If you’re planning a trip to La Fortuna, Costa Rica then chances are you want to check out some of the incredible waterfalls in the area while you’re there. This guide shares 5 of the most scenic waterfalls in and around La Fortuna that you don’t want to miss during your trip.

I visited all of these waterfalls within a 4-day timespan during a recent babymoon trip to Costa Rica. Since they’re all located within a couple of hours of one another you could easily pack them into a shorter trip if necessary. All of the waterfalls require either a short hike or walk to get to, and a couple require climbing up and down stairs, but the views are totally worth it!

1. La Fortuna Waterfall

COST: $20/person. You can either get a ticket in advance or buy one at the gate.

A trip to La Fortuna wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the La Fortuna Waterfall. This is one of the most popular attractions in La Fortuna, so I highly recommend going as soon as it opens for the day at 7am. Not only will you beat the crowds, but you’ll also catch gorgeous morning light for photos on your way down to the waterfall.

Getting to the waterfall requires walking down (and subsequently up) 500 steps. The steps are well-maintained and have handrails if you need assistance (there was a small section where the handrails had fallen apart when I visited). There are also some benches along the way if you need to take a break. Make sure you stay to the right whether you’re walking up or down!

Once you get down to the waterfall there’s a viewing platform where you can take photos, or you can continue down to the base of the falls. The base of the La Fortuna Waterfall is very rocky and the rocks are slick, so be careful with your footing.

You can swim at the base of the waterfall, but the water was pretty rough when we visited. There’s another swimming area a little bit down the river that is much calmer.

2. Rio Celeste Waterfall

COST: Admission to Tenorio Volcano National Park is $12/person (plus tax) for non-residents of Costa Rica.

In order to visit the Rio Celeste Waterfall you either need to make reservations in advance to visit Tenorio Volcano National Park or book a guided hike. In order to enter the national park you need to provide names and passport information for everyone in your group. 

It’s about a 90-minute drive to Tenorio Volcano National Park from La Fortuna, so I recommend getting an early start to check this waterfall out. I booked the earliest reservation at 8am to beat the crowds and would highly recommend doing this because the trail was virtually empty hiking in, but very busy on my hike out. 

To get to the Rio Celeste Waterfall you’ll hike for about a mile on the main trail in the national park before reaching a junction. From here you can either walk down steps to see the waterfall, or continue hiking to the confluence of the Río Buena Vista and Quebrada Agria, which creates the gorgeous blue water you see at the falls. I recommend doing both, but visiting the waterfall first before it gets crowded.

Unfortunately a recent landslide closed the bottom portion of the steps down to the Rio Celeste Waterfall, but you can still get a really great view from where things are closed off. Once you’re back up on the main trail continue hiking towards the confluence, passing hot springs along the way (swimming is not allowed here). I logged 3.5 miles for the entire hike with a little over 700 ft. of elevation gain.

3. Danta Waterfall

COST: $22/person if you’re not staying at the Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails. This gives you access to multiple hiking trails with views of the Arenal Volcano. Trail access is included if you’re staying at the lodge.

Book a Stay at the Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

The Danta Waterfall was probably my favorite waterfall near La Fortuna. It’s located on the property of the Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails, so it’s tucked away and less visited than the other waterfalls in this guide. While there are 11 km of trails at the lodge, the Danta Waterfall is definitely the main attraction and doesn’t require a very long hike to get to from the visitor parking area.

I did a 4.4 mile loop hike along the Red, Green, and Blue Trails, stopping at the Danta Waterfall along the way. The waterfall was only about 0.75 miles into the trail, so you definitely don’t need to hike the full loop if that’s all you want to see.

There are a couple more seasonal waterfalls located along the trail. I visited right after the end of the rainy season in early December and one of the waterfalls was still flowing, but the other had already dried up completely. You’ll get a map when you enter the property that has all of the trails and waterfalls marked on it.

4. Blue Morpho Waterfall

COST: Admission to Mistico Park is $39/person for a self-guided tour or $54/person for a guided tour.

The Blue Morpho Waterfall is located inside of Mistico Park where you’ll find the popular Arenal Hanging Bridges. The park includes 6 hanging suspension bridges, which are the main attractions, but it also provides an opportunity to see wildlife and a beautiful waterfall. Like many of the other waterfalls in this guide, I would recommend visiting as soon as the park opens at 6am because it can get crowded.

There are lots of signs and maps located around Mistico Park, so don’t worry about getting lost. The Blue Morpho Waterfall is located just off of the main pathway down a short flight of stairs. While you can’t walk down to the base of the waterfall, there’s a viewing platform that provides a stunning view and a great place to take photos.

5. Llanos de Cortés Waterfall

COST: $7/adult and $4/child. Children under 6 are free. 

The Llanos de Cortés Waterfall isn’t located in La Fortuna, but if you fly into Liberia, then you’re going to pass it on your drive. It’s definitely worth making a pit stop!

The entrance gate for the Llanos de Cortés Waterfall is located off of a side road off of the main highway out of Liberia. The turn kind of sneaks up on you so make sure you enter it into your GPS so you have time to slow down. Once you pay the entrance fee you’ll continue down another bumpy side road to the parking lot.

To get down to the waterfall it’s a short walk from the parking lot that will lead you down a set of stairs. There are a handful of vendors set up near the parking lot where you can purchase locally made souvenirs.

Once you get down to the Llanos de Cortés Waterfall you’ll likely find some locals who can help you take photos. One man led us up a trail to a second swimming hole and the top of the waterfall, which provided a unique perspective. While these locals are technically not paid guides, it’s a good idea to have cash on hand to tip them!

You can swim in the pool at the base of the Llanos de Cortés Waterfall, but there is rope set up to stop you from getting too close to the falls. There’s also a nice beach area where you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the view!

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