Río Celeste Waterfall Tour: Hike, Wildlife & Coffee Farm

Río Celeste's blue waters, rainforest sloths, and a working coffee farm in six hours

A full-day tour from Playa Flamingo to Río Celeste in Tenorio Volcano National Park combines a rainforest hike to the turquoise waterfall, a guided wildlife walk hunting sloths and toucans, a swim in a natural pool along the river, and a visit to a farm where you taste fresh coffee and cacao products. A bilingual guide leads all four stops, with lunch and transport included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Rainforest hike, wildlife, swim, and farm visit

• Hike to Rio Celeste Waterfall
• Guided sloth and wildlife walk
• Swim at private natural swimming hole
• Enjoy traditional Costa Rican lunch
• Visit farm for coffee and cacao tour

The experience

The day starts with a hike through Tenorio Volcano National Park to Río Celeste Waterfall, where mineral deposits turn the water an intense blue. The trail winds through rainforest thick enough that your guide can point out the ecosystem as you walk, and the waterfall itself is one of Costa Rica's most photographed natural features. You'll have time to take in the view and capture photos before moving on.

Next comes a short guided walk focused on spotting sloths in their natural habitat. The forest also holds toucans, frogs, snakes, and occasionally a Baird's tapir, but sloths are what the guide is trained to find. After the wildlife walk, you'll take a five-minute walk to a private natural swimming hole along the Río Celeste, where you can cool off in the river surrounded by rainforest before heading to lunch. The restaurant sits at the edge of the forest and serves traditional Costa Rican food prepared by local cooks.

The tour ends at a small farm at the foot of the volcanoes, where you'll learn how coffee and cacao are grown and processed from plant to finished product. You'll taste fresh Costa Rican coffee and sample different cacao products: cacao tea, dark chocolate, and sweet chocolate. The whole day runs six hours and includes private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, a bilingual guide, all entrance fees, bottled water, and lunch.

What’s included

• Private transportation and an air-conditioned vehicle.
• a bilingual tour guide.
• all entrance fees.
• a traditional Costa Rican lunch.
• and bottled water.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:00, 06:30, 07:00 and 07:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (4 to 89 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Hiking Guanacaste

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want a guide leading you through the rainforest hike, wildlife spotting, and all four stops in one day (rather than navigating and searching on your own), and you're ready for six hours of walking at a guided pace.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

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.

What is Río Celeste Waterfall and why is the water blue?

Río Celeste is a waterfall in Tenorio Volcano National Park famous for its striking turquoise color, caused by mineral deposits in the water. It's one of Costa Rica's most iconic natural attractions and the centerpiece of the hike on this tour.

Will I actually see sloths on the wildlife walk?

The guided wildlife walk is focused on spotting sloths in their natural rainforest habitat, and your guide is trained to find them. The forest also holds toucans, frogs, snakes, and occasionally a Baird's tapir, but sloths are the main highlight.

Can I swim during this tour?

Yes. After the wildlife walk, you'll take a five-minute walk to a private natural swimming hole along the Río Celeste where you can swim and relax in the river surrounded by rainforest before lunch.

What do I learn at the farm, and what will I taste?

At the small farm at the foot of the volcanoes, you'll learn how Costa Rican coffee and cacao are grown and processed from plant to finished product. You'll taste fresh Costa Rican coffee and sample cacao tea, dark chocolate, and sweet chocolate.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, a bilingual guide, all entrance fees to Tenorio Volcano National Park, a traditional Costa Rican lunch at a local restaurant, and bottled water throughout the day.