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WATERFALL · GUANACASTE

Llanos de Cortés Waterfall Experience

Llanos de Cortés is the rare waterfall where you can swim under the falls and then dry off on a beach. Its wide curtain of water drops into a clear, calm pool, and at the base there's a stretch of pale, soft sand — a hidden little cove tucked into the transitional forest. You can float in the pool, cool off under the spray, or just sit on the sand with the sound of falling water all around you.

The relaxing sound of the water as it falls, the breeze that carries fine droplets onto your face, the softness of the sand under your feet — it adds up to something that feels like therapy for the spirit. Come as early as you can: it's a popular and fairly small spot, so it fills up quickly, and the early hours are when you'll have it most to yourselves. It's good year-round, with the one exception of storm season in October and November.

One honest note on access — it's a moderate walk, about five minutes down a set of steps, worth keeping in mind if you have serious knee or heart trouble; it isn't wheelchair accessible. Admission ticket included, and you'll have your private bilingual guide throughout.

Duration

1 Hour

Type

Add-On

Group

Private

Guide

Certified Local

Level

Moderate

What You'll Experience

  • Swim in the wide natural pool at the foot of one of Guanacaste's most beautiful waterfalls
  • Cool off in the spray beneath a broad curtain of falling water
  • Relax on the small sandy beach at the base — a rare feature for a jungle waterfall
  • Walk a short, gentle path of concrete steps down through dry-tropical forest alive with birds and butterflies
  • Go early and private, before the tour buses, so the falls feel like your own

Good to Know

  • About 1 hour at the falls — an add-on to your Rainforest Combo or Miravalles day
  • The walk down is a short flight of concrete steps — not steep or slippery, though the steps mean it isn't wheelchair accessible
  • Bring swimwear, a towel, and water — you'll want to get in
  • Best in the early morning for calm water, soft light, and the fewest people
  • A waterproof bag keeps phones and cameras safe near the spray

Photos from the Falls

Top-down aerial of Llanos de Cortés waterfall and its swimming pool — Guanacaste waterfall tour, Costa Rica
Aerial view of Llanos de Cortés waterfall and pool in the dry forest — Guanacaste waterfall tour, Costa Rica
The wide cascade of Llanos de Cortés waterfall under a blue sky — Guanacaste waterfall tour, Costa Rica
Close view of the Llanos de Cortés waterfall curtain — Guanacaste waterfall tour, Costa Rica
Llanos de Cortés waterfall framed by tropical dry forest — Guanacaste waterfall tour, Costa Rica
Visitors swimming below Llanos de Cortés waterfall on a Guanacaste tour
Llanos de Cortés waterfall and natural pool framed by forest, Guanacaste tour

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. A wide, calm natural pool sits at the base of the falls, with a small sandy beach beside it — one of the best waterfalls in Guanacaste for a swim.
A short walk down a flight of concrete steps — not steep or slippery, about 5 minutes each way. The steps are why it’s rated moderate and isn’t wheelchair accessible; most visitors handle it comfortably.
Around 1 hour at the falls. It’s built as an add-on to a larger private day, like our Rainforest Combo or Miravalles tour.
Swimwear, a towel, water, comfortable shoes, and a waterproof bag for your phone and camera.
Early morning, when the water is calm, the light is soft, and you’ll often have the falls nearly to yourself.

Design Your Adventure

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Design My Experience

An add-on to our Rainforest Combo or Miravalles experience