included

    • Entrance fees to the national park, waterfall and sloth sanctuary
    • Bilingual Tour Guide
    • Lunch
    • In-vehicle air conditioning

    Not included

    • Gratuities

    What you'll see and do

    1. Cataratas Llanos de Cortes

      Your Costa Rican adventure continues with a trip to Llanos del Cortez Waterfall, one of the most iconic waterfalls in Guanacaste. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to swim in the natural freshwater pool below the cascading waters or sit back and admire the view.

      120 minutes here · Admission included

    2. Immerse yourself in the lush rainforest of Costa Rica on this unforgettable one-hour journey. Watch sloths in their natural environment as they gracefully navigate the treetops. Led by bilingual guides, this tour offers a unique and educational experience for nature lovers of all ages.

      120 minutes here · Admission not included

    3. Rio Celeste

      As you hike along the banks of the Rio Celeste through lush, tropical rainforests, you’ll encounter various plant, bird, and animal species that you can only find in this part of Costa Rica. You’ll stop off at Laguna Azul to admire its magical blue waters, cross a suspended bridge, and pass by the Borbollones, part of the river that bubbles with hot springs. Finally, you’ll make your way to the Rio Celeste Waterfall, a highlight of any trip to Guanacaste.

      180 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers.

    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, Sun
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Costa Rica Premier Tours

    Know before you go

    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness

    Photos

    Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Sactuary Full-Day Tour with Lunch in Playa Flamingo, photo 2Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Sactuary Full-Day Tour with Lunch in Playa Flamingo, photo 3Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Sactuary Full-Day Tour with Lunch in Playa Flamingo, photo 4Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Sactuary Full-Day Tour with Lunch in Playa Flamingo, photo 5Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Sactuary Full-Day Tour with Lunch in Playa Flamingo, photo 6Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Sactuary Full-Day Tour with Lunch in Playa Flamingo, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    3 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    2 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Food and drink

    2 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Photo opportunities

    1 mention

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Physical effort

    1 mention

    Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.

    Small groups

    1 mention

    The group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.

    Traveler reviews

    4 verified traveler reviews for Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Sactuary Full-Day Tour with Lunch. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    4
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    Sort
    JMB1245 · January 2025

    A GREAT Costa Rican experience that checks off a lot of boxes for all ages

    For some context, my wife and I have visited Costa Rica 5 times and are new owners of a house in Playa Potrero. This past visit included our 14 year old daughter, 82 year old mother and 58 year old sister so I needed an excursion that had something for everyone and wasn't too aggressive from a hiking or walking standpoint. This tour was the perfect mix. We started at the Celeste Waterfall which was an easy hike and a fun swim when we got there. Then we went on a hike to another waterfall (that you can't swim in). The hike was a little aggressive at times but with a little help, my 82 year old mother was able to get the majority of the way until the stairs down to the waterfall. There are about 400 stairs and they are wet and steep in some areas. You need to be in decent shape to make it down and up. Also, remember, this is a rain forest so the likelihood of getting rained on is close to 100%. It would be good to bring ponchos. After we got back from the hike we decided to go to the sloth sanctuary instead of lunch because it was on the way. This is another great aspect of this excursion - it's private so you can adjust the schedule and times allotments if you want. The sloth sanctuary was fantastic. We saw 2 sloths, 3 Tukans, 2 frogs, spiders and a bunch more within a one block area of the parking lot. Our guide was great. He was able to find them all quickly and then helped us take great pictures of them through the lens of his telescope. We then went to have a traditional Costa Rican lunch at a restaurant that had a butterfly garden attached to it which was cool. On the ride home we stopped at a place to grab souvenirs and some ice cream. We all had a great time and this day-trip checked off a lot of boxes if you're looking for a cool Costa Rican experience. Also, if you can get him, I highly recommend asking for Jorlan as a guide. He was an incredible source of knowledge and great conversationalist.

    via Tripadvisor

    melissa_m · March 2024

    Awesome adventure

    We had the best time with Carlos! He was so fun to be with all day and took us to the best spots. He even stopped at a grocery store for us and bought us count water, which was SO yummy. Highly recommend. 10 out of 10

    via Viator

    SuKura_W · February 2024

    Just go ahead and book it.

    Our tour guide was Aaron. He was very kind and patient. The food was authentic and very tasty. All three locations were amazing. Bring your walking shoes.

    via Viator

    nellie_h · March 2023

    A tour to remember

    Our guide Santo and driver Fabian were friendly and informative. My husband and I had an excellent adventure to Rio Celeste (the weather gods were good to us), the sloth sanctuary and waterfall at Llanos de Cortez were amazing.

    Response from the operator: Dear Customer, Thank you for your kind review! We're thrilled that Santo and Fabian provided friendly and informative service during your adventure. It's wonderful to hear that you had an excellent time visiting Rio Celeste and the sloth sanctuary at Llanos de Cortez. We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back soon!

    via Viator

    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, Sun
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    1
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Why this scores 65

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)90
    Review evidence (18% weight)29
    Booking momentum (14% weight)16
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)64
    Local standing (8% weight)54
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Sactuary Full-Day Tour with Lunch: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Playa Flamingo.

    How much does Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Sactuary Full-Day Tour with Lunch cost?

    +

    Prices start at $185 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Playa Flamingo usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Sactuary Full-Day Tour with Lunch 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 Playa Flamingo is not rushed.

    Is Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Sactuary Full-Day Tour with Lunch worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 65 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 4 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Playa Flamingo, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Sactuary Full-Day Tour with Lunch?

    +

    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 Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Sactuary Full-Day Tour with Lunch 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 Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Sactuary Full-Day Tour with Lunch?

    +

    Around 1 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 Playa Flamingo 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 Playa Flamingo and add a light layer if any part of the 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Sactuary Full-Day Tour with Lunch 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 Playa Flamingo 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 Playa Flamingo?

    +

    On Outty we rank every Playa Flamingo experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Flamingo, Guanacaste All Inclusive Catamaran Snorkel Adventure, Adventure Pass, Playa Flamingo Catamaran Tour with Snorkel, Lunch, Cocktails. 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 Playa Flamingo?

    +

    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 Playa Flamingo?

    +

    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 Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Sactuary Full-Day Tour with Lunch?

    +

    Included: Entrance fees to the national park, waterfall and sloth sanctuary; Bilingual Tour Guide; Lunch; and In-vehicle air conditioning. Not included: Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Sactuary Full-Day Tour with Lunch include hotel pickup?

    +

    Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 97 listed pickup locations in and around Playa Flamingo.

    What languages is Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Sactuary Full-Day Tour with Lunch 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 Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Sactuary Full-Day Tour with Lunch?

    +

    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.

    What happens to Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Sactuary Full-Day Tour with Lunch 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 Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Sactuary Full-Day Tour with Lunch?

    +

    Across 4 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, food and drink. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.

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