The 15 Best Waterfall Tours in Costa Rica

1.Skip-the-Line La Fortuna Waterfall Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 609 reviews · 1 to 2 hours (approx.) · from $20Our pick

Visit La Fortuna Waterfall at your own pace with a prebooked admission ticket. Walk through the Río Fortuna Ecological Reserve, descend about 500 steps, and reach a 70-meter waterfall where swimming may be allowed in suitable weather. The reserve has rest areas, viewpoints, changing facilities, parking, and accessible areas near the entrance.

“Beautiful spot. Can be crowded and hard to get pics. Be prepared for 15 min stairs all the way down and back up! Quite the workout lol. But nonetheless, deff worth the visit!”

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2.Skip the Line:Day Ticket-La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park & Wildlife Refuge

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 226 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $63

Visit La Paz Waterfall Gardens at your own pace with a flexible day pass. Walk through cloud forest trails, see five waterfalls, and explore orchids, butterflies, hummingbirds, toucans, monkeys, snakes, and rescued cats. Allow at least two hours, though four or five gives you time to slow down.

“The hike was spectacular, however there is no benefit to buying the skip the line. There are no lines so you can buy direct and save a few $.”

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3.Hike 10 waterfalls in Jaco lunch included

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 136 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $55Top rated

This three-hour hike at Finca Los Solís takes you through streams, steep jungle paths, rope-assisted rock climbs, and ten waterfalls. Guides such as Jorge, Dustin, Marwin, and Coco are known for patient help and local plant knowledge. Lunch, fruit, water, photos, a dry bag, parking, showers, and WiFi are included.

“Extremely fun and pleasant tour guides. They ensured our safety while insisting that we had fun. I would recommend this tour to anyone who wants to enjoy themselves!”

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4.Arenal Horseback Riding to La Fortuna Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 127 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $94

Ride a calm horse through reforested land and private farms near La Fortuna, then leave the saddle for a steep hike to La Fortuna Waterfall. You can swim at the river, spot monkeys and toucans, and visit a small Maleku cultural center. Guides such as Otto, Kevin, Danny, Pablo, and Carlos have earned warm praise.

“The experience was great! Our guide Otto was awesome and made the tour great. The horseback ride was a good length without getting too sore and the falls were beautiful”

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5.La Leona Waterfall Guided Tour+Transportation

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 124 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $140

From Tamarindo, you’ll ride with a guide such as Alberto, Verny, Anthony, or Nacho to La Leona Waterfall. Expect a two-hour route through caves, rivers, rocks, and canyon walls formed by Rincon de la Vieja volcano. You’ll swim, use ropes, and finish with a waterfall plunge. Lunch in Liberia is extra.

“Verny was our tour guy and let me tell you something... He was amazing, funny, helpful, well-known about history of Costa Rica. He make sure that we are all enjoying, safe, well-protected and he treated us like family. I highly recommend this company and request Verny”

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6.Rio Celeste Waterfall Plus Sloths and wildlife Sanctuary

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 110 reviews · 7 to 11 hours (approx.) · from $220

From Tamarindo, you ride in a private air-conditioned car to Rio Celeste and Tenorio National Park. Expect a two to three-hour rainforest walk, a sloth and wildlife visit at Spring Paradise Bijagua Tours, and lunch at Doña Carmen. Guides may include Verny, Hernan, Allan, or Eric, and the pace can be tailored to your group.

“Our guide Hernan S and driver Alan were OUTSTANDING. Our guide Hania at the wildlife preserve was amazing as well. Hernan was very knowledgeable about the history, environment and flora/fauna of the region. Moderate hike. Beautiful waterfall. Wildlife abundant and pictures of a lifetime. Lunch was delicious and the butterfly garden was a lovely surprise and really well done. They will pick you up at your location, which was very helpful. Great day. Highly recommend.”

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7.Poas Volcano waterfalls and coffee tour from from San Jose

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 108 reviews · 8 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $149

Travel from San José to Poás Volcano, La Paz Waterfall, and coffee farms near Sarapiquí. You’ll learn how coffee is grown, processed, roasted, and brewed, eat a typical Costa Rican lunch, and visit two waterfalls. Guides such as Carlos, Ricardo, Charlie, and Rick are praised for clear explanations and attentive service.

“The tour was wonderful and Carlos was a great guide! My family and I had a good time seeing the coffee plantation, waterfall, and volcano (although it was very misty so the view was slightly hindered). We learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed the tour!”

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8.Hiking Tour of La Leona Waterfall with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 106 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $79

From Tamarindo, you’ll ride to Rincon de la Vieja for a private guided hike along Rio Blanco. Expect rocks, roots, pools, caves, rope sections, and a short swim to La Leona Waterfall. Life jackets, lunch, drinks, admission, and pickup are included. Guides such as Jason, Dylan, Steven, and Noel are often praised for their patience and local insight.

“Hike and waterfall was very good. Guides were very helpful, knowledgeable and fun. The meal provided was decent. Our only complaint was the ride from the tour office to the start of hike. They had to shuttle us in a small vehicle, which took awhile.”

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9.Best of La Fortuna: Hanging Bridges, Waterfall and Arenal Volcano

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 93 reviews · from $124

Start early with a lava trail at Arenal Volcano, swim beneath 70-meter La Fortuna Waterfall, and cross 15 bridges at Mistico Park. Choose two to four activities, add lunch and hot springs if you wish, and ride between stops with a guide. Expect steep paths, many steps, and a long day outdoors.

“Fantastic tour! We hiked the mountain, swam in the waterfalls and seen many animals on the suspension bridges. It was a great day! Highly recommend”

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10.La Leona Waterfall Hike and River Tubing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 90 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $90

Spend 4 to 5 hours near Curubandé hiking through forest and river channels to La Leona Waterfall, then tubing for about 90 minutes. Expect ladders, rock crossings, a rope-assisted cave entry, swimming, and rapids. Guides such as Ronnie, Brandy, Victor, and Diego focus on safety and helping less confident swimmers.

“Ponchino was an amazing tubing and hiking guide! We saw toucans, howler monkeys, and a bat cave during our experience. We would highly recommend this company as all of the guides are very professional and safety is a priority! Thanks Ponchino :)”

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11.Full Day Tour with Safari Float, Waterfall and Volcano Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 89 reviews · 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $210

Start near La Fortuna with a calm safari float on the Peñas Blancas River, where guides such as Tony, Pepe, or Isaac may point out sloths, monkeys, iguanas, and toucans. Swim at La Fortuna Waterfall, eat a home-cooked Costa Rican lunch at a family ranch, then walk old lava trails near Arenal Volcano. Hotel transport, park fees, snacks, and lunch are included.

“Learned how to howl at the monkeys ! Had a nature loving guide who showed us the habitat of many local animals.”

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12.5 Hour Off-Road ATV+ Zipline+ Waterfall Rappelling+ Tractor Jungle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 86 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $160

At The Park at Ocean Ranch near Jaco, you ride ATVs, rappel El Encanto Waterfall, zip across more than 2,000 meters of rainforest, and ride a tractor through the property. Guides such as Jesus and Carlos keep the pace friendly and safety-focused. Hotel pickup may be available in selected areas, and lunch is optional rather than included.

“Amazing crew, very safe and professional, we had amazing time…. Much recomended, the place is beautiful”

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13.La Leona waterfall adventure hike half day

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $50

You’ll ride a 4WD truck to the trailhead, then hike about 1.3 miles each way through shaded forest, streams, rocks, ropes, and narrow passages to La Leona Waterfall. Guides such as Pablo, José, Ramses, and Carlos adjust the route to your fitness and comfort. Swim, take photos, and enjoy fresh fruit afterward.

“The waterfall was stunning, but our tour operator and guide made the experience truly special. They were incredibly knowledgeable, super friendly, and patient with our whole family. The hike was exciting, water refreshing, and the tour ended with the best pineapple I've ever had in my life (no joke). Highly recommend!!”

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14.ATV + Zipline + Waterfall + Rainforest Lunch COMBO

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $179

From Jaco, you will ride 10 zip lines, including a 2,400-foot cable, then take an ATV through rainforest to Catarata Bijagual. Swim at the waterfall, enjoy lunch at a mountain tilapia farm, and return past Pacific views. Guides including Marco, Emmanuel, Diego, and Alex have earned special praise for safety and personal attention.

“My boyfriend and I loves our experience! We were with Emmanuel for on our ATV tour and it was amazing! We toured all over the mountain and stopped at the waterfall for a quick swim. The water was so refreshing. Emmanuel was so informative throughout the tour and made us feel welcomed and comfortable. 100% would recommend!”

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15.Coffee & Chocolate Tour+Sloths Park & Llanos de Cortez Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $210

From Tamarindo, this private eight-hour trip visits Spring Paradise Bijagua for rainforest wildlife, a coffee and cacao workshop, Llanos de Cortez Waterfall, and a traditional lunch at El Sabor de Doña Carmen. Guides such as Dayro, Fernando, Dido, and Anthony are praised for wildlife spotting, translation, local insight, and flexible pacing.

“First let me say Our private guide, Fernando, was exceptional! He was very friendly, attentive & informative all day. He even ensured the owner of the restaurant that we had lunch at was aware of my fish allergy so that I could enjoy the delicious lunch that was served with no fear of cross contamination in the kitchen. He also took us to The waterfall first thing in the morning as there were only a handful of other people there. He said if we went at the end of the day it would be so packed that we would not have had the room to move or take any personal…”

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