Blue Lagoon Waterfall Hike & Hot Springs Tour in Costa Rica

Summary

Guided Rio Blanco Waterfall Trek & Natural Hot Springs Experience

If you want to explore hidden blue lagoons, swim under waterfalls only locals know about, eat real Costa Rican food, and soak in natural hot springs—all with friendly guides who grew up here—this tour’s got your name on it.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed stepping out of the van was the cool morning air—just a hint of mist clinging to the trees. Our guide, Andrés, handed out gear and cracked a joke about how “nobody ever stays dry on this trail.” He wasn’t wrong. We set off along the Rio Blanco, boots crunching on pebbles, and right away you could hear the river rushing somewhere below. The water here really is that wild blue you see in photos—almost unreal against the green banks.

We passed by spots with names only locals use: Poza El Parto, Poza el Resbalón (I nearly slipped there myself), and La Cueva de murciélago where bats sometimes dart out if you’re quiet enough. Andrés pointed out tiny orchids growing from rocks and a flash of blue morpho butterfly wings. At La Cueva de la Leona, we finally stopped for a swim—the water was cold but felt amazing after the hike. On the way back, my shoes squelched with every step but nobody cared; everyone was grinning and swapping stories about their favorite pool.

Lunch was at a small spot nearby—rice, beans, chicken stew, and fresh pineapple juice. You could smell wood smoke from the kitchen before you even sat down. After eating, we drove up to Rip Negro Hot Springs. The mud bath was warm and a little messy (in a good way). Sitting there with steam rising around us while howler monkeys called in the distance—honestly, it felt like time slowed down for a bit.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Waterfall Hike and Hot Springs

• Hike along Rio Blanco river
• Visit Poza El Parto viewpoint
• Visit Poza el resbalón viewpoint
• Visit Poza Los Arcos viewpoint
• Visit La Cueva de murciélago viewpoint
• Visit Paredones viewpoint
• Visit Farallones de Rio viewpoint
• Visit Catarata la Ducha waterfall
• Visit Poza el Palo viewpoint
• Swim at La Cueva de la Leona
• Lunch with Costa Rican typical food
• Relax at Rip negro Hot Springs and mud bath

Top questions

How difficult is the hike? Is it suitable for beginners?

The hike is easy to moderate—about 2.5 hours total. If you’re comfortable walking on uneven ground and don’t mind getting your feet wet now and then, you’ll be fine.

Are there vegetarian or vegan lunch options?

Yes! Just let us know ahead of time if you have dietary preferences or restrictions so we can arrange something tasty for you.

What should I bring for this tour?

Bring comfortable walking shoes (they’ll get wet), a swimsuit for swimming and hot springs, sunscreen, bug spray, and maybe a change of clothes for after.

Is transportation included?

Yes—pick-up and drop-off are included in comfortable vehicles with all safety requirements covered.

What’s included

Your day includes National Park entrance fees, bilingual local guide, fresh fruit snacks along the way, lunch with drinks, all transportation between stops—and plenty of stories from folks who actually live here.