
Rio Celeste Waterfall & Sloth Encounter Tour
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 10 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Rio Celeste Waterfall & Sloth Encounter Tour worth booking?
Rio Celeste Waterfall & Sloth Encounter Tour is a 8-hour experience in Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica, from $200 per person. It scores 60 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 10 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 60 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (10)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $200 per person
This tour is a must for those who love hiking and photography. A beautiful excursion to admire the lush vegetation of the rain forest and enjoy the exotic wild life, the sloths, tree frogs, toucans and butterflies. Don't miss the breathtaking views of the rain forest surroundings and its exotic flora and fauna. A must-do for your upcoming trip to Costa Rica. We provide private AC transportation, pick up and drop off at your hotel, operated by bilingual and naturalist tour guides. A perfect trip to learn all about Costa Rica's culture and nature.
What you get
About this experience
This tour is a must for those who love hiking and photography. A beautiful excursion to admire the lush vegetation of the rain forest and enjoy the exotic wild life, the sloths, tree frogs, toucans and butterflies. Don't miss the breathtaking views of the rain forest surroundings and its exotic flora and fauna. A must-do for your upcoming trip to Costa Rica. We provide private AC transportation, pick up and drop off at your hotel, operated by bilingual and naturalist tour guides. A perfect trip to learn all about Costa Rica's culture and nature.
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- Waterfalls
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
Not included
- Drinks
- Gratuities
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Costa Rica Issys Tours
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is require
- Not recommended for child aged 6 and under
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Please provide Lodging name
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What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 10 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
10 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
4 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
10 verified traveler reviews for Rio Celeste Waterfall & Sloth Encounter Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Sloths Experience
We did a Sloth Encounter tour, we had the opportunity to observe the sloths up close, we combined it with the Río Celeste Waterfall, without a doubt the walk is worth it, the landscape is something incredible. Our guide was well informed and attentive to us throughout the tour. The lunch was delicious and we were delighted with this experience. We hope to come back soon, guys!
via Tripadvisor
Fantastic
Our guides were great. And we got to see some cool creatures. Two toed and three toed sloths, tree frog, viper, tapir, and tiger heron. And the waterfall was pretty.
via Viator
Great tour even in the rain!
We did the Rio Celeste Waterfall in a pouring rain storm but still enjoyed the hike to a gorgeous waterfall. This was the rainforest and we should have been better prepared. The thin, flimsy ponchos barely covered my husband but it was better than nothing. Our guide, Nolberto Hernandez, made the trip fun and informative. He is the BEST Costa Rican guide we have ever had! The rain pretty much stopped when we arrived at the Sloth Encounter and that tour was amazing. We had an up close encounter with a sloth and got many amazing pictures. The young girl who was our guide was enthusiastic and informative. We highly recommend this tour. Nolberto then took us for a near-by fabulous traditional Costa Rican lunch. Nolberto’s knowledge of the area, history, current events, etc. of Costa Rica was fascinating. He made the trip a delight!
via Tripadvisor
Once in a lifetime rainforest experience
The trip to the rainforest was incredible. Our driver, Nolberto, picked us u at our hotel in Playa Portrero at 7am, we drove a little over an hour to the waterfall which was pretty, just a short walk from the parking lot to view and wade in the water if we wanted. Next it was off to the rainforest, another hour and a half, but great scenery and conversation along the way. Once in the rainforest, we were turned over to the guide who immediately found a red eyed frog, some snakes in the trees, some sloths up high in the trees, a small "dart frog", and plenty of trees and plants. It was a great, memorable experience. After that was lunch in a local restaurant (traditional and delicious rice and beans with chicken or pork). From there we went to a coffee and cocoa bean planation. This was so much fun! Our family of four were the only ones there, so we got a very personalized tour and got to help grind coffee beans and pop open the cocoa beans. There was plenty of tasting too! On the drive back to the hotel, my daughter asked if there was a place to get a coconut, so Nolberto pulled over to a roadside fruit stand and we got two raw coconuts! We got back to our hotel around 5pm. A long but very exciting day.
via Tripadvisor
Sloths and waterfall tour
We had the most amazing time! We had Freddie as our tour guide and he was so knowledgeable about the rain forest - Costa Rica - animals and so much more! We would definitely book another tour with Issys! Extremely helpful with our reservation! You want an amazing adventure, book with them!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 4
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 60
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Rio Celeste Waterfall & Sloth Encounter Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Playa Hermosa.
How much does Rio Celeste Waterfall & Sloth Encounter Tour cost?
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Prices start at $200 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Playa Hermosa 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 & Sloth Encounter Tour take?
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Plan for about 8 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 Hermosa is not rushed.
Is Rio Celeste Waterfall & Sloth Encounter Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 60 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 10 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable outdoors in Playa Hermosa, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Rio Celeste Waterfall & Sloth Encounter Tour?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Rio Celeste Waterfall & Sloth Encounter Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Rio Celeste Waterfall & Sloth Encounter Tour?
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Around 4 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 Hermosa 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 Playa Hermosa and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Rio Celeste Waterfall & Sloth Encounter 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 Playa Hermosa 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 Hermosa?
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On Outty we rank every Playa Hermosa experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include La Leona waterfall adventure hike half day, White Water River Rafting Class III-IV from La Fortuna-Arenal, Guachipelin Zipline, River Tubing, Horseback Ride, Hot springs & Lunch Combo. 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 Hermosa?
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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 Playa Hermosa?
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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 & Sloth Encounter Tour?
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Included: Bottled water; Lunch; Waterfalls; and Transport by air-conditioned minivan. Not included: Drinks; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Rio Celeste Waterfall & Sloth Encounter Tour include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 9 listed pickup locations in and around Playa Hermosa. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Rio Celeste Waterfall & Sloth Encounter Tour offered in?
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It runs in English. 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 & Sloth Encounter 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 & Sloth Encounter Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers; and Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Rio Celeste Waterfall & Sloth Encounter 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 & Sloth Encounter Tour?
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Across 10 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.
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