Many will tell you that one of the unmissable things to do in Costa Rica is to visit a waterfall, and who am I to disagree? But there are so many waterfalls in Costa Rica, that picking which one to visit is difficult.
The good news is that most Costa Rica waterfalls are easy to reach (especially if you have your own car), so visiting is a breeze. In some cases, you can even get there on a guided tour.
My sister and I visited many beautiful waterfalls during our trip to Costa Rica. We had planned for some of them, and others just popped on our GPS device in the car as we drove around, and we decided to stop and check them out.
In this post, you will find a selection of my favorite waterfalls in Costa Rica. I have also asked some fellow travel bloggers for their pick, so you will find their recommendations too.
15 Must See Costa Rica Waterfalls
Nauyaca Waterfall
No post about the best Costa Rica waterfalls would ever be complete without Nauyaca Waterfalls! These were probably our favorite waterfall in the country among those we visited, not only because they are incredibly scenic, but also for the range of activities on offer on the site.
You will find Nauyaca Waterfalls 54 kilometers (33.5 miles) away from Manuel Antonio. If you have a car, it’s a very easy day trip from either Manuel Antonio or Uvita.
The waterfalls are made of two main jumps, a taller one which you can admire from a viewing platform, and another one at the bottom of which you will find a beautiful natural pool where it is fun to swim – though the current is very strong.
You have several options to get to this waterfalls. You can hike from the main access point (a short drive from the ticket office located on the main street): it’s a straightforward 8 km (about 5 miles) hike roundtrip.
Alternatively, you can hop on a jeep that departs from the same spot or ride a horse. If you want to do ride a horse or the jeep, you need to make a reservation via the official website as availability can be limited in peak season.
It takes about one hour to drive to Nauyaca Waterfalls from Manuel Antonio, and just 30 minutes from Uvita. You’ll have to drive along Highway 34 and turn onto Road 243 until you reach the ticket office which will be on your right.
If you don’t have a car, I recommend this tour starting from Manuel Antonio that includes transportation. Horse riding or the jeep tour are an add-on, otherwise you will have to hike.
My post A Useful Guide To Nauyaca Waterfalls provides more detailed information that will help you visit this incredible place.
Salto de Gamalotillo
Megan, Let’s Jet Kids!
In the Punatenas province, about an hour from Manuel Antonio is the beautiful Catarata Salto de Gamalotillo.
This waterfall is located on a large property that transferred ownership back in 2020. The new owner is a pleasant, hospitable woman who truly envisions Salto de Gamalotillo as a great, relaxing, fun place for families and groups of friends to hang out all day.
There are many great highlights of Salto de Gamalotillo. One is that it’s very family-friendly. Young ones can wade in the water near the shoreline while adults will enjoy swimming out farther for a refreshing dip. This is a great swim hole that locals hang out at as well.
Another highlight is being able to take a short hike to the top of the waterfall and jump in from the top. You’ll want good hiking sandals for better traction through the slippery dirt. Take the leap into the white, crashing falls to make sure you have plenty of vertical space to land in.
Beyond that, you can hike the trails around the area and enjoy the wildlife and birds, or just hang out in the large open area near the falls.
To make a day of it, visitors can relax in the hammocks, play on the tire swing, and spread out at the picnic tables. Salto de Gamalotillo is truly a fun place to hang out while enjoying the beautiful waterfalls of Costa Rica.
To access Catarata Salto de Gamalotillo, drive up highway 34 (from Manuel Antonio) and take a right on route 239. You’ll eventually turn left on the road to Gamalotillo (there are signs pointing you in the right direction).
Uvita Waterfall
Uvita Waterfall (also known as Cascada Oro Verde) may not be one of the most spectacular Costa Rica waterfalls, but it’s still worth visiting. It’s a nice place to hang out and cool down on a hot day, and both locals and tourists love it.
There are two ways of getting there. Via a flat trail that goes along the river at the bottom of the hill and that goes past a lovely Butterfly House. Or via a staircase by a nice local café that will take you to the best viewpoint. There’s a small fee to access.
At Uvita Waterfall, the water dives into a beautiful, deep natural pool and then continues flowing to create a series of smaller natural pools. There’s a boardwalk along the river that you can use to access the pools, as well as spots from where you can directly jump into the water, with ladders to climb back up.
The waterfall is located just outside Uvita on Calle Bejuco, and it’s easy to get there if you have a car. Otherwise, you could get a cab on the way there or ask your hotel to arrange transportation. It’s not far from Uvita so you can also walk there.
My post The Best Things To Do In Uvita highlights other fun activities in the area.
Poza Azul
Catarata Poza is one of the lesser known Costa Rica waterfalls. We literally discovered it as we were making our way from Manuel Antonio to Uvita, because the GPS in our car suggested that there was a waterfall nearby, in the small town of Dominicalito, and we decided to check it out.
It’s a lovely place, and what you may want to say it is a hidden gem – Poza Azul has a nice natural pool where you can swim and relax in complete tranquilty.
When we visited, the only people there were a couple of tourists and a group of local children who had fun climbing the sites of the natural pool, grabbing a rope and then swinging to then jump in the water.
There really isn’t much around this waterfall, and the only way to get there is by car. If you don’t have a car, you can get there by taxi from Dominicalito.
To access Poza Azul, drive up highway 34 (from Manuel Antonio or Uvita) and turn on Poza Azul Road – it will be on your left if you are coming from Manuel Antonio, and right if you are coming from Uvita.
Once you get to the parking lot, you have to follow a short trail through the forest – you can hear the waterfall nearby, and the children playing. It won’t take you more than 5 minutes to get there. However, while it is a short hike, there are some steps and it can be slippery and muddy.
Rio Celeste Waterfall
Rio Celeste waterfall is one of the most famous Costa Rica waterfalls. It is located in Tenorio Volcano National Park, one of my favorite national parks in Costa Rica.
The main peculiarity of Rio Celeste Waterfall is that its color is really blue.
According to legend, when he created the world, God painted the sky blue and washed his brush in the river, which in turn turned blue (celeste means blue in English).
Science explains us that the color is due to the presence of minerals like aluminum, silicon and oxygen that settled on the rocks and that, through the reflection of the sunlight, make the water appears this color.
To visit Rio Celeste, you will first have to access Volcano Tenorio National Park (you must book your tickets in advance via the SINAC website).
It’s an easy 30 minutes hike along a very muddy trail from the entrance of the park to the waterfall, and along the walk you will get to spot all sorts of wildlife. The final stretch to get to the waterfall is down a flight of 250 steps (which are sometimes fairly steep).
Swimming is forbidden at Rio Celeste, so you will just have to make do with the stunning views. You can also continue your walk to reach other spots in the national park – for example the borbollones, a section of the river that literally boils, and the spot where two rivers meet and you can literally see the water turning blue.
It takes about 1.5 hour drive to reach the entrance of Volcano Tenorio National Park from La Fortuna. We visited from Hotel Sueño Real which is closer and provides a shuttle service to the waterfall.
If you don’t have a car, you can consider this Rio Celeste tour that includes roundtrip transportation from La Fortuna and lunch at a local restaurant.
Make sure to read my post A Complete Guide To Visiting Rio Celeste as it will give you more accurate information and help you plan your visit.
La Fortuna Waterfall
Samantha Oppenheimer, Find Love and Travel
Costa Rica has so many incredible waterfalls, but La Fortuna Waterfall is one the most famous ones, and visiting is one of the best things to do in La Fortuna.
The waterfall is almost 61 meters (200 feet) high, and has a gorgeous jade pool of water where you can swim.
La Fortuna Waterfall is easy to access. It has a paved path and 400 stairs to climb down. Because of this, make sure to wear sturdy shoes as it can get quite muddy slippery on the way, especially if you visit in the rainy season.
On the climb down, keep an eye out for wildlife too, you can often spot monkeys here.
To get to the waterfall, you can either drive from La Fortuna (it’s a 10 minutes drive along Road 301)or take a taxi from La Fortuna. Taxi drivers will take you from the center directly to the parking lot nearby to the waterfall.
You also have the option of joining a guided tour such as this Arenal Volcano tour from La Fortuna which includes transportation, a visit to La Fortuna Waterfall and a stop at one of the many hot springs nearby.
Try to arrive as early as possible. This is one of the most popular waterfalls in Costa Rica, so it can get pretty crowded during the day.
Llanos de Cortez Waterfall
Sarah McArthur, Costa Rica Vibes
Llanos de Cortez is an impressive waterfall located within a 30 minute drive of the Liberia International Airport in the Guanacaste Province of Costa Rica.
Llanos de Cortez is a popular destination for families because there is a sandy beach area and the waterfall produces a large shallow pool that is perfect for swimming. It is a great place to bring a picnic and enjoy a few hours of fun – but remember there is a fee to pay for visiting.
It is also possible to hike to the top of the falls on the well-marked trail. Just please be careful, the rocks can be very slippery and there isn’t any railing blocking off the edge of the falls.
A visit to this waterfall makes a great day trip from the northern Guanacaste beach towns. Alternatively, the waterfall is on the route from Liberia Airport to Monteverde or La Fortuna.
The waterfall entrance is located directly off of Route 1 (the main highway). There is a sign, but it can be difficult to spot so it is best to use Waze or Google Maps for directions. Once exiting the highway onto the side road, the official entrance maintained by the municipality is on the right-hand side of the road.
There is a large parking lot for your rental car.
If you would prefer to take a tour to the falls, the best option is the Rio Celeste Hiking, Sloth Sanctuary & Llanos de Cortes Waterfall Tour. This tour goes to two waterfalls in one day and includes hotel pick-up from Tamarindo, Playa Flamingo, and Playas del Coco area hotels.
Tesoro Escondido
Carine Liberian, We Did it Our Way
Within the Bajos del Toro region, you have the aptly named Catarata Tesoro Escondido, the hidden treasure. As its name suggests, this waterfall in Costa Rica truly is a treasure to behold!
Tesoro Escondido waterfall stands tall at 49 meters (or 160 feet). The river it forges also created beautiful natural rock pools. The most notable one is Poza Esmeralda. You can swim at the foot of this waterfall and in the rock pools.
On-site, there’s also a lookout shaped like a waterdrop (la Gota), a cafe-restaurant and a few amenities – showers, bathrooms, changing rooms. They also offer glamping-style accommodations here.
Like many waterfalls in Costa Rica, this one is located on a farm. At the entrance, you purchase your tickets then hike to the waterfall. The property and trails are well-maintained. It’s easy to stay on track and there is signage around to point you to the different points of interest.
You’ll need about 45-60 minutes to hike to the waterfall. The terrain is relatively flat, but we recommend wearing sturdy sneakers. Closer to the waterfall, you’ll need to navigate on larger rocks to get to this Costa Rican waterfall.
Overall, you’ll need about 2.5-3 hours here, especially if you want to swim in the pozas and at the foot of the fall. Bring a swimsuit, towel, and snacks or a lunch to enjoy this majestic waterfall.
Catarata Tesoro Escondido is more popular with locals than with tourists. You can visit it any time. For your best chance to have the fall to yourself, make sure you head there on a weekday morning. During the rainy season, make sure you visit in the morning. If it rains, they shut the site down because of the dangers of flooding.
This waterfall in Costa Rica is located about 2 hours from San Jose. You’ll need a car to get here, but there’s no need for a guide.
Montezuma Waterfall
Marjut Jogisoo, The Smooth Escape
Montezuma Waterfall is located in northwestern Costa Rica, on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula.
Surrounded by a beautiful pristine forest, the waterfall consists of three parts, the largest of which is 25 meters (82 feet) tall. This is the part that most people visit as the other parts are harder to reach and require climbing up a steep mountainside.
At the bottom of the main waterfall, there’s a large natural pool where you can swim. On the sides of the waterfall, there are a few rocks from where you can jump into the pool below. Just check where the locals do it first to make sure it’s a safe spot to jump.
Visiting Montezuma Waterfall is a fun half-day adventure and a great addition to any Costa Rica itinerary. It’s also one of the few waterfalls in Costa Rica that you can visit for free. Be aware that there are no amenities at the waterfall so bring whatever you need.
Montezuma Waterfall is a 40-minute drive from the popular surf town of Santa Teresa. The trailhead to the waterfall is located just south of the village of Montezuma and is marked with a sign.
You have to hike for about 20 minutes along the bank of the Montezuma River to get to the main waterfall. Depending on the water levels, you might have to walk through the river in some sections of the trail so be prepared to get your shoes wet.
If you prefer to visit Montezuma Waterfall with a guide, or if you don’t have a car, you can consider this guided tour that includes a visit to the waterfall and transportation from Santa Teresa.
La Paz Waterfall
Kristin Danks, Tiny Footsteps Travel
La Paz Waterfall is located in the La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park, which is 46 km (28 miles) from the capital of Costa Rica, San Jose.
One of the best things about visiting La Paz waterfall is that there are four other waterfalls on-site at the nature garden park as well, so you get a chance to see all of them. In addition, there’s a hummingbird garden, the largest animal sanctuary in Costa Rica, and 3.5 km (2.2 miles) of walking trails.
You can’t swim at La Paz Waterfall because of how rocky the base of the falls is. However, you can get fairly close enough to it and feel the mist on your face.
There is no special gear needed to visit La Paz Waterfall, but you will need comfortable breathable clothing. The trails around the falls are well-maintained but there are a lot of stairs and uneven terrain, so you will need to prepare for a lot of walking. Good quality walking shoes are needed, as well as sun protection, a water bottle and bug repellant.
To get to La Paz Waterfall, you can either drive there from San Jose or La Fortuna (it takes less than 2 hours to get there from both locations.) Both drives will take you through beautiful scenery of Costa Rican jungle.
However, if you’re staying in San Jose then I would recommend taking a guided tour to La Paz from San Jose, ideally one that includes a visit to Poas Volcano and the Doka Coffee Farm nearby.
This day trip from San José to all three attractions is about 10 hours long, but highly worth your time as you get to see so many amazing things.
Catarata Juanilama
Juanilama Waterfall is certainly one of the most beautiful Costa Rica waterfalls, and one of the country’s best kept secret. We visited during a homestay at Santa Rosa de Pocosol, in the Alajuela Province, and fell in love with it.
As opposed to many other waterfalls in the country this is so off the beaten path that if you make the effort to visit, you will have the place to yourself.
To get there, you have to follow a trail that departs from the visitors’ center in Juanilama, a small rural community. The trail is easy to follow, but it can get muddy especially in the rainy season. It takes about one hour to reach the waterfall, with plenty of stops along the way to admire the environment and wildlife.
You can also hire a local guide for a small fee. He will help you spot local wildlife along the way. We saw various species of monkeys and even came across the footprint of a puma.
The waterfall itself is small, and there isn’t much of a pool to swim though you can certainly dip your toes in it. It’s just a very peaceful spot where you can relax away from the tourist crowds of Costa Rica.
Santa Rosa de Pocosol is about 3 hours drive from San Jose and it’s another 30 minutes to Juanilama. The best day to get there is by car or else it will be a combination of buses and various connections.
Catarata Vuelta del Cañon
Sally Rodrick, Sally Sees
Catarata Vuelta del Cañon is one of the most spectacular and unique waterfalls in Costa Rica. This two tier waterfall drops meters down a tall canyon, dripping with moss and lush greenery.
It’s not just about the looks though. Catarata Vuelta del Cañon is also unique in the fact that it is quite an adventure to get there.
To be rewarded with these epic views, you’ll need to hike around 11 km (almost 7 miles) round trip. The trail starts in a local cattle farm, and passes through rolling farmland, into misty cloud forest, and across a river 14 times.
You’ll need to have at least some experience hiking, as the trail is muddy and slippery in parts, and crossing the river so many times can be technical. Wear comfortable water shoes or sandals, or trainers you are happy to get wet. Don’t forget to bring a lot of water and snacks, as there is nothing at the waterfall.
The hard work is all worth it, when you get to experience this incredible, Jurassic Park like scene in the middle of the jungle. Most likely with no one else around! This waterfall is a real hidden gem, and the lengthy hike keeps most visitors away.
You can jump in for a swim, but be prepared, the water is chilly!
There is a small entry fee that is payable at the car park (located just up the road from the trailhead). A guide is not mandatory, but if you’re a solo traveller or apprehensive about the trail, you can organize a local guide to accompany you.
Given its remote location in Bajos del Toro, it’s best to visit Catarata Vuelta del Cañon with your own rental car. It can be reached on a day trip from San Jose (1.5 hours) or La Fortuna (1.5 hours), but it’s worth spending a few nights in Bajos del Toro as there are dozens of other waterfalls to explore in the area.
Catarata del Toro
Jessica Schmit, Uprooted Traveler
One of the most underrated waterfalls to include in your Costa Rica itinerary is Catarata del Toro, a dramatic waterfall, with water cascading more than 91 meters (300 feet) from an extinct volcanic crater into a plunge pool below.
The surrounding scenery makes the waterfall even more jaw-dropping—the water spills down a cliffside, streaked with vibrant colors from its volcanic origins, and the waterfall sits in a bowl, with impossibly lush greenery dripping from the surrounding slopes.
It seriously looks like something straight out of Jurassic Park! Plus, the waterfall is located in Bajos del Toro, a teeny town that’s off-the-beaten tourist path, so you’re likely to enjoy this waterfall all to yourself!
To reach the waterfall, you’ll need to hike a moderately challenging trail that winds approximately 3.2 km (2 miles) through the jungle, with about 142 meters (465 feet) of elevation gain down to its base.
While the hike isn’t technically challenging, it’s a good idea to bring proper hiking shoes and plenty of water to help you climb the 389 steps you’ll find along the trail!
Unfortunately, you can’t swim in Catarata del Toro, due to its powerful current, but there are other waterfalls located on the same ecological reserve (which, confusingly, is simply called “Catarata del Toro”) that you can swim in, like the famed Blue Falls of Costa Rica.
The waterfall is located a little over two hours north of San Jose or an hour and a half southeast of La Fortuna. It actually would make a great little side trip if you’re driving from the Juan Santamaría International Airport in San Jose up to La Fortuna!
Unfortunately, given Bajos del Toro’s remoteness, there’s no options for public transportation or group tours from more popular cities here.
Your best option is to drive a rental car, although there are a few tours, like this guided tour from Venecia, a nearby town.
Rio Agrio Waterfall
Ashley Jansen, Jetset Jansen
An often overlooked waterfall in Costa Rica is Rio Agrio, simply because there are several others nearby that people visit instead, like Catarata del Toro. But this waterfall hike has stunning scenery and is an easy out and back hike of 3.2 km (under 2 miles).
The entrance to the hike is a bit interesting as it’s right next to a dinosaur park for kids. The giant dinosaurs can be heard roaring during the first part of the trail, which can kind of deter people from going. But once you get far enough along the trail, the noises fade and you feel like you are deep in the rainforest.
The landscape is absolutely stunning and feels like it’s out of a movie. The path is mostly paved and takes you through the lush surroundings, across rivers with metal bridges and finally into a large opening with the waterfall.
Lots of boulders surround the waterfall and though you can’t swim in the water, there are a few benches to take in the view before heading back.
Rio Agrio is located along road 708 about two hours northwest of San Jose. The best way to get there is to rent a car and drive from the capital.
Blue Falls
Pauline Vergnet, Beeloved City
The Blue Falls are located near the town of Bajos del Toro and are a must do in Costa Rica, especially if you are looking for a lesser known option compared to Rio Celeste.
The area is home to not one but seven waterfalls that are known for their beautiful blue water. It’s a very unique sight since the water is not actually clear but indeed blue.
From the entrance, you will need to walk about 1 km (0.6 miles) before getting to the first waterfall. There are several guides on the trail who will tell you where to go.
The guides on the site count how many visitors are going to each waterfall and can therefore tell you which one is not too crowded. You can also swim in most of them but if it has been raining a lot, it won’t be recommended in some. Again, the guides will let you know which one you can swim in.
While the walk is not particularly strenuous, it’s still recommended to wear hiking shoes, especially since the stairs to some of the waterfalls can be slippery.
If you have water shoes, they will also come in handy when you go swimming.
The easiest way to get to the Blue Falls is by car. Simply set ‘Catarata del Toro’ in your GPS. This will bring you to the entrance of Catarata del Toro waterfall which is also where you can pay for the entrance for Blue Falls. You can also get a discount if you decide to visit both.
From there, you can take your car again and drive 2 minutes down the road to get to the start of the hiking path. There is a carpark in front. A member of staff will check you have a valid ticket and will let you in.
Map Of The Best Costa Rica Waterfalls
Are you wondering where the best waterfalls in Costa Rica are? I have created a best waterfalls in Costa Rica map that you can see below. This is just a selection! There are many more waterfalls in Costa Rica that are worth visiting.
Let me also point out that in order to see the best Costa Rica waterfalls, you should consider renting a car for your trip. While there are guided tours to most of the waterfalls described in this post, you will be better off with your own set of wheels so that you can travel on your own terms.
My post A Useful Guide To Renting A Car In Costa Rica shares everything you need to know before you rent a car; and my guide How To Drive In Costa Rica explains all the tricks to make the most of a road trip here.
How to use this best Costa Rica waterfalls map: This Costa Rica waterfalls map points out the waterfalls you should visit during your Costa Rica trip. You can use your computer mouse on desktop or laptop, or your fingers if you are on your smartphone, to enlarge it. When you click on the star next to the title, it will save into your Google Maps account. You can view the saved map on your smartphone or computer by clicking on “Your saved maps” in your Google Maps. You can also view it in a larger screen by clicking on “View larger map” in the top right corner.
Further Readings
These other posts will be useful when planning your trip to Costa Rica:
- Is Costa Rica Safe For Tourists?
- The Best Costa Rica Travel Tips
- The Best Things To Do In San José
- What To Do In Puerto Viejo
- The Best Things To Do In Tortuguero
- A Useful Guide To Manuel Antonio National Park
- How To Visit Marino Ballena National Park
- What To Wear In Costa Rica
- Snorkeling At Caño Island Costa Rica: 6 Best Things To Know
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