By admin Costa Rica is a land of waterfalls, however one in every 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. If 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 likely one of the prime issues in Costa Rica whenever you’re exploring the Pacific coast. Simply 10 km exterior the coolness seashore city of Dominical, Nauyaca Waterfalls are one in every of Costa Rica’s most accessible waterfalls.
Throughout my first go to to Costa Rica, I had the possibility to chase waterfalls and feast my eyes on this pure magnificence. After my expertise, I needed to listing 10 suggestions that will help you plan your go to to Nauyaca Waterfalls. From tips on getting there to recommendation whereas on the falls, listed here are my suggestions to organize an unforgettable journey to one in every of Costa Rica’s best pure wonders.
1. Save Cash by Trekking to the Waterfalls
In case 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 if you happen to’re not in form. The path is usually a gravel highway by way of 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 most important value in your journey to Nauyaca Waterfalls. After asking varied guests, I heard completely different costs that included their tickets and roundtrip transportation. Tickets have been round $30 per individual relying on the bundle you bought. However if you wish to convey the price right down to solely your entry tickets ($11 USD for foreigners & $7 USD for residents), convey your trekking sneakers.
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 point out that you simply bought your ticket, they place a wristband on you for the employees to see. Apparently, they cost you an additional price for displaying 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 received 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. In case you’re driving or using public transportation from Dominical, the workplace can be in your proper. Simply search for the big, colourful Nauyaca signal.
3. The Yellow Tractor Tire Indicators the Path to Nauyaca Waterfalls
The simplest solution to bear in mind which course factors to the waterfalls is to search for the yellow tractor tire. It sits beside the freeway on the fitting aspect if you happen to’re arriving from Dominical, nevertheless it doesn’t say something about Nauyaca Waterfalls.
The gravel highway that goes towards the waterfalls will be difficult to identify if you happen to’re not paying consideration. That’s why I say search for the brilliant, yellow tractor tire to level you in the fitting course. 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
In case you rented a car in Costa Rica and need to skip a part of the hike, there’s a parking zone alongside the trail. Nonetheless, don’t count on a normal automotive to face up to the steep, rocky terrain. And don’t even attempt it, or else you’ll injury your car.
The highway to Nauyaca Waterfalls is treacherous year-round, however situations are worse through the wet season. Except you might have a 4×4 car, keep on with the bus on your trip.
The parking zone is roughly 4 km (2.5 miles) from the waterfall entrance. A advantage of leaving your car within the parking zone is that you simply’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, it’s important to 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 several other canine to maintain you firm. Extra on the canine for my subsequent tip.
The lodging is appropriate for a pair, household, or small group of pals trying to find solitude. Nonetheless, you need to 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. In case you’re apprehensive about hauling your stuff on the path, you’ll be able to organize 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 canine from our Airbnb determined to stroll with us your entire path to the doorway. It was a great deal of enjoyable mountaineering with our four-legged good friend, 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 plush canyon. Whereas we took turns ready, it made for a enjoyable greeting for different arriving guests. However if you happen to occur to be planning a solo go to along 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 ft), not advisable for swimming & diving, and just for photos. Waterfall #2 is 20 meters excessive (60 ft), advisable for swimming & diving, and taking photos.
If you climb the rocky staircase to waterfall #1, you quickly understand why you’ll be able to’t swim there. Though it’s completely beautiful, there are too many rocks for a swimming gap. I recommend scrambling on the rocks to discover a snug spot for a picnic if you happen to packed a lunch. You may nonetheless really feel the misty waterfall and take heed to the sounds of the rainforest.
8. Use Excessive Warning if You’re NOT a Good Swimmer
In case you’re decided to swim in waterfall #2, it’s a surreal expertise taking a dip beneath the cascade. Nonetheless, I extremely advise staying beside the rocks if you happen to’re not 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 individual 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 towards diving into the swimming gap. There are jagged rocks across the pool, and also you won’t 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 if you happen to select the improper spot. Though you’ll see a number of people doing methods and diving from the rocky partitions with no care, I counsel towards it. You’ll nonetheless have a number of enjoyable and gained’t put your self in hurt’s method.
10. Look ahead to Wildlife on the Method Again
If 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 it’s possible you’ll witness mountaineering to/from Nauyaca Waterfalls.
We have been lucky to satisfy a small group of Capuchin monkeys swinging within the timber on our hike again to the Airbnb. The intimidating sounds of howler monkeys additionally echoed all through the forest.
These are my prime 10 suggestions on your go to to Nauyaca Waterfalls. If I missed one thing or you might have additional suggestions, please depart a remark beneath.