Costa Rica is a land of waterfalls, however certainly one of its most spectacular cascades is the Nauyaca Waterfalls. The misty waterfalls plunge into the depths of a verdant canyon, and the sounds of the jungle echo round you. Once you stroll down the staircase to the falls, you enter a rainforest paradise that leaves you speechless.
A day journey to those scenic waterfalls is without doubt one of the high issues in Costa Rica once you’re exploring the Pacific coast. Simply 10 km outdoors the coolness seashore city of Dominical, Nauyaca Waterfalls are certainly one of Costa Rica’s most accessible waterfalls.
Throughout my first go to to Costa Rica, I had the possibility to chase waterfalls and feast my eyes on this pure magnificence. After my expertise, I needed to listing 10 suggestions that will help you plan your go to to Nauyaca Waterfalls. From tips on getting there to recommendation whereas on the falls, listed here are my suggestions to organize an unforgettable journey to certainly one of Costa Rica’s biggest pure wonders.
1. Save Cash by Trekking to the Waterfalls
In the event you’re match sufficient for a strenuous trek, then strap in your mountain climbing boots to achieve the waterfalls. However make no mistake, this 5 km (3.12 mile) trek will kick your butt when you’re not in form. The path is generally a gravel highway by dense jungle, however it’s viciously steep at instances. And whether or not it’s the dry or moist season, the warmth is brutal and makes water a necessity. For wet season hikers, there may be mud patches that current slip hazards alongside the trail.
If that doesn’t faze you, then you definitely’ll save the largest value in your journey to Nauyaca Waterfalls. After asking varied guests, I heard totally different costs that included their tickets and roundtrip transportation. Tickets have been round $30 per individual relying on the bundle you bought. However if you wish to convey the price all the way down to solely your entry tickets ($11 USD for foreigners & $7 USD for residents), convey your trekking footwear.
2. Tickets Can ONLY be Bought on the Workplace
Don’t make the hike to Nauyaca Waterfalls unprepared like me and assume tickets are bought on the gate. Once we arrived on the waterfall entry, an indication greeted us that tickets can solely be bought on the workplace. To indicate that you just bought your ticket, they place a wristband on you for the workers to see. Apparently, they cost you an additional charge for exhibiting up with no wristband however that wasn’t enforced throughout our go to.
It’s possible you’ll be questioning how we managed to entry the waterfalls with out shopping for tickets on the workplace. We received extraordinarily fortunate {that a} workers member took money from us on the property and supplied wristbands. In case you bump right into a employee in a foul temper, stick to purchasing tickets on the workplace.
The Nauyaca Waterfalls ticket workplace is positioned on Route 243 between the surf city of Dominical and San Isidro de El Normal. In the event you’re driving or using public transportation from Dominical, the workplace will probably be in your proper. Simply search for the large, colourful Nauyaca signal.
3. The Yellow Tractor Tire Alerts the Path to Nauyaca Waterfalls
The simplest method to keep in mind which route factors to the waterfalls is to search for the yellow tractor tire. It sits beside the freeway on the best aspect when you’re arriving from Dominical, but it surely doesn’t say something about Nauyaca Waterfalls.
The gravel highway that goes towards the waterfalls may be difficult to identify when you’re not paying consideration. That’s why I say search for the brilliant, yellow tractor tire to level you in the best route. You’ll additionally discover a bus cease earlier than the tire, and that’s the place public transit riders hop workplace to start the journey.
4. A 4×4 Automobile is a Necessity
In the event you rented a car in Costa Rica and need to skip a part of the hike, there’s a parking zone alongside the trail. Nonetheless, don’t anticipate a typical automotive to face up to the steep, rocky terrain. And don’t even attempt it, or else you’ll harm your car.
The highway to Nauyaca Waterfalls is treacherous year-round, however situations are worse in the course of the wet season. Except you’ve got a 4×4 car, keep on with the bus on your trip.
The parking zone is roughly 4 km (2.5 miles) from the waterfall entrance. A good thing about leaving your car within the parking zone is that you just’ll skip one of many path’s steepest sections when mountain climbing.
5. There’s an Airbnb Even Nearer Than the Parking Lot
If in case you have no car and don’t thoughts mountain climbing, it’s important to make the most of this subsequent tip for Nauyaca Waterfalls. The Airbnb we stayed at to go to the waterfalls is the closest lodging to Nauyaca (to my information). Simply previous the swinging bridge, there’s a gate to the property the place the Airbnb is positioned. From this location, you’re a hair beneath 2 miles from the waterfalls.
Located on a 4-hectare reserve, it’s a magical spot to attach with Costa Rica’s tropical forest. There’s a backyard on the property, swimming holes within the Rio Baru, and several other canine to maintain you firm. Extra on the canine for my subsequent tip.
The lodging is appropriate for a pair, household, or small group of pals trying to find solitude. Nonetheless, you must know that the web is proscribed, and the proprietor speaks no English (fluent Spanish & German). However that didn’t deter us from having a relaxed keep beside the river. In the event you’re nervous about hauling your stuff on the path, you’ll be able to prepare a trip with the proprietor from the tractor tire upon reserving.
6. Pets Are NOT Allowed on the Nauyaca Waterfalls Property
As you’ll discover in my footage, we had a mountain climbing information on our trek to the waterfalls. One of many canine from our Airbnb determined to stroll with us your entire path to the doorway. It was a great deal of enjoyable mountain climbing with our four-legged buddy, however we noticed an indication on the gate saying pets weren’t allowed.
So, we took turns going onto the property and having fun with the plunging waterfalls inside the luxurious canyon. Whereas we took turns ready, it made for a enjoyable greeting for different arriving guests. However when you occur to be planning a solo go to together with your pet, you’ll be in for a disappointment.
7. Solely One Waterfall is Good for Swimming
After the ultimate trek to the waterfalls, you’ll discover an indication that particulars every majestic cascade. Waterfall #1 is 45 meters excessive (130 toes), not really useful for swimming & diving, and just for footage. Waterfall #2 is 20 meters excessive (60 toes), really useful for swimming & diving, and taking footage.
Once you climb the rocky staircase to waterfall #1, you quickly understand why you’ll be able to’t swim there. Though it’s completely beautiful, there are too many rocks for a swimming gap. I recommend scrambling on the rocks to discover a comfy spot for a picnic when you packed a lunch. You can nonetheless really feel the misty waterfall and hearken to the sounds of the rainforest.
8. Use Excessive Warning if You’re NOT a Good Swimmer
In the event you’re decided to swim in waterfall #2, it’s a surreal expertise taking a dip beneath the cascade. Nonetheless, I extremely advise staying beside the rocks when you’re not swimmer. And I repeat, you have to be a GOOD swimmer.
The water on this swimming gap is extraordinarily DEEP and harmful for many who aren’t sturdy swimmers. There aren’t any lifeguards on the emerald pool, and you might be warned to swim at your personal danger. Please watch out and don’t get your self right into a life-threatening predicament.
9. Do NOT Dive into the Water
Some individuals may name me a stick within the mud, however I might warning in opposition to diving into the swimming gap. There are jagged rocks across the pool, and also you won’t know the place you’ll discover boulders beneath the floor.
Diving right into a swimming gap you’re unfamiliar with is a recipe for catastrophe when you select the incorrect spot. Though you’ll see numerous people doing methods and diving from the rocky partitions with out a care, I counsel in opposition to it. You’ll nonetheless have numerous enjoyable and gained’t put your self in hurt’s manner.
10. Look ahead to Wildlife on the Method Again
Once you’re mountain climbing again to your automotive or the bus cease, preserve your eyes peeled within the forest round you. The trail ventures deep into the tropical rainforest, and also you by no means know when a wildlife encounter is on the horizon. Colourful birds, playful monkeys, and lazy sloths are a handful of the sightings chances are you’ll witness mountain climbing to/from Nauyaca Waterfalls.
We have been lucky to fulfill a small group of Capuchin monkeys swinging within the bushes on our hike again to the Airbnb. The intimidating sounds of howler monkeys additionally echoed all through the forest.
These are my high 10 suggestions on your go to to Nauyaca Waterfalls. If I missed one thing or you’ve got further suggestions, please depart a remark under.