Located in the south Pacific of Costa Rica, the Nauyaca Waterfall is a place you must visit! We have been to many of the top waterfalls all over Costa Rica, and Nauyaca is my favorite! Not only is it breathtakingly beautiful, but it`s also awesome because the because you can swim, jump and climb different parts of it! Truly a memorable place to visit.
Located just about 40 minutes from Manuel Antonio (in Dominical), you can take a day trip there by yourself (and save some money as I noted in How To Travel Costa Rica on a Budget)! Definitely set aside a full day of adventure for going here because you will be pooped at the end!
Of course there are guided tours (about $130 pp), but you really don`t need a guide to hike to the waterfall as the trail is super simple to navigate. Just make sure you go with a buddy of course for safety!
Keep reading this article for all the tips you need to know to go on your own…
Nauyaca is a 2 tier waterfall:
- Upper Falls- 180 foot drop (where you can climb on rocks and feel the mist in your face…totally exhilarating!)
- Lower Falls- 80 foot drop with a huge swimming pool at the bottom (swim, climb, places to jump off…so much fun!)
How To Get There
- DRIVE YOURSELF: The easiest way to get there (without paying for a tour) is to drive yourself. You should have a 4×4 to be able to drive down to the parking lot (saving a lot of walking time). Google Maps location: Nauyaca Waterfalls Office, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica
- TAXI: If you don`t have a rental car, you can get roundtrip transportation for $150 (for up to 4 people). This is still way cheaper than paying $130per person for a tour. Contact us to set up this service.
Things To Know Before You Go
- You will first arrive to the office where you purchase your entrance ticket (only $8 per person, cash only). This is not a tour, just your admission into the park so be sure to pack water bottles and snacks.
- Then, if you have 4-wheel drive (recommend an SUV, not a car) you can drive down into the parking area and then start the 2.5 mile hike. The parking lot is free but is unattended, so be sure to lock your car. This will save you walking an extra 1.2 miles from the office (where you buy the tickets) down to the parking lot.
- The hike takes about 1.5 hours, walking at a steady pace. It is not super difficult, but is not super easy either (there are quite a few inclines especially as you get closer to the waterfall), so you should be in relatively good shape to do this.
- The hiking trail itself is really beautiful. You will be entertained with different scenery along the way (there`s a river that you can stop at, really cool bamboo, awesome views, etc).
- The rocks at the bottom falls (where you go swimming) can be quite slippery, so be careful! You might want to pack water shoes if that will make you feel more comfortable, but that`s more about personal preference than a strong recommendation.
*Do NOT go if it`s been raining all week- this will make the hike super duper muddy and slippery and just kind of a nightmare. Also, if it`s been super rainy, you will most likely not be able to drive down to the parking lot, thus making your hike an extra mile long.
What To Pack
- comfortable shoes for hiking (that you don`t mind getting dirty)
- insect repellent
- sunblock
- swim suit
- water shoes (optional)
- towel
- ziploc bag for your phone / wallet
- water
- snacks
- camera
I hope you have an awesome time exploring Nauyaca Waterfalls! If you need help arranging your roundtrip transportation there, or if you`d feel more comfortable going on a guided tour, contact us.
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