Rio Celeste, Sloth Sanctuary & Llanos de Cortes Day Trip

Summary

Blue river hikes, waterfall swims and slow jungle moments in Guanacaste

You’ll swim beneath Llanos de Cortes waterfall’s cool spray, hike along Rio Celeste’s unreal blue waters with a local guide, share lunch at a rural spot, and spot sleepy sloths at a family sanctuary. Expect muddy trails, laughter over new words, and those rare moments when nature hushes everything else—you’ll remember them long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

We rolled out of Tamarindo before sunrise—still half-asleep, coffee in hand—watching the sky get pink over the hills. The drive to Llanos de Cortes Waterfall felt long but easy, windows down, air thick with that green smell you only get in Costa Rica. When we got there, the sound of water was louder than I expected. I kicked off my shoes and waded in; the pool was cold enough to wake me up for real. There were a couple local families already swimming, kids shrieking every time someone splashed them. I sat on the sand for a bit just watching the spray catch the light.

After that we headed north toward Tenorio and the Rio Celeste hike. Our guide, Diego, kept pointing out birds I’d never notice—one bright blue thing he called a motmot. The trail was muddy in spots (don’t wear white sneakers), and it smelled like wet earth and something sweet from the flowers overhead. The actual Rio Celeste waterfall looked almost unreal—like someone dropped turquoise paint into the jungle. Diego explained how minerals mix to make that color; honestly I just stood there blinking at it for a while. He joked about how sometimes after heavy rain it turns brown—“no filter today,” he said.

Lunch was at this small place near the park—rice, beans, plantains, some kind of chicken stew that tasted better than anything from home. Then we drove to a family-run sloth sanctuary tucked behind banana trees and old trucks with flat tires. The owner’s daughter showed us where two sloths were napping way up high (I squinted forever trying to spot them). She laughed when I tried to say “oso perezoso” right—the word feels slow in your mouth too. We saw tiny frogs hiding under leaves and heard cicadas buzzing so loud it felt like they were inside my head.

I still think about that blue water and how quiet it got by the riverbank—even with people around you can hear your own breath out there. If you’re looking for a day trip from Tamarindo or Flamingo Beach that isn’t just sitting on a bus all day, this one actually moves you through real places—with guides who know their stuff but also let you just be quiet sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Waterfall, hike, sanctuary, and lunch

• Hotel pick up and breakfast stop
• Drive 3 hours to Tenorio Volcano Park
• Hike Rio Celeste Waterfall trail
• Enjoy Costa Rican lunch
• Visit Jungle Life Sloth Sanctuary
• Relax and swim at Llanos de Cortes Waterfall

Top questions

How long is the drive from Tamarindo to Rio Celeste?

The drive takes about 3 hours each way from Tamarindo to Tenorio Volcano area for Rio Celeste.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

Yes, a traditional Costa Rican lunch is included during the tour.

Can you swim at Llanos de Cortes Waterfall?

Yes, there’s time to relax or swim at Llanos de Cortes Waterfall during the tour.

Are hotel pickups available from Flamingo Beach?

Yes, hotel pickup is included from Flamingo Beach as well as Tamarindo and nearby areas.

How difficult is the Rio Celeste hike?

The hike is moderately difficult with some muddy or uneven sections; reasonable fitness is needed.

Will I see sloths up close?

You’ll visit a rural sloth sanctuary where guides help you spot sloths in their natural habitat—but sightings can depend on luck.

What should I bring for this tour?

Bring comfortable walking shoes (not white), swimwear, insect repellent, sunscreen, and your passport photo as required by park rules.

Is this suitable for kids or older travelers?

The tour requires moderate fitness due to hiking; not recommended for those with spinal or heart issues.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Tamarindo or Flamingo Beach areas, all entry fees for parks and attractions along the way, guided hikes through rainforest trails by bilingual guides who actually live here (and know every bird call), plus a hearty Costa Rican lunch before returning late afternoon—muddy shoes optional but likely.