Nauyaca Waterfalls in Puntarenas

Nauyaca Waterfalls in Puntarenas

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

These two waterfalls are located 30 minutes from Uvita by car and 48 from Quepos. Like almost always in Costa Rica, the access is private so you will have to pay (surprise). Currently there are two different accesses, the one we are sharing is the cheapest one.

You can leave the car for free at Nauyaca Waterfalls Office but you will have to walk 6 km to the waterfall. Otherwise you can pay 4$ and leave it in a parking lot which is located 2km closer (avoiding a very steep section of the road). The access is not complicated, you can make it even with a Fiat Punto.

The hiking from the parking lot is easy, some sections are a little steep and can be muddy, so expect a slippery trail if it has rained recently. At the parking lot there is a hose to clean your shoes before getting back in the car.

The waterfalls are 100 m from each other. The fist one (Waterfall 1), is 45 m high and it's not possible to swim in that area. The second one is 20 meters high and you can swim and even go under it.

It's a very touristic place so it's usually busy(8.5/10). However, it depends on the season and the time you go. The earlier you go, the less busy it is.

You can hear howler monkeys from the waterfalls as well as on the way. Additionally, there are some banana trees at the parking lot and Toucans often visit them for lunch. Good luck!

The same company offers horse and truck rides to the waterfall if you want to save time and energy.

There are restrooms next to the waterfalls.

The waterfalls are cool. However they are very touristic and normally there are many people.