A sloth tour in Guanacaste is one of the most requested experiences for travelers staying in Tamarindo, and for good reason: watching a wild sloth in the treetops is unforgettable for children and adults alike. Our full-day trip combines a guided sloth tour with a swim at the Llanos de Cortés waterfall and a Costa Rican lunch. This guide from Tamarindo Estuary Tours Mi Rey explains the two kinds of sloths you may see, how sightings work, what the waterfall is like and how the day is organized.
Short answer: the Sloths and Llanos de Cortés Waterfall tour costs $185 per person (minimum 4 people), leaves Tamarindo at 6:30 am and returns around 6 pm. It includes the sloth tour, the Llanos de Cortés waterfall, round-trip transportation, entrance tickets, bottled water, beers, juices for kids and a Costa Rican lunch (casado). Children 3 and under do not pay.
What the sloth tour in Guanacaste includes
- Guided sloth tour
- Visit to the Llanos de Cortés waterfall
- Round-trip transportation from Tamarindo (about 2.5 hours each way)
- Entrance tickets
- Bottled water, beers and juices for kids
- Costa Rican lunch (casado)
Two-toed and three-toed sloths: how to tell them apart
Costa Rica has two species of sloth, and a good guide will help you recognize both. Despite the names, both have three toes on their back feet; the difference is in the front limbs.
Two-toed sloth
- Two long claws on each front limb.
- Larger, with shaggy fur from light blond to brown and a pale face with a snout.
- Mostly active at night, so during the day it is usually asleep, curled up in a ball.
- Eats leaves, but also fruit and flowers.
Three-toed sloth
- Three claws on each front limb.
- Smaller and rounder, with a dark band around the eyes that looks like a mask and a mouth that seems to smile.
- Its fur often has a greenish tint from algae that grows in it, which helps it blend into the leaves.
- Can be active by day as well as at night, so you have a better chance of seeing it move.
Both species have a very slow metabolism, spend most of their lives hanging in the trees and climb down only about once a week to go to the bathroom.
How sloth sightings work
Sloths do not come to you. They rest high in the canopy, often motionless and folded into a ball of fur that looks like a termite nest or a clump of leaves. Spotting them is a skill, and that is what the guide brings:
- The guide scans the branches and points out each sloth, often one you would walk right past.
- Sloths stay in the same trees for days, so local knowledge makes a big difference.
- Most sightings are from below, looking up. A camera with zoom or a pair of binoculars, if you have them, makes the experience much better.
- Be patient and quiet: a sloth may slowly turn its head, stretch or start climbing while you watch.
As with all wildlife, sightings cannot be guaranteed, but sloths are among the most reliable animals to find with an experienced guide. Never touch or feed a wild sloth. If you are curious about other animals in the area, read our Tamarindo wildlife guide.
Llanos de Cortés waterfall
Llanos de Cortés, near the town of Bagaces, is one of the most photographed waterfalls in Guanacaste. Instead of a tall, narrow drop, it is a wide curtain of water that falls into a large pool with a sandy shore, almost like a small beach in the middle of the forest. A short walk takes you from the entrance down to the water.
- Swimming: the pool is a popular place to cool off, with calmer areas near the shore.
- Season: in the dry season the water is usually calmer and clearer; in the green season the waterfall is fuller and more powerful.
Compared with La Leona, where you hike along a river and into a canyon, Llanos de Cortés is much easier to reach. See our La Leona waterfall guide if you want the more adventurous option.
Schedule of the day
- 6:30 am: pickup in Tamarindo. We confirm the details by WhatsApp after you book.
- Morning: drive inland, about 2.5 hours, and the sloth tour.
- Midday: Costa Rican lunch.
- Afternoon: time at the Llanos de Cortés waterfall.
- Around 6 pm: return to Tamarindo.
The order of the stops can change with the day and the weather; your guide will explain the plan when you set off.
Who this tour suits
This is the most family-friendly of our full-day trips: the walking is generally easy, the waterfall is accessible and children love finding sloths. It is a long day in the vehicle, so bring snacks for younger kids. Read things to do in Tamarindo with kids for more family ideas.
Price and booking
- $185 per person, minimum 4 people. Children 3 and under do not pay.
- Deposit of $75 per person online; the balance is paid in cash, in US dollars or colones, on the day of the tour.
- Pickup in Tamarindo is usually included; farther areas have an extra cost, paid to the driver.
- Cancel at least 24 hours in advance and we refund your deposit.
To compare all three full days, read our overview of day trips from Tamarindo.
Book Sloths and Llanos de Cortés Waterfall with Tamarindo Estuary Tours Mi Rey. Short on time? The estuary boat tour shows you crocodiles, birds and howler monkeys in just 2 hours. Write to us on WhatsApp if you need help choosing.
Book these tours
Sloths and Llanos de Cortés Waterfall$185 per personSee tour and book →
La Leona Waterfall Tour$160 per personSee tour and book →
Shared Boat Tour (Mangrove Safari)$40 per personSee tour and book →
Frequently asked questions
Are sloths guaranteed on the sloth tour?
Sloths are wild animals, so no sighting can be guaranteed. They move very little and stay in the same trees for days, which is why a guide who knows the area gives you a very good chance of seeing them.
Can we touch or hold the sloths?
No. These are wild sloths in their habitat, and touching them causes stress and can harm them. You watch them from a respectful distance, which is also when they behave naturally.
Can you swim at Llanos de Cortés waterfall?
Yes, the pool at the base is a popular place to swim, with calmer areas near the shore. Follow the guide and any signs at the site, especially when the river carries more water.
How long is the drive to the sloth tour from Tamarindo?
About 2.5 hours each way. The tour leaves at 6:30 am and returns around 6 pm.
What should I wear on the sloth and waterfall tour?
Comfortable clothes, sunglasses, a hat, repellent and sunblock, plus a camera. Add a swimsuit and a towel if you plan to swim at the waterfall.
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