Chasing Waterfalls In Costa Rica

Piscoandbier chasing the best waterfalls in Costa Rica at Catarata Llanos de Cortez

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. Full disclosure here. As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a small commission when you use the links and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. We also run ads to keep this blog running. All opinions are always our own. Many thanks for supporting our website.

If you love waterfalls as much as we do, then look no further. In Costa Rica, your waterfall dreams are coming true!

The lush Central American country has an abundance of amazing jungle waterfalls, called catarata. Exploring waterfalls in Costa Rica is one of the top activities in Costa Rica next to discovering the country’s incredible hot springs.

There are lots of different waterfalls to discover. From smaller cascades to tall majestic falls to even a turquoise blue waterfall. Going on at least one waterfall hike in Costa Rica shouldn’t be missing on your Costa Rica vacation bucket list.

Here’s our guide to our favorite and best Costa Rica waterfalls.

Guide To The Best Costa Rica Waterfalls

Table Of Contents

Costa Rica Waterfalls Map
Catarata Llanos de Cortez Waterfall
La Fortuna Waterfall
La Paz Waterfall
Rio Celeste Waterfall
Oropendola Waterfall
Nauyaca Waterfalls
Montezuma Waterfall
Catarata Bajos del Toro Falls
Blue Falls Of Costa Rica
Waterfall Tours In Costa Rica
SUMMARY

There’s no need to go to overcrowded Bali and stand in line for that one waterfall shot that a million other people took as well. Even though traveling to Central America is becoming more and more popular, it is very pleasant and not too busy to explore these amazing and unique waterfalls in Costa Rica.

Map Of The Best Waterfalls In Costa Rica

Catarata Llanos de Cortez Waterfall

Catarata Llanos de Cortes waterfall in Costa Rica

Llanos de Cortez waterfall, also called Catarata Llanos de Cortez, is a beautiful curtain-like waterfall. It is located between Liberia and Bagaces in the Guanacaste Province.

When we visited we had the beautiful Llanos de Cortez waterfall almost to ourselves. We got lucky since we traveled off-season and we didn’t encounter a tour visiting the catarata at the same time.

Catarata Llanos de Cortes, Bagaces

You can hike up on the side of the waterfall to reach some more pools further in the back. You can even hike all the way to the top and see the falls from there overlooking the pond and jungle.

Beautiful photo spot at Llanos de Cortez waterfall.

Llanos de Cortés Price & Hours

The official entry free to Llanos de Cortez is 7 USD per person, parking included. The waterfall’s opening hours are from 8 am until 4 pm.

Getting To Llanos Cortez Waterfall Costa Rica

Catarata Llanos de Cortez is located just off of Costa Rica’s Panamericana Highway near Bagaces. When getting there by car be prepared to suddenly exit the highway without a proper exit lane.

See directions to Llanos de Cortez Waterfall here.

Llanos de Cortez Waterfall Tours

If you don’t want to rent a car, you can easily visit this beautiful waterfall via a guided tour that takes care of all the logistics.

There is a tour going to Llanos Cortes in combination with visiting Rio Celeste and a Sloth Sanctuary.

On this tour, you visit the Miravalles Volcano and the Cortéz waterfalls.

On yet another tour you get to visit the hanging bridges, a sloths sanctuary and Llanos de Cortes.

La Fortuna Waterfall

If you are staying in or around La Fortuna or the Arenal area during your Costa Rica vacation, La Fortuna waterfall, aka Catarata La Fortuna, is a must-see!

Fed by the Arenal River, Catarata La Fortuna drops an impressive 70+ meters / 250 feet deep and is one of the most famous waterfalls in Costa Rica. The waterfall in La Fortuna is a popular tourist attraction, so expect company when you visit.

How To Get To La Fortuna Waterfall Costa Rica

La Fortuna waterfall is located at the base of El Chato Volcano just outside La Fortuna in Arenal. You can easily get there in your rental car or take a taxi.

Once there, you have to climb down multiple flights of stairs to La Fortuna waterfall which have over 500 steps in total. While the hike to the waterfall isn’t long or on a rough path, it can be a bit exhausting climbing those stairs back up. But anyone that is able to climb stairs can do it, it’s just a matter of how long it is going to take.

Swimming At La Fortuna Waterfall

If you were wondering if you can swim at La Fortuna waterfall, you will be pleasantly surprised. Yes, swimming is allowed at the La Fortuna waterfall.

La Fortuna Waterfall Price & Hours

The entrance fee of about $18 is on the expensive side, but therefore everything is very well maintained and safe and after all it is a must-see Costa Rica waterfall. It is very impressive and one of the best waterfalls in Costa Rica we have visited during our trip.

The entrance hours for visitors are from 8 am in the morning until 4 pm in the late afternoon.

Vista of La Fortuna Waterfall from view platform — La Fortuna waterfall vista point

Catarata La Fortuna Waterfall Tours

There is an awesome waterfall hike tour where you’ll explore Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna waterfall, and hot springs.

On another La Fortuna waterfall tour you adventure over incredible suspension bridges in the rainforest, see the volcano and Catarata La Fortuna waterfall.

Find more La Fortuna waterfall tours here!

La Paz Waterfall

One of the top waterfalls in Costa Rica is La Paz Waterfall near San Jose. Catarata La Paz is part of the La Paz Waterfall Gardens Costa Rica and the Peace Lodge.

The La Paz Waterfall Gardens & Peace Lodge is the biggest private nature park and wildlife refuge in Costa Rica and features an amazing 5-star boutique hotel.

5 Waterfalls At La Paz Waterfall Gardens

The La Paz Waterfall is the most famous waterfall in Costa Rica. There are actually 5 falls that are located along the La Paz River surrounded by tropical rain and cloud forest.

La Paz Waterfalls

Templo
26 meters / 85 ft

Encantada
20 meters / 65 ft

Magia Blanca
37 meters / 120 ft

Escondida
5 meters / 15 ft

La Paz
34 meters / 110 ft

You can’t swim in the La Paz waterfalls.

Besides the La Paz waterfalls, you will get to see animals like jaguars, pumas, sloths, monkeys, hummingbirds, snakes, frogs, and more at the nature park.

La Paz Waterfall Gardens Hours & Prices

The entrance fee to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens is 48 USD + tax. The gardens are open year-round from 8 am to 5 pm.

Hotel guests of the Peace Lodge get free and extended entrance to the nature park.

Peace Lodge Costa Rica

The Peace Lodge at La Paz Waterfall Gardens is a 5-star rainforest boutique hotel lodge surrounded by the La Paz nature park. From the hotel room balconies, guests have breathtaking views of the Poás Volcano and the La Paz River Valley.

Check out the rooms and amazing views here!

The Springs Resort And Spa in La Fortuna is actually the Peace Lodge’s sister hotel. The hot springs resort has a similar style and has equally amazing volcano views. Check out our post about The Springs Resort & Hot Springs here.

How To Get To La Paz Waterfall Gardens

From San Jose

From San Jose Airport it takes about 45 minutes to drive to the La Paz waterfalls. The nature park is an ideal Day Trip from San Jose.

From San Jose To Arenal

If you are planning on renting a car and visiting Arenal by yourself, La Paz Waterfall Gardens nature park makes a perfect stop along the way to La Fortuna, Arenal.

From Poas Volcano National Park

From Poas Volcano National Park it will only take you 20 minutes to get to the waterfall and nature park.

La Paz Waterfalls Tour

➤ La Paz Waterfall Gardens From San José

➤ Coffee Experience, Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Tour

➤ La Paz Waterfall Gardens & Sarapiqui River Safari from San Jose

Rio Celeste Waterfall

Rio Celeste Waterfall or Catarata Rio Celeste is one of the most unique waterfalls in Costa Rica. It has the bluest waters off them all, which you can’t find anywhere else like this in the country!

Rio Celeste Waterfall Location

Catarata Rio Celeste is located in Costa Rica’s Tenorio Volcano National Park and reachable via a fairly easy hike from the main entrance of the park.

Fed by a volcanic river and due to a process called miescattering the water of Rio Celeste is actually as turquoise as you see it in the pictures.

Rio Celeste Waterfall Swimming

Unfortunately, even though the turquoise water looks very inviting to take a dip, swimming in Rio Celeste and the waterfall is not allowed.

Admiring the turquoise water of Rio Celeste waterfall at Tenorio Volcano National Park — Hiked down to Rio Celeste waterfall

Rio Celeste Hike

There is the option to hike further into the jungle, following along the Celeste River where it meets another river and the turquoise water is created. The continued Rio Celeste hike can be rather strenuous, especially when it’s raining and temperatures are high. But it is definitely worth it if you are up for it!

It is highly recommended to bring proper hiking shoes, as it can get very slippery and muddy on the paths (mostly during the rainy season).

Learn more about the Rio Celeste waterfall hike in our Rio Celeste Tenorio National Park Guide.

Exploring Rio Celeste & Tenorio National Park

There is a full-day tour from La Fortuna to Rio Celeste which will take care of the transfer from your hotel to the Tenorio Volcano National Park and guide you through the park and to the waterfall. After the 4 hour hike, you will enjoy an authentic Tico lunch and make the way back to La Fortuna.

You can also take a full-day tour from San Jose to Rio Celeste.

If you are staying on the Pacific Coast near Tamarindo you can take this day tour from Tamarindo to Rio Celeste Waterfall.

Find more Rio Celeste waterfall tours here!

La Oropéndola Waterfalls

The Oropendola Waterfall is located in the Rincon de la Vieja National Park in Guanacaste.

Oropendola Waterfall plunges 25 meters / 80 feet down into a clear turquoise pool at Rio Blanco. The waterfall with its crystal blue water is quite picturesque and makes the perfect backdrop for an Instagram shot.

Catarata Oropendola is located near Hacienda Guachipelin and the Rio Negro Hot Springs. You can easily visit the hot springs and Oropendola Waterfalls on the same day.

Swimming At Catarata Oropendola

Swimming is allowed at this waterfall. Always use caution, however.

How To Get To Oropendola Waterfalls

The Rincon de la Vieja waterfalls are easily accessible from Liberia and the Pacific Coast. The falls belong to Hacienda Guachipelin. You have to get tickets on Guachipelin’s website or at the front desk at the hotel.

Oropendola Waterfall Tours

You can also visit the waterfalls via tours, which will take care of the transport to and from and will have other activities like hot springs and volcano hikes included as well:

➤ Rincon de la Vieja Volcano Hike, Oropendola Waterfall Swim & Hot Springs Day Trip

➤ Adrenaline One Day Adventure Tour

Nauyaca Waterfalls Costa Rica

The Nauyaca Waterfalls are a set of two falls fed by the Barucito River that make up a majestic cascading waterfall spectacle unique from other Costa Rica waterfalls.

Cataratas Nauyaca are located in a canyon in the rainforest of Southern Costa Rica near the town of Uvita and Manuel Antonio National Park.

The top catarata free falls some 45 meters / 148 feet deep creating a second fall that cascades another 20 meters / 66 feet into a big pool at the bottom. In total, the Nauyaca Falls are over 60 meters tall and some of the most unique waterfalls Costa Rica has to offer.

Visitors can swim and jump at the Nauyaca Waterfalls. There are also horseback riding tours provided by the family that owns and manages the land.

Nauyaca Waterfalls Hike

The Nauyaca Falls are not right at the entrance. To get there on your own on foot, you will have to walk/hike for about 6 km / 4 miles from the ticket office until you reach the cascades. The total round trip hike will be 12 km / 8 miles.

Nauyaca Waterfalls By Car & Hike

If you come by car, you can continue with your car for 2 more kilometers after you get your ticket at the entrance. You will park your car at the designated parking lot and continue the last 4 km on foot.

Nauyaca Waterfalls By 4×4

You also have the option to get to the waterfalls via a 4×4 vehicle for an additional fee so you don’t have to walk.

Nauyaca Waterfalls Horseback Riding Tour

The last option is to do horseback riding to Nauyaca Waterfalls. This is half-day tour with lunch included.

Nauyaca Waterfalls Hours & Entrance Fees

Nauyaca Waterfalls Hike
Price: 10 USD
Hours: 7 am – 2 pm

Nauyaca Waterfalls By Car & Hike
Price: 10 USD
Hours: 7 am – 2 pm

Nauyaca Waterfalls By 4×4
Price: 32 USD
Hours: 7 am – 12 pm (2 hour tours leaving every hour)

Nauyaca Waterfalls Horseback Riding Tour
Price: 80 USD
Hours: 9 am – 1:30 pm

Book Here

Nauyaca Waterfalls Tour

If you are looking to visit the Nauyaca Falls via a tour there is this Nauyaca Waterfalls Hike Day-Trip From Manuel Antonio that you can book here. It includes transport, breakfast, and lunch.

The ones staying in Quepos can take this Nauyaca Falls excursion: Nauyaca Half-Day Waterfall Tour From Quepos.

This tour gives you the option to do the hike or take advantage of the 4×4 transport without additional cost: Nauyaca Waterfalls Tour In 4×4 Transport Without The Hike

Montezuma Waterfalls

Piscoandbier sitting in front of Costa Rica's Montezuma waterfall. — Montezuma waterfalls at Nicoya Peninsula

Another popular waterfall in Costa Rica is the Montezuma Waterfall. Even though not as majestic as La Fortuna Waterfall or Catarata Llanos de Cortes or blue as Rio Celeste Waterfall, Catarata Montezuma is visited by lots of people staying at nearby beach towns Santa Teresa and Montezuma.

The Montezuma waterfall is actually three cascading falls. We visited the lowest and biggest fall of the three and can say it’s very pretty and worth a visit when you are in Montezuma or Santa Teresa.

How To Get To Montezuma Falls

There are two access points to the Montezuma waterfalls. The Canopy route and the easier Riverbed Trail. The latter is starting right outside of town and crossing the river multiple times to get to the lowest of the Montezuma Falls. We took the Riverbed route.

Montezuma Waterfalls Riverbed Trail

There is a parking lot just outside of Montezuma town after you cross a small bridge. You can totally just walk there if you don’t have a car.

The trail starts from the parking lot, crossing the river multiple times. There are some sketchy and not-so-easy parts when crossing the river, especially when the water is high, but it’s doable. Lots of people are visiting the waterfalls every day.

Bajos del Toro Waterfall

Catarata Bajos del Toro is a hidden gem waterfall near San Jose in Costa Rica. It is not the most well known waterfall in Costa Rica, but it is actually an incredible sight to see. If we wouldn’t know better, we’d say it’s straight out of Jurrasic Park.

The Bajos del Toro Waterfall drops a jawdropping 90 meters deep into an extinct volcano crater.

Catarata del Toro Waterfall Hike

In order to see the waterfall from up close you will have to climb down some 350+ steps from the top of the crater to the bottom of the waterfall.

The hike is not for everyone, but if your health is OK you can do it. The steps will be mostly concrete and there are rest areas along the stairs to take breaks, especially for when coming back up again. Like at La Fortuna waterfall, take your time and you will be fine climbing these stairs.

For the ones who can’t walk down or don’t want to, there are three lookout points at the beginning of the trail which is flat.

Bajos del Toro Prices & Hours

The entrance fee to Catarata del Toro Waterfall is 14 USD. The opening hours are Monday to Saturday from 7 am to 5 pm. Sundays are closed.

Bajos del Toro Tours

From the capital San Jose, you can take a full-day Bajos del Toro Hiking day trip, that includes transport, entry and meals for the day.

Blue Falls Of Costa Rica

Just a little North of Bajos del Toro Falls you will find the Blue Falls Of Costa Rica. Both belong to the same private nature reserve.

The Blue Falls Of Costa Rica are home to a blue river similar to the one from Rio Celeste at Rincon de la Vieja National Park. The Cascadas Azules de Costa Rica boasts seven blue waterfalls and three regular waterfalls, along with rapids and natural swimming pools.

As this nature park project is relatively new, two blue waterfalls can be safely accessed so far: Las Gemelas Waterfalls and Tepezquintle Waterfall as well as the blue swimming holes.

Blue Falls Of Costa Rica Prices & Hours

The entrance fee to the Blue Falls Of Costa Rica is 15 USD. The opening hours are Monday to Saturday from 7 am to 4 pm. Sundays are closed.

Find more information on the hiking trails and the Blue Falls here.

Waterfall Tours In Costa Rica

Find some of the most popular Costa Rica waterfall tours here:

Summary

Costa Rica Waterfalls Map

Best Waterfalls For Swimming

At not every waterfall in Costa Rica, you will be able to swim in. Some are simply too dangerous or fragile. For the ones that are accessible and safe to swim in, still use caution, especially at strong ones like La Fortuna waterfall.

When getting into or too close to the white water of a strong waterfall, you can get dragged underwater and tumbled around and you may not be able to get out on your own. Therefore, always keep a safe distance when swimming near waterfalls!

Here’s a list of some of the best Costa Rica waterfalls you can swim in:

Waterfalls To Swim In

Llanos de Cortes Waterfall

La Fortuna Waterfall

Montezuma Waterfall

Oropéndola Waterfall

Best Waterfall Hikes In Costa Rica

Crossing bridges in the jungle at Rio Celeste Waterfall hike Costa Rica — Rio Celeste Waterfall Hike

If you are into hiking, there are plenty of good waterfall hikes in Costa Rica.

The hike down the stairs to Catarata La Fortuna is short and not really a hike. However, there is a La Fortuna waterfall hike tour that is an actual hike on which you’ll adventure to see Arenal Volcano and afterward head to the falls. Find more details on the hike here.

The Rio Celeste Waterfall hike is a fairly easy one from the main entrance of the Tenorio Volcano National Park. However, there is the option to hike further into the jungle along the Celeste River to see how the blue water comes into place. The continued hike can be rather strenuous, especially when it’s muddy and temperatures are high. When we visited the hike was a good workout, but not overly difficult. This can change though, depending on the weather conditions.

The Nauyaca Falls hike is for the ones that like longer hikes since the falls are 6 km / 4 miles into the jungle and the same distance back again.

What Is The Biggest Waterfall In Costa Rica?

The tallest waterfall in Costa Rica is Diamante Waterfall with a stunning height of 183 meters / 600 feet. Bajos del Toro (91m / 300 ft) and La Fortuna Waterfall (70 m / 250 ft) follow behind but barely even reach half the height of the Diamante Fall.

Best Waterfalls Near San Jose, Costa Rica

In the following you will find the best waterfalls near San Jose that you can visit without a long drive to get there:

San Jose Costa Rica Waterfalls

Los Chorros Waterfalls

La Paz Waterfall Gardens

Bajos del Toro Waterfalls

Blue Waterfalls of Costa Rica

Best Waterfalls In Guanacaste

The Guanacaste Province in Costa Rica is home to two of the country’s best falls. These are also the two closest waterfalls near Liberia.

If you are staying on the Pacific Coast, these will be the closest waterfalls near Tamarindo, Playa Hermosa, and the other beach towns nearby that you can easily visit by yourself or via tour.