Waterfalls in Costa Rica
The country has more waterfalls than most people have time to visit. These are the ones worth the detour, the muddy trail, and the wet shoes.
🌊 Waterfalls
Catarata La Fortuna
A dramatic 70-metre waterfall, tropical rainforest, wildlife, and swimming
La Fortuna
🌊 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
🏊 Swimming
Poza Los Coyotes
A hidden oasis where volcanic rivers, waterfalls, and dramatic canyon scenery create one of Guanacaste’s most beautiful natural swimming spots.
Liberia
🌊 Waterfalls
Catarata La Cangreja
A spectacular waterfall that plunges into a brilliant turquoise pool. Surrounded by lush jungle and volcanic landscapes.
Liberia
🌊 Waterfalls
Catarata del Toro
Ninety metres straight down into an extinct volcanic crater — visible from the rim above
Sarchi
🌊 Waterfalls
Catarata Aquiares
A stunning waterfall cascades into a crystal-clear pool surrounded by lush rainforest and the historic Aquiares Coffee Estate.
Turrialba
🌊 Waterfalls
Blue Falls of Costa Rica
Six turquoise pools of volcanic mineral water — each a different temperature
Bijagua
🌊 Waterfalls
Catarata Bijagual
Witness one of Costa Rica’s tallest waterfalls, where four spectacular cascades plunge through a lush mountain canyon.
Turrubares
🌊 Waterfalls
El Tigre Monteverde Waterfall
An exciting waterfall adventure, where towering cascades, hanging bridges, and cloud forest trails lead through a spectacular river canyon.
Monteverde
🌊 Waterfalls
Cataratas Bribri
Cascading jungle waterfalls tumble into crystal-clear pools surrounded by the lush rainforest.
Talamanca
🥾 Hiking
Bosque de la Hoja
Cool mountain forests where misty trails, cascading waterfalls, and sweeping highland views create a peaceful retreat
San Rafael
🏊 Swimming
El Salto Rio Rope Swing
Swing, jump, and swim at a local favorite where a rope swing launches adventurers into crystal-clear turquoise waters beneath cascading waterfalls.
San Carlos
🌊 Waterfalls
Catarata las Gemelas
Brilliant turquoise waters plunge through lush cloud forest, combining scenic hikes, stunning viewpoints, and vibrant volcanic rivers
Sarchi
🌊 Waterfalls
Catarata Chindama
A true wilderness adventure where a towering waterfall plunges into a secluded jungle canyon deep within Costa Rica’s Caribbean rainforest.
Pococi
🌊 Waterfalls
Catarata Eco Chontales
A towering waterfall plunges into a crystal-clear emerald pool surrounded by lush rainforest.
Pérez Zeledón
🌊 Waterfalls
Catarata San Gabriel
A unique waterfall where water flows down a natural rock slide into a crystal-clear swimming pool surrounded by lush mountain scenery.
Pérez Zeledón
🌊 Waterfalls
Catarata Las Golondrinas
A towering waterfall cascades into a crystal-clear pool surrounded by lush tropical rainforest.
Guácimo
💎 Hidden Gems
Bajos del Toro
Remote cloud forest valley with one road in and almost no one using it
Bajos del Toro
🌊 Waterfalls
Belén Waterfall
Guanacaste's best hidden freshwater swimming pools, which are easy to access, offer cliff-jumping and a peaceful jungle setting.
Belén de Nicoya
💎 Hidden Gems
Montezuma Beach
A vibrant beach town on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula
Montezuma
🌊 Waterfalls
Catarata El Pavón
One of the most iconic waterfalls in southern Costa Rica
Osa
🌊 Waterfalls
Catarata San Fernando
A towering waterfall that crashes down a lush volcanic canyon surrounded by vibrant cloud forest.
Alajuela
🌊 Waterfalls
Los Chorros Waterfalls
Twin falls and swimming holes in the forest above Grecia — a local favourite for good reason
Grecia