Rio Celeste, Sloths & Waterfalls Tour from Playa Hermosa

Rainforest wildlife, two waterfalls, and a turquoise river in one morning or afternoon

A private guided tour from Playa Hermosa combining a rainforest wildlife expedition, a swim at Llanos del Cortés Waterfall, and a hike to Rio Celeste's striking blue waters, with hotel pickup, lunch and a local guide included. The tour runs 6 to 8 hours and operates as a private booking for 2 or more adults. Child rates apply only when a child travels with two paying adults. A minimum of 2 adults per booking is required. Bring rain gear and extra clothes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Wildlife, Waterfalls, and Rainforest Tour

• Private rainforest wildlife tour
• Hike to Rio Celeste river
• Relax and swim at Rio Celeste
• Visit Llanos del Cortés Waterfall
• Swim and relax at waterfall pool

The experience

The tour starts with hotel pickup and moves into a protected rainforest reserve where a local guide leads the search for sloths, toucans, poison dart frogs, monkeys and reptiles in their natural habitat. The guide shares details about the rainforest ecosystem as you move through the canopy, stopping where wildlife appears. This is not a drive-through. You walk the trails on foot and move at the pace the animals set.

From there, the route heads to Llanos del Cortés Waterfall, where water cascades into a pool ringed by jungle. You swim in the refreshing water and rest on a sandy beach at the base. The final stop is Rio Celeste, reached by an easy to moderate hike through the rainforest. The river's deep turquoise color comes from minerals in the water. The hike ends at a secluded pool where you can wade in and photograph the water against the backdrop of the Miravalles and Tenorio Volcanoes. Lunch and bottled water are included during the day.

The tour is private, meaning your group travels alone with the guide and driver in a private vehicle. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. You'll need at least a moderate level of fitness for the hikes, and rain gear is essential. Bring extra clothes as well. A current valid passport is required. If your group size differs from the option you booked, the balance is paid in cash at pickup.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from your accommodation.
• private vehicle and driver for the full day.
• local guide fluent in English or Spanish.
• lunch and bottled water.
• entry to the rainforest reserve, Llanos del Cortés Waterfall, and Rio Celeste.

Options for this experience

3 options

Price for 8 or more ticketsGuide in English or Spanish · 07:30Price for 8 or more tickets, pickup is included

Group size: 4 to 7 participantsGuide in English or Spanish · 07:30Explore the wildlife, waterfalls, blue river and volcanoes in the rainforest. Includes pickup

Price for 2 or 3 ticketsGuide in English or Spanish · 07:30Van pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 69 years) · Senior (70 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (under 6): free

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.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Guanadreams CR

Is this one for you?Choose this private tour if you want to move at your own pace while spotting wildlife, then swim and hike to two waterfalls: your guide stays flexible to linger when animals appear rather than keeping to a fixed schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I see sloths on this tour?

The rainforest reserve is where sloths live, and the guide is trained to spot them and other wildlife like toucans, monkeys, and poison dart frogs. Sightings depend on where the animals are on the day you visit, but the guide knows the reserve well and stops to look for them throughout the hike.

Is Rio Celeste really that bright blue?

Rio Celeste's turquoise color comes from minerals suspended in the water and is most vivid in bright daylight. The hike takes you to a secluded pool where the color shows best, and the water is safe to wade into and swim in.

How much walking is involved?

The rainforest section and the hike to Rio Celeste are both easy to moderate in difficulty. You'll spend roughly 2 to 3 hours on trails across the day, with breaks at the waterfall pools. Moderate fitness is needed, and proper footwear is recommended.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, a private vehicle with driver, a local guide, lunch, bottled water, and entry to the sites are all included. Gratuities are not included and are left to your discretion.

Do I need to book a specific time?

The tour runs as a private booking, so you choose the departure time that suits your schedule when you book. The full experience takes 6 to 8 hours from pickup to drop-off.

What should I bring?

Bring a rain jacket or coat, extra clothes, sturdy shoes or hiking boots, and a camera. Sunscreen and insect repellent are also useful. The guide provides bottled water, but you can bring your own refillable bottle as well.