La Fortuna to Fortuna and Los Chorros Waterfalls: Day trip

La Fortuna Waterfall plummets 75 meters through the lush rainforest into a bright blue basin, its natural beauty and relative ease of access making it one of the most popular in Costa Rica. We say relative because the trail to the base of the falls has around 500 steps. Fortunately, once you reach the bottom, you can dive into the cold natural pool (there are changing rooms at the visitor center) to cool off. There can sometimes be a strong current here, so if you’re not a great swimmer, you can also head to the more mellow area to the left. If the hike back up from the falls wears you down, there’s a restaurant at the top where you can recharge. Please allow a minimum of 120 minutes for this stop.

In the heart of a lush park, Los Chorros Waterfalls literally translates to “The Jets” for the many small but powerful streams that feed the cascade. Reached by a 20-30 minute walk along a jungle trail, Catara Zamora, as the main waterfall is known, launches itself off a 40-meter cliff, plummeting into a pool of cool water. If you really want to get a sense of jungle exploration (and if water levels allow), you can follow the riverbed into a moss-covered canyon to find an even larger waterfall with smaller rivulets streaming down the walls. There is a small entry fee (approx. $5 per person) to access the waterfall. The hike back and forth can take 45 minutes to an hour, so allow a minimum of 90 minutes for this stop.