Tubing Rio Celeste
Float the turquoise Rio Celeste river on a 2-hour guided tubing tour in Costa Rica, with gentle rapids, rainforest and sloths along the banks. Easy to reach from La Fortuna.
4.9 from 58 verified reviews
Rio Celeste Tubing Reviews
Real reviews from verified travelers who joined our tubing tour.
“The best trip of our holiday – and it had a lot to compete against! Just the right level of excitement. The rapids were great fun, but the water was shallow enough so you felt you could stand up if you needed to. The water was beautiful – crystal clear and blue. The many guides were always positioned in the right place in the river to direct you into the correct flow or collect you if you drifted to the side. Brilliant fun!”
“Lots of fun tubing through some small rapids. Beautiful river and we even saw an owl and monkeys. I would recommend, for sure!”
“Family had a great time. Went with family including 6 yo who was scared first 20 min and the people working were so great her mood turned around and she had a blast. Thank you everyone for a fun time!”
Verified reviews from our GetYourGuide listing.
Why Book Rio Celeste Tubing Direct?
Same tour, same guides and the same $53. Booking here simply puts you in direct contact with the people who run your day on the river.
Talk to us directly
Questions about times, getting here or kids? Message the local team on WhatsApp before and after you book.
No middleman
Your booking goes straight to the team in Katira, not through a third-party platform.
Secure checkout
Pay safely with FareHarbor and get your confirmation by email right away.
Rio Celeste Tubing and River Photos
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Why choose Rio Celeste Experience River Tubing?
Tubing in Rio Celeste is the most relaxed way to experience this river. You float on an inflatable tube through clear turquoise water framed by rainforest, alternating calm pools with gentle rapids, while your guide keeps the group together and points out wildlife.
Photos Included
Keep your phone safe and dry. Your guide takes photos during the float so you can enjoy every rapid and still take the memories home.
The $53 you see is the total you pay at checkout.
Expert Local Guides
Bilingual guides from Guatuso who run this river every day, give the safety briefing and stay with the group the whole way.
Safe for Families and Beginners
Rio Celeste tubing with kids works well: mild rapids, calm stretches and guides who stay close to children during the ride.
Sloths and Wildlife Along the River
Monkeys, sloths and tropical birds are commonly spotted from the water. Your guide knows where to look.
Jungle Swing, Tarzan Rope and a Swimming Stop
Optional stops along the way: a jungle swing for photos, a Tarzan rope jump into the river and a hidden spot for a swim.
Tubing Rio Celeste Itinerary
About 2 hours from check-in to return, with at least 1.5 hours on the water.
1. Arrival
Check in at the meeting point in Katira a few minutes before your departure (9:00 AM, 11:00 AM or 1:00 PM). Secure parking, changing rooms and bathrooms on site.
2. Arriving at Starting Point
Shuttle to the river, safety briefing, and your guide checks the fit of your helmet and life jacket.
3. Floating down the river
At least 1.5 hours on the turquoise water, mixing relaxing stretches with gentle rapids, wildlife spotting and optional stops at the jungle swing and a swimming spot.
4. Return and Lunch
Shuttle back to base. Optional lunch at the on-site restaurant: a typical casado with natural drink for $8.
What’s Included?
- The longest tubing ride available on the Rio Celeste
- Local bilingual guide
- Helmet, tube and life jacket
- Photos of your tubing tour
- Changing rooms, bathrooms and parking
Not included: lunch ($8 at the on-site restaurant).
What to Bring
- Sunscreen
- Swimsuit or water-friendly clothes
- Water shoes or strap-on sandals
- Towel and dry clothes (keep the towel with you on the shuttle back)
Book Rio Celeste Tubing Tour.
Pick your date and departure time, pay securely through FareHarbor and get your confirmation by email. Questions first? We answer on WhatsApp.
$53 per person, the final price at checkout, with gear and photos included.
Full refund or credit if you cancel at least 24 hours before your tour.
Your booking details arrive by email right after payment.
Tubing Rio Celeste Price and Schedule
- 2-hour tour with at least 1.5 hours on the river
- Helmet, tube, life jacket and bilingual guide
- Photos of your tour included
- Secure checkout with FareHarbor
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Cancellation and weather policy
Rio Celeste Tubing Location
Tubing Rio Celeste starts in Katira, Guatuso, close to Tenorio Volcano National Park. Our meeting point is on Final Street, in front of Katira Tree Houses, C. Rojas, Guatuso, Alajuela 21504.
- Tubing Rio Celeste from La Fortuna1.5 h
- From Liberia1.5 h
- From Monteverde2 h
Tubing Rio Celeste FAQs
Quick answers to plan your Rio Celeste tubing tour.
$53 per person. The price includes tube, helmet, life jacket, a bilingual local guide and photos of your tour.
Yes. The river mixes calm stretches with mild rapids, everyone wears a helmet and life jacket, and guides give a safety briefing and stay close to children during the ride.
Kids and adults who are comfortable on the water can join. The tour is not suitable for babies under 1 year, pregnant women or people with reduced mobility.
Yes, the tour runs rain or shine. You get wet on the river anyway, and light rain is part of the rainforest experience.
About 1.5 hours by car. The meeting point is on Final Street, in front of Katira Tree Houses, in Katira, Guatuso. It’s also about 1.5 hours from Liberia and 2 hours from Monteverde.
About 2 hours in total, including the briefing and shuttle, with at least 1.5 hours floating on the river. Departures are daily at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
Where the acidic Quebrada Agria meets the Río Buenavista, tiny mineral particles (aluminosilicates) grow large enough to scatter sunlight in a way that makes the water look sky-blue. It’s an optical effect, not a dye or a pigment.
Sunscreen, a swimsuit or water-friendly clothes, water shoes or strap-on sandals, and a towel with dry clothes for after the tour.
Cancel at least 24 hours before your tour for a full refund or credit. If we cancel because of weather or other unforeseen conditions, you also get a full refund or credit. Late cancellations and no-shows are charged the full price. Read the full cancellation and weather policy.
No. The on-site restaurant serves a typical Costa Rican casado with a natural drink for $8, before or after your tour.
Yes. The Rio Celeste tubing and waterfall hike combo includes the guided hike with park entrance fees and our tubing tour, for $120 per person. See all tubing combos.
Rio Celeste Experience is a local booking service in Katira. Your tour is run by an established tubing operator on the Rio Celeste with bilingual local guides, and we support you on WhatsApp before your visit.
Rio Celeste Tubing Combos
Add a second adventure to your tubing tour.
Talk to a local in Guatuso
We’re based in Katira, a few minutes from the river. Message us about schedules, getting here from La Fortuna or private groups.