We were chasing a butterfly on the wild flowers with a telephoto lens. It flipping through the flowers beside the trail was gradually leading us to the upper waterfall. I walked while my eyes still followed the butterfly, until Pubali nudged me. A spray of mist splashed over my face as I turned. I cleared my eyes to find the gushing Nauyaca Waterfalls peeking from the turn of the trail.
Costa Rica has many hidden waterfalls all over the country tucked in its dense tropical forests. Nauyaca Waterfalls are definitely among the most beautiful and magnificent ones that we have seen in Costa Rica.
The waterfalls are located just 6 kms from the town of Dominical and 24 km from Uvita. This makes it one of the top things to do in the Costa Ballena region along the South Pacific coast of Costa Rica.
This is our guide so that you can plan your visit to the Nauyaca waterfalls and make the most of your time and experience.
Nauyaca Waterfalls Entrance
Nauyaca Waterfalls entrance is maintained by a Costa Rican family-owned tourist company belonging to the Don Lulo family. You need to purchase the ticket from the office before starting your journey on the trail to the waterfalls. If you purchased the ticket online, you will still need to report at this office.
Directions
The entrance to the Nauyaca Waterfall is located couple of kilometres off the Pacifica Fernandez Highway. If you are traveling from Dominical, there is a prominent road on the right towards San Isidro de General.
The ticket counter for the Nauyaca Waterfalls is on the right side of this road with ample road signs.
Parking
The designated parking area of the waterfall is located 2 km down the road from the ticket office. This stretch of the road is not paved. As it is the case with most activities in the forest areas of the South Pacific region a 4X4 is recommended. Alternatively, you can park right outside the ticket office in the limited number of spots available.
How to reach the Nauyaca Waterfalls + Schedule + Costs
The ticket office is just the start of the entrance to the trail that leads you to the Nauyaca Waterfalls. The distance from the ticket office to the waterfalls is ~6 km (3.7 miles) one way and ~12 km (7.4 miles) if you count the return to the ticket office.
They offer 3 options for the tour. All are related to different means by which you can reach the waterfalls.
- Hike all the way
- Horseback riding (includes lunch and guide)
- 4X4 truck pickup and drop (with a premium option that includes lunch and guide)
Hike the trail
This is the most economic way to reach the waterfalls and if you love hiking, this makes it a great option. You can drive the first 2 km to reach the designated parking area, which will make the trail 4 km instead of 6 km each way. However a 4X4 is recommended as the gravel road can be muddy and uneven.
The trail is scenic, sometimes following the Baru river or offering views of the surrounding mountains and possibilities of watching the scarlet macaws, toucans and other birds. There is a bridge over the river closer to the start of the trail. If you are visiting in the rainy season, you will find small mountain streams crossing the trail into the river.
However, there are couple of things to keep in mind. The hiking trail has some grueling uphills, so a decent level of fitness will be required to enjoy the hike.
Also, if you are hiking during the dry season, the extreme humidity will not help either. So try going early to avoid the midday sun.
Cost
- For foreign nationals: 10 USD
- For citizens and residents: 3,000 CRC (~5 USD)
- Car Parking: 3 USD or 1,500 CRC
Schedule
Due to the stricter travel protocols, you do need a prior reservation, even if you want to reach Nauyaca Waterfalls by hiking. You can choose from the following slots to do the hike.
Monday-Saturday: 7:00 am to 11:00 am, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Sunday: 8:00 am to 12 noon, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm
Horse Back Riding Tour
If you do not feel like hiking the 8 km, the horseback riding is a better option. You can travel at a relaxed pace. The trail is the same one and you will have the rainforest views on the way.
This four and half hours tour includes lunch as well. There is a hut halfway through the trail that serves as the lunch area. This is a guided tour.
There is weight limit of 220 lbs – 240 lbs for the tour.
Please note, you will still need to take the last flight of steps to cover the last 100 meters to reach the waterfalls.
Cost
80 USD per person.
Schedule
The tour duration is from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm. This is available on all days of the week, except Sundays. You do need a to make a prior reservation.
4X4 Truck Ride
This is the most time efficient of all the options. The 4X4 truck is a bumpy ride through the unpaved road but takes you to the waterfall in about 20 minutes.
The downside of this option is that you will have lesser time to appreciate the little streams and views on the way. However, you will get to spend longer at the waterfalls.
Just as the horseback riding tour, you will need to take the stairs for the last 100 meters to the waterfalls.
Cost
There are 2 options of the 4X4 tour – Economic and Premium
Economic Tour costs 32 USD per person and lets you stay at the falls for 2 hours.
Premium Tour costs 80 USD person and adds guide and lunch. Also, tour duration is 4.5 hours starting 9 am.
Schedule
The Economic tour runs every hour between 7 am and 12 pm.
The Premium tour slot starts at 9:00 am and ends at 1.30pm.
The tours are available all days of the week. Prior reservation is required.
The Nauyaca Waterfalls
As it is the case for the waterfalls in Costa Rica, Nauyaca is set amidst the lush rainforests in a 18m wide canyon. It has 2 parts – the upper and the lower falls. As you reach the end of the trail, there is a board that splits the path to the 2 falls.
Nauyaca: The Upper Fall
The upper fall is the higher among the two. The 45 m high majestic waterfall is amazing for photo ops as it dives in the canyon on huge boulders and rushes to form the second lower falls.
Swimming is not allowed in the upper falls as it is dangerous. However, the height and surrounding cliff works as a beautiful background for your portraits. Also, it has flat rock platforms which can be of great use if you are into long-exposure photography of waterfalls for the smooth silky water effect or if you just want to sit and relax while listening to the music of the falls.
When we visited the falls in the wet season, the volume of water gushing down the cliff, amazed us. We tried hard to get our tripod and click some long-exposure shots, however the continuous spray from the falls blurred the lens in milliseconds. As the sprinkles of water dripped from the lens glass, we still managed to get some ‘ok’ shots of the falls and us.
We spent some time gazing at the falls, observing the water flow over the boulders and mixing with the lower falls below.
Nauyaca: The Lower Fall
The lower fall is 20m high and an extension of the upper falls. However, it has a step-like structure and falls into a ~6m deep pool. The lesser current makes it ideal for swimming and relaxation after your journey from the waterfall entrance. However, during the rainy season, it is prohibited to swim in the river as the flow of water is higher and with stronger currents.
The lower fall also has some flat rock platforms to just sit and enjoy the view. Both the lower and upper falls are visible from this section. However, as it is the case with the upper falls, be careful while walking on the slippery rocks.
Facilities at Nauyaca Waterfalls
The property has all the basic facilities required for a comfortable visit to the Nauyaca Waterfalls. First, all the required information is provided at the ticket counter. The ticket office has restrooms.
There are restrooms and changing rooms at the end of the trail before the last flight of stairs leading to the waterfall. Also, drinking water from the tap is also available at the same place.
COVID protocols at Nauyaca Waterfalls
As it is the case with the most places of tourism in Costa Rica, strict protocols are maintained here to ensure social distancing and hygiene.
The ticket counter has a wash basin outside the entrance. You mandatorily need to wash your hands before entering the office and/or starting the tour.
Only one person from one social bubble is allowed inside the ticket office.
Also, they maintained that only groups of people who are from the same social bubble can travel together on the 4X4 truck.
There are other protocols followed by the Nauyaca Waterfalls admin to restrict the crowds at the waterfalls. This makes it important for the visitors to book their slots in advance and be punctual. Here is the detailed list of safety measures that the company is taking for safe travel during these times.
Nauyaca Waterfalls Travel Tips
We have listed below what you need to wear and what you need to carry, for a hassle-free and comfortable experience of visiting the Nauyaca Waterfalls.
What to wear?
The weather of Costa Rica is unpredictable. However, the heat and humidity will be higher in the dry season (mid-December to April) than in the wet season (May to mid-December).
The common things for any season are –
- Swim wear
- Rain jacket or poncho (as it can rain in the dry season as well, particularly in the afternoon)
- Water shoes with good grip (the rocks around the pool can be slippery)
- Good hiking shoes if you are walking all the way to the waterfalls
- Light cotton or dry-fit clothes as it can be humid
What to carry?
- Water, absolutely necessary in dry season
- Insect repellent cream
- Towels
- Camera gear with rain protection
Alternative Entrance to Nauyaca Waterfalls
There is an alternative route to the Nauyaca Waterfalls, that has been recently opened. It is called Nauyaca Waterfall Nature Park. The trail from the Nature Park is much shorter, about 10 minutes. It takes you to the waterfalls from the other side of the canyon.
However, the entrance is a longer drive from Dominical. You have to go further for about 17km to Tinamastes and then 7km to the right on a gravel road until the ticket office.
If you wish to stay closer to Dominical or are interested in hiking the trail/horseback riding, the previously described entrance route is the better option. However, if you wish to skip the longer trail, you can go for this alternative.
Closing Thoughts on Nauyaca Waterfalls
Nauyaca Waterfalls are among the must visit waterfalls of Costa Rica.
If your Costa Rica itinerary includes the Osa Peninsula towns – Uvita, Dominical or Ojochal, include Nauyaca as one of the top things to do, like Uvita Waterfall and Cascada El Pavon.
Also, if you are planning the mid-Pacific towns of Jaco, Quepos or Manuel Antonio, you can add Nauyaca Waterfalls as a day trip.
Whether you choose to hike or take a tour to the waterfalls, the visuals of the lush forests, the river, the birds and the white foamy waterfalls are likely to linger as one of your favorite Costa Rica travel memories.
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Excellent description which attracts the reader to visit the place. Detailings in the script will definitely help one planning to visit the place. Wonderful photography.
Thank you.