Rio Celeste Hiking, Sloth Sanctuary & Llanos de Cortes Waterfall Tour
Overview
Available languages
12 hours
Mobile ticket
Llanos de Cortes Waterfall
To start your day, we will take you to Llanos de Cortes Waterfall in Bagaces, where you can relax and take a swim at the falls or walk around exploring the flora and fauna.
Rio Celeste Waterfall Hike - Tenorio Volcano National Park
Upon arriving at the entrance, you will go on a 2 hour moderately difficult hike in the park. You will walk through the rainforest and along the Celeste River where you can observe one of nature's most intriguing phenomenon.
Organic Farm - Sloth and Frog Sanctuary
After lunch, take a tour on a rural organic farm! You will be taken on an inspiring and educational walk, showcasing natural wonders such as tropical plants, flowers, birds, sloths, frogs, snakes, insects and many more animals that inhabit the farm.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
If your hotel is not listed, contact us for quoting
Due to a new requirement issued by the Ministry of Tourism and the National Park Systems of Costa Rica, we need each person to send us the following information: Full Name on Passport, Passport number, Passport issuing country. You must carry a picture of your passport with you on your tour!
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Driver/guide
Lunch
National park fees
Professional bilingual guide
Gratuities
Round Trip Transport from Andaz, Planet Hollywood, Fours Seasons, Waldorf Astoria, Catalinas
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Cataratas Llanos de Cortes
LLanos de Cortes Waterfall Discover the hidden gem of Llanos de Cortez Waterfall, tucked away amidst the pristine landscapes of the Guanacaste region. As you make your way through the tropical forest, the sound of cascading water grows louder, signaling your arrival at this natural marvel. The sight of the waterfall is nothing short of breathtaking, with its crystal-clear waters tumbling over moss-covered rocks into a tranquil pool below. Take a refreshing dip in the cool waters, surrounded by lush greenery and the symphony of nature. Relax on the sandy shores, bask in the warm sun, and revel in the serenity of this secluded paradise. It's the perfect conclusion to a day filled with adventure and exploration.
Rio Celeste
You will begin your hike within the pristine confines of Tenorio Volcano National Park, first heading to the mesmerizing Rio Celeste Waterfall, where the crystalline waters cascade gracefully down a rugged cliff face, creating a scene of unparalleled beauty. You'll embark on a guided hike on trails that meander through the dense rainforest, enveloped by a symphony of exotic bird calls. Your knowledgeable guide will share insights into the rich biodiversity of the region, pointing out unique plant species & wildlife that call this pristine wilderness home. As you approach the waterfall, you'll be stunned by the majestic cascade of turquoise-hued water tumbling dramatically into a tranquil pool below. Stand in awe of this natural spectacle, feeling the cool mist and the sheer power of nature. Take your time to savor this moment, capturing photographs of this unique hidden gem from various angles. **Please be aware, on rare occasions the river may be brown due to heavy rains
Options
Shared Transportation
Shared Tour & Transport: Round trip transport from JW Marriott, Tamarindo, Langosta, Flamingo, Potrero, RIU Hotels, Coco, Hermosa, Panama, Liberia
Pickup included
Private Transportation & Guide
Private Guide & Transportation: Round trip transport from JW Marriott, Tamarindo, Langosta, Flamingo, Potrero, RIU Hotels, Coco, Hermosa, Panama, Liberia
Pickup included
Self Drive/Meet at Park
Drive your Own Vehicle : Meet your guide at Tenorio Volcano National Park & follow our tour bus to Sloth Sanctuary and Llanos de Cortes Waterfall
Starting point:
Parque Nacional Volcán Tenorio, Katira centro, Provincia de Alajuela, Guatuso, 21504, Costa Rica
Reviews
1,041 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Waterfall and sloths, oh my
Steven R,
Nov 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00We were going to meet the van at a meeting point that was dropped by the organizer. This meeting point was never to be found based on the coordinates shared. So, we had to drive to the waterfall entrance ourselves. Very high security process to get into the park which was interesting. After long climbs and decents one was shown a waterfall, nothing majestic or unusual about it. After a return hike you are treated to a minimal buffet in a small town and then whisked off to see some sloths. Bring binoculars if you want to see said sloths. If you drive to the waterfall from Tamarindo, this tour will take your around 10 hours to complete. For the amount you pay, I’m not sure if this is a good tour or not. Having them pick you up in Tamarindo would probably be your best option as getting there by car can put you in a bad frame of mind.
Sloth sightings were amazing!
marksC8945TA,
Nov 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Estonian was our guide with Enrica as our driver. We had an exceptional time. From the coffee and chocolate tastings to the sloth tour we couldn’t have asked for a better tour guide. The sloths we saw were so active, we couldn’t believe our luck. We saw both types of sloths, a tree frog, a toucan, many different types of foliage. Enrica was extremely knowledgeable with telling us about his country, the animals we saw, etc.
Beautiful sights in a long day
danamanza504,
Nov 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Enjoyed this excursion however it was very long and the “frog and sloth sanctuary“ was a little underwhelming and could be better described as a guided wildlife walk through the rainforest rather than a sanctuary which I had missed understood as a wildlife rescue sanctuary. The waterfalls were beautiful our tour guide. Erik was friendly and charismatic and our driver. Diego got us there and back safely. The hike was beautiful, but felt short and was a bit far from where our resort was in Tamarindo
Waterfall Day Tour
alisonspano,
Nov 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had the best time on this tour. Eric was so knowledgeable about Costa Rica and informing us on little details we don’t know. The tour started at 6:30 am they picked us up at our hotel. Diego drove us around ALL DAY safely. Even though it was a bumpy ride, and hit some traffic this was a great tour. We first went to the Waterfall, then hiked at a National Park to another waterfall, had delicious lunch then they took us to a “sloth and frog sanctuary” which was more a quiet guided walk in the jungle. Alex and Christian had binoculars where they pointed out snakes, lizards, frogs and birds. We were able to take picture up close, it was beautiful. Then it started pouring rain. We had one last stop at a Souvenir spot where we tried some chocolate. Then another hour and a half ride back to the hotel. It was a long 12 hour day, I recommend a change of clothes and some headphones if you get car sick. All and all we had such a wonderful time and thank you to Eric and Diego for making it that much more fun and safe for us!!!
Hike
Christy D,
Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The hike was a bit more than we expected, but we absolutely enjoyed the staff and the day! They even help you take perfect pictures along the way.
Great excursion!
Amy K,
Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00This excursion was pretty cool! I loved being at the Cortez waterfall! I felt like we didn’t have enough of time there! A little disappointed we couldn’t get closer to the Rio Celeste waterfall, but the tour guide was great and made the experience fun, despite the rain. Make sure you bring a poncho! The light rain jacket wasn’t enough to put up with the rain. The tour guide was great at spotting out the animals during the Rio Celeste hike and at the sloth sanctuary also. And make sure that you are staying close to the pickup location, as we were staying far away and had to find transportation.
Great day with JC and Diego!
Wendy W,
Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00JC and Diego were great guides. JC was very knowledgeable and was easily able to answer questions. It was a peaceful day and all three stops were fun and different in their own way. The rain forest is way cool, we visited from Tamarindo and it is along full day but worth it definitely. I would say the sloth sanctuary was great, we saw two sloths and a howler monkey but I’d say enjoy it for the surroundings and don’t expect to see anything and then you will be pleasantly surprised.
Great tour company
mariedixon,
Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I would highly recommend this tour company - it was probably one of the best and most thoughfully organized tour company I've worked with. My husband usually dreads tours like this, because of the multiple stops at hotels to pick up guests. This company however limits this by doing a 20-min coffee stop in the AM, where guests are redivided between various buses, so there is no multiple towns/villages stop. In the PM, the same thing happens, except at El Jardín souvenir shop (one of the best souvenir stops in our trip to Costa Rica). The tour itself was good. We would not have been able to find the first waterfall park on our own if we had tried (despite driving past it multiple times in the previous week). Heavy rainfall the previous day meant we could not swim, but it was still lovely to see. Same for the Rio Celeste waterfall, where access has been cut off. At the Parque Volcano Tenorio, we really appreciated that Daphne, our guide, did not take risks regarding the dangerous wildlife, and was very clear about being keeping a respectful distance from the snakes, unlike other tour guides we encountered. The highlight was the sloth sanctuary - we didn't see too much wildlife, but the sanctuary guide was an excellent phtographer and very knowledgeable about the environment. I would book a tour with Native's Way again without hesitation.
A nature adventure for the whole family
Patricia C,
Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a great time on this excursion! We swam in the beautiful waterfall, had a lovely hike in the national park and were enchanted with the sloths. We had a range of family members from a 10 year-old to 65+ year olds and it was very doable physically. The pacing of the day was excellent and the lunch was delicious. It rained most of the day, but our host, Harry, kept us in good spirits. We saw lots of wildlife including sloths, an anteater, toucans, butterflies, snakes, frogs and monkeys.
Nov 11 2025
Robert F,
Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great guides, wonderful scenery. Pick up on time. Great communication during booking and updates prior to the trip itself.
From US$135.00
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Operated by Native's Way Costa Rica