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.
Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Sactuary Full-Day Tour with Lunch
+4 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 10 hours
- Price from
- $185 / person
- Location
- Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica
- Rating
- 5.0 / 5 · 4 reviews
- Languages
- EN, ES
- Group
- Private
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Hotel pickup
- Available
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Costa Rica Premier Tours
Description
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.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, and Sun
- Start times
- 7:30 AM
- Next available
- Thu, Oct 8
- Adult (ages 10–65)
- $185
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 7.
Tour Options
Itinerary
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.
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.
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.
What's included
Included
Entrance fees to the national park, waterfall and sloth sanctuary
Bilingual Tour Guide
Lunch
Air-conditioned vehicle
Not included
Gratuities
Pickup Locations & Times
We will pick you up by the main lobby area of the hotels on this list and our representative is going to be asking for your name once he/she arrives to the meeting point.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
4 reviews
How it compares in Playa Flamingo
- Starting price $185 is close to the typical $200 for tours of similar length in Playa Flamingo
Excurgo comparison of 573 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does this tour take?
Rio Celeste Waterfall and Sloth Sactuary Full-Day Tour with Lunch lasts about 10 hours. The itinerary has 3 stops.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $185 per person for this Playa Flamingo experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does this tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays, starting at 7:30 AM.
Can I cancel this tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. We will pick you up by the main lobby area of the hotels on this list and our representative is going to be asking for your name once he/she arrives to the meeting point. Pickup points include Conchal Hotel, Que Tuanis.
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN, ES.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 15 travellers can book together.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is this tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 4 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Costa Rica Premier Tours.
Reviews(4)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
J
A GREAT Costa Rican experience that checks off a lot of boxes for all ages
M
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
S
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.
1 people found this helpful
N
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.
Operator response
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!
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| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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from$185
5.0(4) Free cancellation