Costa Rica Waterfalls

My last post was on Costa Rica’s rivers. Well, as you might expect, where there are rivers and mountains, there are also lots of, can you guess?…

WATERFALLS!

Everybody loves those, right?

Costa Rica has some spectacular ones.

Here’s a list of ten that I really like…

1. The La Fortuna Fall

This one is located in La Fortuna, near the Arenal Volcano. It’s about a 30 meter fall (90 feet). Also has a great pool for swimming that is crystal clear and full of large trout.

2. The Cinchona (or San Fernando) Fall

This one is located near Vara Blanca and the La Paz Fall (see below) in what used to be known as Cinchona. This site experienced a very bad earthquake back in 2009 and the small community of Cinchona was completely destroyed in the quake. It was later relocated to another spot. But the San Fernando Fall still looms large with great views that can be had from the top of the canyon cut by the Sarapiqui river. The place where “old Cinchona” once stood is making a bit of a comeback and there are great places to view the fall once again. It is very difficult to actually reach this fall, so best viewed from a distance. Not sure of its actual height, but it’s a big one!

3. La Paz Waterfall

The area where this fall can be viewed from the road also received major damage from the Cinchona quake of 2009. But now things are pretty much back to normal and the La Paz Fall is as beautiful as ever. La Paz is actually the last of a series of falls that can be viewed from the La Paz Waterfall Gardens just up the mountain. You will have to pay the entrance to see the others…but it’s worth it. The Gardens have many other cool attractions as well, including one of the most unique hotels in Costa Rica…The Peace Lodge.

4. Rio Celeste Fall

The Rio Celeste Fall is famous for its sky blue color, made that way from the unique mixture of chemicals emanating from the now dormant Tenorio Volcano. This fall is somewhat remote, located near the pueblo of Guatuso about an hour or so north of La Fortuna. You will have to hike about 45 minutes or so to arrive at the fall through very lush jungle with lots of flora and fauna. Best viewed in the dry season (January through April) because when the rains come, it tends to muddy the waters.

5 & 6. San Gerardo de Dota 1 and 2

If you take the Pan Inter-american Highway from San Jose to points south, you will pass over the 11,000 foot high Cerro de la Muerte. Just about where the highway reaches the highest point, there is a turn down to a little valley known as San Gerardo de Dota. It is one of the most pristine and beautiful locations in Costa Rica and the best place in the country to view the Resplendent Quetzal. There is a great hiking trail that leads to a couple of gorgeous falls. The first is actually best viewed from a quasi-cave formed by falling boulders. The second one is further on down the trail and is larger. This is the source of the beautiful Savegre river, which is teaming with trout and a great place for fresh-water fishing.

Fall #1

Fall #2

7. Llanos de Cortes

This is a little known fall on the Pan Inter-american highway on the way to Liberia in Guanacaste. There is a sign where you turn onto a dirt road. Follow that road a ways and you will arrive at a parking spot. The fall is gorgeous and there is a large pool for swimming.

8. Diamante Fall

This one is located near my home town in Perez Zeledon. You have to take the Dominical beach road from San Isidro de El General to the mountain pueblo of Tinamastes. Hang a left down a dirt road and it will take you to some places where you can get a distant view. However, there is this one secret spot where you can really get an “in your face” view of the fall (note picture). To get there, however, you’ll need to be guided by someone in the know. This is known as the largest fall in Costa Rica at some 600 feet! Above the main fall there are two smaller falls. Behind those is a cave where you can actually spend the night. It’s a difficult hike and you’ll need the local tour company the leads these tours to guide you. Quite an experience!

9. Catarata del Toro

An amazing sight to see near Toro Amarillo. This place is located not too far from the town of Sarchi. It’s a little hard to find and the road is narrow with very steep drop offs. Not for the faint of heart. But if you can survive the trip (just kidding…a little) and make it down to the valley known as Bajos del Toro, home to the property of my friends Will and Donais, you’re end for a treat. For a small entrance fee you can hike down to the pool of the fall. It’s quite a experience. They’ll even let you rappel down if you’re really daring!

10. Nauyaca Falls

The place where I now live is home to an amazing number of rivers, swimming holes and waterfalls. That’s Perez Zeledon and as noted above, home to one of, if not the, largest fall in the country (Diamante). But perhaps the most beautiful is this one…Nauyaca. It is located on the road from San Isidro de El General to Dominical. You can either park and hike some 45 minutes to the fall, or do it on horseback. The lower fall has a very large and deep pool for swimming. The upper and larger fall is great for photos. Best experienced in the dry season (January through April) when the fall is a little calmer.

So there you have it. Ten of my personal favorite Costa Rica waterfalls.

Many of our Costa Rica vacation designs take you close to a number of these spectacular Costa Rica waterfalls and tours to any of them can certainly be arranged.