Cataratas Llanos de Cortés

Cataratas Llanos de Cortés

Cataratas Llanos de Cortés
4.5
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  • lyrix428
    Albuquerque, New Mexico1,375 contributions
    Beautiful! Swim with the waterfall!
    I think many people have dreamed about swimming in the pool of a beautiful waterfall. I certainly have. And now I've gotten to do it! It's a beautiful spot and even on an overcast day the water was lovely. It was a little cool that day so many people didn't want to go in the water--more room for us! There's also another swimming hole a short walk away (off to the left if you're facing the waterfall); if you can't find it, there are guides who will take you for a small fee. Look for the other small waterfalls in the area, as well as some pretty big iguanas! We were also treated to live music as a man brought his marimba down and entertained us!
    Visited November 2019
    Written January 25, 2020
  • Beautifulchaos
    10 contributions
    Beautiful way to spend an afternoon!
    We visited here twice! 7$ per adult and our children, all under the age of 8, were free. A very short walk, 100m, from the parking to the falls. The falls are BEAUTIFUL and the water feels magical! We were fortunate enough to have a local playing some live music while we were there. We easily spent two hours here. Bring some water and a picnic basket! My only wish is that people wouldn’t lather up with sunscreen prior to plunging in!!
    Visited March 2020
    Traveled with family
    Written March 7, 2020
  • marimore5
    Orlando, Florida38 contributions
    Local entrance VS Government entrance
    Apparently there are two different entrances to this waterfall, the government entrance and the local entrance. Before knowing that, We followed our google maps and ended up at what looked like a dead end through a local village.. after asking a young teenager for further instructions, he offered to take us to the fall as a voluntary guide. He let us park our car at his house and took us to the waterfall. At first, I was very skeptical, but the rest of my group felt comfortable leaving the car in his wood gated house. We took all our valuable belongings with us and left it in Gods hands , hoping this kid really had good intentions. The way toward the waterfall we saw monkeys up on trees, besides that it was just a very open area with high grass! No designated trail. Once we made it to the fall, it was large, beautiful and refreshing! The kid, Alberto took pictures of us, swam with us, and took us to the top of the water fall. The waterfall was BEAUTIFUL!! On our way back during sunset, we got bit up by mosquitos.. and luckily, we returned safely to our car and everything was untouched! Very safe people we encountered, after all. We paid for the “parking” and “$2 entrance fee for locals”, and gave the kid a generous tip for being so kind and helping us out. This experience was incredible, as we really got to connect and give back to a local who really was in need. If you are looking for a full local humble experience, I recommend 10/10! If you are boujee, or want a high luxury experience, I do not recommend!
    Visited December 2020
    Traveled as a couple
    Written December 21, 2020
  • AndresAlvaradoG
    San Jose, Costa Rica105 contributions
    Nice half day trip
    Owned and maintained by the local government, this property has great climate (sunny, hot and dry), and accommodations. Inexpensive and very well kept. Small flight of stairs on one side of secure parking lot, will take you to a small sand beach with the beautiful 90 feet tall waterfall in front of you. Very popular spot among locals, so plan to visit early if traleving on weekend, as it tends to crowd rapidly (opens at 8 am). No food vendors, or any for that matter, free parking. No pets, no glass containers and no charcoal bbqs allowed. For a small contribution, local guides will take you on a short walk up the side of the waterfall, all the way up to the very top.
    Visited January 2021
    Traveled with friends
    Written January 30, 2021
  • Ola A
    13 contributions
    Great experience
    We entered the waterfall through the second/ private entrance for a small donation. It was a quick hike and we got to a small pool of water. When we continued and crossed river, we got to the waterfall. It is beautiful. You can swim in it, unlike some other waterfalls in Costa Rica. The place is very picturesque and it wasn’t too busy. I highly recommend this waterfall over some of the commercial ones you hear about.
    Visited January 2020
    Traveled as a couple
    Written January 19, 2020
  • Harrington’s uk
    Bournemouth, United Kingdom158 contributions
    Beautiful!
    Such a gorgeous waterfall! We wanted to see some of the Costa Rican waterfalls and this was exceptional. It only cost $7 each and was a short walk from the parking lot. There were good clean toilets to use if needed. The waterfall was lovely and we took some beautiful photos! I would highly recommend some water shoes if you have them as it helps until you can swim out deeper.
    Visited January 2020
    Traveled as a couple
    Written January 25, 2020
  • Chicagoann
    Naperville, Illinois46 contributions
    Nice visit
    Stopped here at the end of our tour during the dry season. The falls are nice for a photo op but we didn't actually feel the need to swim since the water is more muddy than clear (maybe just tired). Our tour guide said the falls are fuller and the vegetation lusher during the wet season, but then again you have other challenges at that time. The steps to get to the falls are doable for the average person but numerous. On the way back up we took them on at a steady pace and my 26-year-old daughter said she felt the cardio. My knees were achy before the trip and definitely not happy after.
    Visited February 2020
    Written March 10, 2020
  • Wanderphile
    Charlotte, North Carolina88 contributions
    A MUST SEE!!!
    DYK this waterfall is the widest and shortest in all of Costa Rica? But that doesn't make it any less breathtaking. I loved it because the new concrete steps make it relatively easy to get to the waterfall, there's even a rail. It's only a 5 minute walk from the parking lot and it's like you entered another world - the real world seems so far away except for all the tourists who are there with you. But no matter, there is plenty of room for everyone. It has a soft, sandy beach, where you can find locals during the dry season having picnics and sitting in lawn chairs enjoying it. Tourists, including me, wade into the basin at the falls to get the full effect. The water is 100% pure, so naturally it's cold! But in the hot Costa sun, you get warm really quickly. Due to too many accidents and deaths, there is a safety rope now up to which you can safely swim or wade. The rope is really close to the falls so you can really feel it. The sound itself will put you into a trance and as you get closer, there is a constant beautiful light water mist coming off the falls...you MUST see it. Also, the changing rooms are monitored by a cleaning lady. They were unusually clean and modern. Give her a buck or two for her help, she will really appreciate it.
    Visited December 2021
    Written December 30, 2021
  • Ken E
    Kailua, Hawaii69 contributions
    Short walk to a stunning waterfall in a forested canyon setting
    One of the most spectacular waterfalls in Costa Rica. It is a short but steep 10 min. walk to a large waterfall into a peaceful pool of water. The setting is beautiful if you manage to see it without a tour bus of visitors. There is a row of vendors at tables at the top eager to sell their wares. Highly recommend stopping for a visit. We went during the dry season and were surprised to see how lush and large the waterfall was.
    Visited March 2022
    Written March 28, 2022
  • cronopia3
    San Jose, Costa Rica35 contributions
    Great cheap day trip in Guanacaste
    This was an amazing place to visit: we went there without a guide, just look it up in Waze. People were very welcoming, the trail and place are very well kept and you will find no waterfall as lovely as this one in Costa Rica. It is also very cheap and a great place for a picnic and a swim in the fresh water. I was impressed that this place is so very well maintained by the local government and that they keep prices accessible for visitors.
    Visited September 2020
    Traveled with family
    Written September 24, 2020
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
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Excellent
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Terrible
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AndresAlvaradoG
San Jose, Costa Rica105 contributions
Jan 2021 • Friends
Owned and maintained by the local government, this property has great climate (sunny, hot and dry), and accommodations. Inexpensive and very well kept. Small flight of stairs on one side of secure parking lot, will take you to a small sand beach with the beautiful 90 feet tall waterfall in front of you. Very popular spot among locals, so plan to visit early if traleving on weekend, as it tends to crowd rapidly (opens at 8 am). No food vendors, or any for that matter, free parking. No pets, no glass containers and no charcoal bbqs allowed. For a small contribution, local guides will take you on a short walk up the side of the waterfall, all the way up to the very top.
Written January 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ola A
13 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We entered the waterfall through the second/ private entrance for a small donation. It was a quick hike and we got to a small pool of water. When we continued and crossed river, we got to the waterfall. It is beautiful. You can swim in it, unlike some other waterfalls in Costa Rica. The place is very picturesque and it wasn’t too busy. I highly recommend this waterfall over some of the commercial ones you hear about.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Harrington’s uk
Bournemouth, UK158 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Such a gorgeous waterfall! We wanted to see some of the Costa Rican waterfalls and this was exceptional. It only cost $7 each and was a short walk from the parking lot. There were good clean toilets to use if needed. The waterfall was lovely and we took some beautiful photos!
I would highly recommend some water shoes if you have them as it helps until you can swim out deeper.
Written January 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Chicagoann
Naperville, IL46 contributions
Feb 2020
Stopped here at the end of our tour during the dry season. The falls are nice for a photo op but we didn't actually feel the need to swim since the water is more muddy than clear (maybe just tired). Our tour guide said the falls are fuller and the vegetation lusher during the wet season, but then again you have other challenges at that time. The steps to get to the falls are doable for the average person but numerous. On the way back up we took them on at a steady pace and my 26-year-old daughter said she felt the cardio. My knees were achy before the trip and definitely not happy after.
Written March 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Wanderphile
Charlotte, NC88 contributions
Dec 2021
DYK this waterfall is the widest and shortest in all of Costa Rica? But that doesn't make it any less breathtaking. I loved it because the new concrete steps make it relatively easy to get to the waterfall, there's even a rail. It's only a 5 minute walk from the parking lot and it's like you entered another world - the real world seems so far away except for all the tourists who are there with you. But no matter, there is plenty of room for everyone. It has a soft, sandy beach, where you can find locals during the dry season having picnics and sitting in lawn chairs enjoying it. Tourists, including me, wade into the basin at the falls to get the full effect. The water is 100% pure, so naturally it's cold! But in the hot Costa sun, you get warm really quickly. Due to too many accidents and deaths, there is a safety rope now up to which you can safely swim or wade. The rope is really close to the falls so you can really feel it. The sound itself will put you into a trance and as you get closer, there is a constant beautiful light water mist coming off the falls...you MUST see it. Also, the changing rooms are monitored by a cleaning lady. They were unusually clean and modern. Give her a buck or two for her help, she will really appreciate it.
Written December 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ken E
Kailua, HI69 contributions
Mar 2022
One of the most spectacular waterfalls in Costa Rica. It is a short but steep 10 min. walk to a large waterfall into a peaceful pool of water. The setting is beautiful if you manage to see it without a tour bus of visitors. There is a row of vendors at tables at the top eager to sell their wares. Highly recommend stopping for a visit. We went during the dry season and were surprised to see how lush and large the waterfall was.
Written March 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

cronopia3
San Jose, Costa Rica35 contributions
Sep 2020 • Family
This was an amazing place to visit: we went there without a guide, just look it up in Waze. People were very welcoming, the trail and place are very well kept and you will find no waterfall as lovely as this one in Costa Rica. It is also very cheap and a great place for a picnic and a swim in the fresh water. I was impressed that this place is so very well maintained by the local government and that they keep prices accessible for visitors.
Written September 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

goutesaw
La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica22 contributions
Feb 2021
This is a gorgeous waterfall with a fun swimming area. At the freeway turnoff we were stopped by a man in a white shirt with photos of the waterfall. He directed us to go 2 km past the large cement “waterfall” sign. We did as he instructed, ignoring the sign and Google Maps, and found ourselves on a bumpy dirt road to a parking lot. We were asked to pay money to enter. They called it a donation for the conservation of the falls. We paid $10 and were the only ones in the parking lot. They also offered a guide for more money, which we refused. After arriving at the falls we realized we’d been duped and should have followed Google. There was no fee to enter the falls and there was a parking lot available at the bottom. I sure hope that money truly goes to conservation.
Written February 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

momofKylche
Pennfield Ridge, Canada147 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
The falls are stunning the road to get there is not. A direct right turn off the highway, there is a man that will greet You but no money required. He’ll tell you where to see the falls. You’ll drive a few minutes make a right then drive like what seems forever. The road gets worse as you go but doable in a small car. A donation per person required. Park and then walk downwards about 5 minutes. Cross a little stream and walk a minute to the falls. So worth it.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ron M
Mississauga, Canada333 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Llanos de Cortez Waterfall is an awesome sight and you can enjoy a swim below the falls. We caught the Falls at the end of a day-long custom tour for our group of six with Alex Monjarre of The Park4You Travel. The day included the Palo Verde River Cruise & lunch and a visit to an animal and nature sanctuary at Tenorio Volcano and enjoying the natural beauty of Cortez Waterfall capped an excellent day!
Written February 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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