Serious fans of Costa Rica know there is only one time to visit the land of Pura Vida, September. Sure, the waves are not their usual sea-green. It’s too rainy for that, but there are more places to enjoy water than the beaches in Costa Rica.
There are also inland freshwater rivers, offering unique waterfalls, enhanced by the uptick in water. The key to enjoying the waterfalls is knowing where and when to go. The answer to the question of when is an easy answer, now. (Actually, it’s pretty good through the end of October.)
Where? Read on…
The key to seeing a waterfall is access. If one must climb a volcano, spelunk through underwater caverns, then swing through forest canopies to the waterfall, it had better be a rewarding experience. Most travelers want something a little easier to reach.
While travelers won’t find escalators leading to these waterfalls, they will find marked pathways and even some handrails along the way. What’s even better, these are all day trips from your Tamarindo vacation rental.
Catarata Llanos de Cortés
There is a good reason travelers arrive at Llanos de Cortés early. It’s a popular place. On a weekend, one could argue it gets crowded, but even when there’s a crowd it’s worth it. Unique to this site, there are always a few vendors selling beverages and snacks by the falls, including beers.
Getting there: (GPS: 10.524380, -85.298465) The easiest way from Tamarindo is to head towards Liberia, past the airport until you hit the Pan-American, otherwise known as the Central American 1 (CA1). Take a right, heading southbound. It’s about thirty minutes at that point. The turnoff is right off the highway. There are no exit ramps or overpasses, so eyes up for the sign.
Parking: There is sometimes a flagger at the road. There may also be someone collecting donations for charity, which is not required. The parking attendants will collect a fee, which is required, but super cheap. Have cash. This is one place where your belongings are safe inside your car but don’t be naive. Leave expensive things in your vacation rental.
Experience: After you park, you will follow the herd of people or signs down a path to the river. It’s a slight decline, but with a little help, anyone can do it. It’s not unusual to see Costa Ricans of serious advance in years still making their way down the path with assistance.
It takes all of 5-10 minutes for someone able-bodied to make it down. There, one will find a huge pool of water, fed by a wide waterfall. The pool of water is cool, rocky in places, weedy in others. Plan to tread water. The sure-footed can go under the falls.
Cross the river to the left side of the falls to find the secret path to the top, but only if you are nimble. It’s slippery. There are pools and smaller falls at the top for chilling. It’s too high and the pool below to shallow to jump, so falling is not allowed.
Oropendola
As far away as Llanos de Cortés is from Tamarindo so is Oropendola. This trek, however, drives into a national park, so plan accordingly. The hardest part is finding the waterfall, but if you stick to this guide, you’ll make it.
The park has hours of operation, which can change. Check the park site to get the latest hours. It’s in Spanish so grab a translator if your Spanish isn’t ship-shape.
This waterfall is totally different than the other. If you are making good time, you could hit both in one trip without cheapening the experience. Just, don’t forget to pack snacks and water.
Getting there: (GPS: 10.772086, -85.349917) The same as driving to Llanos del Cortés, drive towards Liberia, past the Liberia airport. Once you hit the CA1, turn left instead of right, heading north towards Nicaragua. If you make it to the border, you’ve driven way too far. If you are coming from the other falls, you’ll simply drive north on the CA1 past Liberia.
There are several roads that claim they lead to the national park, but one road is the best. It’s the one that leads to the ranger station. Take the right for Rancho Curubandé Lodge or the town of Curubandé de Liberia.
Stay on the road until you hit the ranger’s gate. You’ll pay a small park fee to get in. This would be a good time to ask directions just in case.
You’ll follow the signs to the park, passing through Curubandé de Liberia. There are two ways around Hacienda Guachipelin, a lovely little hotel in the park. Either pathway leads to the end of the line, where you will park.
Parking: There is no way to miss the parking lot. There is a building and parking. That’s it. You’ll need to pay a fee to take the trail. It’s cheap and worth it. Like the other falls, your car is safe, but don’t ever leave valuables in your car. It’s never wise.
Experience: Follow the trail on the west end of the parking area. It’s an descent for most of the way, a little longer than the other falls. At the end, there are stairs and a platform overlooking the falls, but by then it’s well organized with handrails and such.
There are signs forbidding entry into the water, but there is also a staircase into the pool at the bottom. Don’t find it surprising to see visitors jumping off the platform into the pool below.
The water is chilly, lest you should decide to break the rules. There are no lifeguards. Oh yeah, and there are no food vendors at these falls, but they sell some grub at the place where you paid to hike the trail.
Of course, Costa Rica offers much more challenging waterfalls. Some will find these trails boring, but even the accomplished hiker will appreciate the falls themselves.
Not only are the falls lovely, but the money goes to protecting the national parks and paying the wages of the people who work there. Don’t hesitate to tip if you feel it’s warranted.
If you have any questions, ask us for help, your friends at Horizon Pacific Vacations. We love helping.
Horizon Pacific Management & Rentals is located in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Offering vacation rentals, property management, long-term rentals, as well as a complete concierge service. Providing you with a local contact during your stay, Horizon Pacific is a company you can trust, with the experience you need.