Río Celeste Tubing Tour
4.9 213 reviews on GoogleTube the turquoise Río Celeste — Tarzan swing, cliff jump and volcanic clay included. Certified guide, about 2 hours, GoPro photos of your ride.
About this tour
Río Celeste is famous for one thing: that unreal blue. This tour puts you inside it — floating it in a tube, swinging out over it on a rope, jumping in if you dare, and painting yourself with the volcanic clay that sits on its banks.
Tube the blue river
About two hours drifting through natural pools, gentle rapids and long turquoise stretches — tube, helmet and life vest on from the first metre.
The Tarzan swing
Grab the rope, swing out over the deep pool and let go. It is the photo everyone wants and the moment everyone remembers.
The jump
A rock ledge on the far bank, deep water below, and a guide telling you exactly where to land. Always optional, always at your own pace.
Volcanic clay
Clay from the riverbank, smoothed over arms, face and legs, then rinsed off in the current. The local spa, free of charge.
15 seconds of the swing, the jump and the colour of the water.
How the tour runs
- Meet at our base in Calle Colonia Naranjeña, ten minutes before your time slot. Parking, restrooms and lockers are on site.
- Gear and safety briefing. Tube, helmet and life vest fitted by your certified guide, plus the rules of the river.
- Clay stop. On the bank, the guide shows you how to use the volcanic clay while explaining what gives the river its colour.
- Tube in. Pools, small rapids and slow blue water, with a stop for fresh fruit and cold water along the way.
- Swing and jump. At the deep pool you can swing on the Tarzan rope, jump from the ledge, or simply watch from your tube.
- Back at the meeting point. Transport from the finish line is included, and your GoPro photos and videos are shared with you.
What is included
- Tubing equipment (tube, helmet, life vest)
- Certified bilingual guide
- Tarzan swing and cliff jump
- Volcanic clay stop
- Bottled water and fresh fruit
- GoPro photos and videos
- Transport from the start to the finish point
- Parking, restrooms and changing area
Good to know
Find us on Waze or Uber as “Rio Celeste Georgeous”. Waze: waze.com/ul/hd1gsgwt5z
Bring: swimsuit, shoes you can get wet (straps, not flip-flops), a towel and dry clothes. Not wheelchair accessible · not recommended for travellers with heart conditions or serious medical issues · free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to know how to swim?
No. You wear a life vest the whole way and the guide stays with the group. The Tarzan swing and the jump happen in a deep pool where you float — and both are completely optional.
Is the Tarzan swing included or extra?
Included. The swing, the jump and the clay stop are part of the same tour, with no extra charge. Your guide checks the depth and tells you where to land before anyone goes.
Is the water really that blue?
Yes, most of the year. The colour comes from volcanic minerals carried down from the Tenorio. After heavy rain the river can run grey or brown for a day or two — see why the river changes colour.
Can children come?
Yes, families do this tour every week. Tell us the ages when you book and we will fit the right tube and add a guide to the group.
What happens if it rains?
We run in the rain — you are getting wet anyway. If a storm makes the river unsafe we move your booking to another time or refund it, your choice.
Do you pick up at hotels?
No. The tour starts and finishes at our base in Calle Colonia Naranjeña, about 10 minutes from the Tenorio Volcano National Park entrance. Transport between the start and finish points of the river is included.
Will I get photos?
Yes. The guide films and photographs the tour on a GoPro, including the swing and the jump, and sends them to you after the tour.
What should I bring?
Swimsuit, shoes that stay on in the water, a towel and a change of clothes. Leave valuables in the car or in the lockers — see what to bring to Rio Celeste.
Make it a full day
- Tubing + Tenorio Volcano National Park ticket — add the waterfall and the blue lagoon.
- Tubing + typical Costa Rican lunch — casado and coffee after the river.
- Hiking + tubing + lunch — the full day, guided.
Guides before you book
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Excellent guides, and the tour, the fruit, the staff — everything.
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We had a wonderful time on the Rio Celeste tubing tour! Our guide was fantastic and made the experience even more special. He showed us so many incredible animals, including spider monkeys, sloths and beautiful green frogs.
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Carlos's attention and the tubing with Alejandro were spectacular. They were waiting with a warm towel after the tubing because it was quite cold, and back at the shop there were bottles of water and sliced fruit.
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We had an absolute blast! The rapids were extremely fun and our guide Elmer was fantastic at guiding us down the river, talking about the animals we saw, and we even stopped to jump into the river.
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Superb experience with very friendly guides. We came with two children, one of them not very confident about this kind of activity, and it was incredible for everyone.
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What a fun experience, totally recommendable! I want to highlight guide Dilan, wonderful in both attitude and professionalism, and the whole team who managed it.
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What an experience! We had a great time! Elmer and Luis are the best guides, no doubt!
