Costa Rica · Puntarenas
Nauyaca Falls
Cataratas Nauyaca
A two-tiered cascade on the Barú River drops into one of the Costa Rican Pacific coast's most popular swimming holes, reached by a rough dirt road, horseback, or a several-kilometre hike through pastureland. The upper and lower tiers each have their own distinct plunge pool.
A two-tiered cascade on the Barú River drops into one of the Costa Rican Pacific coast's most popular swimming holes, reached by a rough dirt road, horseback, or a several-kilometre hike through pastureland. The upper and lower tiers each have their own distinct plunge pool.
Nauyaca Falls drops 45 metres (148 ft) on the Barú. It is a tiered-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Platanillo, with XQP the closest airport. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
Dry season (Dec-Apr) makes the rutted access road and swimming conditions best.
What you can do here
Swimming
Plunge pools, natural infinity pools and the occasional lip pool you can legally sit in.
Hiking
From ten-minute boardwalks to multi-day approaches through cloud forest.
Photography
Light angles, moonbows, spray management and the hours that actually work.
When to go
Dry season (Dec-Apr) makes the rutted access road and swimming conditions best.
Entry: Private land entry fee ~$10-15 USD
Getting there
- Base townPlatanillo
- AirportXQP
- CountryCosta Rica
- RegionPuntarenas, North America
- AccessModerate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
On the map
9.2167, -83.6833
Quick answers
How tall is Nauyaca Falls?
Nauyaca Falls drops 45 metres (148 feet). It is a tiered-type waterfall on the Barú.
When is the best time to visit Nauyaca Falls?
Peak flow is January to April and December. Dry season (Dec-Apr) makes the rutted access road and swimming conditions best.
What can you do at Nauyaca Falls?
Beyond the viewpoints: swimming, hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail.
How do you get to Nauyaca Falls?
The usual base is Platanillo, and the closest airport is XQP. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there. Private land entry fee ~$10-15 USD.
Nearby & similar
More in North America
La Fortuna Waterfall
A single vertical drop off the flank of Arenal Volcano's foothills falls into a cold, boulder-strewn pool reached by a steep stairc…
Pulhapanzak Falls
A broad curtain on the Río Lindo drops into a jungle canyon that guides lead visitors behind and even partway down via a canyoning …
Agua Azul
A staircase of travertine terraces turns the river a milky turquoise-blue as calcium carbonate precipitates out of solution, formin…
Tamul Falls
Two rivers, one running clear turquoise and one silt-laden, merge just above the lip and plunge together over a broad limestone cli…