Celeste River tubing tour: Tenorio Volcano hike & wildlife

Two streams meet and turn the water turquoise: a chemical reaction you wade into.

A private tour from Playa Hermosa combines a 2-hour moderate hike through Tenorio Volcano National Park with tubing on the turquoise Celeste River, where a guide helps you spot sloths and other wildlife. The tour runs 7 to 8 hours with hotel pickup, lunch and an air-conditioned vehicle included. A live guide speaks English or Spanish.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Tenorio Volcano and Celeste River

• Pick up from hotel
• Hike Tenorio Volcano National Park
• Swim in Celeste River
• Celeste River tubing adventure
• Observe sloths and wildlife
• Return to hotel

The experience

The day starts with a hike into Tenorio Volcano National Park, where the trail follows the Celeste River through rainforest. After about 2 hours of moderate walking, you reach the confluence where two clear streams meet and the water shifts to vivid turquoise: a phenomenon caused by volcanic minerals suspended in the flow. You can wade in and photograph the color change, then continue to a swimming area outside the park where the river widens and sloths often rest in the trees overhead. Your guide points out animals you'd otherwise miss and explains what you're seeing.

The second half is tubing. You float downriver on the same turquoise water, moving through gentle rapids and calmer stretches where the rainforest closes in on both banks. No experience is needed. The guide leads and the current does most of the work. This is where wildlife viewing often happens. The slower pace on water gives sloths and birds time to become visible. Lunch is included partway through the day.

The tour is private, so the pace and stops are yours. Hotel pickup and return are included, as is the air-conditioned vehicle for the drive to the park entrance. A live guide in English or Spanish travels with you the whole way.

What’s included

• Private tour with a live guide in English or Spanish.
• hotel pickup and return in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• 2-hour moderate hike through Tenorio Volcano National Park to the turquoise confluence.
• tubing on the Celeste River.
• lunch.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

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 12 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomeNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problems

Operated by Guanacaste Airport Shuttle Cr

Is this one for you?The 2-hour hike and tubing together mean a full day of movement and water entry, so this suits travelers comfortable with moderate walking and swimming in a river. The private format lets you set the pace and linger where wildlife appears.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What is the Celeste River and why is the water turquoise?

The Celeste River flows through Tenorio Volcano National Park. Where two clear streams converge, volcanic minerals in the water create a chemical reaction that turns it bright turquoise: a natural phenomenon unique to this place. You see it happen at the confluence and then swim in the colored water downstream.

How difficult is the 2-hour hike through the park?

The hike is moderate difficulty, following a trail through rainforest along the river. It covers the ground to the confluence where the color change happens, then continues to a swimming area. The pace is steady but not strenuous, and your guide stops to point out wildlife and explain the landscape.

Will I see sloths on this tour?

Sloths are often seen in the trees along the river, especially in the swimming area outside the park and during the tubing section. Your guide is trained to spot them and will explain their behavior and role in the ecosystem. Sightings are not guaranteed, but the slow pace of the tour (both hiking and floating) gives good chances to observe them.

Do I need tubing experience to join this tour?

No experience is required. The tubing section uses gentle rapids and quieter stretches, and your guide leads the group. The tour is designed for beginners and families as well as experienced adventurers.

What is included in the 7 to 8 hour tour?

The tour includes hotel pickup and return, an air-conditioned vehicle, the 2-hour hike, tubing on the river, lunch, and a live guide in English or Spanish. You bring swimwear and a towel. The guide provides safety gear for tubing.