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. Whenever 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 among the high issues in Costa Rica whenever you’re exploring the Pacific coast. Simply 10 km outdoors the nippiness seaside 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 prospect to chase waterfalls and feast my eyes on this pure magnificence. After my expertise, I needed to record 10 suggestions that will help you plan your go to to Nauyaca Waterfalls. From tips about getting there to recommendation whereas on the falls, listed below 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
Should you’re match sufficient for a strenuous trek, then strap in your mountaineering boots to succeed in the waterfalls. However make no mistake, this 5 km (3.12 mile) trek will kick your butt in case you’re not in form. The path is usually 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 will be mud patches that current slip hazards alongside the trail.
If that doesn’t faze you, you then’ll save the largest price in your journey to Nauyaca Waterfalls. After asking numerous guests, I heard totally different costs that included their tickets and roundtrip transportation. Tickets have been round $30 per individual relying on the package deal you bought. However if you wish to convey the associated fee 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 employees to see. Apparently, they cost you an additional price for exhibiting up with no wristband however that wasn’t enforced throughout our go to.
You might be questioning how we managed to entry the waterfalls with out shopping for tickets on the workplace. We obtained extraordinarily fortunate {that a} employees 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. Should you’re driving or using public transportation from Dominical, the workplace will likely 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 solution to bear in mind which path factors to the waterfalls is to search for the yellow tractor tire. It sits beside the freeway on the fitting aspect in case you’re arriving from Dominical, but it surely doesn’t say something about Nauyaca Waterfalls.
The gravel highway that goes towards the waterfalls will be tough to identify in case you’re not paying consideration. That’s why I say search for the brilliant, yellow tractor tire to level you in the fitting path. 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
Should you rented a car in Costa Rica and wish to skip a part of the hike, there’s a car parking zone alongside the trail. Nevertheless, don’t anticipate a normal automotive to face up to the steep, rocky terrain. And don’t even strive it, or else you’ll injury your car.
The highway to Nauyaca Waterfalls is treacherous year-round, however circumstances are worse throughout the wet season. Except you’ve a 4×4 car, stick with the bus on your trip.
The car parking zone is roughly 4 km (2.5 miles) from the waterfall entrance. A good thing about leaving your car within the car parking zone is that you just’ll skip one of many path’s steepest sections when mountaineering.
5. There’s an Airbnb Even Nearer Than the Parking Lot
When you have no car and don’t thoughts mountaineering, you must 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 underneath 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 a number of other canines to maintain you firm. Extra on the canines for my subsequent tip.
The lodging is appropriate for a pair, household, or small group of associates looking for solitude. Nevertheless, 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. Should you’re apprehensive about hauling your stuff on the path, you may 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 photos, we had a mountaineering information on our trek to the waterfalls. One of many canines from our Airbnb determined to stroll with us the whole path to the doorway. It was a great deal of enjoyable mountaineering 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 in case 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 beneficial for swimming & diving, and just for photos. Waterfall #2 is 20 meters excessive (60 toes), beneficial for swimming & diving, and taking photos.
Whenever you climb the rocky staircase to waterfall #1, you quickly notice why you may’t swim there. Though it’s completely attractive, there are too many rocks for a swimming gap. I counsel scrambling on the rocks to discover a comfy spot for a picnic in case 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
Should you’re decided to swim in waterfall #2, it’s a surreal expertise taking a dip beneath the cascade. Nevertheless, I extremely advise staying beside the rocks in case you’re not a very good swimmer. And I repeat, you have to be a GOOD swimmer.
The water on this swimming gap is extraordinarily DEEP and harmful for individuals who aren’t robust swimmers. There aren’t any lifeguards on the emerald pool, and you’re 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 may not 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 in case 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 received’t put your self in hurt’s method.
10. Look ahead to Wildlife on the Means Again
Whenever you’re mountaineering 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 mountaineering 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 additional suggestions, please depart a remark beneath.
