Aim to arrive by 8:00 AM, when the park opens, in order to fully enjoy all that the nature reserve has to offer. Its a 10-minute drive from the center of the town of La Fortuna. Or maybe it's all those aluminosilicates that naturally occur in the water. The way is in perfect condition until the parking lot of the reserve, and then the descent down the trails. With a 90 meters height and water thats waist-deep, Del Toro waterfall is perfect for beginners in swimming and kids. From the other side of the bridge, you will see the beautiful 80-foot waterfall as well as the turquoise pools below. The Diamante waterfall is the highest waterfall in Costa Rica, with a whopping 200 meters drop. Thanks to the eagle eyes of both of them, we had the opportunity to observe a variety of animals in Costa Rica. This waterfall is one of the most beautiful ones I have seen in person, and over this one is one of the longest hanging bridges in Costa Rica. Five Best Waterfalls - Costa Rica Bask in the sun, play in the waves and search for wildlife in Manuel Antonio National Park. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Made up of bright orange rock and sky-blue water, the first twin stands 80 tall and spills into a rocky river below. Situated in the biological reserve of the Arenal Volcano, the La Fortuna Waterfall is a mind-blowingly attractive junction of falling water and a deep pool of cerulean. Happily I write some words to you in English, so you can easily forward them also to Ara Tours, please. In Monteverde we did a Hanging Bridges and Zipline tour and in Nosara a surf course. Barrier-free: Accessible until the viewpoint. Hello Pedro, our time in CR is coming to an end and we wanted to say "thank you very much for organizing a phenomenal week". The trails to explore the park are well marked and pretty low impact, but there are quite a few stairs. Contrary to the plans before the stay, we do not want to visit more animals in captivity at the end. April 21, 2017 Last Updated on June 8, 2023. Hello Christine Thank you very much for this information. Its a great first stop if youre flying into Liberia Airport, as the Llanos de Cortez waterfall is in Bagaces just 16 miles south of Liberia. Costa Rica is one of the most visited international destinations, and for good reason. Del Toro waterfall is in the Bajos Del Toro town of Costa Rica and is an extremely popular spot for swimming. We would like to thank you personally for this beautiful trip that you organised for us and for the follow-up that you did throughout the stay. This email address is being protected from spambots. The water is just that blue due to minerals in the water and the way they react to light. Located off-the-beaten-path of the typical tourist trail, Bajos del Toro is home to some seriously stunning hidden gems, particularly waterfalls. The forest is full of all shades of green and fascinating wildlife. Youll be crossing rivers, rock hopping along slippery rocks, and using the aid of ropes to get you down and up particularly steep sections of trail. It involved rugged off-trail hiking through the cloud forest, along very steep, muddy, and slippery terrain. We take a lot of positive memories with us. We have done many trips before, but this one was an unforgettable experience thanks to Carlos. A concrete path cuts through the jungle en route to Rio Celeste Waterfall and is an easy trek, but it does have some stairs. 7 Best Waterfalls in Costa Rica (PHOTOS) James Kaiser With a depth of 3 meters, the Uvita waterfall is one of the most famous waterfalls in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, owing to its close proximity to the parking lot. Because Bajos del Toro is still a bit off the radar, these falls, despite how gorgeous they are, dont quite get the crowds of other Costa Rica waterfalls on this list (although this might change soon!). The hike is on a gravel road and moderate with many curves up and down the side of a cliff. Thank you again for helping us with all these changes.Im glad we choose ARA-you are amazing! With various steppingstones distributing the outpour of water, Savegre Waterfall is a cozy nook thats as dreamy and magical as your favorite fairy-tale. Because of its tropical climate and seven-month rainy season, Costa Rica is filled with hundreds of waterfalls, which makes compiling a list of the best a bit challenging. We even became friends and we will meet in Switzerland coming September! They had lunch nearby in Ara Ambigua Lodge, and they loved this place. You can stop at many viewpoints on the way back up if you need to take a breather. Your email address will not be published. Horseback riding and truck rides cost a bit more, but they get you to the falls faster. Scott Setterberg is an award-winning professional photographer with nearly 30 years of landscape photography experience. Catch a glimpse of the Poas Volcano's crater and the Arenal Volcano's shape in the landscape. Print/PDF map. Click here to find all eco-lodges in Puntarenas. Visiting both the Blue Falls and Catarata del Toro is a great way to see up to 8 of Costa Ricas best waterfalls in just a single day! Click here to find all eco-lodges in Alajuela. Here are five waterfalls you cant miss while in Costa Rica. The support is super many thanks Gruss. perfect tour perfect tour guide pablo, everything very well organised were thrilled. The visits you organised were all very interesting and gave us a great insight into the respective topics. In any case, we will warmly recommend you and hope for a next time. La Paz Waterfall Gardens, Cloud Forest Located in the Cloud Forest outside of San Jose, t he La Paz Waterfall Gardens is the most visited privately-owned ecological attraction in Costa Rica and for good reason! The waterfall of la Paz covers an area of about 27 hectares and flows in the middle of the exuberant forest. Interestingly, the Diamante waterfalls are made up of twin waterfalls and lie on a family property but are luckily available to tourists through guided tours. The Nauyaca Waterfalls are located in an ideal spot to reach with kids because they are reached through guided tours, horseback, walks, and hikes. Catarata La Leona is one of the best waterfalls in Costa Rica. *This post may contain affiliate links. WHERE TO STAY The closest eco-lodge is Hacienda Guachipelin (check availability). The top waterfall has a drop of about 15 feet and you can jump from the top into the pool or take the rope swing hanging from the tree. Templo Because Templo is located at La Paz Waterfall Gardens, it is often mislabeled as La Paz, yet the two waterfalls are very different. Have an amazing time in Costa Rica you will love it! The fact that the Ticos are very friendly and always ready to help was fully confirmed. and we will be pleased to help you to plan and book your trip to Costa Rica. It was a wonderful way to experience this beautiful country the way we did, on a private tour with personal guide and drivers. Carlos speaks very good German and was able to sensitively introduce us to Costa Rica, its incomparable nature and its great, friendly inhabitants. Bajos del Toro is a small mountain town in the cloud forest of central Costa Rica, located about an hour and a half from the bustling city of San Jose. While not the tallest of the five, Templo is my favorite, due to the surrounding area that allows for close ups and wide-angle perspectives that are both equally amazing. We can only recommend Ara Tours. Due to easy access, many creative compositions can be captured at Llanos de Cortez, like the shot below looking through the trees. Hike at treetop level and glide above the forest on a zip line and hike. Unfortunately, our wonderful trip is already over and everyday life has caught up with us again. Thanks again to Nicole for the great planning of the tour and the support. Copyright 2009-2023 The Costa Rica News / 14 Years of Pura Vida in Costa Rica / Alternative News For Costa Rica /. We will have a look at the few hours before we leave. Whether the hotel in beautiful Punta Leona, the tours to the national parks, even the shuttle service with the great driver Guillerno Ortega has to be mentioned here. The waterfall is located on the Aquiares Coffee Farm, which claims to be the largest coffee farm in Costa Rica. Costa Rica Waterfall Map - Eco Lodges Anywhere The hike to La Cangreja is not for the weak and begins at the visitor center near the base of the active Rincn de la Vieja volcano. Especially we praise our brilliant guide Fernando Perez, we benefited so much from his truly wide knowledge and deep love for his Country which he passed on in lovely encouraging way. It may not be the biggest, or tallest, or bluest waterfall in Costa Rica, but thats ok. Uvita Falls has its own thing going for it its a natural waterslide! Altogether holding an impressive height of 65 meters, Nauyaca Falls is one of the best waterfalls in Costa Rica. Length 0.6 miElevation gain 311 ftRoute type Out & back. At the bottom, you can enjoy the falls and take a dip in its pool. 5 Unforgettable Waterfalls Near Playas del Coco - Let's Travel Costa Rica If you're looking for a true adventure, then the Blue Falls are the best waterfalls to visit in Costa Rica, hands-down. So, lets get to it! 15 Things to Know Before Visiting Uvita Waterfall - Costa Rica Travel Life Photos (36) Directions. Im glad we are back on track. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. The path to the base of the falls is a mixture of dirt trails and 700 concrete stairs with many incredible viewpoints on the way down. Length: 5.9 mi Est. And dont forget to climb with caution on the rocks behind the waterfall for a behind-the-scenes view. Youll need to walk about a third of a mile through the coffee plantations of the Aquiares village to find the Aquiares Waterfall, but its marked well on Google Maps. Note: Depending on how high the water is, the second waterfall might be out of reach, but when the water is low, it's easy to wade through to discover the hidden gem. A slide worthy of a picture or video! 5 miles. If your kids get tired easily or cant make long distances, then Llanos de Cortez is perfect for them. Moderate 4.6 (22) Tilarn, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Due to its magnificent turquoise water, Rio Celeste is without question, Costa Rica's most famous waterfall. The support by Carlos was just great. We would like to thank you once again for organizing our trip [] through the beautiful country of Costa Rica. Length: 0.6 mi Est. As we have already told Simone, the stay at Lapa Rios is extremely enriching, thanks to the well planned planting and the untouched environment we see a lot of animals. The drive should take about 30 minutes in a rental car or taxi. To start with a quick Spanish 101 cascada means small waterfall, catarata means huge waterfall. The trip was wonderful! The guest highly appreciate it!! We already know Costa Rica, so we knew what we wanted and what not. In summary, it was a wonderful holiday. The Cataratas Las Gemelas is said to be challenging but the vibrant blue color is worth it. South Pacific - Uvita Waterfall The South Pacific of Costa Rica is full of waterfalls due to the verdant jungle and surrounding mountains. Amazing photos and helpful tips. Some of them are fairly hidden and you need to go on tour to get there. Thanks Jenny for the clear answer. Just be prepared to spend a full day and take lunch and plenty of water because there are no services available after leaving the visitor center. The Campesinos Waterfalls is a scattered waterfall that is tucked in a private enclosure of the Costa Rican rainforest in Quepos. La Cangreja Waterfall in Costa Rica. Best waterfall hike 7.5 miles (12km) round-trip, 3 hours, moderate. All the best I can only recommend ARA Tours. Templo is the first of five rainforest waterfalls at La Paz Waterfall Gardens, and like I mentioned earlier, La Paz is the last. In my opinion, this is the #1 of the Top 5 in Costa Rica and many others in the list of waterfalls of our world, and thats because of its unique colour and beauty. Here you will find a beautiful environmental diversity, picturesque forests, cliffs, and a rope swing suspended in the air. The Toro Waterfall is one of the highest in the country with 90 meters of fall. Also with the doctor Ara Tours helped with translations by phone - that was very, very good! The conclusion in Quepos was crowning. Due to its lengthy rainy season and tropical climate, Costa Rica is home to an endless supply of spectacular waterfalls that survive year-round. WHERE TO STAY The closest eco-lodge is Arenas Del Mar (check availability). Popular for being a land of volcanoes, beaches, and several landmarks, Costa Rica also has numerous waterfalls that attract not only eco-tourists but many people worldwide. The best part is you do not need a guided tour to get here. Its a giant multi-tiered waterfall set in a beautiful jungle location, and its quite accessible. Connect with Tessa Instagram | Twitter | YouTube, Posted In: CENTRAL AMERICA, COSTA RICA Tags: CENTRAL AMERICA, Costa Rica, TESSA TORRENTE, WATERFALLS. Only a 10-15 minutes walk from the waterfall, Cascada Elysiana is the ideal option for those who want to get a private or romantic getaway, away from the public eyes. La Fortuna Waterfall of Arenal National Park Located in the famous Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna is one of the most visited waterfalls in Costa Rica. The 19 Best Waterfalls in Costa Rica to Visit in 2021 - Jasmine Alley 11 Wonderful Waterfalls in Costa Rica (Plus One Secret One!) - MytanFeet The Aquiares Waterfall, located in Turrialba, is off the beaten path and a favorite among Ticos, as Costa Ricans call themselves. The river is quite cold, but that is no reason to not enjoy a bath in it. If you book a stay or tour through the link provided, we will receive a small . Located in a very dry, forested area, La Cangreja is an incredible sight to behold. But, if youre staying at the Peace Lodge, which is located quite near to the wildlife park, then the La Paz Waterfall is only a stones throw from you. It combines beauty, brains, and brawn, offering outstanding performance in a compact and portable package. Click here to find all eco-lodges in Guanacaste. Not at all touristy perceived, you were also allowed to look at the house there and Mrs. Neumann found it also a great experience for their children. Llanos de Corts is just 3 hours away from San Jos. 5) Montezuma Waterfall. We visited the waterfall in La Fortuna and had a great view of the Arenal. If youre planning on taking a hike that will give you literal chills, then cruising through this gorgeous wildlife reserve and gazing over the mystical waterfall is a trip worth everything. We hope this guide has given you some ideas for your next Costa Rica adventure! The park is located 15 miles north of Alajuela. With lush tropical rainforests, dramatic volcanic hot springs, and endless waterfalls thanks to the verdant jungle and surrounding mountains, its no wonder that travelers go to Costa Rica to experience some of the richest biodiversity on the planet. Click here to find all eco-lodges in Puntarenas. Despite that, there are several Costa Rica waterfalls that stand out fromthe rest, and here's a detailed list that should be on every photographer's radar. It costs $8 to get in and can be paid in cash with US dollars or the local currency, Costa Rican colones. Hop back into the van to discover the last waterfall. Within that atmosphere, its hard to believe that a spectacular waterfall could survive year-round, but there is one that does, and its called Llanos de Cortez. There are three options for getting to Nauyaca Falls, all handled through the office before entering the property. While the Recreative Park is itself closed off temporarily, the gorgeous waterfall is luckily still reachable thanks to the generosity of the landowner, who has opened up an alternative route. Via Whats App we got immediate answers to our questions, with the car everything worked out great. The waterfall is found in the small town of Curubande on Finca Don Rafs, which is a private estate owned by a local family, therefore you must go with a guide to get to this waterfall. That was a highlight compared to other incoming agents worldwide! 22m. Where to stay. The owners of this waterfall have created a number of beautiful viewpoints along the path, but note that it is a steep descent to the base of the waterfall. If so, we would love hear For now, its free to enter the park, but thats likely to change as the Llanos de Cortez waterfall continues to grow in popularity. Super organization and at any time quick info / help / support from you! We liked it very much. The fall is truly spectacular with 200 feet of powerful water spillage over multiple tiers of rocks. Uvita Falls is located right in the town of Uvita down an unpaved road thats a little rough, but still manageable with a regular 2WD car. 2021-2023 Eco Lodges Anywhere. To reach the basin of the 230-foot-tall waterfall youll have to go down 530 concrete stairs with railings. While Costa Rica brims with waterfalls, sometimes its ideal to go somewhere thats a hidden gem. Thank you very much and keep me informed if there are any interesting offers. We flew back home very happy and with many great impressions. We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. La Paz Waterfall One of the waterfalls that you cannot miss in Costa Rica is La Paz. Please share your experience in the comments below! But, if you dont have a 4x4, you can simply leave your car parked at the office and walk from there. Many thanks and great praise to our tour guide Mauricio and our bus driver Adrian! The beauty of this place has been recognized in the whole world. The Nauyaca Falls is divided into several waterfalls, and theyre perfectly safe for families too. Thank you very much for your email and the tickets. Each waterfall entrance costs between $10 $20. The six-mile round-trip hike takes you through thick forests, across jungle streams, and into wide-open, sun-drenched spaces. Its so beautiful and in such a picturesque jungle setting that its easy to overlook the crowds. Do you want to see those waterfalls with your own eyes? Many tours include the access fee, lunch, and the horseback ride for approximately $50-65 per person. Buying a mirrorless camera doesnt have to be expensive. Everything worked out great and the tour was just perfectly planned and organized. Therefore, I will give you a list of the TOP 5 waterfalls, which I think are the best ones you can see in Costa Rica. Also from there, you can only see the first waterfall, and miss out on the second cascade as well as the wall of mini waterfalls. Learn all about a great option in this Canon EOS R10 review! La Fortuna waterfall is a friendly swimming pool too! Then, a short walk through the dense cloud forest will bring you to a set of stairsand there are a lot of themabout 700 of them. WHERE TO STAY The closest eco-lodges are Los Campesinos Ecolodge and Arenas Del Mar (check availability). Note: If you arrive in the morning, the horseback and 4x4 options offer traditional Costa Rican breakfast and lunch at the home of Don Lulo, the property's original owner. It has a beautiful view and the water is very clean and refreshing. These cameras are excellent for still imaging and video alike! Flowing over a wall of rocks and through luscious, thick vines from the rainforest, Llanos de Cortez is a heavenly retreat. Located in a preserved area of the rainforest in the southern part of San Jose province, the Diamante waterfalls can be seen afar on hikes and trails thanks to their impressive height. This place is a must-visit if you plan on visiting Uvita, Dominical, or Manuel Antonio. We went at around 10 am and there were a few people there, but it was't too busy. Uvita Waterfall is a super easily accessible waterfall that will only cost you $2. A misstep here could prove to be fatal. Subscribe for exclusive city guides, travel videos, trip giveaways and more! WHERE TO STAY The Peace Lodge is not an eco-lodge. Wow you need to go and do some waterfall chasing Allison! Many tourists swim in the cool pools to cool off the Costa Rican heat during the summers and often choose to rappel or zipline over the waterfall too. The entrance fee is a bit pricey, at $18 USD per person, but we thought it was worth it to experience this falls. What an amazing park, so quiet for tourists, so full of animals, really lovely and therefore together with Monte Verde, Cahuita and Corcovado the park today, Cabo Blanco, scores high in our ranking of most beautiful parks of CR.These parks give us reason, together with the Pura Vida in CR, to come back soon. A little warning, though, the waterfall is not suitable for swimming due to its chemical nature, but you only need to take one look at this popular turquoise water to enjoy. We saw and learnt sooo much - it would have been impossible to do so on our own. We also had a guide - his name is Enrique. If you want to enjoy it to the fullest and know your curious facts you can choose to visit it through a tour. The Rio Celeste Waterfall is located within the Tenorio Volcano National Park. Because of the elevation, clouds often roll in and add drama to photos, and if you're lucky, you might even see howler monkeys swinging on tree branches and vines. Through Whatsapp reachability the service was great, very quick answers / very flexible, good suggestions etc. After that, you have to walk down the trails, which are three kilometres (6 in total with the way back) and walk down many stairs. Costa Rica is a country that has a great diversity of natural options to steal the breath of all nature lovers. In all locations we were treated very warmly and nicely. However, if you do arrive, you are welcome to swim in the lake below. The 5 Most Famous Waterfalls To start with a quick Spanish 101 " cascada " means small waterfall, " catarata " means huge waterfall. Maybe you can join our Bali retreat we will be going to some hidden waterfalls! La Fortuna Waterfall is probably Costa Rica's most well-known waterfall. Try this 0.6-mile out-and-back trail near Tilarn, Guanacaste. If you are staying somewhere else, you need to pay an entrance fee. There are tiny waterfalls everywhere in Costa Rica and you will see lots of handmade signs that simply say Catarata with an arrow pointing to a turnoff on the main road. Nauyaca Waterfall is located in the Dominical area and is a very popular attraction. On my recent trip I visited seven different waterfalls and I still felt like I was barely scratching the surface! I am very very satisfied and very happy with the choices you made! We really appreciate how quickly and efficiently you deal with our requests each time! Here are the five easiest waterfalls to reach with kids: The La Fortuna Waterfall really takes the lead with being such a great tourist spot. In fact, there are three ways to get to it. Its the best place for nature lovers. It is impressive how you manage the crisis with your super flow of information and the great reversal. There are plenty of business mistakes you might make that could endanger your new photography business. 1. There are so many awesome waterfalls in Costa Rica that its really hard to go wrong with any of them. Be Dazzled by the Incomparable Isla de Coco Beach. Others like Uvita waterfall are easily accessible. Its best if you pair up with a local tour company to take your kids to the Nauyaca Waterfalls because you can even request horseback rides so you or your little munchkins wont have to do much. You can hike to it, take a horseback ride, or even ride in the back of a truck. We all enjoyed it very much; the nature is enormous, but also the warm-hearted people, the cleanliness, the food - we are very enthusiastic! Also, note that swimming is not allowed in these pools, however, hikers can walk through the incredible surroundings to see different colors of rock and an unbelievable amount of bird life and plant life. Hiking is the cheapest option, costing just the entry fee of $10 per person. Encanto Waterfall is inside La Cangreja National Park, in the province of San Jose. From the trailhead, its a 2.5 mile walk, mostly along a wide dirt road, through the countryside. And the temperature of the La Fortuna Waterfall is really comfortable, so you wont be shivering or sweating at all!