Rivers, forest and mountains
Well-known Costa Rican waterfalls with guidance on access, trails, safety, weather and responsible visits.
Rivers, forest and mountains
Compare region, access and difficulty before choosing. These guides prioritize formal routes, trail status and safety: flow can change within minutes even when local skies appear clear.
La Fortuna, San Carlos, Alajuela
The Fortuna River drops roughly 70 metres inside a humid-forest reserve managed by ADIFORT. It is one of the Northern Zone’s best-known visits, combining a viewpoint, a long staircase and designated river areas.
Tenorio Volcano National Park, Alajuela and Guanacaste
Río Celeste waterfall lies on the official Tenorio Volcano National Park trail. Its colour appears when suspended mineral particles scatter light; the route also links a lagoon, bubbling springs and the Teñidero when all sections are open.
Barú, Pérez Zeledón, San José
Nauyaca combines two major waterfall tiers on private land in the Barú mountains near Dominical. Visitors can hike or select transport options offered by the operator.
Bagaces, Guanacaste
Llanos de Cortés is a broad, photogenic fall near Bagaces, often visited between Liberia, the coast and the mountain range. Its appearance and pool change markedly between dry and rainy seasons.
Bajos del Toro, Sarchí, Alajuela
Catarata del Toro drops into a volcanic formation surrounded by cloud forest in Bajos del Toro. The descent provides several viewpoints and many stairs, creating a very different experience from a recreational swimming fall.
Vara Blanca, Heredia and Alajuela border
La Paz Waterfall Gardens combines five waterfalls with cloud-forest trails at a private attraction near Vara Blanca. The roadside fall is only part of the system, and stopping on the road is not a safe substitute for a visit.
Montezuma, Cóbano, Puntarenas
The Montezuma waterfalls form a multi-tier system on the Montezuma River near town. Popularity does not remove risk: access can be irregular, rocks are slippery and jumping has caused serious accidents.
Uvita, Osa, Puntarenas
Uvita waterfall is an accessible fall near central Uvita and is often paired with Marino Ballena. Its proximity does not mean national-park infrastructure: access and conditions should be confirmed locally.
Tacares, Grecia, Alajuela
Los Chorros protects two falls in a forested canyon at Tacares de Grecia. Access and management have changed at different times, so visitors must confirm opening and a safe route before departure.
Aquiares, Turrialba, Cartago
Aquiares waterfall lies in the coffee landscape on the slopes of Turrialba volcano. The ICT regional tourism guide describes a drop exceeding 30 metres; access should be coordinated with local operators or hosts.
Bijagual de Turrubares, Carara, Puntarenas
Bijagual Waterfall, also associated with the name Manantial de Agua Viva, descends through the forested mountains of the Carara region. This is not a roadside stop: access crosses private property and must be arranged through the site’s authorized tours.
There are no published waterfalls for this province yet.
