Today was an adventurous day to say the least.

A few weeks ago we decided to go with some friends of ours from Canada, to visit the Nauyaca waterfalls (short distance from Dominical towards Perez Zeledon). After calling to find out the prices for all of us, I was surprised to find out that they had almost doubled the price of the horseback tours and when there was eight of us going...well let's just say it would have been an expensive day.

Previously, my friend Michael from Domilocos, told me that you didn't have to pay for the tour actually. He said that you could walk in for $3 each. So that is what we had decided to do. 

No one had actually had any idea of how long or strenuous the walk would be but we were all game anyhow. I had last been there almost 4 years ago now and my girlfriends father last visited Nauyaca some 9 years ago. So basically we were not good judges of what to expect considering we both had done the tour on horseback and now we were walking it.

Nauyaca Waterfalls

The cost is $3 per person and from the Don Lulu waterfall tour office, you take the road just before the office and even drive in the first 1.5 kms. This is actually the worst part so that was a gift from heaven. You will need a 4x4 however for this part. A standard 4x4 rental car will suffice. Pack a lunch (light), some water and a few sweets in case of sugar lows. DON'T FORGET GOOD WALKING SHOES AND SUNSCREEN!

Having 8 people with us we needed to make two trips to get everyone in but it was all good.

Once you've driven until you can no longer drive safely in any further, you park the vehicle, empty all valuables and then start hiking.

We were told the hike was a total of 6kms however there is no way this could have been accurate. Minus the first 1.5 kms I would have to say the remaining hike is around 2.5kms to the waterfalls. Shortly before the falls you will come across the Don Lulu house where you will be asked to produce your ticket for entry. There you can view some really cool animals like white faced monkeys, scarlet macaws, tapirs, peacocks, toucans and even an extremely friendly deer.

From there to the falls it's about another 850m walk. About 30 mins if you're moving pretty good. It's important to note that you should be in fairly good shape to take this hike as there are some pretty steep sections and in the blazing heat of Costa Rica (45c today), this can be quite trying on even the more healthy folk!

The final section before the waterfall is pretty much vertical as you descend to the base of Nauyaca. Even the horses have to be strapped and parked up top because there is no chance they could navigate the steep path down.

Don and his new (deer) friend!

Once emerging from the jungle trail, you are presented with the most amazing sight of the mighty Nauyaca falls. Depending what time of year one goes, you may have the opportunity to see both tiers flowing at full strength. This time there was only but a trickle on the upper tier however this normally makes for much better swimming conditions in the 8m deep pool below.

While at the base of Nauyaca, one feels like they are in some rendition of a King Kong movie. With jungle all around, an incredible large cascading waterfall and of course, the sounds of the Costa Rican jungle, you can't help but to sit back and absorb the beauty.

The swimming hole at the base of the falls is deep enough to support cliff diving (recommended only for experienced divers), cliff jumping and of course swimming.  It is approximately 8m deep and does rapidly drop off to this depth from the shore. Often you will find ropes attached to the falls to pull yourself to land if you happen to get tired. There may also be ropes luring people to climb the falls to the three levels from which one can jump or dive.  Again I have to mention that this should not be done without the supervision or guidance of a Don Lulu employee.

Downstream there are many calm and relaxing natural jacuzzis where you can relax and waste the day away doing nothing more than working on your tan and taking it all in. After all...how many times do you get to enjoy the day in locations like Nauyaca?

One of the benefits of walking the distance to the falls rather than taking the horseback tour, is the fact that no one is there to tell you when to leave and what you can or can't do. It's all on your own time.

Coming back after a day of swimming, diving and overall "chillin" in the jungle, you will be glad that you parked the vehicle as close as you did because when you drive up to the highway again you will appreciate the fact that you did not have to hike up the last 1.5km incline. Actually to be honest...I think you will be thanking your lucky stars you drove the vehicle down.

So if you are interested in making this hike however you are not sure on how or where to go about it, feel free to contact me and I will gladly fill you in on where and how to do it. CONTACT ME