Tubing down the river Rio Celeste in Costa Rica is one of the most popular activities in this region, and you can book a tour to enjoy the river with friends and family. The river connects The National Park Volcan Tenorio with The Rio Frio, so it’s more than 20 miles long, and each part of the river has its own unique characteristics that will appeal to different travelers, including an abundance of wildlife like monkeys, sloths, and toucans!
In this blog:
- Things you need to know before tubing
- When to go tubing
- How long does it take to tube Rio Celeste?
- Is it safe?
- Tips for tubing Rio Celeste with kids
Things you need to know before tubing
The Rio Celeste is an amazingly beautiful river that flows through a National Park in Costa Rica. The river is crystal clear and has a bluish hue from all of its volcanic rock. The water is still cool even in the middle of summer, so you will be comfortable tubing (unless you get eaten alive by bugs).
When to go tubing
Rio Celeste is a crystal clear river with a turquoise color that you can enjoy in different ways. The most common and popular activity to do on Rio Celeste is tubing, which can be done all year round. This activity has become very popular in Costa Rica and it is highly recommended for those who are looking for an activity to do as a family or even if you are with friends. Tubing is also great for teenagers and young adults who love adventure and adrenaline rush activities because while they go down they will enjoy themselves while passing by amazing waterfalls, beautiful landscapes, and riverside communities where they will interact with local people who live there and even try local food specialties.
How long does it take to tube Rio Celeste?
The Rio Celeste River is one of the most beautiful rivers in all of Costa Rica. The crystal clear waters are a startling blue and surrounded by lush tropical forest. And with a glass-bottom boat (which you can ride on after your tube trip), it’s easy to see what makes it so special. Unfortunately, though, if you’re traveling from Playas del Coco or Tamarindo as many do, you won’t be able to view all of these attractions before getting to your final destination because there are two checkpoints for vehicle entrance. You must pay an entrance fee at one and then again at another.
Is it safe?
It is completely safe! The river does not have any major rapids and you are constantly surrounded by certified guides. If your Spanish is good enough you can communicate with them. On a calm day, you can bring a Frisbee to play catch as well as some snacks and beverages. You will get wet but it’s not too cold since it’s a tropical climate. There are also plenty of opportunities to swim in natural pools with refreshing waterfalls and freshwater caves along your trip! I had an amazing time tubing and would recommend it to anyone looking for adventure in Costa Rica!
Tips for tubing Rio Celeste with kids
The Rio Celeste river is located in Guatuso, Alajuela. This river is located about 4 hours from San Jose and can be enjoyed via guided tours or self-guided tours. If you are traveling with kids we strongly recommend going on a guided tour because it is a steep trail down to the river and more dangerous for kids that are not used to hiking. The hike takes about 1 hr from bottom to top (5 min) and 15 min from top to bottom. Make sure you bring sun protection since there is no shade on the route and 3 liters of water per person so don’t forget your bottle!
