Sloths, Monkeys and Waterfall Experience
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 13 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Sloths, Monkeys and Waterfall Experience worth booking?
Sloths, Monkeys and Waterfall Experience is a 6-hour experience in Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica, from $294 per person. It scores 65 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 13 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 (13)
- Duration
- 6 hours
- From
- $294 per person
Sloths are the #1 animal on the “must see” list that people want to see when they come to Costa Rica. And this tour gives you your best chance to see them if you are staying in Guanacaste! After a short hike to Guanacaste’s most stunning waterfall, you will head north to look for sloths, and there is a pretty good chance you will see some of the beautiful dart frogs, toucans, scarlet macaws and other animals – all in the wild, nothing caged on this tour. Enjoy these great spots with your private, naturalist guide who will share useful tips and interesting facts revealing their love of Costa Rica and its rich history -- and they make it FUN! HIGHLIGHTS • Best chance of any tour from Guanacaste to see sloths, toucans and frogs • Cortez Waterfall Hike • Hot, Tico-style Lunch with Natural Fruit Juice • Private vehicle and naturalist guide accompany you and your party
What you get
About this experience
Sloths are the #1 animal on the “must see” list that people want to see when they come to Costa Rica. And this tour gives you your best chance to see them if you are staying in Guanacaste! After a short hike to Guanacaste’s most stunning waterfall, you will head north to look for sloths, and there is a pretty good chance you will see some of the beautiful dart frogs, toucans, scarlet macaws and other animals – all in the wild, nothing caged on this tour. Enjoy these great spots with your private, naturalist guide who will share useful tips and interesting facts revealing their love of Costa Rica and its rich history -- and they make it FUN! HIGHLIGHTS • Best chance of any tour from Guanacaste to see sloths, toucans and frogs • Cortez Waterfall Hike • Hot, Tico-style Lunch with Natural Fruit Juice • Private vehicle and naturalist guide accompany you and your party
What's included
Included
- Lunch - Typical Lunch near Miravalles and Tenorio Volcanoes
- Bottled water
- Private vehicle and naturalist guide accompany you and your party
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only) : Playa Hermosa, Playas del Coco, Playa Ocotal, Playa Flamingo and Playa Tamarindo area hotels. Contact us if staying at hotels outside these areas.
- Dinner
- Hike to Llanos de Cortez Waterfall
Not included
- Transportation from hotels outside the Playa Hermosa, Playas del Coco, Playa Ocotal, Playa Conchal, Flamingo and Tamarindo. Contact us before booking if you are not sure your hotel is in one these towns.
- Tips for Guides or Drivers
What you'll see and do
Bill Beard's Costa Rica
You will be picked up by a naturalist, English-speaking guide in a private vehicle at your Guanacaste Beach hotel* for a day of pure Costa Rican natural wonders. After an easy drive that takes you along the outskirts of Liberia, the capital city of Guanacaste, you will be greeted by rolling hills and wide-open spaces. You will enjoy a wonderful short hike that takes you to the pool where the wide, stunning Llanos de Cortez spills into a refreshingly large pool. You will definitely want to take photos at this gorgeous spot! Stop along the way to relax, stretch and enjoy a delicious, typical “Tico” lunch, served hot with a refreshing fruit drink. From here you will continue north on the Pan American highway and into the dense, lush hills that are home to sloths, monkeys. Blue Jean dart frogs and other colorful frogs like to hang out near the river banks, and you and your guide will have ample time to search for these natural wonders, because this unspoiled area is filled with wildlife, birds and plants. You will be glad to have the naturalist guide with you since the sloths, frogs, monkeys, toucans and other animals and birds are not in cages. We cannot “cue” the wildlife, so there is no guarantee that you will see all the animals, birds or reptiles listed.
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Playa Hermosa
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
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 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Bill Beard Costa Rica
Know before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Naturalist guide reserves the right to revise logistics or provide alternate tour options when necessary
- No guarantee you will see all animals, birds or reptiles listed.
- Not recommended for person with disability that would preclude them from hiking up and down hills to waterfalls
- Not responsible for damage to personal items brought on tour. Bring personal items at your own risk.
- Not recommended for children aged 2 and under
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
- Wear Comfortable Shoes for Moderate Hike
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 13 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
4 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Food and drink
4 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Good for families
3 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
13 verified traveler reviews for Sloths, Monkeys and Waterfall Experience. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
An excellent adventure!
Jose was a fantastic guide. We made it to the waterfall early and beat the crowds. We saw sloths, frogs, a snake, and much more. We also worked on our Spanish and Jose made the trip very fun. Lunch was good food! Highly recommend!
Response from the operator: Thank you, we too think Jose is the best. He has worked with us for over 35 years and he always prides himself on our clients enjoying the best tour he can provide. AND the tour, is one of our most popular due to the beauty, typical Costa Rican lunch and seeing all the animals in their natural habitat, the Spanish lessons are Jose's extra touch. Thank you again and Pura Vida.
via Tripadvisor
An exciting rain forest escapade
Jose, our private driver, was awesome 😎 I recommend this company; very reliable since the moment I made this reservation, picking us up from our hotel 🤩 five-star service.
Response from the operator: Thank you Vanessa for your 5 star review on our "5 star service", we really appreciate it. We think this is one of the best tours in Costa Rica and the best opportunity to see sloths in their natural habitat. And, Jose, he has been with us over 35 years and think he is the best in the country, he will be happy to see your review. Hopefully, you will have time to enjoy some of our other tours. Than you again, we really appreciate you taking your time to write this great review. Happy New Year & Pura Vida.
via Viator
Hiking the mountain through the jungle of Costa Rica to the waterfall was an amazing adventure! jose the tour guide was phenomenal and our tour group was super fun! We saw a small yellow venomous snake, a rare lizard and a large family of White Nosed Coati in the wild! Super cool! I normally only experience this while walking through a zoo. I know that I wouldn’t have seen any of these amazing creatures there myself without our experienced guide from #BillBeardCostaRica ! The entire experience in the Tenorio Volcano National park was amazing even the stairway to the waterfall was super cool. The waterfall itself was breathtaking! We ALSO went on a boat outing to snorkel which was amazing! As well as stayed at two amazing resorts Casa Conde Beachfront all inclusive resort in Papagayo Bay in the San Jose area as well as the Arenal Manoa resort at the base of the Arenal Volcano in Fortuna, Costa Rica which has refreshing mineral hot springs to soak and relax in on site!! These were all arranged so thoughtfully by Nadine Beard herself for us and it was all absolutely perfect!
Response from the operator: Thank you for the comprehensive review. We are so happy that you had such a wonderful experience with us in Costa Rica on your vacation. It is what we do and we love to do it. Nadine is definitely the best in arranging itineraries and her knowledge of the country and setting up the logistics are unsurpassed. We have experienced stays in all the hotels we recommend, enjoyed the food and know the staff. Jose, our guide manager has worked with us for over 30 years and is definitely family to us. I will pass your review over to Nadine and Jose, you can be sure they will be ecstatic. Thank you again, warm regards & Pura Vida.
via Tripadvisor
Great Costa Rican Experience
We checked off everything on our list and then some! Ron was an amazing tour guide, loaded with fun facts about Costa Rican terrain and history. Would definitely go again. 😊
Response from the operator: Sloths, Monkeys & more, not behind bars, we are all so lucky. Thank you for the 5 star review. This is one of our favorite and most popular tours. Thank you for taking your time to send the review and particularly the comments about our naturalist guide Ron, he will be delighted. Thank you again, Best regards & Pura Vida.
via Tripadvisor
Amazing!
I wish there were more stars to give! This was an EXCELLENT tour guided by Jose. We saw SO many things, including a sloth that was so close to us we could hear him eating. Unfortunately the waterfall was closed due to inclement weather, but Jose pivoted and filled the space wonderfully. I can’t say enough about this experience!
Response from the operator: Thank you, A review can't get any better than yours and we can't agree with you more, Jose is one of a kind and he has worked with us for 30 years. So happy that you enjoyed the tours and hopefully you will have time to try some others. Thank you again, warm regards & Pura Vida
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Bill Beard Costa Rica, who run 8 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 65.2.
See everything Bill Beard Costa Rica runsWhy this scores 65
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Sloths, Monkeys and Waterfall Experience: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Playa Hermosa.
How much does Sloths, Monkeys and Waterfall Experience cost?
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Prices start at $294 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 Sloths, Monkeys and Waterfall Experience take?
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Plan for about 6 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 Sloths, Monkeys and Waterfall Experience worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 65 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 13 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Playa Hermosa, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Sloths, Monkeys and Waterfall Experience?
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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 Sloths, Monkeys and Waterfall Experience suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 6-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Sloths, Monkeys and Waterfall Experience?
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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 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 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Sloths, Monkeys and Waterfall Experience 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 Sloths, Monkeys and Waterfall Experience?
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Included: Lunch - Typical Lunch near Miravalles and Tenorio Volcanoes; Bottled water; Private vehicle and naturalist guide accompany you and your party; Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only) : Playa Hermosa, Playas del Coco, Playa O; and Dinner. Not included: Transportation from hotels outside the Playa Hermosa, Playas del Coco, Playa Ocotal, Playa; and Tips for Guides or Drivers. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Sloths, Monkeys and Waterfall Experience include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 36 listed pickup locations in and around Playa Hermosa. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time.
What languages is Sloths, Monkeys and Waterfall Experience 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 Sloths, Monkeys and Waterfall Experience?
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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.
What happens to Sloths, Monkeys and Waterfall Experience if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Playa Hermosa. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Sloths, Monkeys and Waterfall Experience?
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Across 13 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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