Costa Rica Waterfalls

Over the years, we’ve been fortunate to see some incredible waterfalls in Costa Rica. Even just a simple day trip can turn into a full-day adventure when you randomly discover a hidden cascade.

Costa Rica has thousands of waterfalls scattered throughout its diverse landscapes. We’ve seen waterfalls with multiple tiers, waterfalls that flow into dormant volcanoes, remote waterfalls that require hours of jungle trekking to reach, and even falls so blue they don’t seem real. Some are famous tourist attractions while others remain hidden deep in the rainforest.

Hikers trekking next to a blue river to get to a waterfall in Costa Rica
The Blue Falls
 
The southern Pacific coast (Uvita/Dominical area) is one of the best regions for chasing waterfalls. This rainforest-meets beach destination offers everything from dramatic twin-tiered cascades to perfect swimming holes. Another hotspot is Bajos del Toro in the mountains north of San Jose, where you’ll find many lesser-known falls.

No matter where you’re traveling, though, waterfalls can be found throughout Costa Rica. Below, we’ll share some of our favorite waterfalls with links to more information. We’ll give accessible options for families, challenging hikes for adventure seekers, and some off-the-beaten-path options as well.

Costa Rica Waterfalls Map

Best Waterfalls in Costa Rica

Nauyaca Waterfalls

The Nauyaca were the first big waterfalls we experienced in Costa Rica over 10 years ago, and they remain our favorite after many visits since.

Set in the jungle near Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast, the Nauyaca Waterfalls have two dramatic tiers with a lovely natural pool for swimming. The lush jungle surrounds will make you feel like you’re in the heart of the rainforest, but the waterfall is actually quite accessible.

You can access this impressive cascade through two entrances. The original entrance is better for hiking, while the newer Nauyaca Waterfall Nature Park is the best all-around option.

The Nauyaca Nature Park has a well-maintained trail, nice facilities with a restaurant, and offers transportation by truck. We loved doing the hike to the waterfall and taking the truck back up the steep hill after. The hike to the waterfall is about 1.6 miles (2.5 km) and is easy to moderate in difficulty. We did it with our younger kids. It’s a great option for families.

If you’d rather hike both ways or are traveling on a budget, the original entrance is a good choice too. The trail at the original entrance is about 2 miles (3.2 km) and takes you to the exact same place. This entrance is also closer to beach towns like Dominical, Uvita, and Manuel Antonio so requires less driving.

Get all the details, including costs and hours at both entrances, with our Nauyaca Waterfalls post.

Nauyaca Waterfalls Dominical

Rio Celeste Waterfall

The Rio Celeste Waterfall is Costa Rica’s most magical cascade. The striking blue color looks almost out of this world but it’s totally real.

The Rio Celeste gets its baby blue hue from a natural chemical reaction that occurs between minerals in this volcanic region.

You access the Rio Celeste Waterfall through Tenorio Volcano National Park. It’s a 30-minute easy-to-moderate hike to reach the staircase that leads to the waterfall. A short climb down 250 stairs gets you to a viewing platform. Swimming is no longer allowed in the park, but don’t worry, there are other opportunities in the area to take a dip in the blue river!

The waterfall is 295 feet (90 meters) tall and cascades into a deep blue pool surrounded by thick green vegetation. Continuing past the waterfall, you’ll come to other attractions like the tenideros, the point in the river where it turns from clear to turquoise.

You can visit the Rio Celeste from the nearest town, Bijagua. Or day trips from La Fortuna/Arenal are popular. If you’re looking to explore Costa Rica’s culture, consider adding Bijagua to your itinerary for 2-3 nights as there are a lot of things to do.

For the best viewing experience, visit the Rio Celeste during the dry season (January through April) when recent rains won’t cloud the water and dull the turquoise effect.

Learn more with our full article on the Rio Celeste.

La Fortuna Waterfall

La Fortuna Waterfall is Costa Rica’s most well-known waterfall. It is located just outside the popular destination of La Fortuna and is a great place to bring the whole family.

You access it from a visitors center, which has a restaurant, bathrooms, and changing rooms. To reach the falls, you have to walk down 500 steep (but well-maintained) stairs. 

This makes for a challenging hike back up, but there are benches for resting along the way.

The waterfall is a gorgeous white ribbon that flows from a lush green backdrop into an emerald pool. 

While you can swim, the stream of water is very powerful so the pool can sometimes be rough. Luckily, there’s also a calmer river for wading right next to the falls.

La Fortuna Waterfall’s majestic 230-foot (70-meter) cascade creates one of the country’s most photographed natural attractions. The waterfall is very family-friendly, with modern infrastructure that makes it perfect for travelers of all ages.

This is one of the busiest waterfalls in Costa Rica. Plan your visit with our La Fortuna Waterfall post.

Llanos de Cortez

Llanos de Cortez, in our opinion, is the Guanacaste region’s most beautiful waterfall. The falls are wide and wispy, with thin streams of water tumbling along the mossy rocks. Rocky cliffs are visible through the transparent cascade.

This waterfall is an oasis in the middle of the arid forests of Guanacaste. Guanacaste receives the least rain in Costa Rica, so waterfalls are less plentiful in this region. The ones that do exist sometimes run dry. This is not the case at Llanos de Cortez, which flows nicely throughout the dry season.  

A highlight of Llanos de Cortez is its pool for swimming and “beach” area. The waterfall pool is almost always calm, making it great for wading, even with young kids. Along the waterfall edge is a big sandy area to just relax. Locals picnic and hang out here.

Access is easy with just a 5-minute hike down concrete steps from the parking area. If you’re up for a little exploring, you can walk along the banks of the gentle river to see wildlife like frogs and the Jesus Christ Lizard.

Llanos de Cortez is conveniently located right off the busy Interamericana Highway, making it a nice place to stop for a couple of hours en route to the beaches of Guanacaste.

Learn more about visiting, including alternative entry points to avoid, with our Llanos de Cortez post.

Catarata del Toro

One of Costa Rica’s most unique waterfalls, Catarata del Toro flows into a dormant volcanic crater. Vivid greens, reds, and oranges line the walls of the deep canyon, remnants from the extremely acidic crater lake.

When we first discovered this waterfall, it was relatively unknown but is now getting more popular due to its beauty and impressive size. At 300 feet (90 meters) tall, it’s one of Costa Rica’s largest falls.

To reach the base, you have to walk down about 260 steps. The hike is easy to moderate in difficulty.

The waterfall is one of several amazing cascades near Bajos del Toro. This quiet town near Poas Volcano in the mountains north of San Jose has an abundance of waterfalls to explore. Read our Bajos del Toro destination guide for all the options.

The landscape around Catarata del Toro is unique and beautiful. Due to the higher altitude, you can even find some cloud forest here. 

The waterfall property has trails to explore the surrounding forest, plus hummingbird feeders.

Get all the details, including admission cost and hours, with our Catarata del Toro post.

looking from the restaurant at catarata del toro in costa rica

Oropendola Waterfall

a woman swimming at oropendola waterfall in guanacaste costa rica

Located in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Province near Liberia, Oropendola Waterfall offers one of Costa Rica’s most accessible and swimming-friendly cascades. 

This striking waterfall has easy access with a relatively flat trail and unique hanging bridge. It’s a great option if you’re looking to swim in a waterfall without doing a hard hike.

The Rincon de la Vieja area where the waterfall is located has many dramatic river canyons. The Oropendola Waterfall sits in one of these with a deep rocky ledge. 

The surrounding tropical dry forest shows a different side of Costa Rica’s diverse ecosystems, with unique wildlife and vegetation adapted to the drier Guanacaste climate.

For travelers exploring the Rincon de la Vieja area, this waterfall is a must. For those staying in nearby beach destinations like Tamarindo or Flamingo, Oropendola is a great day trip. Not only will you see a beautiful waterfall, but you also can explore the region’s volcanic features.

Learn more about access and other attractions in the area with our Oropendola Waterfall post.

Diamante Waterfall

One of Costa Rica’s most unique waterfalls is the remote Diamante Waterfall and cave located in the mountains near Dominical. 

While many people believe that the Diamante are the largest falls in Costa Rica at 600 feet (183 meters), the caves are what make it so special.

After a rigorous 2-3 hour hike up the mountain, you’ll arrive at a set of two waterfalls rushing over an enormous cave. If you’re up for some adventure, we highly recommend staying the night. Local tour operators have set up raised beds in the cave, a makeshift kitchen, and even bath houses with flushing toilets and pedestal sinks.

The journey to reach Diamante requires hiking through primary rainforest, following steep, rocky paths that traverse decades-old trees. Along the way, you might spot monkeys and toucans, and learn about medicinal plants from knowledgeable local guides. The hike ends at the tallest waterfall, where you can peer over the edge for spectacular views of the surrounding hills and distant Pacific Ocean through the mist.

There are also multiple chances to swim throughout the elaborate waterfall system, with some pools perfect for relaxing and others better for cliff jumping. The Diamante is accessed through private property, and you can only visit on a tour for safety reasons.

Learn about our experience doing the hike to the Diamante Waterfall.

a narrow waterfall with a cave behind it covered in greenery

Best Waterfalls in Costa Rica for Swimming

These waterfalls offer the best swimming:

Llanos de Cortez – Has a beautiful wide pool with calm water, plus a gentle river area and sandy beach perfect for relaxing between swims.

Nauyaca Waterfalls – Offers picturesque swimming beneath massive twin-tiered falls in a large natural pool. Adventure seekers can also do cliff jumping (best arranged with a local guide for safety).

Oropendola Waterfall – Good swimming in the river gorge with easy access down to the waterfall pool via a sturdy ladder.

Uvita Waterfall – Perfect for families with gentle pools and calm river areas. The waterfall has a natural slide, and there are good jumping spots for older kids and adults.

someone swimming in the pool at uvita waterfall in costa rica
Uvita Waterfall’s large pool for swimming

Easiest to Reach Waterfalls in Costa Rica

Want beautiful waterfalls without difficult hikes? Check out these options:

Llanos de Cortez – Just 5 minutes downhill from the parking to reach this wide, stunning cascade.

Oropendola Waterfall – A 15-minute easy hike through the forest and down a hanging bridge brings you to a viewing platform. From there, a ladder gets you directly into the waterfall pool.

Uvita Waterfall – A quick 5-10 minute hike along a steep jungle trail and across some rocks takes you to the waterfall. The waterfall is just minutes from Uvita’s town center, perfect for a quick adventure.

Nauyaca Waterfalls Nature Park – Take the truck ride option that does most of the work for you, leaving only 15 minutes of walking to the falls.

the river at oropendola waterfall with a hanging bridge above
The river canyon and hanging bridge at Oropendola Waterfall

Off-the-Beaten Path Waterfalls in Costa Rica

For hidden waterfalls without the crowds, try these:

Blue Falls of Costa Rica – Offers blue water similar to the Rio Celeste but with fewer visitors. It’s tucked away in the mountains near Bajos del Toro where you might have the falls to yourself.

Cascadas Pozo Azul – One of the largest waterfalls we’ve ever seen in Costa Rica. The challenging hike keeps most people away, but adventurous travelers are rewarded with an exciting cable car river crossing and a massive cascade. This is also in Bajos del Toro.

King Louis Waterfall – On the remote Osa Peninsula; requires real adventure (and a 4×4 vehicle) to reach but rewards you with a spectacular cascade in one of Costa Rica’s wildest regions.

a waterfall with blue water and rocky river
The Blue Falls in Bajos del Toro

Explore All Our Waterfall Guides

Northern Zone (La Fortuna/Arenal & Bijagua)

a thin waterfall at viento fresco in costa rica
One of the many waterfalls at Viento Fresco

 

Southern Zone (Manuel Antonio, Uvita, Dominical, Puerto Jimenez)

  • Nauyaca Waterfalls – Costa Rica’s most spectacular twin-tiered waterfalls located in the rainforest-covered mountains of the Southern Zone.
  • Uvita Waterfall – The perfect mix of adventure and accessibility; located a short drive from the main area of Uvita.
  • Diamante Waterfall and Cave – Costa Rica’s only waterfall with a cave where you can spend the night.
  • King Louis Waterfall – A gorgeous, remote cascade on the Osa Peninsula near Puerto Jimenez.
king louis waterfall in dry season with little water flowing
The dramatic King Louis Waterfall

 

Central Mountains (Bajos del Toro)

people on a trail looking at a large waterfall
Cascadas Pozo Azul, the biggest waterfall in Bajos del Toro

 

Nicoya Peninsula (Montezuma, Santa Teresa, Samara)

  • Montezuma Waterfalls – Popular waterfalls on the Nicoya Peninsula.
  • Belen Waterfall – Swimming holes and small waterfalls near Samara (best visited during dry season for safety reasons).

Central Valley & Southern Mountains (San Gerardo de Dota & Grecia)

  • San Gerardo Waterfall – A lesser-known waterfall hidden among the quiet cloud forests of San Gerardo de Dota.
  • Los Chorros Waterfalls – Grand waterfalls near Grecia. Currently closed by the municipality but people access it through other properties.

Central Pacific Coast (San Mateo, Playa Bejuco, Esterillos)

people floating in tubes at a waterfall in costa rica
Catarata el Encanto near San Mateo

La Fortuna Waterfall vs. Rio Celeste Waterfall – What You Need to Know

La Fortuna Waterfall and Rio Celeste Waterfall are two of Costa Rica’s most popular waterfalls, but they offer very different experiences.

La Fortuna Waterfall is easier to access. You don’t need to hike, just walk down 500 concrete steps to reach the falls where you can swim in the pool. It’s located in the adventure hub of La Fortuna with tons of nearby restaurants and activities, including the majestic Arenal Volcano.

Rio Celeste requires an easy to moderate 30-minute hike through jungle trails plus 250 steps down to the viewing platform. Swimming isn’t permitted, but you’re rewarded with that incredible blue color from volcanic minerals. It’s located near the quiet town of Bijagua, offering a more authentic Costa Rica experience.

The trade-off: La Fortuna is convenient and you can swim, while Rio Celeste is unique and offers hiking. Both can get busy with tour groups, especially mid-morning. The blue color at Rio Celeste can disappear if it has rained recently.

Choose La Fortuna if: You want easy access and swimming.

Choose Rio Celeste if: You prefer hiking and want to see a blue waterfall.

Essential Tips for Visiting Waterfalls in Costa Rica

Best Time to Visit Waterfalls in Costa Rica

The dry season (December through April) generally offers the best waterfall conditions, with clearer trails, better road access, and more predictable weather.

However, waterfalls can be spectacular during the rainy season when water flow is at its peak, especially in the early wet season months (May through August). Just expect muddier trails and the possibility of a waterfall being closed for swimming due to strong currents.

Entry Fees

Almost all waterfalls in Costa Rica have an entry fee. Although the rivers and waterfalls themselves are public, you usually need to cross private property to reach them. Entry fees range from $2 for simple trails to $20+ per person for the most well-maintained facilities.

What to Bring

Footwear depends on waterfall access. Some waterfalls are deep in the jungle and require difficult treks where you’ll want good-gripping hiking boots or sneakers. Others have easier hikes that are fine with athletic sandals like Keens.

Water shoes are always a good idea, especially for kids. The rocks around waterfalls can be slippery or the river bottom might be rocky. Get more tips on traveling with kids.

Pack these essentials: waterproof bag for electronics, quick-dry clothing, bathing suit, towel, sunscreen, insect repellent, and plenty of water.

Read our post on packing your day pack for Costa Rica for more detailed information.

Safety Reminders

Most waterfalls in Costa Rica do not have lifeguards so you are responsible for your own safety. Although most visits go without problems, we do hear about unfortunate accidents.

Important safety tips:

  • Currents can be stronger than they appear.
  • Rocks are often slippery, which can make climbing dangerous.
  • Never jump in without seeing someone do it first to make sure it’s a safe spot.
  • Water levels in rivers can change quickly during rainy season.

We always recommend purchasing travel insurance so that you’re covered in case of an emergency.

More Things to Do

Costa Rica offers tons of adventures beyond waterfalls. Explore our Things to Do articles for 150+ activities all across the country. We cover everything from where to go for hanging bridges to the best hot springs.

Waterfall Tours We Recommend

Here are some waterfall tours that we have done ourselves and can help you book. Booking through us costs the same (or sometimes less) and helps support our website!