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Costa Rica Waterfalls
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About Costa Rica Waterfalls
When it comes to ecotourism Costa Rica always stands out without a doubt, featuring among the top 5 and top 10 travel destinations in the world. Costa Rica offers many options for nature lovers, and if waterfalls are something you want to experience to the fullest, then Costa Rica, located in Central America, must be your next stop.
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Short on time? Read this: Ready, Set, Wet! The 5 Best Waterfalls in Costa Rica
Waterfalls in Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Rio Celeste Waterfall
The waterfalls in Guanacaste are a must-see for any hiker, adventurer, or nature lover. There are many waterfalls in the area of Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast that are worth visiting. Here are some of our favorite Costa Rica waterfalls.
Endowed with spectacular natural beauty and abundant wildlife, Rio Celeste Waterfall is one of the most popular waterfalls in Costa Rica. Located in Tenorio Volcano National Park, the surreal color of its waters gives the sensation of being inside another world.
How to visit the Rio Celeste Waterfall
To get to the Rio Celeste Waterfall, you need to get to the Tenorio Volcano National Park located in the Guanacaste Volcanic Mountain Range, in northern Costa Rica. Hiring a guided tour to Rio Celeste Waterfall is optional.
The path is perfectly signposted, however, if you want details about the national park, the lush rainforest, and the fauna of the place, then you can book a tour to see the Rio Celeste Waterfall.
This waterfall comes from the Rio Celeste River, and while you’re in Tenorio Volcano National Park, you can enjoy the area’s beautiful hot springs.
Unexpected rain (even during the dry season) can surprise you, so make sure to bring a raincoat just in case. The hike to the waterfall can take an average of 3 hours from the park’s entrance, therefore, don’t forget to bring comfy shoes.
Beware that trails can get muddy. You will find loose rocks, tree branches, and over 100 stairs on your way to the glorious Rio Celeste waterfall.
- Waterfall Height: 98 feet (30 meters)
- Google Maps Link
- Schedule: Daily from 8 am – 2 pm.
- Entrance Cost: $12
Rules & Restrictions
Llanos de Cortez Waterfall
How to visit the Llanos de Cortez Waterfall
- Waterfall Height: 62 feet (19 meters)
- Google Maps Link
- Schedule: Daily from 8 am – 4 pm.
- Entrance Cost: $9
Rules & Restrictions
Oropéndola Waterfall
How to visit the Oropéndola Waterfall
The entrance to Oropéndola waterfall is through Hacienda Guachipelín, a hotel located in Liberia. You need to either buy the tickets on their website or at their front desk.
Either way, check-in at the hotel is mandatory as you need to wear a wristband to be allowed inside the property.
- Waterfall Height: 82 feet (25 meters)
- Google Maps Link
- Schedule: Daily from 6 am – 6 pm.
- Entrance Cost: $10 if you are not staying at the hotel.
Rules & Restrictions
La Leona Waterfall
How to visit La Leona Waterfall
This cascade is located in a town called Curubandé, near Rincon de la Vieja National Park, about 30 minutes away from Liberia International Airport.
You can only access this waterfall by hiring a guided tour. It is a 3 hour hike as the cascade is hidden between caves and canyons.
You need to get wet a few times, so take easy to dry clothes and a swimsuit underneath. Closed-toed shoes are recommended due to all the rocks you will encounter on the way.
It is best to visit between January and April, which are the driest months. There is an easier trail to the waterfall that doesn’t include climbing up rocks or canyons, nonetheless, making it much less adventurous and fun.
- Waterfall Height: 30 feet (9 meters)
- Google Maps Link
- Schedule: Daily from 8 am – 2 pm (2 pm is the last tour).
- Entrance Cost: $25
Rules & Restrictions
El Salto del Calvo Waterfall
Strangely unknown by many (even locals) this waterfall is not just the highest in Costa Rica, but in all Central America. The name of this cascade translates as The Jump of the Bald Man and it is composed of two imposing waterfalls separated from each other by 574 feet, which measure 350 and 300 meters high.
This giant waterfall is located in San Isidro, a town in Hojancha, Guanacaste, 8.7 miles south of the center of the canton, in the direction of the Monte Alto reserve.
How to visit El Salto del Calvo Waterfall
- Waterfall Height: 1,148 feet (350 meters)
- Google Maps Link
- Schedule: N/A
- Entrance Cost: N/A
Rules & Restrictions
Waterfalls in Alajuela, Costa Rica
La Fortuna Waterfall
The La Fortuna waterfall is one of the most visited waterfalls in Costa Rica.
It is inside a biological reserve with an area of 210 hectares of lush vegetation and transitional humid tropical forest. The La Fortuna waterfall is part of the Arenal Volcano National Park, located in the North Zone of Costa Rica, in the La Fortuna district.
The popularity of La Fortuna makes the La Fortuna Waterfall the most accessible waterfall in Costa Rica.
How to visit the La Fortuna Waterfall
To get to La Fortuna waterfall you don’t need to hire a tour guide, you can go on your own by driving or taking a taxi (there is no bus service directly to there).
From the park entrance, you have to go down a well maintained trail with a bit more than 500 steps that take an average of 15 minutes to walk.
The gorgeous view of the forest and nearby proximity to Arenal Volcano and natural hot springs makes the journey to the Fortuna Waterfall an idyllic one.
- Waterfall Height: 230 feet (70 meters)
- Google Maps Link
- Schedule: Daily from 7:30 am – 4 pm
- Entrance Cost: $18
Rules & Restrictions
#2
Del Toro Waterfall
Del Toro waterfall is located in a private property reserve between the Poas Volcano National Park and the Juan Castro Blanco National Park. This impressive 295 feet (90 meters) high cascade has the particular feature of falling into an ancient, dormant volcanic crater.
Del Toro Waterfall is known for offering one of the most beautiful landscapes in Costa Rica.
How to visit the Del Toro Waterfall
There are two trails you can take in this amazing spot. One leads to the waterfall and it is self-guided, so no tour is needed.
There are sitting areas along the path to enjoy the gorgeous view. Part of this first trail is flat and the other has some steep steps.
The second trail leads to the garden through a forest. The hike is easy and from it you can see the crater’s edge, allowing you to spot the waterfall from a variety of angles.
It takes approximately 90 minutes to go through both trails.
- Waterfall Height: 295 feet (90 meters)
- Google Maps Link
- Schedule: Monday to Saturday: 7 am – 5 pm
- Entrance Cost: $14
Rules & Restrictions
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La Paz Waterfall Gardens
The La Paz Waterfalls are a mandatory stop in Costa Rica’s Central Valley. It’s on the road leading to Arenal that connects Alajuela Province with the northern part of Costa Rica. These gardens are located in Costa Rica’s cloud forest habitat.
Even though the well-known waterfall can be observed for free from the road while passing through the cloud forest, it is best to experience La Paz, as well as a few other waterfalls inside La Paz Waterfall Gardens. You can see five waterfalls, including the Templo Waterfall, Magia Blanca Waterfall, Encantada Waterfall, Escondida Waterfall, and La Paz Waterfall inside the La Paz Waterfall Gardens.
This eco-park also has hiking trails, a wildlife sanctuary, and more.
How to visit the La Paz Waterfall
Once in La Paz Waterfall Gardens, make sure you have at least 2 hours at your disposal to enjoy this place.
There is much to see here, including a butterfly garden with Blue Morpho butterflies, a hummingbird garden, and more.
Your experience here is self-guided, so you can go at your own pace.
There is a buffet restaurant inside featuring Costa Rican food, among other options, in case you get hungry.
- Waterfall Height: 121 feet (37 meters)
- Google Maps Link
- Schedule: Every day from 8 am -5 pm
- Entrance Cost: $49 +taxes (adults), $33 +taxes (ages 3-12 years old)
Rules & Restrictions
Blue Falls
Located 3.7 miles (6 kilometers) north of Bajos del Toro, in Sarchí, Alajuela province, there is this natural wonder called Blue Falls. It is a compilation of 6 waterfalls (Tepezcuintle, Las Gemelas, La Celestial I, La Celestial II, La Turquesa, and La Pintada) that will drop your jaw to the floor.
How to visit Blue Falls
Visiting Blue Falls just north of Bajos del Toro on your own is not an option, hiring a guided tour is needed, but it is worth it and highly necessary.
To get the best of the area and enjoy these cascades to the fullest, be ready for intense bushwhacking through the cloud forest, river crossings, and some steep sections using ropes.
There are two guided tour packages available.
There is the regular Blue Falls of Costa Rica excursion ($15 adults, $7.5 children) with an approximate duration of 2-3 hours, and an extreme full tour ($50 adults, $25 children), taking an average of 5-6 hours.
- Waterfall Height: Tepezcuintle (82 feet – 25 meters), Las Gemelas (98 feet – 30 meters), La Celestial I (unknown), La Celestial II (unknown), La Turquesa (unknown), La Pintada (unknown)
- Google Maps Link
- Schedule: Monday to Saturday: 7 am to 4 pm, Sunday: closed
- Entrance Cost: $15 (adults), children pay half.
Rules & Restrictions
Waterfalls in Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Nauyaca Waterfalls
Nauyaca Waterfall is different and exotic, making it worthy of occupying the first position in a world ranking of waterfalls and cliffs for adventurers made by The Travel site. Surrounded by a dense tropical rainforest, this cascade will blow you away.
How to visit Nauyaca Waterfalls
Nauyaca Waterfalls is located along the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Specifically, it’s located in Dominical, San Isidro PZ, in Puntarenas Province, in a canyon, approximately eighty meters wide.
One of the falls is 147 feet (45 meters) high in free fall and the other is 65 feet (20 meters) high in a stepped fall. They form a natural swimming hole of approximately 10,700 sq feet (1000 sq meters) and 20 feet (6 meters) deep.
Natural pools, good for swimming and relaxing, can be found around. In Nauyaca Waterfall you can also do hiking and horseback riding.
You don’t need to hire a tour guide in order to enjoy this slice of paradise, but you do need to buy an admission ticket at the office.
- Waterfall Height: 147 feet (45 meters)
- Google Maps Link
- Schedule: Saturday from 7 am-2 pm, Sunday from 8 am-2 pm
- Entrance Cost: $10
Rules & Restrictions
Montezuma Waterfall
Located in a town called Montezuma, in the Gulf of Nicoya, this three tiered waterfall is one of the main attractions of the area.
The top waterfall is the smallest, it is about 15 feet (4.5 meters) tall, and it creates a beautiful deep pool where visitors can swim. Its depth goes from 5 to 15 feet deep.
The middle waterfall hides between the upper and lower cascades, and it drops at 40 feet (12 meters). The lower cascade is around 80 feet (24 meters), making it the biggest of the three. Together, they are called the Montezuma Waterfalls.
How to visit Montezuma Waterfall
There are two ways of getting to the Montezuma Waterfalls, either by hiking through the Riverbed trail or through the Canopy Tour Trail.
You can reach the lower waterfall and its pool after a 20-minute hike on the Riverbed trail. From there, a steep climb awaits you to reach the other two waterfalls.
From the Canopy tour trail, you can have easier access to the top two cascades, but a car or ride is needed.
- Waterfall Height: 130 feet (40 meters)
- Google Maps Link
- Schedule: Open every day, 24/7
- Entrance Cost: Free entrance, parking costs only about $2 (if you are driving).
Rules & Restrictions
Bijagual Waterfall
Bijagual Waterfall is the largest waterfall in the central Pacific and the second-largest in Costa Rica. Bordering the National Park Carara, the Bijagual waterfall offers great scenery that is difficult to forget.
Filled with wildlife, several shades of green and a fantastic view of the pacific ocean on the trail to the waterfall, get ready to be amazed.
How to visit Bijagual Waterfall
This cascade, also known as “Manantial de Agua Viva” waterfall, is located on the border between San Jose and Puntarenas, near Jaco, in the mountain town of Bijagual.
You have to pay for the entrance at the Bijagual Waterfalls lobby. A guided tour is not needed, but there are options in case you are interested.
Getting to the waterfall takes a total of approximately 2.5 hours on a moderate to difficult trail.
- Waterfall Height: 1076 feet (328 meters)
- Google Maps Link
- Schedule: Monday to Saturday: 8 am – 4 pm, Sunday: 8 am – 3 pm.
- Entrance Cost: $20 if you go hiking on your own, or about $55 if you book a horseback riding tour.
Rules & Restrictions
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Waterfalls in San Jose, Costa Rica
Diamante Waterfall
Diamante Waterfall is not only one of the highest cascades in Costa Rica, but is also the only one where you can spend the night in a cave, right behind its drop. It’s also one of the tallest waterfalls in Costa Rica. Visiting this cascade is undoubtedly a one-of-a-kind experience that you will remember for a lifetime.
How to visit Diamante Waterfall
In the town of Las Tumbas in the district of Barú, 25 minutes from Dominical and on the way to San Isidro, is the Diamond Property.
This is a private property in the tropical primary forest that contains an amazing chain of waterfalls (about 10), including the star of them all, the Diamante waterfall.
Wildlife can be seen along the way and the view is out of this world, so get your camera ready. A guided tour is required. Tour prices include lunch, dinner, breakfast, and more. You have over 5 different tours to choose from.
- Waterfall Height: 607 feet (185 meters)
- Google Maps Link
- Schedule: Every day from 8 am-4 pm, unless you choose a tour that includes spending the night in the cave.
- Entrance Cost: Depending on the chosen tour, it can go from $69+ taxes for 1 day experience to $309 + taxes for a 2-night experience with rappel
Rules & Restrictions
Campesinos Waterfall
How to visit Campesinos Waterfall
This cascade is located in San Lorenzo, a district of the Tarrazú canton, in the San Jose province. Entrance is paid at Los Campesinos Ecolodge and it includes: parking, 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) of self-guided paths, 2 suspension bridges, dressers, and access to the waterfall and natural pools.
Ecolodge offers a wide variety of tours that you can enjoy there such as a Vanilla Plantation Tour, hike to the Pacific Lookout, Horseback riding tours, and more. Accommodation is also available if you choose to stay in this magical location.
- Waterfall Height: 131 feet (40 meters)
- Google Maps Link
- Schedule: Monday-Friday: 8 am-3 pm, Saturday-Sunday: 7 am-3 pm
- Entrance Cost: $12.96
Rules & Restrictions
Best Waterfalls in Costa Rica
Highest Waterfall in Costa Rica
Best Waterfalls in Costa Rica for Swimming
Blue Falls, Llanos de Cortez, and Nauyaca Waterfalls feature as favorites for swimming. Yet, remember that the waterfalls where you are allowed to swim will also provide a great experience to do so.
Other Costa Rica Waterfalls
Enjoy the Best Waterfalls in Costa Rica
Visiting the best waterfalls in Costa Rica doesn’t translate to staring at a bunch of water falling into a river, it is actually the true definition of adventure and fantastic natural beauty. Paradisiacal trails, unexpected water springs, mind-blowing suspension bridges, hiking among caves, and evergreen forests filled with wildlife are just a short description of what you can find. Horseback riding, rappelling, swimming, and other interesting options await you while visiting waterfalls in Costa Rica.
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