Lonely Planet Costa RicaLonely Planet
Guidebook
Lonely Planet Costa Rica
Lonely Planet · 2025
Latest Lonely Planet Costa Rica, covering Arenal/La Fortuna, Tenorio's Río Celeste and the southern Pacific near Nauyaca.
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.
South Pacific Costa Rica's most popular swimming waterfall Essentials guide
Checked September 2026 by David Bussell
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.
Nauyaca Falls is the second-tallest of the 5 we cover in Costa Rica. As a tiered waterfall, a series of distinct drops, one below the other.
What you can do here
Also good forHikingPhotography
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 town Platanillo
- Airport XQP
- Country Costa Rica
- Region Puntarenas, Mexico & Central America, North America
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Nauyaca Falls
Costa Rica
Height45 mWidth—
Most similar
Alexander Falls
Canada
Height43 mWidth—
Also a tiered waterfall, of similar height and in Canada
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
43 m
45 m
108 m
330 m
979 m
Alexander FallsNauyaca FallsVictoria FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Angel Falls is 22× taller than Nauyaca Falls. Victoria Falls is 2.4× taller. We don't have a reliable crest width for Nauyaca Falls yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Videos from Nauyaca Falls
3:41
3:46
14:20
Chosen from YouTube; videos belong to their creators and play from YouTube's privacy-enhanced player.
Books worth packing
Moon Costa Rica: Best Beaches…Nikki Solano
Guidebook
Moon Costa Rica: Best Beaches, Wildlife-Watching, Outdoor Adventures
Nikki Solano · 2025
Current Moon guide by a Costa Rica-based author, with Arenal, Tenorio and Dominical-area coverage.
Lonely Planet Central AmericaLonely Planet
Guidebook
Lonely Planet Central America
Lonely Planet · 2025
Region-wide guide with Honduras coverage, including San Pedro Sula and Lago de Yojoa, the base for Pulhapanzak.
On the map
9.2808, -83.8226
Quick answers
Where is Nauyaca Falls?
Nauyaca Falls is in Costa Rica (Puntarenas). The nearest base is Platanillo and the closest airport is XQP. Its coordinates are 9.2808, -83.8226.
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.
Can you swim at Nauyaca Falls?
Yes — swimming is a normal part of a visit to Nauyaca Falls, in the pools away from the falling water. Only swim where it is permitted on the day, stay clear of the base of the falls where currents recirculate, and skip it after heavy rain.
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
Closest to Nauyaca Falls
La Paz Waterfall
Costa Rica · 37 m · 110 km away
La Paz is a waterfall in central Costa Rica. In Spanish, it is known as Catarata de La Paz.
Volio Waterfall
Costa Rica · 110 km away
The Volio Waterfall is located near the town of Bribri, Costa Rica in Limón Province. It is located within…
Full guide La Fortuna Waterfall
Costa Rica · 70 m · 160 km away
Signature waterfall of Costa Rica's Arenal region
CanyoningAbseiling+2
Rio Celeste Falls
Costa Rica · 30 m · 200 km away
Famous for water colored by optical mineral scattering, not dye