Rio Celeste & Sloth Watching: Rainforest Hike & Waterfall

Rio Celeste's blue water, a sloth in the canopy, Llanos de Cortés waterfall for swimming

A guided rainforest tour from Liberia that combines hiking to Rio Celeste waterfall, live wildlife watching (sloths, toucans, poison frogs), and a swim at Llanos de Cortés waterfall, all in one eight- to ten-hour day. A bilingual guide leads the route, and the tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, lunch, and hotel pickup. Children from age one are welcome; moderate fitness helps with the hiking sections.

Step-by-step itinerary

Rainforest hike and waterfall visit

• Guided walk through rainforest
• Visit Rio Celeste waterfall
• See sloths and tropical animals
• Swim at Llanos de Cortés waterfall

The Experience

You start from Liberia with a guide who speaks English or Spanish, and the day moves through three distinct parts of the rainforest. The first is a guided walk to Rio Celeste waterfall itself — the turquoise water comes from a mineral reaction in the river, and the hike takes you through the forest canopy where you'll watch for sloths, red-eyed frogs, and toucans in their actual habitat rather than behind glass. The guide points out coffee and cocoa trees growing wild alongside the path.

After Rio Celeste, you drive 25 minutes to Llanos de Cortés waterfall, which sits in warm, shallow water clear enough to see the bottom. This is where the tour shifts from hiking to swimming — the waterfall is easy to reach and designed for getting in the water. You'll have lunch (included) and time to cool off before heading back to Liberia. The whole day runs eight to ten hours, with an air-conditioned vehicle handling the drive between sites so you're not hiking the entire time.

The tour works for families with small children (infants can come in a stroller or car seat), though the rainforest sections do require walking on uneven ground. If you have spinal issues, are pregnant, or have cardiovascular concerns, this one isn't the right fit — the hiking and the heat demand a moderate level of fitness. Bottled water is provided throughout, and restrooms are on the vehicle.

What’s included

• Bilingual guide in English or Spanish.
• hotel pickup and air-conditioned vehicle.
• lunch.
• bottled water.
• restroom on board.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availableNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by PURE NATURE PRIVATE TOURS

Is this one for you?Most rainforest tours from Liberia stick to one waterfall or one wildlife spot. This one combines Rio Celeste's hike and sloths with a second waterfall you can actually swim in, so you get the jungle immersion and the water time in a single day without splitting your time between two separate tours.

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Top questions

What animals will I actually see on the rainforest hike to Rio Celeste?

Sloths, toucans, red-eyed frogs, and poison dart frogs (called Venetian frogs locally) live in the canopy and forest floor along the trail. The guide knows where to look and can point them out, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed — you're watching animals in their habitat, not in a controlled setting.

Is Rio Celeste waterfall safe to swim in?

Rio Celeste itself is not a swimming stop on this tour — the hike takes you to see the waterfall and the turquoise water, but the main swim happens at Llanos de Cortés, which has warm, shallow, crystal-clear water designed for swimming. Both waterfalls are natural and beautiful, but Llanos de Cortés is where you get in.

How much walking is involved, and can I do this with young children?

The rainforest sections are described as easy to moderate hiking on natural trails. Children from age one are welcome, and infants can travel in a stroller or car seat. The guide will set the pace, but you should be comfortable walking on uneven ground for stretches — it's not a flat boardwalk.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?

The tour includes hotel pickup from Liberia, an air-conditioned vehicle, a bilingual guide, lunch, and bottled water. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Tips for the guide are not included in the price.

How long is the drive from Liberia, and what time does the tour start?

Rio Celeste is close to Liberia — the tour begins with a guided walk through the rainforest to the waterfall. The second stop, Llanos de Cortés, is 25 minutes away by vehicle. The full day runs eight to ten hours from pickup to return.