Choose your waterfall by where you are staying, how much hiking you want, and whether you prefer swimming or scenic views. Compare access below, then explore guided trips and detailed independent-visit guides.
Swipe horizontally to compare all trip details.
| Waterfall | Useful base | Access and effort | Swimming | How to visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Falls of Costa Rica | Bajos del Toro | Forest trails; route varies with access | Designated pools, conditions permitting | Confirm open trails, guide support and entry terms |
| Catarata del Toro | Bajos del Toro | Viewpoint or steep stair descent | No swimming | Independent scenic visit |
| Diamante | Dominical | Demanding forest trek | Confirm with the operator | Arrange guided access; confirm route |
| La Fortuna | La Fortuna | Long staircase down and back up | Designated areas, conditions permitting | Independent admission; not a canyoning product |
| La Leona | Liberia / Curubandé | River canyon, wading and rocky terrain | Water-based guided route; confirm conditions | Arrange a guided canyon visit |
| Llanos de Cortez | Liberia / Bagaces | Short approach with steps | Conditions permitting | Independent visit |
| Montezuma | Montezuma / Santa Teresa | Uneven river trail; slippery rocks | Conditions permitting; serious jumping risks | Independent visit or an excursion; check the route |
| Nauyaca | Dominical / Uvita | Hike or entrance-specific transport; uneven ground | Only where permitted that day | Guided tour recommended; independent admission is separate. Guided tour options. |
| Oropéndola | Liberia / Rincón de la Vieja | Short trail and footbridge into the gorge | Conditions permitting | Self-guided waterfall admission; park combinations are separate |
| Río Celeste | Bijagua / Tenorio | Forest trail and steep stairs | Prohibited in the park | Independent park visit or guided hike |
| Uvita | Uvita | Short trail; slippery rocks | Conditions permitting | Independent visit |
Bases are planning locations, not promises of hotel pickup. Swimming is conditional on local rules and conditions; permission is not a guarantee of safety. Confirm admission, reservations and access before travelling.
These are different experiences: waterfall hikes, ATV trips, rappelling and packages. Check the named waterfall, departure point and inclusions; a canyoning tour in La Fortuna is not admission to La Fortuna Waterfall.
Tours shown: 12 / 12 · sorted A–Z
Manuel Antonio & Quepos, Uvita, Dominical · 6 hours
Total taxes includedUSD 213.57
Santa Teresa · 5 hours
Total taxes includedUSD 281.71
Uvita · 3 hours
Total taxes includedUSD 210.52
Uvita · 6 hours
Total taxes includedUSD 192.10
Nosara · 4 hours
Total taxes includedUSD 158.20
Santa Teresa · 5 hours
Total taxes includedUSD 203.40
La Fortuna · 3 hours
Total taxes includedUSD 107.35
Jaco · 3 hours
Total taxes includedUSD 101.70
Manuel Antonio & Quepos · 6 hours
Total taxes includedUSD 158.20
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca · 6 hours
Total taxes includedUSD 98.31
Manuel Antonio & Quepos, Uvita, Dominical · 6 hours
Total taxes includedUSD 158.20
Uvita · 3 hours
Total taxes includedUSD 152.55
Inside Tenorio Volcano National Park, Río Celeste is a viewing and photography stop, not a swimming destination. Expect a forest trail and steep stairs. The park’s full trail includes other attractions; do not confuse that whole route with access to the waterfall alone.
Nauyaca’s two tiers lie inland from Dominical. For a guided Nauyaca adventure from Manuel Antonio or Quepos, book our tour with the professional Paddle 9 team. Jumping is optional and only considered with guide approval, current rules and conditions; it is not guaranteed and carries risk. Independent admission is separate from these guided activities.
Diamante is an inland rainforest outing near Dominical for travellers comfortable with a demanding trek. Arrange guided access and confirm the route, walking effort and conditions with the operator.
Near La Fortuna town, this rainforest waterfall involves a long staircase down and the climb back up. Plan around your group’s mobility and follow staff directions about permitted swimming areas. Book waterfall admission separately from any canyoning activity.
Near Rincón de la Vieja, Oropéndola sits in a gorge reached by a short trail and footbridge. Short does not mean step-free. The waterfall has its own admission; do not assume a national-park ticket or a combination tour includes it.
In Bajos del Toro, Catarata del Toro offers views into a deep forested canyon. Choose the viewpoint or a steep stair descent according to your stamina. This is a scenic visit, not a swimming stop; nearby Blue Falls is a separate experience.
Near Bagaces in Guanacaste, Llanos de Cortez has a broad curtain of water and a short approach with steps. It can suit a shorter outing from Liberia, but wet steps and changing currents still matter. Check on-site swimming restrictions.
Close to Uvita town, this waterfall can fit a shorter southern Pacific outing. The approach is short, but rocks can be slippery and water conditions vary. Follow current swimming rules rather than assuming a familiar pool is always suitable.
Near Curubandé and Liberia, La Leona combines river walking, rocky terrain and a narrow canyon leading to the waterfall. Arrange a guided visit and confirm the physical demands and equipment before booking. This is a wet adventure, not a casual viewpoint stroll.
Near Montezuma on the Nicoya Peninsula, this series of waterfalls can complement a beach stay. The river trail is uneven and slippery. Cliff-jumping carries serious injury risks from submerged rocks, changing depth and currents. Do not imitate other visitors; follow local restrictions and avoid entering after heavy rain or when conditions are uncertain.
Near Catarata del Toro in Bajos del Toro, Blue Falls offers forest walks and blue-water cascades, with swimming only in permitted pools when conditions allow. Confirm which trails and falls are open before travelling; do not assume bridge access, prices or age requirements from older information.
From Guanacaste, compare Llanos de Cortez, Oropéndola and La Leona. Around La Fortuna, separate the town’s waterfall from a Río Celeste day trip. On the southern Pacific coast, compare Nauyaca, Uvita and Diamante; Montezuma belongs to the Nicoya Peninsula, while Catarata del Toro and Blue Falls are in the central highlands.
Independent admission and a guided tour are different purchases. Check the exact entrance, whether transport is included and what walking remains. At Nauyaca, we recommend a guided tour for the adventure activities; that does not mean every independent visitor must hire a guide.
Check admission, reservations, opening days and current access directly before setting out. Prices and age policies vary by property; there is no reliable single entrance-fee range for all waterfalls.
Rainfall upstream can change river levels even when it is not raining where you are. Wet-season trails can be muddy, but dry-season dates do not guarantee suitable swimming conditions. Follow closures and turn back if conditions deteriorate; a guide cannot remove these risks.
Wear footwear with grip and bring drinking water, a towel and a waterproof bag. Ask about stairs, uneven ground, river sections and the return climb before choosing a trip for children or anyone with limited mobility. A short trail is not necessarily step-free.
We can help you compare the options listed on this site against your dates, location and group needs, and identify details to confirm before payment.
Availability, included services, weather decisions and cancellation terms vary by product; check those on the booking page.
Use these guides for the specific waterfall, route or activity you are considering.
Read the detailed guide to plan access and the visit.
Read moreRead the detailed guide to plan access and the visit.
Read more
Read the detailed guide to plan access and the visit.
Read more
Read the detailed guide to plan access and the visit.
Read more
Read the detailed guide to plan access and the visit.
Read more
Read the detailed guide to plan access and the visit.
Read more
Read the detailed guide to plan access and the visit.
Read more
Read the detailed guide to plan access and the visit.
Read more
Read the detailed guide to plan access and the visit.
Read moreDesign updated:
