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Aerial view of the Punta Uvita sandbar and its two bays.

Costa Rica · Uvita & Ballena

Waterfalls of Costa Ballena

From the big Nauyaca falls to small, free swimming holes; most need a car.

4 places

  1. Nauyaca Waterfalls1

    Photo: Matthias Bethke, CC BY-SA 4.0

    NatureOpen

    Nauyaca Waterfalls

    About 10 km northeast of Dominical, on the road to San Isidro12.9 km from the centre

    Entry
    $10
    Hours
    7:00 to 14:00
    Booking
    Not needed

    Two falls on the Barucito River, an upper drop of 45 m and a stepped 20 m lower fall, with a natural swimming pool in the forest.

    Source: Nauyaca Waterfalls – Walking (official site) · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Walking $10 (rising to $15 in 2027); 4x4 tour from $32; parking $5 (official site, 2026).
    Hours
    Entry 7:00 to 14:00 (Sundays from 8:00); you must leave the falls by 15:30.
    Booking
    No reservation is needed to walk: buy the ticket at the office. Pets are not allowed.
    Time needed
    From the car park, 3.5 km each way (1 hour each way); from the office, 5.5 km each way.

    Tip: The trail is moderate and gets muddy in the rains. For swimming the dry season is better; the rainy season brings more flow.

    Nearby: Reptilandia reptile park (3.2 km) · Diamante Waterfalls (4.3 km) · Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary (4.3 km)

    Sources: Nauyaca Waterfalls – Walking (official site) · Nauyaca Waterfalls – Official site · My Tan Feet – Manuel Antonio with kids (Nauyaca section, July 2026)

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  2. Uvita Waterfall, Hills north of central Uvita2

    NatureOpen

    Uvita Waterfall

    Hills north of central Uvita2.2 km from the centre

    Entry
    ₡2,000
    Hours
    8:00–17:00
    Booking
    Not stated

    A small waterfall with a smooth rock that works as a natural slide into a pool, 10 minutes from central Uvita.

    Source: My Tan Feet – Uvita waterfall (updated Feb 2026) · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Two private entrances: ₡2,000 (with butterfly garden and flatter trails) or ₡1,500 per person (guide updated February 2026).
    Hours
    Daily, 8:00–17:00.

    Tip: No 4x4 needed. Go early on a weekday: it gets busy at weekends. Don’t jump from the top; the pool is shallow.

    Nearby: ATV tour in the hills (0.8 km) · Whale and Dolphin Festival (0.8 km) · Uvita farmers’ market (Mercado Bahía Ballena) (2.2 km)

    Sources: My Tan Feet – Uvita waterfall (updated Feb 2026) · Wikivoyage – Uvita

  3. 3

    NatureOpen

    El Pavón Waterfall

    About 5 km inland from the Costanera, south of Ojochal15.9 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A small waterfall with a large boulder wedged at the top and a swimming pool, popular with local families.

    Source: My Tan Feet – Cascada El Pavón, Ojochal (updated Dec 2024) · 2024 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Free (2024).

    Tip: There is no formal parking or facilities: leave nothing visible in the car. The road is gravel; a high-clearance car helps in the rainy season. Don’t jump off the boulder: the pool is not deep.

    Nearby: Ojochal (3.1 km) · Ventanas Beach (sea caves) (6.4 km) · Piñuela Beach (Piñuela sector) (7.7 km)

    Sources: My Tan Feet – Cascada El Pavón, Ojochal (updated Dec 2024) · Iguana Tours – Waterfall tour incl. El Pavón

  4. 4

    AdventureOpen

    Diamante Waterfalls

    Las Tumbas, about 30 minutes from Dominical13.9 km from the centre

    Entry
    $179
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A set of waterfalls in the Las Tumbas hills above Dominical, one about 180 m tall. They are visited with operators offering hikes, rappelling and nights in a cave behind a waterfall.

    Source: Wikivoyage – Dominical · 2023 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    A Quepos operator combines it with Nauyaca for $179 including transport and lunch (2026).

    Tip: A steep, demanding hike; 4x4 access. Local operator: Tree of Life Tours.

    Nearby: Nauyaca Waterfalls (4.3 km) · Reptilandia reptile park (4.8 km) · Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary (8.4 km)

    Sources: Wikivoyage – Dominical · Iguana Tours – Nauyaca & Salto del Diamante

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