Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Watching Tour
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 15 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Watching Tour worth booking?
Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Watching Tour is a 9-hour experience in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, from $199 per person. It scores 70 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 15 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 70 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (15)
- Duration
- 9 hours
- From
- $199 per person
Rio Celeste, Sloth Sanctuary & Llanos de Cortes Waterfall Tour Rio Celeste Waterfall Hike – Tenorio Volcano National Park Upon arriving at the entrance, you will go on a 2 hour moderately difficult hike in the park. Along the trail you will walk through the rainforest and along the Celeste River, where you can observe one of nature’s most intriguing phenomenon. After this beautiful site, you will continue hiking to where two brooks merge together, turning clear water into a divine hue of turquoise that makes Rio Celeste. This chemical reaction, due to the volcanic minerals, makes for an astounding sight that can only be experienced at this unique location. This is where you will often see sloths and other wildlife. This hike is a fantastic opportunity for healthy exercise and unforgettable experiences in one of Costa Rica’s most unique hidden gems. Costa Rican Lunch Organic Farm Please be aware, on rare occasions the river may be brown due to heavy rains
What you get
About this experience
Rio Celeste, Sloth Sanctuary & Llanos de Cortes Waterfall Tour Rio Celeste Waterfall Hike – Tenorio Volcano National Park Upon arriving at the entrance, you will go on a 2 hour moderately difficult hike in the park. Along the trail you will walk through the rainforest and along the Celeste River, where you can observe one of nature’s most intriguing phenomenon. After this beautiful site, you will continue hiking to where two brooks merge together, turning clear water into a divine hue of turquoise that makes Rio Celeste. This chemical reaction, due to the volcanic minerals, makes for an astounding sight that can only be experienced at this unique location. This is where you will often see sloths and other wildlife. This hike is a fantastic opportunity for healthy exercise and unforgettable experiences in one of Costa Rica’s most unique hidden gems. Costa Rican Lunch Organic Farm Please be aware, on rare occasions the river may be brown due to heavy rains
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Lunch
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Liberia
We will visit amazing Llanos de el Cortez waterfall
Pass by without stopping
Rio Celeste Swimming Hole Path
Hike to the Must amazing blue waterfalls
Pass by without stopping
Tenorio National Park
Walking along the park to get to amazing waterfall
Pass by without stopping
Bijagua Ranas
We will stop at this amazing sanctuary to see sloths and more animals
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 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
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- ATV Beach Tours
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 15 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
8 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Physical effort
4 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Good for families
3 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
15 verified traveler reviews for Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Watching Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Incredible Guided Tour
Verny was an amazing guide for our family on this tour (kids ages 8 & 10). Having gone with him through the National Park, I cannot imagine going without a guide and having nearly the same experience. It was incredible! He thought of everything, knew everyone along the way and made the day seamless. The pictures he took along the way were fantastic, and he used my phone to take close up pictures of snakes and frogs. The food on the lunch stop was incredible too! I highly recommend this tour, it was the highlight of our trip!
via Tripadvisor
Great tour, great spots of beautiful Costa Rica
Great tour. Jason has his timing down and gets you to each spot before or after the big crowds. First stop was Llanos Del Cortez waterfall and we had the place to ourselves. Rio Celeste wasn’t extremely busy and then the lunch spot we beat everyone to by about 20 minutes so the wait was minimal. Sloth sanctuary was also very good. Tour was awesome across the board.
via Viator
The highlight of our tours!
The highlight of our tours. Jason was so funny and patient and answered all of our questions. We drove to a waterfall that you could swim in. This was a short walk. Then next to the National Park with the Rio Celeste waterfall. That waterfall is gorgeous! It takes about 250 steps down and up but was easy to manage. There are areas so pause before the main viewing area. The NP is a rain forest (you will need rain gear; we forgot and bough cheap ponchos from a guy in the lot). But being in a rainforest is surreal. Then on to a delicious Casado lunch. Wow was it yummy! While we waited for lunch we went into the attached butterfly garden. Then on to the sloth sanctuary. We saw 5 sloths. I think we got lucky but the guide was so knowledgeable and taught us about so many plants. We saw frogs and snakes too! This tour was a full day of wonder and beauty. Jason was the best guide. I highly recommend this tour!
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to share your review. Your kind words and recommendation mean the world to us. We look forward to welcoming you and your family back for more fun-filled moments in the future! If you have any other questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us. Happy memories to you and your family! Jeffrey
via Tripadvisor
Amazing wildlife experience
Amazing excursion. Our tour guide, Jason, was incredible! Friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and really cared about what we wanted to do. We first went to the waterfall, Rio Celeste, the "hike" was pretty easy but there are pretty steep stairs (248 steps) going down to the waterfall. Going up, definitely had to take a couple breaks but was definitely doable. Well worth it. We saw lizards and amazing plants we even spotted a baby viper and a green forest snake, it was awesome! He gave us the option to do a 3 hour round hike but we didnt want to at the time, but loved that we had that option. We then go to swim in a little river where the waterfall went into. From there we ate at a local restaurant and the food was great. The service as well. Inside there was even a butterfly sanctuary and it was amazing! So many beautiful butterflies! (No Disney pun intended.) From there we went to a nature sanctuary. There were some cool farm animals we saw. Then once we started the walk we saw sloths! We saw babies, nocturnal ones, and got pretty close to one! It was so amazing! The tour guide was awesome. Showed us frogs, lizards, insects, amazing plants. Our whole group had an amazing day! Jason pointed out local volcanoes and even gave us the option to go on the magnetic road that pulls cars. Some group members were tired so we didnt but Jason really gave us great options to see even more of Costa Rica! I would definitely recommend this excursion, you see so much and have a really great time!
via Tripadvisor
Family outing
Jason and Jeff are amazing this private tour was awesome loved every minute of it! Jason was kind and funny and so informative he picked us up at our house he was prompt. The drive was good lunch was delicious and the hike was beautiful! We saw a lot of wildlife!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind words. I really appreciate you taking the time out to share your experiences, I count myself lucky for customers like you. I look forward to have you in another tour again in the future! Pura vida !!! Jeffrey
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by ATV Beach Tours, who run 9 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 69.8.
See everything ATV Beach Tours runsWhy this scores 70
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Watching Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Tamarindo.
How much does Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Watching Tour cost?
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Prices start at $199 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 Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Watching Tour take?
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Plan for about 9 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 Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Watching Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 70 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 15 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 Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Watching Tour?
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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 Watching Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Watching Tour?
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Around 5 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?
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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 9-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Watching Tour start and how do I get there?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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 Watching Tour?
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Included: Private transportation; Lunch; Bottled water; 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 Watching Tour include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 66 listed pickup locations in and around Tamarindo. Be ready about 10 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Watching Tour offered in?
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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 Watching Tour?
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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 Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Watching Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Watching Tour if the weather is bad?
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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 Watching Tour?
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Across 15 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include food and drink, the guide, knowledge and storytelling. The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
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