Nauyaca Waterfalls!

Costa Rica is famous for its waterfalls. And for travelers visiting the South Pacific Coast, the Nauyaca Waterfalls are one of the main attractions. The trailhead to the falls is just 20 minutes from Dominical, one of the bigger towns on the southern coast. It’s about a 45-minute drive from Manuel Antonio.

Nauyaca Waterfalls consists of two falls that combine to be an impressive 200 feet high. The pool at the bottom of the first waterfall is too rocky for swimming, but the second waterfall below is about six feet deep – perfect for a refreshing swim!

The falls can be accessed either on a hiking or horseback riding excursion on the private property of Don Lulo. You must purchase tickets within their small shop on the side of Route 243.

The trail to Nauyaca Waterfalls is a 6 km or 3.7-mile (1 – 1 ½ hours) one-way (so 12 km total in and out) hike. The level of difficulty is classified as intermediate so you’ll want to be in decent physical shape. It can get a bit muddy – particularly in the rainy season. Bring hiking shoes with traction.

The hiking trail and horseback riding trail are the same. The trailhead begins in the parking lot. You’ll begin along the scenic Baru River.

There’s plenty of wildlife in the South Pacific region. Be on the lookout for sloths, monkeys, toucans, hummingbirds, and other tropical bird species.

Hikers should bring their own drinks and snacks as they are only provided with guided tours. Sun protection and comfortable hiking shoes are highly recommended.

The alternative to hiking to the falls is horseback riding. The horseback riding excursion is able a half-hour into the falls – starting from the Don Lulo shop.

The guided horseback tour starts at 8:00 am, ends at 1:30 pm, and includes lunch. Long pants and closed-toed shoes are highly recommended. The horseback tour is closed on Sundays. Reservations for horseback riding do need to be made in advance, and our Costa Rica Experts can help handle the details for you! *There’s a 220 lb weight limit for horseback riding.

What to Wear and Bring

·         You can bring your swimsuit and change at the office.

·         Bring lots of water, bug repellent, and sunscreen.

·         There are no food or snack stands so bring your own.

·         Bring waterproof equipment if you plan on bringing electronics. A waterproof backpack is highly recommended.

·         Wear closed toed shoes (no flip flops) since it get muddy/steep on some parts of the trail. The rocks are slippery at the waterfall. If you wear tennis shoes, you’re going to have wet socks and shoes by the end of the hike.

·         Wear shorts and a tank top/short sleeve shirt that dry fast. It is very humid! If you are visiting in rainy season, I do recommend a rain jacket.