Discover
Natural Swimming Holes in Costa Rica
The best swimming in Costa Rica rarely happens at a beach. It happens at the base of waterfalls, in river pools deep in jungle, and in volcanic pools that predate tourism entirely. Cold, clear, and entirely without a lifeguard.
🌊 Waterfalls
Catarata La Fortuna
A dramatic 70-metre waterfall, tropical rainforest, wildlife, and swimming
La Fortuna
💎 Hidden Gems
Punta Uva
At the quiet end of the Caribbean road — the beach the bus doesn't reach
Puerto Viejo
💎 Hidden Gems
Río Celeste Azul
Impossibly blue river deep in Tenorio Volcano
Bijagua, Alajuela
🏊 Swimming
Playa Conchal
A beach made entirely of crushed shells — no sand, only conchitas
Brasilito
🌊 Waterfalls
Cataratas de Montezuma
Three-tier waterfall at the end of a jungle trail twenty minutes from the village
Montezuma
🌊 Waterfalls
Cataratas Llanos de Cortez
The most accessible major waterfall in Costa Rica — and the most generous
Bagaces
🌊 Waterfalls
Cataratas Nauyaca
Two-tier 45-metre falls, three hours deep in the jungle south of Dominical
Dominical
💎 Hidden Gems
Playa Biesanz
One of the calmest and most scenic beach
Quepos
🏊 Swimming
Nacientes Palmichal
Crystal springs and natural swimming pools
Acosta
💎 Hidden Gems
Playa Escondida
A small hidden beach near Manuel Antonio and Quepos
Quepos
🌊 Waterfalls
Catarata Aquiares
A stunning waterfall cascades into a crystal-clear pool surrounded by lush rainforest and the historic Aquiares Coffee Estate.
Turrialba
🏊 Swimming
Playa Jobo
Calm, crystal-clear water, beautiful scenery, and relatively low visitor numbers
La Cruz
🏊 Swimming
Playa Rajada
A hidden paradise where white sand, turquoise waters, and tropical forest create one of Guanacaste’s most beautiful beach escapes.
La Cruz
🥾 Hiking
Savegre River
One of the cleanest rivers in Central America — cold, clear, and running through quetzal habitat
San Gerardo de Dota
🌊 Waterfalls
Catarata La Cangreja
A spectacular waterfall that plunges into a brilliant turquoise pool. Surrounded by lush jungle and volcanic landscapes.
Liberia
💎 Hidden Gems
Playa Cocal (Quepos)
A small, beautiful beach on the southern Nicoya Peninsula near
Puntarenas