Hacienda Guachipelin Ziplining Tour with Tubing & Rappelling

Canopy, canyon rappelling, river tubing, horseback riding, and volcano-heated thermal pools in a single day

A full-day activity package at Hacienda Guachipelin combines five separate adventures: ziplining and rappelling through Rio Blanco Canyon, tubing the class III rapids of Rio Negro River, horseback riding, and a soak in the mineral-rich thermal waters heated by Rincón de la Vieja Volcano. The day ends with a 1-mile hike to the 82-foot Oropéndola Waterfall and a swim in its turquoise pool, plus lunch at the on-site restaurant.

Step-by-step itinerary

Adventure and relaxation at Hacienda Guachipelin

• Canopy tour and rappelling
• Tubing on Rio Negro River
• Horseback riding adventure
• Hike to Oropendola Waterfall
• Swim at Oropendola Waterfall
• Lunch at Hacienda Guachipelin Restaurant
• Relax in volcano-heated thermal waters
• Enjoy steam and mud baths

The experience

The day runs 9 to 11 hours and covers five distinct activities sequenced by the guide when you arrive at the tour center. You'll start with the canopy tour, zipping through the forest canopy, then move into Rio Blanco Canyon for rappelling descents. The Rio Negro tubing section hits class III rapids, a step up from gentle float trips. The minimum age is 8 years old and 140 cm tall. Horseback riding follows, then a 1-mile hike down into the gorge to reach Oropéndola Waterfall, where you swim in the 82-foot drop's turquoise pool before hiking back out.

After the waterfall, you transition to the thermal springs at Termales de Rio Negro, where ten pools sit on the riverbank, naturally heated by the volcano and fed by the river itself. The mineral-rich water has been used for centuries for its therapeutic properties. You can apply the volcanic mud as a spa treatment, let it dry in the sun, then rinse it off in the cold river water before soaking in the warm pools. Dressing rooms, bathrooms and lockers are at the entrance. Lunch at Hacienda Guachipelin Restaurant breaks up the day, and the operator provides purified water, coffee and tea throughout.

All safety equipment comes from the operator, and a live guide in English or Spanish stays with the group. The maximum weight for ziplining is 300 pounds. Weather can cancel activities on short notice in this region, so the guide assesses conditions when you arrive. Transportation is included: either a 2-hour transfer one way from your hotel area (1 hour from Liberia) in an air-conditioned van, or you can drive yourself. The driver sends his name and vehicle plate the evening before and confirms pickup via WhatsApp.

What’s included

• Private transportation or self-driving option.
• all safety equipment.
• purified water, coffee and tea.
• lunch at Hacienda Guachipelin Restaurant.
• live guide in English or Spanish.
• access to dressing rooms, bathrooms and lockers at the thermal springs.

Options for this experience

4 options

Self Driving RateGuide in English or Spanish · 08:30Lasts 8 hours. At the Hacienda Guachipelin restaurant, you will also enjoy a tasty buffet lunch at La Hacienda Restaurant.

Pickup Tamarindo AreaGuide in English or Spanish · 06:30 and 07:00Conchal, Westin, Wyndham Tamarindo, Best Western Tamarindo, Tamarindo Diria, Los Altos De Eros, etc. Lasts 11 hours at Hacienda Guachipelin, with a restaurant stop. Bus or van depending on group size. Pickup is included.

Pickup in the Playas de Coco areaGuide in English or Spanish · 06:30 and 07:00Lasts 11 hours and includes a stop at the Hacienda Guachipelin restaurant. Van or bus depending on group size. Pickup is included in the Playas de Coco area: Riu, Secrets Papagayo, Costa Smeralda, Occidental Papagayo, Allegro Papagayo, Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo, Planet, etc.

Pickup in the Playa Flamingo areaGuide in English or Spanish · 06:30Margaritaville Beach Resort, Flamingo Marina Resort, Flamingo Beach Resort & Spa, Hotel Brasilito, Casa Cielo Azul, etc. Lasts 11 hours. At the Hacienda Guachipelin restaurant: a typical lunch buffet, with coffee, tea, water and fruit juices included; soft drinks and alcoholic beverages cost extra. Bus or mini van depending on group size. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:30, 07:00 and 08:30

AgesAdult (13 to 69 years) · Senior (70 and older) · Youth (8 to 12 years) · Child (4 to 7 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 16 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Real Tours Costa Rica

Is this one for you?Pick the self-driving option if you want to control your own schedule and timing between activities. Choose a pickup option if you prefer the guide to handle transport and want to relax before the day starts. The full-day format packs five separate activities into one outing, so it suits someone who wants variety and doesn't mind a longer commitment, but it is not the choice for anyone with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns. The operator does not recommend it for those situations.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (8 to 12 years); Child (4 to 7 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What is the Oropéndola Waterfall like when you get there?

Oropéndola Waterfall drops 82 feet into a turquoise pool set in a gorge along the Río Blanco River. The water is refreshing, with shallow areas for wading and deeper sections for swimming. Sunlight warms the pool and the entire site feels secluded. You reach it by descending a footbridge that crosses the river, then hiking 1 mile back out.

How do the thermal hot springs work? Are they pools or a natural soak?

Termales de Rio Negro has ten pools built on the riverbank, filled with mineral-rich water naturally heated by Rincón de la Vieja Volcano. Two suspension bridges let you access pools on both banks of the river. You can use volcanic mud as a spa treatment on your body, let it dry, then rinse it off in the cold river water before entering the warm pools again.

What happens if the weather is bad?

All activities depend on the operator's safety assessment and can be cancelled on short notice due to bad weather in this area. The guide makes this call when the group arrives at the tour center.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation, or is it included?

Transportation is included in most options: a 2-hour transfer one way from Playas de Coco, Playa Flamingo or Tamarindo areas, or 1 hour from Liberia. You can also choose to drive yourself. The van is air-conditioned, and the driver confirms pickup via WhatsApp the evening before.

What should I bring for a day with this many water activities?

Bring a swimsuit, closed-toe shoes that can get wet or river sandals, long pants, a change of clothes, and a camera. The operator provides all safety equipment, purified water, and lunch. You'll have access to dressing rooms and lockers at the hot springs.