Catarata Llanos de Cortes is one of the must see waterfalls in Costa Rica and one of the best waterfalls to see if you’re staying in any of the destinations in the Guanacaste province.
Catarata Llanos de Cortes waterfall (also known as Llanos de Cortez waterfall) is only a 5 minute walk from the parking lot to the waterfall and a great cheap activity in Guanacaste.
Important Things to Know About Llanos de Cortes Waterfall
- Open everyday from 8 AM to 4 PM
- 4×4 not required
- No pets allowed
- Free parking with a bathroom
- Short trail down to waterfall
- No market/restaurant, bring your own food and drinks
- Pay entrance fee upon arrival. Cash only in USD or CRC.
In the rainy season, please check the Catarata Llanos de Cortes Facebook page for updates. They will post if the waterfall closes due to weather.
Sometimes, when it has been raining heavily, they will close the waterfall for safety reasons. Other times, it is open but swimming may not be allowed.
Worse months for weather are usually September, October and November.
Location and Directions
The Cortes waterfall is in Bagaces, Guanacaste.
Catarata Llanos de Cortes is 36 kilometers (22 miles) from Guanacaste Airport and about a 35 minute drive.
Sometimes, the Llanos de Cortes waterfall is spelled with a z as in “Llanos de Cortez waterfall” and it’s the same waterfall.
How to Get to Catarata Llanos de Cortes
The best way is to drive to Llanos de Cortes Waterfall.
You can use Google Maps or Waze as your GPS. In Waze and Google Maps, enter “Catarata Llanos de Cortes” as your destination.
You will see a lot of signs at the turn.
Continue on this road for about a kilometer or so and then you will see another entrance to the right with a sign that says “Waterfall.” You’ll then see a security station which you need to go through to continue to the waterfall.
Continue on this road after paying the fee about another kilometer or so to the parking lot.
There is no pubic bus directly to the waterfall.
Road Condition, 4×4 required for Llanos de Cortez Waterfall?
The road to the Cortez waterfall is in good condition. It is not fully paved but there weren’t many big holes and it’s fairly flat, not many hills or anything.
You do not need a 4×4, you can drive to the Llanos de Cortez waterfall in a sedan in the dry season. There aren’t any steep hills or mountains roads to get to this waterfall.
If you visit during October or during a tropical storm in rainy season, the road may be muddy.
Catarata Llanos de Cortes hours
The Cortes waterfall is open 8AM – 4 PM everyday.
Catarata Llanos de Cortes entrance fee
4000 CRC for foreign adult
2000 CRC for foreign children ages 7-12
2000 CRC for seniors 65+ (must have passport if foreign)
2000 CRC for students with valid student ID
Parking and Facilities
The Llanos de Cortez waterfall has a large parking and they do have bathrooms (not a porter potty). No showers or changing rooms.
The parking lot is not under surveillance nor is there a proper guard so make sure not to leave any valuables visible in the car.
Also roll up your windows and lock your doors.
When we visited, there was a man sitting outside the bathrooms, kind of watching the parking lot.
What to bring
Swimsuit, change of clothes, towel, sandals or flip flops, snacks, water/drinks, sunglasses and sunscreen if you plan to stay for a couple hours.
They don’t sell food or drinks at the waterfall all the time. We have been there once during the holidays when some locals brought their own stand to sell shaved ice, snacks and cold coconut water but this is not always.
So make sure to bring your own refreshments.
The Trail to the Llanos de Cortez Waterfall
The total time to walk from the parking lot to the Llanos de Cortes waterfall is around 5 minutes.
From the parking lot, you will see a sign that says Catarata Waterfall 100 m with an arrow pointing left. Walk on this trail and you’ll get to the entrance of the main trail.
They have now made a very nice concrete path down to the waterfall.
It’s a very short walk, just about 3-5 minutes and they have a rope for a handrail and concrete steps all the way down.
The steps are not super steep so for anyone in good physical health, it is no problem. For anyone who may have ankle or knee problems, go slow and use the handrail.
Thankfully, there aren’t a ton of steps, maybe around 30 or so. It took me about 3 minutes to walk down to the waterfall from the parking lot.
When you get to the bottom of the trail, turn right to go to the waterfall.
The Stunning Cortes Waterfall
The Llanos de Cortes waterfall is no doubt, impressive. Especially if you go in the rainy season and it is very full from all the rains.
It is truly like an oasis in the desert as the water is super refreshing. It feels oh so good in the heat!
Important: They do not allow people to climb up the rocks under the waterfall.
During the rainiest months like October and November, the wall on the right side of the waterfall activates a second smaller waterfall!
It has a pool you can swim in too. It is seasonal so it won’t be there during the drier months like February, March and April.
If conditions are good, you can also walk up to the left side of Cortes waterfall to climb up to the top.
Be very careful as it may be slippery or muddy, it’s not a proper trail at all, just climbing up through the forest.
You’ll be able to see the river that supplies the waterfall and even walk all the way back to the parking lot from there.
We did this in March, the driest month in Guanacaste so it wasn’t muddy and all the foliage was dead/dry. I do not recommend it during the rainy season (May through November).
If it has been raining a lot, they may not allow you to swim in the waterfall due to unsafe conditions. PLEASE adhere to the regulations, they are for safety purposes.
Other Things to Know About Visiting the Llanos de Cortez Waterfall
- No bonfires or grills allowed.
- No smoking, no camping.
- Keep your ticket, they can ask for it anytime.
- You can stop by if you’re driving from Guanacaste (like Tamarindo/Playas del Coco/Conchal) to La Fortuna or vice versa. You can also stay for as long as you want, as it’s a nice day trip.
- To get the most of your day trip, you can visit the waterfall in the early morning for about an hour or just a photostop on your way to Rio Celeste. Or do Cortes Waterfall + zipline at Rincon de la Vieja or Diamante Eco Adventure Park.
What Else to Know About the Cortes Waterfall
This waterfall is now a popular spot for tours and it’s not as “hidden” as it used to be when we first visited.
Tour companies start stopping there 930, 10 AM or so. Or, go around 1-2 PM on a weekday.
Holidays are crazy busy, particularly Costa Rican holidays: Chrismas, New Years, Holy Week, Mother’s Day (August 15) and Independence Day (September 15).
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Other beautiful waterfalls are the Nauyaca waterfalls near Dominical in the South Pacific, Rio Celeste waterfall in northern Costa Rica, Catarata Rio Agrio, Blue Falls and Catarata del Toro in Bajos del Toro. Or check out our post on 12 amazing waterfalls in Costa Rica!
rosetta says
Greetings Samantha, and Yeison,
I’ll be in Playas Del Coco, solo for the month of Feb., without a car, and plan on taking various tours. I am interested in The Nicaragua Day and/or overnight Tour. I would also like to book a Canopy Tour, possibly visit Catarata Llanos de Cortes, National Park, Hot Springs. Could you recommend a tour company for me. I do recall in your blog that Nicaraguan Tours could be booked through you, and receive a discount. I downloaded your survival Spanish pocket guide, and was wondering if there’s a standard phone contact for a taxi. and how I’d go about communicating to arrange for pickup.
Love your blog! I find extremely helpful. This is a second time visiting Playas Del CoCo. I was there last March for two weeks, and I must say after reading your blog, I feel like I’ve made a new friend, and feel much for comfortable in navigating my way around, this time.
I really appreciate how you personalize your knowledge, information, and insights to help maximize the best travel experience. Thank you!
Kelly Kindness says
Hi Sammi!
We are leaving from our hotel in downtown Liberia to Arenal and think this would be an awesome spot to stop!
Unfortunately, we will have all of our things with us ( carry on suitcases only). I know its never reccomended to leave belongings in the car, however do you think this would be safe enough to do that? We will be there in the morning before 9am most likely. I know its hard to judge but let me know your thoughts.
Thank you!
Kelly
Sammi says
The waterfall has a parking lot with a guard but it’s not an insured parking lot or anything with cameras, just one local guy watching the car so I personally wouldn’t risk it. However, since this is a pretty popular area, you can leave your carry on suitcases in your trunk, bring your valuables with you and then pay the parking guy a little extra and ask him to pay special attention to your car. If you’re going on a weekday before 9 AM, most likely there won’t be many people there but don’t leave your valuables like camera or backpack alone at the waterfall either.
Anna says
Hi,
I have been following your blog for awhile.
I am staying in Tamarindo and would like recommendation s for tour grps to get to these falls and other areas worth visiting. I am staying for 5 weeks, we are a grp of 3 in our 50s.
Thank you
Anna
yeison says
Hi Anna, we will contact you via email. Thanks for reading Mytanfeet
Todd says
I’m in fairly decent shape. What are your thoughts on doing this hike while carrying a two year old. Let me know if you think I can do it or to absolutely not attempt it. -Thanks
Sammi says
Hi Todd, the walk down is very short. It does get kinda slippery if you’re wearing flip flops so just make sure to go slow but tons of Costa Rican families bring their babies and toddlers to this waterfall because it’s a very short walk down. Enjoy!
Mary says
Hi,
My husband and I arrived yesterday in Playa del Coco. This is our first trip to Costa Rica and are we very excited! There is so much we want to do and see. We would love to hike the Rincon de la Vieja National Park, and we are also thinking about taking a boat out to fish, explore some hidden beaches, and or see the sunset. Unfortunately, we do not have a car so we wanted to know if you had any recommendations and prices for tours and or guides.
Thank you,
Mary
yeison says
Hi Mary! We know some people please email us on our contact page and with details of what you would like to do and we can help you! Thank you for reading our blog!
Shannon O'Neill says
Hi I am also staying Playas Del Coco and I was wondering what the details of the tour companies are?
Sammi says
Hi Shannon, I sent you an email
Roxanne says
Hi,
I was wondering if we can get there by bus? If so, from where? We will be traveling in Guanacaste and we would like to visit this waterfall but we don’t have a car.
Thanks,
Roxanne Fay
Sammi says
Hi Roxanne, unfortunately there isn’t a bus there so you’ll have to rent a car or hire a shuttle. Most people book it with tour companies, if you need recommendations for tour companies let us know!
Roxanne says
Yes, I would like to have recommendations for tour companies with the prices please:) We will be staying in an hostel in Liberia, but if you think it would be better to stay in Bagaces and have recommendations of hostel or cabinas please let me know!
Sammi says
Hi Roxanne,I just sent you an email 🙂
Reina says
I was wondering the same thing and would like the name of the tour companies please. I am currently staying in playas Del coco.
Sammi says
Hi Reina, I just sent you an email 🙂
Greg says
If you hike about three minutes to the left of the falls, there is a smaller pool where you can jump off the cliffs. You definitely want to jump in the right place. Too far to the right or left no Bueno. The local Ticos or vendors will tell you where it is. It’s a lot of fun.
Sammi says
We passed the pools but didn’t jump – I think I’d be too scared haha!
Gareth says
Thanks! Is there any restriction on when to enter the waterfall? By “morning”, what time do you mean exactly? I try super hard to visit awesome places like this at the crack of dawn or earlier to beat the crowds and get some photos ( my favorite thing to do ) 🙂
Do people jump off the top into the water? Or is it not deep enough for that?
Sammi says
I think around 8AM, we were there at 9 AM and I remember the man who gives the tickets for donations says he’s there around 8. If you go around that time on a weekday, there usually isn’t anyone until about 10AM when the tour buses start coming. No, the pool isn’t deep enough at all for people to jump into. You can hike up to the top but please don’t jump in!
Jessica Zais says
Awesome! This is on my list of places to go so it’s great to get directions! Thanks! : D
yeison says
Hi Jessica !
Perfect, if you need more directions or any information in the area please let us know !
Have a gerat day