2-Day Animal Lovers Combo: Sloths, Rio Celeste & Palo Verde

Two separate days let you fit sloths and crocodiles around the rest of your itinerary.

A 2-day guided tour from Playa Hermosa combining a sloth discovery tour at a small reserve with a Rio Celeste swim on day one, and a 1.5-hour boat safari through Palo Verde National Park on day two. Both days include an expert guide, meals, park entry and air-conditioned transport. The two days do not have to be consecutive, so you pick the dates that work with your plans.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Sloth discovery and Rio Celeste swim

• Visit sloth reserve
• Swim in Rio Celeste
• Enjoy lunch

Day 2: Palo Verde boat safari and village visit

• Visit typical village
• Take 1.5-hour Tempisque river cruise
• Observe wildlife on cruise
• Enjoy lunch

The experience

The days run independently, which means you book them when your schedule allows, not back-to-back unless that suits you. Day one takes you to a small reserve where sloths live alongside toucans and frogs, then into Rio Celeste for a swim in the turquoise water (not the waterfall itself, but the river pool). Day two heads to a typical village before the boat launches onto the Tempisque River, which runs between Palo Verde National Park and Cipanci nature reserve. The 1.5-hour cruise puts you in front of crocodiles, monkeys, migratory birds and other wildlife the river holds.

Each day wraps transportation, meals and park fees into one price, so there's no separate ticket hunt or wondering what's covered. The guide speaks English, Spanish or French depending on your group. You get picked up from your accommodation, and meals include traditional Costa Rican food: the description mentions learning tortilla-making and other local practices as part of the day. The vehicle is air-conditioned, which matters in the heat of Guanacaste.

What’s included

• Park admission and entrance fees.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• meals on both days.
• expert guide in English, Spanish or French.
• hotel pickup.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years): free · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Costour

Is this one for you?This is a shared guided tour with fixed itineraries on each day, so you move as a group with the guide leading both the reserve visit and the boat safari. Pick it if you want someone who knows the wildlife to point out what you're seeing and explain the ecosystem, and if you'd rather not drive yourself through unfamiliar terrain to find these reserves.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years): free; Infant (under 5).

What animals will I actually see on the sloth reserve visit?

The reserve holds sloths, colorful toucans and vibrant frogs. The day is built around observing sloths in their habitat, with the other species appearing as you move through the landscape.

Is Rio Celeste the famous waterfall everyone photographs?

Rio Celeste is the river itself, not the waterfall. You swim in the turquoise pool of the river on day one, which gives you the color without the crowds at the waterfall site.

How long is the boat ride on the Tempisque River?

The Palo Verde boat safari runs 1.5 hours, cruising between the national park and Cipanci nature reserve where you watch for crocodiles, monkeys and birds.

Do the two days have to happen on consecutive dates?

No. The operator lets you pick two separate days that fit your travel plans, so you can space them out across your trip to Costa Rica.

What's included in the meals on each day?

Meals feature traditional Costa Rican cuisine and are included in the tour price. You'll learn about local food culture, including how tortillas are made.