The Nauyaca waterfalls are my top recommendation if you only have time to experience only one waterfall stop while visiting the southern part of Costa Rica. This waterfall nature park features two-tier cascading waterfalls, where you are able to swim and soak up the sun at the lower falls and admire the beauty at the upper falls. The photos here wont do these falls justice, you must experience it for yourself! In this blog post I will give you all the information you need to know when planning a trip to the Nauyaca Waterfalls in Costa Rica.
Office Hours
The Nauyaca waterfalls are open daily, the hours are as follows:
Monday to Saturday: 7 am to 2 pm
Sunday: 8 am to 2 pm
Parking
The property is split into two sections. There is the office where you will get your ticket and show your online reservation and the parking lot. The parking lot is approximately 2km from the office and is where the trail starts. If you are choosing to walk and have no vehicle, you will be walking to the parking lot and then starting the Nauyaca trek.
Price for parking: $5
Language
When I visited the falls the people at the office spoke primarily español and only knew basic english words. I would suggest bringing cellphone for translating if you are not fluent in spanish.
Location of Nauyaca Waterfalls Costa Rica
Located in the Dominical area, the Nauyaca waterfalls would make a great day trip from Uvita or if you’re up for a longer road trip, from Manuel Antonio. It is a marked location on google maps and generally very easy to find on route 243.
- Manuel Antonio: 1.5 hours away
- Uvita: 40 minutes away
- Dominical: 10 minutes away
How to Get There
Tours: you can book a tour to Nauyaca waterfall which is probably the easiest way, however will also be the most cost, especially if you are coming from Manuel Antonio or other areas further away. Tours from Manual Antonio range from $150 – $250.
Bus: There are several buses that pass by the Nauyaca Waterfall office. You will need to ask them to stop at the office to drop you off when you get on, this does not seem to be any issue for the driver. **You may need to get a taxi to bring you to the bus station, this is not usually a large cost depending on how far the bus station is from you.
*Note: bus stops are not well marked in Costa Rica so you can ask locals if you are not able to find. We found the Costa Rican locals to be very friendly and eager to help.
Self-Drive: If you have a vehicle, you can click the waze link here to the Nauyaca Waterfall.
What to Expect when You Get There
When you finally arrive at the falls you will find an area with many places for sitting to eat lunch and will also find bathrooms. There are no bathrooms located along the trail to the falls, so make sure you go before hand. Approx. 100m from the entrance you will find the lower falls where you can swim. Approx. 150m from there you will find the incredible upper falls.
There are people that work there and clean/manage the park so you will not be alone in case of an emergency.
*Note: You may have seen online people jumping from the lower falls. I feel it is important to know that this is only permitted between hours of 9:30am and 11:30am and is also weather permitting. You will not be able to swim in the falls during or immediately after heavy rainfall.
Accessing The Nauyaca Waterfalls Costa Rica
There are 4 options available to access the Nauyaca waterfall nature park and all options must be reserved online through thier website.
4×4 Premium: You will be brought directly to the falls in the back of a 4×4 pick-up truck (don’t worry, it has seating and is covered). The truck will stop at a ranch on your way to the falls, approx. 30 minutes into the drive, and you will have option to buy snacks here and observe some wildlife like monkeys and peacocks. This option will include a guide and lunch.
- Cost: $80 per person.
- Starts at 9am and finishes at 1:30pm
4×4 Economic: Similar to the premium option, you will be brought to the falls in the back of a 4×4 pick-up truck, however you will not have lunch included and will have 2 hours at the falls.
- Cost: $32 per person
- Two person minimum is required.
- Departing times are anywhere on the hour between 7am and 12pm.
Horseback Riding: This option is great if you want to enhance your experience.
Note: this tour has weight limit of 220 pounds. You do not need to know how to ride a horse.
- Cost: $80 per person
- Starts at 9am and ends at 1:30pm
Walk-Hike: This is the budget option and can be a difficult hike to complete as the terrain can be rough or slippery. You will not have a guide if you choose this option, however I do not feel that you need one as it is just one single trail to follow. Depending on your transportation means, you will be hiking approx. 4-6km each way with this option.
- Cost: $10 per person
- You can purchase a ticket until 2pm
Photo examples of trail hike conditions:
Best Season to Visit
Visiting in the dry season (December to April) is the best time to experience these falls as water will be more calm and you will be able to enjoy the sunshine weather. The hike to the falls will also be a lot easier in dry conditions if that is the option you choose. When there is heavy rainfall it causes the falls to be rough and the park will not permit you to swim in the lower falls.
Hint: As with every instagrammable and popular spot in Costa Rica, visit in the early hours of the morning to beat the crowds! We chose the hiking option, starting at 7am and had the entire place to ourselves.
What you Need to Bring to Nauyaca Waterfalls Costa Rica
- Proof of your reservation
- Water and snacks
- Water shoes for entering the lower falls. Not required but I recommend taking them.
- Sunscreen and mosquito repellent
- Swimwear and a towel
- Waterproof bag for cellphone and camera electronics
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