Rio Celeste & Llanos de Cortés tour: 3 ecosystems in 1 day

The Rio Celeste's blue comes from volcanic minerals mixing in the water, not from depth or algae.

A private full-day tour from Tamarindo covers three distinct landscapes: Tenorio Volcano National Park and the turquoise Rio Celeste, a sloth sanctuary where you learn about their conservation, and Llanos de Cortés Waterfall, a 20-meter drop into a natural pool. Hotel pickup and return, lunch, and a guide in English or Spanish are included. The small-group format and air-conditioned transport make the day accessible for families and photographers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Rio Celeste and Waterfalls

• Pick up at hotel at 7 am
• Visit Tenorio Volcano National Park
• Explore Rio Celeste and trails
• Visit Sloth Sanctuary of Río Celeste
• Visit Llanos de Cortés Waterfalls
• Return to starting point

The experience

Ten to eleven hours covers the drive from Tamarindo, three major stops, and the time to move between them. Pickup happens at 7 am, and you return to your hotel by late afternoon. The route threads through rainforest and volcanic terrain, so the guide (speaking English or Spanish) can explain what you're seeing as the landscape shifts. Bottled water is provided throughout, and lunch is included partway through the day.

Tenorio Volcano National Park centers on the Rio Celeste, a river that runs turquoise because of how volcanic minerals in the water scatter light. You'll walk trails that lead to Los Teñideros and other waterfalls within the park, moving through dense forest where orchids and exotic birds live. The Sloth Sanctuary sits nearby. There you watch these animals in a protected setting and learn how they move, what they eat, and why conservation matters in Costa Rica. The sanctuary visit is structured around observation and education, not performance.

Llanos de Cortés Waterfall is the final major stop: a 20-meter-high curtain of water that falls into a clear natural pool, surrounded by tropical vegetation. The trails to the observation platform are well-maintained, and the pool invites swimming if you bring a change of clothes. The tour ends with the drive back to Tamarindo.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned transportation from your hotel.
• pickup at 7 am and return by late afternoon.
• lunch during the day.
• bottled water.
• and a live guide speaking English or Spanish throughout.

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 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Guanacaste Airport Shuttle Cr

Is this one for you?Hotel pickup and return from Tamarindo means you don't need a rental car or arrange your own transport to reach Tenorio Volcano, the Rio Celeste, or Llanos de Cortés. Three separate ecosystems that would take most of a day to navigate independently. The small-group format and fixed itinerary fit families and photographers who want to see multiple landscapes without planning the logistics.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What is the Rio Celeste and why is it blue?

The Rio Celeste is a river running through Tenorio Volcano National Park whose water appears turquoise because of how volcanic minerals suspended in it scatter light. The color is a natural phenomenon caused by the unique mineral composition, not by depth or algae.

Can I swim at Llanos de Cortés Waterfall?

Llanos de Cortés Waterfall drops into a natural pool of clear water, and swimming is possible if you bring a change of clothes and towel. The pool sits at the base of the 20-meter waterfall in a lush tropical setting.

What will I learn at the Sloth Sanctuary?

At the Sloth Sanctuary of Rio Celeste, you observe sloths in a protected natural environment and learn about their behavior, habitat, and the conservation efforts protecting them in Costa Rica. The visit is designed as an educational experience focused on understanding the species.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

The tour includes trails through Tenorio Volcano National Park leading to waterfalls and viewpoints, a walk through the Sloth Sanctuary, and well-maintained trails to the observation platform at Llanos de Cortés Waterfall. Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If weather conditions prevent the tour from operating safely, the operator will offer you another date or a full refund of the amount paid.