Rio Celeste Waterfall Tour: Sloths & Rainforest Adventure

Walk through primary forest to Costa Rica's only blue waterfall, then spot sloths and monkeys at a local sanctuary

This private full-day tour from Playa Flamingo combines a guided hike to Rio Celeste waterfall, the country's only one, with wildlife viewing at a rainforest sanctuary and a visit to Mariposario Rio Celeste butterfly farm. Your guide leads you through Guanacaste's primary and secondary forest, sharing information about the region's history, crops and culture, while you look for birds, frogs, sloths, monkeys and other species. Lunch and a coffee-and-chocolate tasting round out the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore rainforest and wildlife sanctuary

• Depart early from Playa Flamingo
• Travel 2.5 hours to tropical forest
• Visit wildlife sanctuary for 1.5 hours
• Walk trails in primary and secondary forest
• Observe Río Celeste waterfall
• Enjoy Costa Rican lunch for 1 hour
• Visit butterfly farm for 20 minutes
• Return to Playa Flamingo

The experience

The drive from Playa Flamingo takes roughly two and a half hours each way, and your guide uses that time to explain Guanacaste's climate, agriculture and culture before you arrive at the sanctuary. Once there, you spend an hour and a half walking through the forest (primary and secondary growth mixed), watching for wildlife. The sanctuary itself is where the sloths, monkeys, frogs and birds congregate. This part of the day lasts about the same length as the forest walk.

After the sanctuary, you head into the national park to see Rio Celeste itself. The waterfall is the only one in Costa Rica with its distinctive blue color, a result of minerals in the water. The walk to reach it takes another hour and a half, moving through trails where the forest canopy and the river's flow shape what you see. You'll have time to take in the waterfall and the surrounding forest before heading back.

Lunch, a full Costa Rican meal, comes next and lasts about an hour. On the return journey, you stop at Mariposario Rio Celeste, a butterfly farm next door to the sanctuary, where you learn about the species and their life cycles. The tour wraps with a coffee-and-chocolate tasting before the drive back to Playa Flamingo. Your guide speaks English or Spanish, and the tour runs nine hours total, including transport.

What’s included

• Your private guide in English or Spanish.
• transportation from Playa Flamingo.
• entry to the sanctuary and national park.
• Costa Rican lunch.
• coffee-and-chocolate tasting.
• bottled water and soft drinks throughout the day.
• all taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except SaturdayDeparts at 06:30

AgesAdult (9 to 50 years) · Senior (51 to 60 years) · Youth (6 to 8 years) · Child (4 to 5 years) · Infant (2 to 3 years): 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 if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Neotropical Adventures Costa Rica

Is this one for you?The early start and nine hours of driving plus walking suit travelers with a full day free and moderate fitness for forest trails. If you have knee problems or a spinal condition, check with the operator before booking, as the terrain and pace may not be suitable.

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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 (6 to 8 years); Child (4 to 5 years); Infant (2 to 3 years): free.

What is Rio Celeste waterfall and why is it blue?

Rio Celeste is the only waterfall in Costa Rica with naturally blue water, caused by minerals in the Celeste River. The hike to reach it passes through primary and secondary forest where you'll see wildlife along the way.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

You walk through the rainforest for about an hour and a half to reach the sanctuary, then another hour and a half on trails in the national park to see the waterfall. The walks are on established trails, and your guide sets the pace.

Will I see sloths and monkeys on this tour?

The sanctuary visit is designed for wildlife viewing: sloths, monkeys, birds, frogs and other species live in the area. Your guide knows where to look, though wildlife sightings depend on the animals' movement that day.

What's included in the lunch?

A full Costa Rican meal is served after the waterfall visit and lasts about an hour. The tour also includes a coffee-and-chocolate tasting on the return journey.

How early does the tour start from Playa Flamingo?

The tour leaves early in the morning so the drive and all activities fit within the nine-hour total. Your guide will confirm the exact pickup time when you book.