Río Celeste tubing adventure: Swim and jump in blue river, Costa Rica
A river the color of turquoise, rapids you navigate yourself, animals watching from the banks.
Río Celeste tubing in Costa Rica is a river adventure where you float and swim down the turquoise Río Celeste for roughly two hours, jumping from the banks and passing through natural pools while a local guide navigates the rapids with you. The experience includes a guide who speaks English or Spanish, safety gear, towels, snacks and bottled water. Children from age 4 are welcome. The blue natural pool depends on recent rainfall, and the activity is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with cardiovascular concerns.
Options for this experience
2 optionsWhat’s included
- Local guide in English or Spanish.
- safety equipment including life jacket and helmet.
- towels.
- snacks and bottled water.
- access to volcanic mud.
- the blue natural pool (weather dependent).
Times
- Every day 09:00 11:00 13:00 15:00
Before you book
Operated by Costa Rica Authentic Experiences
Prices and times updated 5 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
You start with safety equipment (life jacket, helmet, and a tube), then enter the water with your guide, who knows every rapid and pool on the Río Celeste. The descent takes roughly two hours. You'll float through sections where the river opens into natural pools deep enough to jump from the banks, and you'll swim in stretches where the current slows. The guide stays with you the whole way, reading the water and pointing out where to hold on and where to let the current carry you.
The jungle around the river is dense, and the wildlife is there if you watch for it: sloths move through the canopy above, frogs call from the vegetation, butterflies cross the water, and birds nest in the trees along both banks. The Río Celeste itself is the draw. The water is genuinely turquoise, a color that comes from minerals in the volcanic rock upstream. You're in it, not looking at it from a distance.
Your guide brings towels, snacks and bottled water for the float. The blue natural pool at one point in the river is a highlight, though heavy rain the night before can affect how clear it stays. You'll also have access to volcanic mud if you want it. The whole outing is built for people of any fitness level, and children from age 4 can join. You can choose between a private tubing experience or the adventure experiences option, both following the same river and the same two-hour descent.
Is this one for you?Pick the private option if you prefer a smaller group, or the shared option if you're comfortable with other travelers: both include the same guide, gear, and stops along Río Celeste.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (4 to 11 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.
What animals will I actually see on the Río Celeste tubing trip?
Sloths, frogs, butterflies and birds are common along the river because of the dense jungle vegetation on both banks. You'll spot them during the float if you watch the canopy and the banks, though sightings depend on the time of day and how alert the animals are.
How long does the Río Celeste tubing adventure take from start to finish?
The river descent itself lasts roughly two hours. The full outing, including time to get into gear and out of the water, runs longer, but the time in the tube on the water is about two hours.
What happens if it rains heavily the night before? Does that change the tubing?
Heavy rainfall can affect the blue natural pool, which is one of the highlights of the Río Celeste experience. The tubing itself still runs, but the clarity of that particular pool may be reduced depending on how much water flowed through overnight.
What's included in the Río Celeste tubing adventure, and what do I need to bring?
The experience includes a local guide, safety equipment (life jacket and helmet), towels, snacks, bottled water and access to volcanic mud. Bring a swimsuit, water shoes or sandals that won't slip off in the water, and a change of clothes for after.
Río Celeste tubing adventure: Swim and jump in blue river, Costa Rica
2h · EN · ES
from US$ 53 per person
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