Río Celeste, Sloth Sanctuary & Coffee Tour: Private Day Trip

Walk to celestial blue waters, then spot sloths and roast coffee beans in one day

A private day trip from your hotel in Costa Rica combines three experiences: hiking through rainforest to Río Celeste's blue waterfall in Tenorio Volcano National Park, spotting sloths in a private reserve with an expert guide, and touring a working coffee farm from cultivation through roasting and tasting. Round-trip transport, a bilingual guide, lunch, and all activities are included. The 10- to 11-hour day runs from hotel pickup through drop-off, and dietary options (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free) are available on request.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore waterfall, wildlife, and coffee

• Hike to Celeste River and waterfall
• Visit sloth sanctuary and wildlife reserve
• Enjoy authentic local lunch
• Take coffee cultivation and tasting tour

The experience

How do you fit a waterfall, wildlife and coffee into one day without renting a car? The minivan picks you up at your hotel or Airbnb in the morning and drives to Tenorio Volcano National Park, where Río Celeste cuts through the rainforest in water so intensely blue it looks unreal. You hike through the forest to the base of the waterfall (the trails are relatively flat with some narrow metal steps, and gravel keeps them from getting slippery), and stand in front of the cascade pouring into a serene pool. The guide points out the river's color comes from minerals in the volcanic rock, not algae or dye.

After the waterfall, you head to Bijagua Ranas, a private sloth reserve where the hiking stays easy and the sightings are reliable. The operator's notes mention spotting four sloths on a typical visit, along with toucans, poison dart frogs, leaf-cutter ants, and the rainforest canopy itself. The guide knows where to look and what to listen for. Then you eat lunch (prepared to your dietary needs if you've flagged restrictions at booking) before moving to the coffee tour portion of the day.

The coffee farm walk covers the full cycle: how the plants grow, how beans are harvested, how they're roasted, and what the finished product tastes like fresh-brewed. You're not watching a video or reading a placard. You're moving through an actual working farm with someone who knows it. The day ends with the drive back to your accommodation, arriving around evening. Bring comfortable walking shoes, a bathing suit, bug repellent and sunscreen. A change of clothes helps if you want to rinse off after the waterfall.

What’s included

• Round-trip transport in an air-conditioned minivan or SUV.
• bilingual driver-guide (English, Spanish, or French).
• entry to Tenorio Volcano National Park and the sloth reserve.
• hiking to Río Celeste waterfall.
• sloth spotting with expert guidance.
• lunch (vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free on request).
• full coffee farm tour with roasting and tasting.
• water, beer, and Powerades throughout the day.
• hotel or Airbnb pickup and drop-off.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (10 to 80 years) · Child (3 to 9 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 13 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by 506 Transfers & Tours

Is this one for you?If you're staying in a hotel or Airbnb without a rental car, pickup from your door settles the logistics: no navigating to a meeting point, no arranging your own transport to the park. The bilingual guide means you're not piecing together what you're seeing from a laminated sign. The coffee farm walk and the sloth reserve both come alive with someone who knows them.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 9 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What is Río Celeste and why is the water actually that blue?

Río Celeste is a river in Tenorio Volcano National Park in Costa Rica, famous for its intense blue color. The blue comes from minerals (specifically fine particles of silica and other compounds) suspended in the water as it flows from volcanic springs, not from algae or any artificial source. The color shifts depending on the angle of the light and the depth of the water, and it's most vivid on clear mornings.

Will I actually see sloths, or is that not guaranteed?

Bijagua Ranas is a private reserve where sloths live year-round, and the operator's records show four sloths spotted on typical visits. The guide knows the trails and the animals' habits, which raises the odds significantly. No wildlife sighting is ever guaranteed, but this is a dedicated reserve, not a random hike hoping to get lucky.

How much walking is involved, and do I need to be very fit?

The trails to the waterfall and through the sloth reserve are relatively flat and easy to walk, though there are some sections with narrow metal steps and gravel surfaces. The operator rates the tour suitable for all physical fitness levels. The full day runs 10 to 11 hours including transport, lunch and stops, so comfort with a full day of activity matters more than athletic ability.

What's included in the coffee tour part?

The coffee tour covers cultivation, harvesting, roasting, and fresh-brewed tasting on a working farm. You walk through the process with the guide rather than watching a demonstration, and you taste the finished coffee. It's included in the day's activities. No separate fee applies.

Does the price include lunch, and can you handle dietary restrictions?

Lunch is included and prepared at the reserve. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available. Let the operator know your needs when you book, and they'll arrange it.