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Float down the striking turquoise waters of the Celeste River on a guided tubing adventure. Navigate gentle rapids, spot exotic wildlife, and soak in natural volcanic clay pools along the way.
Free Cancellation Tube down the turquoise Rio Celeste, visit the famous waterfall, and spot sloths and monkeys in the rainforest.
Free Cancellation Float down a vibrant blue river through the rainforest, navigating a mix of gentle rapids and calm backwaters.
Free Cancellation Guided tubing trip through the turquoise waters and volcanic pools of the Celeste River, including GoPro photos.
Free Cancellation Drift down the turquoise waters of the Celestial River on a tubing trip through the lush rainforest.
Free Cancellation Float down a Costa Rican river on a guided tubing trip through lush tropical landscapes.
Free Cancellation Tube through the bright blue waters of Rio Celeste while watching for sloths and toucans in the rainforest canopy.
Free Cancellation Float down the turquoise Rio Celeste on a tubing adventure combining jungle rapids with swimming in hidden river pools.
Free Cancellation Zipline directly over Río Celeste and tube down its turquoise rapids on a private estate where swimming is encouraged.
Free Cancellation A two-hour river tubing trip through rapids and calm pools, designed for families and pets to enjoy together.
Free Cancellation Hike to the turquoise Rio Celeste and go river tubing on a private estate with transport from La Fortuna included.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Rio Celeste — from practical tips to personal highlights.
A Rio Celeste tubing tour offers a unique way to experience Costa Rica's famous turquoise river. While hiking the national park trails gives you top-down views of the waterfall, tubing takes you right onto the water, combining the thrill of small rapids with peaceful floats through dense, wildlife-rich rainforest.
Float directly on the striking, sky-blue waters of Rio Celeste. The surreal color is an optical illusion created by sunlight reflecting off suspended minerals from the nearby volcano.
Drift quietly through dense jungle corridors where you can spot exotic biodiversity. Keep an eye out for toucans, monkeys, and colorful poison dart frogs along the riverbanks.
Navigate a mix of calm stretches and fun, bouncy rapids. The river's natural flow provides an exciting but manageable ride suitable for most fitness levels.
Many tubing tours stop at natural river pools where you can find volcanic mud. You can apply this mineral-rich clay to your skin for a quick, natural spa treatment.
If you book a full-day combo tour, you'll start with a guided hike to the majestic 98-foot Rio Celeste waterfall before heading to the private tubing launch site.
Planning your Rio Celeste tubing adventure requires a bit of preparation, especially since the national park and the river have strict rules. Here is what you need to know before securing your spot.
You can choose between standalone tubing trips (usually 2-3 hours) or full-day combo tours. Combos typically last around 8 hours and include transportation from La Fortuna, a guided hike in the national park, lunch, and tubing.
Swimming and tubing are strictly prohibited inside Tenorio Volcano National Park. Tubing tours operate legally on private estates and properties that border the park, allowing you to enjoy the same blue water safely.
Tubing requires a moderate level of physical fitness. Due to the bumpy nature of the rapids, these tours are not recommended for pregnant travelers, people with spinal injuries, or those with poor cardiovascular health.
If you book a full-day combo tour that includes the waterfall hike, park tickets are usually handled by the operator. If you visit independently, you must buy a $12 USD ticket in advance via the SINAC website; no walk-up tickets are sold.
For the park hike, closed-toe shoes like hiking boots are mandatory; sandals will get you turned away. However, for the tubing portion, you will need water sandals or secure water shoes, plus a swimsuit and towel.
The national park has a strict ban on single-use plastics, drones, cigarettes, and cheap plastic ponchos. Bring a reusable water bottle and a durable rain jacket. Bags are checked by rangers at the entrance.
Heavy rains in October and November can cause sediment runoff, turning the blue river a muddy brown. The best time to book is during the dry season from January to April for the most vibrant water colors.
Most tubing and combo tours offer a flexible cancellation policy, allowing you to receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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| Standard Tubing Tour | Tubing & Zipline Combo | Full-Day Combo Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2 to 3 hours | 3 hours | 8 hours |
| Best for | Travelers with rental cars looking for a quick thrill | Adrenaline junkies wanting multiple activities | Those wanting a complete, hassle-free day trip from La Fortuna |
| Includes | Tubes, helmets, life jackets, snacks, guide | Zipline course, tubing equipment, fruit, water | Roundtrip transport, park tickets, guided hike, tubing, lunch |
| Price from | $50 USD | $95 USD | $149 USD |
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If your tubing tour includes a hike in Tenorio Volcano National Park, it is important to know the strict operating hours:
Standalone tubing tours operate on private property and run on specific schedules set by the tour operator, usually offering morning and early afternoon departure times.
Rio Celeste is located in the northern lowlands of Costa Rica, near the town of Bijagua.
The vibrant color of Rio Celeste is heavily dependent on the weather.
Accessibility varies greatly between the national park hike and the tubing activities.
Facilities in this remote area are basic but sufficient for a day trip.
Tenorio Volcano National Park strictly enforces environmental protection rules. Bag checks are mandatory at the entrance.
The bright turquoise color is not a chemical reaction, but an optical phenomenon called Mie scattering. When the clear waters of the Buenavista River and Sour Creek merge, suspended volcanic minerals reflect sunlight, creating the illusion of a vibrant blue river.
No, swimming and tubing are strictly prohibited inside the national park boundaries to protect the ecosystem and keep visitors safe from hot volcanic vents. Tubing tours operate on private estates bordering the park, allowing you to safely float on the same blue waters.
For the tubing portion, wear a swimsuit and water sandals or secure water shoes (no flip-flops). If your tour includes the national park hike, you must bring sturdy, closed-toe hiking shoes, as park rangers will turn away anyone wearing sandals on the trails.
If you book a 2-hour standalone tubing tour, park tickets are not included because the activity takes place outside the park. However, if you book an 8-hour full-day combo tour that includes the waterfall hike, the operator typically covers the park entrance fee.
Tubing involves navigating small rapids and uneven currents, so it requires a moderate level of physical fitness. It is not recommended for pregnant travelers, people with spinal injuries, or those with cardiovascular issues.
The actual time spent on the river for most tubing tours is between 2 and 3 hours. This allows plenty of time to navigate the rapids, float through calm jungle sections, and stop at natural pools.
You can bring a phone or camera only if you have reliable waterproof gear, as you will definitely get wet. Keep in mind that single-use plastics are banned in the area, so use a proper waterproof dry bag or phone pouch.
Heavy rainfall, especially in October and November, can cause sediment runoff that turns the blue river a muddy brown. If river levels become dangerously high or the water loses its color, operators may reschedule or adjust the tour for safety.
A 4x4 is not strictly required because the main roads from La Fortuna and Liberia to Bijagua are fully paved. However, a high-clearance SUV is recommended to comfortably navigate the secondary gravel roads near the tour properties.
Most private tubing operators provide secure areas or basic lockers to leave your dry clothes, towels, and valuables while you are on the river. It's always best to leave non-essential valuables at your hotel.
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This tour departs from La Fortuna, Tamarindo, Flamingo, and the Papagayo area for a day at Tenorio Volcano National Park. Led by a local guide, you will visit the turquoise Rio Celeste waterfall and the 400-year-old Tree of Peace. The excursion balances the park's natural scenery with an active river experience. You will spend an hour and a half tubing down the blue river, stopping at various points to swim and snack on fresh local fruit. After the river tour, we serve a traditional lunch. The return trip follows a specific route optimized for wildlife spotting, where you can often see two types of sloths, monkeys, and tropical frogs. The day concludes with a stop at a souvenir market before drop-off at your lodging.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
This tour takes you onto the striking blue waters of the celestial river for a guided float through the heart of the rainforest. As you descend, you will be surrounded by dense tropical vegetation that is unique to this specific ecosystem. The journey alternates between the excitement of small rapids and the peace of quiet backwaters. These calmer sections allow you to drift slowly and observe the local flora, while the rapids provide a more active pace as you navigate the river's natural course.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
This tour takes you tubing down the turquoise currents of the Celeste River. As you float, you'll pass through areas of dense forest and stop at natural pools known for their volcanic clay. The route offers a mix of calm stretches and faster descents, providing a close-up look at one of Costa Rica’s most famous waterways. A certified bilingual guide leads every trip to handle navigation and safety. Along the way, they share insights about the local ecosystem and the unique volcanic activity that gives the river its distinct color. To ensure you can focus on the ride, we provide GoPro cameras to document the trip and provide you with high-quality photos and videos of the experience.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
This tour takes you directly onto the turquoise waters of the Celestial River. You'll navigate the river’s gentle currents and small rapids in an individual tube, providing a unique perspective of the surrounding rainforest that you can't get from the hiking trails. As you float downstream, you can take in the dense greenery and local wildlife along the riverbanks. It’s a balanced way to experience the area, combining the relaxation of a river float with enough movement to keep things engaging for those looking for a bit of outdoor activity.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, French, Spanish
This river tubing trip takes you deep into the Costa Rican landscape, following the natural flow of the water through dense forest and open canyons. It is a slower-paced way to see the local environment from a different perspective, away from the usual tourist trails. You will navigate a series of gentle currents and small rapids while seated in an individual tube. Along the way, look out for local wildlife like monkeys or tropical birds that frequent the riverbanks. The tour includes all necessary safety equipment and a brief orientation before you head into the water.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
Float down the distinct turquoise waters of the Celeste River on a guided tubing trip. With over 12 years of experience on these waters, our team focuses on a steady, safe pace that allows you to take in the surroundings. You will spend the tour drifting through the rainforest, following the river's natural current through one of Costa Rica's most famous ecological corridors. While on the water, our guides help point out the local wildlife often hidden in the trees. It is common to see sloths, monkeys, and various tropical birds, including toucans, along the riverbanks. This tour offers a direct way to experience the region's biodiversity and unique river chemistry while staying immersed in the landscape.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
This tubing trip takes you through the heart of the tropical rainforest along the Rio Celeste. The route balances the energy of river rapids with calm, quiet stretches where you can drift and listen to the sounds of the jungle. It is a unique opportunity to spot local birdlife and experience the rainforest from the water's surface. While swimming is prohibited near the National Park's famous waterfall, this tour grants access to natural pools where you can safely swim in the blue water. Our guides accompany you throughout the trip, using ropes to navigate the stronger rapids to ensure the experience is safe for families and participants of all ages.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
This tour operates on a private property bordering the Tenorio Volcano National Park, allowing for high-energy activities that aren't permitted inside the public conservation area. You will start by crossing the only zipline course that runs directly over the turquoise Río Celeste, offering views of the river from above. Afterward, you'll navigate the river on individual tubes, moving through a mix of small rapids and calm pools. Because this is a private stretch of water, you are welcome to swim and relax in the river, which is prohibited at the national park's waterfall. The trip is designed to be family-friendly, with certified guides managing all safety equipment and providing extra support for younger children. While on the water and in the trees, your guides will point out local wildlife like sloths and tropical birds that frequent the area. The tour includes professional-grade gear and fresh fruit to enjoy during your time on the river.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
This two-hour tubing trip through the Costa Rican landscape offers a mix of fast-moving rapids and quiet, steady stretches of river. The route is paced to provide excitement in the white water while leaving plenty of time to drift through the calmer sections and appreciate the natural environment. Because the river conditions are manageable, the tour is open to all ages and is fully pet-friendly. You’ll have the chance to stop for a swim or just relax on the water, making it a practical option for families who want to experience the outdoors together without leaving anyone behind.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
This full-day tour pairs a guided hike through Tenorio Volcano National Park with a river tubing session on a private estate. You’ll visit the "Teñidero," the exact point where two clear rivers meet and turn a bright turquoise color through a natural chemical reaction. Throughout the walk, a certified guide will explain the local biodiversity and the volcanic science behind the water's unique appearance. After the hike, you will move to a private property for river tubing. By using a private stretch of water, the tour avoids the larger crowds typically found in the national park, allowing for a more relaxed pace. Round-trip transportation from La Fortuna is included, handling all the logistics so you don't have to drive the long distance yourself.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish