COSTA RICA · WATERFALL TOURS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 13 waterfall tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Buy a $20 admission ticket for La Fortuna Waterfall, then explore independently. Walk about 500 steps to a powerful 70-meter cascade, swim when conditions allow, and return at your own pace. No guide or transport is included. Children under 8 enter free.
“Beautiful views!! We were able to get amazing pictures down by the waterfall. The 500 steps was no joke, but totally worth it!!”
Visit La Paz Waterfall Gardens at your own pace with an all-access day ticket. Walk cloud forest trails, see five waterfalls, and explore orchids, butterflies, hummingbirds, birds, monkeys, big cats, and snakes. You arrange your own transport, and two to five hours gives you time to see the park well.
“A good overview of Costa Rica floral, fauna and natural beauty. Yes, amimals are in cages, and that's not my favorite, but their enclosures aren't too small. The monkeys were having great fun. Only a jaguar was doing the boredom pace. If there is any chance of rain I would suggest to do the waterfalls first while it's not raining and save the exhibits for when it is raining. Be sure to go inside the Tico exhibit and talk to the docent and take in what a typical 1850 Costa Rican house was like. Their food and coffee samples were delicious.”
At Finca Los Solís near Jaco, guides Jorge, Dustin, Marwin, and their team lead you up a river through 10 waterfalls, rope-assisted rock sections, natural pools, and rainforest plants. Expect wet shoes, steep climbs, fresh fruit, a typical Costa Rican lunch, and a small group of up to 15 people.
“We had a great time and we saw 10 beautiful waterfalls and got to swim in a few and we got some pineapple it was so good and fresh and guide was really informative”
Ride about 3 kilometers through reforested land and farms, then leave the horses for a steep hike to La Fortuna Waterfall. Guides such as Otto, Kevin, Danny, Pablo, Carlos, Paz, and Crystal have earned praise for their patience and humor. Swimwear, long pants, and solid fitness are essential.
“It was the best experience I’ve had so far in Costa Rica! Kevin was amazing and the horses are so gentle. The waterfall was awesome!”
Spend about eight hours traveling from Tamarindo to La Leona Waterfall with a private guide such as Jason, Dylan, Steven, or Noel. Expect a shaded, rocky hike beside Rio Blanco, several pools, caves, ladders, rope-assisted sections, and a final swim to the falls. Lunch, drinks, transport, and park fees are included.
“This is a great tour. Be prepared to swim, but it is so worth it! Even my 80-year-old Mom made it all the way like a champ (but she’s in great shape). Our guide Jason was great and we even got to see some monkeys in the trees at the end. Lunch was very good - classic Costa Rican Cosada plate cooked fresh. Highly recommend!”
Near Curubandé, this 4 to 5-hour outing pairs 90 minutes of river tubing with a waterfall adventure through rock canyons, streams, ladders, and a rope-assisted cave entry. Guides such as Ronnie, Victor, Diego, Brandy, and Rony lead the route and focus closely on safety.
“Well organized experience, we started with tubing down a river which was a lot of fun! The guides were cool and professionnal. Then, we did the 30mns hike to the waterfall which involves some swimming on the way. Of course, you have to wear life jackets all the time. I've been told it can be pretty busy in the morning, but being there around 2-3 pm worked out great for us since we didn't see many people.”
Spend about five hours at The Park at Ocean Ranch near Jaco with guides such as Jesus, Carlos, Alonso, and Danny. Ride ATVs through jungle trails, rappel a waterfall, cross more than 2,000 meters of zip lines, and ride a tractor up the property. Lunch costs extra.
“This activity was amazing, very close to jaco and we had amazing tour guides. I recommend this activity to everyone”
Spend about eight hours pairing Pure Trek waterfall rappelling with Balsa River rafting. You will rappel waterfalls, climb rocks, ride a zipline, tackle Class 2 to 3 rapids, stop for snacks, and enjoy lunch. Guides such as Byran, Myron, Augusto, and Mario are praised for calm safety support.
“Both parts of the tour were absolutely amazing! We didn't realize that the two parts were actually run by different tour companies but that coordinated really well together so it felt seamless. Just make sure to bring a change of clothes so you're not sitting around soaked during lunch!”
Start in Jaco with 10 zip lines, including a 2,400-foot cable, then ride an ATV through rainforest to Catarata Bijagual. Cool off at the waterfall before lunch at a mountain tilapia farm. Guides such as Marco, Diego, Emmanuel, and Alex have earned strong praise, but routes depend on weather and trail conditions.
“We had an amazing experience with Adventure Tours Costa Rica! We (7 of us) did the ATV/zip line/waterfall combo and it was a blast! Alonzo and Justin were amazing tour guides during the ATV portion, they took us to a bunch of beautiful vistas and then a waterfall for a bit of swimming. They were soooo nice and knowledgeable, just very genuine people. Afterwards Mr. Perez took us to the zip line sight where Willforte and his amazing crew took us on an amazing flying jungle adventure. All of the guides were so helpful, hilarious and fun! They also showed a significant commitment to safety that we all appreciated. Everyone…”
You’ll tube Rio Celeste with Onca Tours for about three hours, using provided equipment and insurance, then eat a typical Costa Rican lunch. Expect rainforest, lively current, a possible cliff jump, howler monkeys, and guides such as Antony. Meet in Katira and return there.
“This was an absolute blast! Absolutely stunning! Excellent team kept everyone moving. Thanks for an amazing experience!”
Spend a full day in Guanacaste with a private guide and driver, jumping from 25 to 45-foot cliffs, hiking and swimming to La Leona Waterfall, then tubing Colorado River rapids. Guides such as Paul, Sebastian, Alberto, and Jose are praised for photos, local stories, and friendly help.
“This was an absolutely amazing tour and a great company to use. After booking the company reached out via WhatsApp so we had a way of contacting them to ask questions in advance. The jump off the cliff was really fun! I never thought my wife or 17 year old would do it, but they did! Then the experience at La Leona waterfall was so amazing. We saw two different waterfalls and they were beautiful. We had about 30 minutes to hike to the waterfall and over rocks and limbs, but it was very easy but Definately don’t wear flip flops or loose fitting shoes. We had a quick lunch…”
Join César or Juan Carlos near Quepos for a four-hour visit to Hacienda Ebano and its rainforest reserve. Walk 1.6 kilometers past streams, bridges, tropical plants, and wildlife, then swim beneath two waterfalls. The small-group outing costs $85 and includes admission.
“A wonderful tour through the preserve with Cesar telling us about his finca. Very comfortable and beautiful. A great lunch served by the side of the waterfall.”
Start high in the Monteverde hills and hike about 5 kilometers downhill past four waterfalls, river crossings, and hanging bridges. Swim if weather permits, then ride horseback for roughly 35 minutes uphill before lunch. Hotel transport is included from Monteverde and Santa Elena.
“This is the BEST Monteverde hike! It is breathtakingly beautiful and just when you think it can’t get any better, you move to an even more fantastic location! There were stunning waterfalls, rope and wood suspension bridges that seemed right out of a scene from Jumanji. We swam in a pool of crystal clear fresh water and sunbathed on the rocks while gazing up at the towering trees of the rainforest. Spectacular! We finished the hike with a horseback ride back up out of the valley and walked into an awesome restaurant with a wall of windows overlooking the rolling hills from Lake Arenal to the Arenal Volcano! Brilliant!”
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