Costa Rica has some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the entire world. I can guarantee that some of the most exquisite waterfalls you have laid eyes can be found here. A big claim, but we’re ready to back it up.
Whether you’re looking for turquoise waterfalls you can swim in, canyon waterfalls you can wade through, huge show stopping cliffside waterfalls you can hike to the bottom of, or tropical jungle pools you can relax at whilst listening to the local Howler monkeys, you’ll find it on this list.
Although we’re covering some of the most popular waterfalls in the country, we’ve gone beyond the obvious to bring you this guide, which covers a multitude of hidden gems. We visited over 50 waterfalls and have narrowed it down to a selection of our favourites, which we’ll no doubt update over time because Costa Rica has us hooked - and there were plenty more falls we wanted to visit and couldn’t squeeze in!
Here are 17 of the most beautiful waterfalls in Costa Rica.
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1 - Catarata Vuelta del Cañon, Bajos Del Toro
2 - La Leona, Liberia
3 - Las Gemelas, Bajos Del Toro
4 - Nauyaca Waterfall, Puntarenas
5 - Catarata Tesoro Escondido, Bajos Del Toro
6 - Catarata Del Toro, Bajos Del Toro
7 - El Santuario, Liberia
8 - Llanos de Cortes, Liberia
9 - Oropendola, Liberia
10 - Rio Celeste Waterfall, Alajuela
11 - Catarata La Celestial, Bajos Del Toro
12 - Bijagual Falls, Jaco
13 - La Fortuna Waterfall, La Fortuna
14 - Rio Agrio Waterfall, Bajos Del Toro
15 - La Cangreja Waterfall, Liberia
16 - Catarata Caida Nieve y Paz, Bajos Del Toro
17 - Uvita Waterfall, Uvita
The Best Waterfalls in Costa Rica
1. Catarata Vuelta del Cañon
Area: Bajos del Toro, less than 2 hours from San Jose
Walk length: 10.2km return
Difficulty: Moderate
Located deep in a pristine cloud forest you’ll find one of the most atmospheric waterfalls in all of Costa Rica. With towering mossy walls and turquoise water, this double drop waterfall has the wow factor.
By the time we came to visit Catarata Vuelta del Cañon, we’d visited over 50 waterfalls in Costa Rica, and Catarata Vuelta del Cañon still left us speechless. It’s the sort of place that feels like it could be in a fairytale.
It requires more effort than most to reach because you’ll have to make many river crossings. However, in dry season the river is low and calm, and the majority of the trail is flat.
You can read all the details in our Catarata Vuelta del Cañon guide.
2. La Leona Waterfall
Area: Guanacaste, 20 minutes from Liberia
Walk length: 2.7km return
Difficulty: Moderate
If you’re looking for one of Costa Rica’s best adventure hikes, and most spectacular waterfalls, this is it. La Leona Waterfall is incredible, it flows into a deep orange canyon forming a stunning blue swimming hole at the base.
The walk to get there involves traversing jaw dropping blue rivers, climbing small ladders and then swimming using a rope to fight the current before you’ll finally reach the foot of the canyon waterfall itself.
There’s even a second boulder strewn waterfall you can visit on the way back.
As you have to hike with a guide, you’ll be in good hands, and if there are any bits that you’re unsure about they will be able to help.
A trip to La Leona could just be your most memorable experience in all of Costa Rica.
You can read all the details in our La Leona Waterfall guide.
3. Las Gemelas
Area: Bajos del Toro, less than 2 hours from San Jose
Walk length: 3km return
Difficulty: Easy
The literal translation of Las Gemelas is ‘the twins’. And these are probably the most beautiful twins you will ever lay eyes on.
The first waterfall is a milky turquoise colour which almost looks glacial. It’s utterly spectacular and the dense rainforest setting is a dream.
We didn’t think it could get any better until we looked to the left. And there, just metres away, lies one of the most sensational canyon waterfalls we have ever seen in our lives.
It’s a totally different shade of blue, almost electric, and the canyon walls are covered in thick moss and ferns, creating a truly magical scene. Swimming here is an experience that will stay with me forever.
Reaching both falls is easy as the path is in good condition all the way and doesn’t have too much elevation gain. The last few minutes require traversing damp rocks, but it’s not difficult. Accessing the pool at the canyon waterfall does require slightly more rock hopping, but you don’t need to do this to see the falls, only to swim.
You can read all the details in our Blue Falls guide.
4. Nauyaca Waterfall
Area: Puntarenas, 1 hour 15 minutes from Manuel Antonio
Walk length: 100m - 6km one way depending on if you use a shuttle
Difficulty: Easy if you take a shuttle part way
Nauyaca Waterfall looks like something straight out of your jungle book fantasies.
Set in dense rainforest, it’s a huge two tier waterfall with a deep emerald pool at the base, there were even toucans flying overhead on our visit! It has the best swimming hole of any of the falls on this list due to the huge pool which has little current (in the dry season) and very few rocks to worry about.
Getting there can be really easy, or one of the harder options depending on if you take a shuttle part way, and which entrance gate you use (there are two). The cheapest way to visit involves a 8 - 12km return walk, depending on if you have a 4WD to get to the nearest car park.
If you want a more leisurely option you can take a shuttle transfer, which gets you to within 100-750m of the falls, depending on which entrance you use.
All the details on exactly what to expect when visiting Nauyaca Waterfall are in this guide.
5. Catarata Tesoro Escondido
Area: Bajos del Toro, less than 2 hours from San Jose
Walk length: 3.9km circuit to visit all four waterfalls
Difficulty: Easy, but not flat
Four exquisite waterfalls lie along the circuit walk at Catarata Tesoro Escondido and each have something different to offer.
You’ll find a huge waterfall that cascades over a towering cliff wall, a smaller cave like waterfall, and then the dazzling blue one that almost nobody visits.
It’s hidden in a gorge at the far end of the track and as you emerge from the forest into the gorge; it’s like you’ve stepped into the Garden of Eden.
Each of the falls are pretty easy to access and you can swim in all of them. There are a couple of small uphill sections on the trail, but the paths are very well maintained.
You’ll have to do a very short bit of rock hopping to access the biggest falls, but it’s not difficult.
You can read the details on each of the waterfalls in our Catarata Tesoro Escondido guide.
6. Catarata del Toro
Area: Bajos del Toro, less than 2 hours from San Jose
Walk length: 2.7km partial circuit
Difficulty: Moderate
Catarata Del Toro is one of the most impressive waterfalls in Costa Rica. It thunders into an extinct volcano and then down through a narrow canyon.
Although this is one of the few waterfalls on this list that you can’t swim in, it won’t matter when you take in its sheer power and majesty.
Although reaching the base of the falls does require a steep hike down, and then back up, it was actually easier than I was expecting it to be. It’s also on a very well maintained concrete path for the most part and there are almost always handrails.
The walk to reach the falls takes you through virgin rainforest, alive with birdlife, and there are many different vantage points to take in the waterfall along the way.
You can read all the details in our Catarata del Toro guide.
7. El Santuario (La Catedral Waterfall)
Area: Alajuela, 1 hour 15 minutes from Liberia
Walk length: 1.6km loop via the quickest route
Difficulty: Easy - moderate to the falls, more challenging inside the canyon
El Santuario (La Catedral Waterfall) is one of Costa Rica’s wildest waterfalls, thundering into a narrow slot canyon beneath a beautiful patch of rainforest.
It’s an incredible sight, and even more special if you’re lucky enough to see the ethereal light rays.
The river is blue, although there was a huge amount of white water on our visit, which made the whole experience even more of a spectacle.
Whilst the walk to reach the mouth of the canyon and waterfall is pretty easy going, getting up close to the waterfall itself can be a little on the sketchy side, more on that in this guide.
8. Llanos de Cortes
Area: Guanacaste, 20 minutes from Liberia
Walk length: 360m return
Difficulty: Easy
This is far and away the easiest access waterfall in this guide and has the warmest water for swimming - so if you’re looking for an easy win, this is it. It’s also incredibly beautiful, so there’s no trade off.
The spray of the falls created constant rainbows and swimming in the clear calm water and listening to the nearby family of Howler monkeys was pure bliss.
There is a second hidden swimming spot and upper viewpoint nearby, but there’s a bit of a racket going on with local guides overcharging you for a ludicrously short easy walk.
You can read the details on that here, including when to come to escape the crowds.
9. Oropendola Waterfall
Area: Guanacaste, 40 minutes from Liberia
Walk length: 1.1km circuit
Difficulty: Easy
Oropendola Waterfall is spectacular, and one of the easiest to access canyon waterfalls in Costa Rica. The falls cascade into a stunning blue water hole, and swimming here is a dream.
The tall canyon walls give it lots of atmosphere and if you’re lucky enough to get the pool to yourself, it’s an experience you won’t forget.
The walk to get there is not flat, but it’s short and well maintained. It will take you over a floating staircase, which is definitely the most unique stretch of track we’ve hiked in Costa Rica so far!
All the details on the walk and what it’s like to swim there can be found in our Oropendola Waterfall guide.
10. Rio Celeste Waterfall
Area: Alajuela, 1 hour 15 minutes from La Fortuna
Walk length: 3.2km return
Difficulty: Easy, but not flat
Rio Celeste Waterfall is probably the most famous of all the waterfalls in Costa Rica. The turquoise water and incredible jungle setting make it a must visit, despite some drawbacks.
The first time I visited it was a relative unknown, we had the whole falls to ourselves, and you could swim in the sensational blue water.
Nowadays, it’s so popular that swimming is not allowed and it’s hard to find the serenity you might be hoping for.
That is unless you follow our tips for getting the place to yourself - and no we don’t recommend going in the early morning! The walk to reach the falls is on a very well maintained track and though it’s not flat, it’s fairly easy.
The only steep section is down to the waterfall viewing area, which is on a good staircase with handrails.
11. Catarata la Celestial
Area: Bajos del Toro, less than 2 hours from San Jose
Walk length: 3.7km return
Difficulty: Easy
Never has a waterfall lived up to its name more than Catarata la Celestial - the Heavenly Waterfall in English. This spectacular waterfall might not be huge in terms of height, but it’s really powerful and the turquoise water has to be seen to be believed.
It’s in a gorgeous rainforest setting and we could not believe that we didn’t see another soul for the duration of our visit - despite it being in the middle of the day in peak season.
The pool had a fair bit of current on our visit, so it was good for lazing around in, but not so much for swimming - however we were told it’s usually calmer, in which case it would be perfect for a proper swim as the pool was a good size.
Although you can visit Catarata la Celestial alone, most visits are combined with other waterfalls along the same trail, which you can read about in our Blue Falls guide.
12. Bijagual Falls (Manantial de Agua Viva)
Area: Carara, 35 minutes from Jaco
Walk length: 5.6km return
Difficulty: Moderate, but a rough track
If you like a good adventure then you can’t miss hiking to the bottom of Costa Rica’s tallest waterfall. Well it says its the tallest, but so do a few others, however it doesn’t really matter because it’s huge and impressive, and the jungle hike to get there is truly wild.
We saw more Scarlet macaws (8) than people on this track (2), so if you’re looking to escape the crowds, this one is for you.
It’s worth noting that you can access the falls from two different areas, one takes you to the middle falls, and one to the very bottom. Our guide relates to reaching the very bottom.
The track is steep. some sections have loose soil, and there are a couple of little ladders, so it won’t be for everyone. You can read more tips for the trail in the guide linked above.
13. La Fortuna Waterfall
Area: La Fortuna town
Walk length: 1.3km return
Difficulty: Moderate
La Fortuna Waterfall is a wild one, even in the dry season! The falls create an incredible mass of white water, which is mesmerising to watch.
Surprisingly, given its power, you are actually allowed to swim in the pool at the base - although I use the term swimming loosely because it felt like a rough ocean when I was in there, and you couldn’t stray too far from the rocks.
It’s a gorgeous waterfall to sit and admire, although sadly you’re unlikely to be alone. There was a queue of 10 people even at 7am when the falls opened!
Having said that, it’s still a great waterfall and well worth a visit. The walk is said to involve climbing 500 steps, we didn’t count them, but honestly it’s not that bad and you can take it slowly.
You can read all the details in our La Fortuna Waterfall guide.
14. Rio Agrio Waterfall
Area: Bajos del Toro, less than 2 hours from San Jose
Walk length: 2.3km return
Difficulty: Easy
Rio Agrio is a stunning waterfall with wild jungle vibes. To reach it, you’ll head through a huge fern covered gorge, which if you’re lucky enough to visit on a misty day, really feels like you’ve strayed into Jurassic Park.
It’s definitely one of our favourite walks on this list, and the waterfall is a great spot to relax as there are plenty of places to sit beside it.
Given it’s fed by the most acidic river in Costa Rica, you can’t swim here, but just down the road you’ll find one of the most sensational swimming spots in the area, Pozas Celestes (owned by the same people as the waterfall).
You can read all the details in our Rio Agrio guide.
15. La Cangreja Waterfall
Area: Guanacaste, 40 minutes from Liberia
Walk length: 10.5km return
Difficulty: Moderate
This is one of the longer walks on this list and best for those looking to hike, as well as see a waterfall. Not that the falls aren’t spectacular - they definitely are - but it’s going to take a good half day to do it justice.
Along the way you’ll be entertained by big troops of monkeys - the most we saw on any walk in Costa Rica! Watch out for the cheeky Capuchins, they are very territorial.
The waterfall itself has crystal clear water and high cliff walls, it’s truly beautiful. It’s quieter than many in the area, which might come down to the length of the walk.
On our visit the pool was a lovely shade of green, however, all photos I have seen show the water as turquoise - so I am not sure if that’s due to photoshop, or if it was just a different colour when we saw it.
Either way, it was gorgeous, so though I was surprised it was green and not blue, I wasn’t disappointed.
You can read all the details on the hike and the falls here.
16. Catarata Caida Nieve y Paz
Area: Bajos del Toro, less than 2 hours from San Jose
Walk length: 3.4km return
Difficulty: Moderate
Catarata Caida Nieve y Paz is one of the tallest in Costa Rica and cascades down a giant cliff face. The flow wasn’t huge on our visit in the dry season, but it was still impressive, so I can only imagine what it looks like in the rainy season!
Although you can’t swim at the bottom of the falls, there are several excellent swimming holes at various smaller waterfalls along the way.
The walk to reach Catarata Caida Nieve y Paz takes you through rainforest teeming with birds, butterflies and leaf cutter ants. You can even cross the river on a little basket contraption, which was a first for us, and really good fun!
You can read all the details in our guide to Cascada Pozo Azul.
17. Uvita Waterfall
Area: Uvita town
Walk length: 300m return via the quickest route
Difficulty: Easy
Uvita Waterfall would not have a place on this list if it wasn’t for one thing: the jungle slide. That’s right, you can climb a rustic ladder attached to the cliff wall and then slide down the waterfall!
Since that’s a little bit unique, we wanted to include it, even though without the slide it wouldn’t come close to the others in this guide. And that just shows you how many amazing waterfalls Costa Rica has, because even little Uvita Waterfall would be a top spot in other countries.
If you want to swim at the falls it’s best to come early, or it gets really busy with sliders. There’s a second swimming hole just 80m away if you do want to come later in the day. It likely won’t be empty, but it shouldn’t have the crowds of the main falls.
You can read more in our Uvita Waterfall guide.
A note on seasonality
All the waterfalls in this guide were visited in the dry season. In the rainy season the falls will be more powerful, which will make some more impressive. However, it will mean some lose their colour and clarity, depending on how much rain there has been. Others may become unsuitable for swimming.
With regards to swimming, a few of these spots have lifeguards, but for the most part you’re on your own. Many of the waterfalls have currents which you can generally swim outside of, but know your own limits.
Some of the falls that are located in mountainous areas have very cold water, this might be Costa Rica, but it’s not always tropical! Personally I love cold water swimming, but if you’re not used to it, you might want to channel your inner Wim Hof before diving in!
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