Explore the rain forest around Arenal on this horseback riding adventure that takes you to the enchanting, sky-blue waters of the Rio Celeste. Here you are free to swim in a natural river pool and splash into the water on a giant Tarzan swing — things you can't do inside Arenal Volcano National Park. Well-trained horses and a local guide help ensure a safe, one-of-a-kind experience near La Fortuna.

Explore the jungle on horseback to avoid fatigue
Swim in the Rio Celeste, made bright blue by a mineral reaction
No experience necessary; horses are matched with each rider's ability
Boutique tour operator is locally owned and known for personal service

What's Included

Local Professional Guide

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

Calle Asentamiento el Pilón
Calle Asentamiento el Pilón, Provincia de Alajuela, Guatuso, Costa Rica
1/2 Mile Northwest from Station El Pilon Tenorio National Park (waterfall entrance) in the Guatuso direction, then turn left in the grave road continue 1/2 mile turn left in front of the local School and continue 1/2 mile on left side before the La Posada Rest and Hotel

Start time

Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.

Opening hours

9/13/2019 - 3/22/2024
Monday - Sunday : 07:00 am - 04:00 pm

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Rio Celeste

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation

Infants must sit on laps
Most travellers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveller Photos

Featured review

Lissette_F

This was an amazing ride to the rio Celeste waterfall! David was the best tour guide! With amazing horses! He lets you walk or run them if you like! Which is an amazing experience because he has well trained horses! He also takes you to a Tarzan swing and let’s you swing off a hidden swing! Very fun! Highly recommend this tour especially if you love horses!

Reviews

5.0

98 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travellers.

Showing 1-10 of 98 reviews

Magical experience

Anne_G, May 2023

David was exceptional, funny and knowledgeable. He spotted a sloth on our way down to the Tarzan swing and took the time to make sure we all got a glimpse. Loved swimming in the pool, adventurous and great for the whole family.

The tour was just so...

Grace_O, Apr 2023

The tour was just so nice.... Nice ride into the surrounding area. The horses in the group were so lovely and calm...anyone could ride one. David the guide was just so nice, patient and funny ensuring everyone had such an amazing experience. Highly recommend. The only thing is to make sure you are driving to the location the right way. We came the opposite way (should have checked the map!) And the roads were terrible! Also nice place for lunch and amazing refreshing drinks at the starting point to refresh after

This tour couldn't have...

Shari_M, Apr 2023

This tour couldn't have been better. David was a fabulous host and we had so much fun there is swimming in the beautiful blue Rio Celeste and Horseback Riding and a surprise where photos and videos are a must. I recommend this for anyone! All 🤩

Great experience!

Jenny_B, Apr 2023

This was such a fun experience! The owner is so kind and he really wants everyone to have a great time. It’s totally worth going.

We love the tour with...

Connie_Z, Apr 2023

We love the tour with David, my daughter had lots of fun with riding the horse and swimming in the river. We ended up getting a very delicious lunch at David’s restaurant. IT’s recommended for everyone.

Best Views and Horses!

Brett_R, Mar 2023

Outstanding guide David will go out of his way to make your vacation special. Great fun ride down the mountains. Incredible views. A great swing!

Fun Fun Fun

Brenda_S, Mar 2023

The horses were super calm and smart. Great for first time riders. Our tour guids were very helpful and fun. The rio was beautiful!!! That's an understatement! Definitly a must see. We got to swim take pictures and eat yummy fruit.

Bad horses

Jahyra_M, Feb 2023

3/10 horses are not trained for tourists bad experience I could of got hurt extremely bad horses weren’t trained guide couldn’t handle them

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Hi, friend. I'm very sorry for your bad experience, but I don't know why you say that, if the horses are there for tourists, I don't know exactly what happened? Can you tell me the name of the guide please; thank you so much.

Great for a family to experience.

Danielle_H, Feb 2023

Carlos and David provided a wonderful experience for my family and me. We had a great experience horseback riding and swimming in the celeste river. We got to see 4 sloths, hawks, and an a very cool owl. The Tarzan swing was great for our kids ages 1, 4 and 11. I loved swinging over the tops of the trees and looking down into the rain forest. It was absolutely beautiful riding through the mountains.

Beauty

Victoria_C, Feb 2023

Loved the horse so much and our guides were so kind. The ride was muddy but beautiful. We were able to swing on a huge swing that cast you out over the trees and the view was amazing. Once we got to the Rio Celeste it was stunning, so beautiful. Very cold but worth every moment!

A must do experience!

Tamara_S, Feb 2023

Highly recommend to anyone traveling to Costa Rico! David and Hector were phenomenal guides. They were professional, personable, and made sure everyone was having fun! They shared bits of history along the way. We will definitely use them on our next visit!

Great opportunity

Myra_S, Feb 2023

I was completely nervous about riding a horse but the group I was traveling with wanted to go. Hector was so wonderful! He could see how nervous I was and took the lead so my horse just followed his. Don’t be nervous and just do it. The horse ride was about 30 min down the hill. The river was so beautiful! Well worth everything! We got the river all to ourselves and loved it. We were at the river for about 40 min. The ride back up was way easier and then he took some of the group galloping which they loved.

Hector was a great guide....

Aoibheann_N, Dec 2022

Hector was a great guide. I was nervous going downwards but he was very helpful and patient with me.

Fun filled with a view

Candice_B, Oct 2022

We had a great experience riding the horses with our family. We took small children and it was a very nice and relaxing.

Stunning views!

Elizabeth_A, Oct 2022

I had a great experience horseback riding with David! He was very kind and made us feel very secure with his horses. Rio Celeste stunning! After swimming, we went back to his restaurant and had lunch. Super delicious and quick service! Definitely recommend his tours and food service! Muchísimas gracias por todo David! Pura vida!

Diamond in the rough

Brittany_L, Sept 2022

Such a pleasant experience to discover the beautiful Rio Celeste on horseback. The host paired us with the perfect horses to match our personalities. We had so much fun and would highly recommend.

Wonderful Tour

JaredM, Aug 2022

We had a very fun time. Hector was a terrific guide and gave us as much time as we wanted at the river to swim. An excellent morning and one of our favorite memories from Costa Rica.

Highly recommend

Harley_D, Aug 2022

Hector was our tour guide and this has to be one of the highlights of our trip. Prior to this I only ridden a horse once and was slightly terrified. This experience was soooo fun and Hector was extremely knowledgeable of the area. We saw sloths, frogs, and toucans. We even went while it was raining and it was still so fun. You also get to go fast and gallop on the horse so that was amazing too.

Great experience!

Miranda_T, July 2022

Hector was a wonderful guide and our experience was great! He was knowledgeable on the plants and wild life and we even got to see a sloth!

Freaking amazing

Samantha_E, June 2022

This was the most amazing experience. Owner is such a nice man and hard worker. He will give you an experience of a lifetime I promise. I will be back for sure. Recommend highly.