Costa Rica is full of breathtaking landscapes that will help your mind and body relax. Being in Costa Rica is like a stepping into another world, helping you to forget the stressors of life. Water provides one of the best ways to relax, and Costa Rica has several types of water attractions where you can get away from it all. Visiting one of Costa Rica’s dramatic, secluded waterfalls is a great way to unwind and enjoy a day in nature. There are two major waterfalls, Nauyaca Waterfalls and Diamante Waterfalls, that you must visit during your stay in Costa Rica.
Nauyaca Waterfalls is a beautiful, double-tiered waterfall on the Rio Barucito in Southern Costa Rica. It is hidden 
away by a canopy of lush green growth and trees within a wide canyon. When you first approach Nauyaca, you will hear the falls before you see them. You must descend a flight of stairs along the side of the canyon to reach the waterfalls below. Upon first sight, Nauyaca Waterfalls will take your breath away. The taller, upper waterfall is an impressive forty-five meters high and the lower waterfall is twenty meters high. The river cascades into a deep, wide pool at the bottom of the lower falls, then meanders downstream through the jungle. The setting is absolutely stunning.
When you visit Nauyaca, be sure to take the time to hike to both the upper and the lower falls. It will only take you 15 minutes to get from one to the other. During your descent into the canyon, there is a fork in the staircase. The stairs to the right take you to the upper falls, which are taller than the lower falls, and are surrounded by tall, dramatic cliff walls covered in greenery. The stairs to the left take you to the lower falls, a wide cascade into a deep, refreshing pool where swimming is permitted. Here you can swim across the pool into small caves beneath the water falls or climb the rocky face to jump back into the pool below – if you dare!
Nauyaca Waterfalls is located on private property and you must pay an entrance fee to enjoy it. The easiest access to Nauyaca Waterfalls is through Don Lulu’s walking trail or horseback tour. The walking trail takes about 1.5 hours and goes through variable terrain. Be sure to bring lots of water and sunscreen if you plan to hike to the falls. The horseback tour provides a less strenuous way to reach the falls, and you will get to eat a traditional meal with Don Lulu’s family on the way. For more information, visit http://cataratasnauyaca.com.
Diamante Waterfall and cave is another great spot not to be missed while you are in Costa Rica. Diamante is also located in the southern part of the country, in the village of Las Tumbas. High in the mountains, Las Tumbas is lush and green and often covered in clouds. Las Tumbas is near Tinamastes and Platanillo.
There are ten different waterfalls in Diamante canyon. The hike to the waterfalls is steep and strenuous, with lots of stairs, and takes about two hours. Once you have arrived, there are numerous falls where you can swim, jump, or simply enjoy the beauty of the canyon. You can also hike to the top of the tallest waterfall in Costa Rica, which cascades six hundred feet to the rocks below! From the top of this falls, you can see the ocean when the weather is clear.
One of the best ways to explore the waterfalls is to spend a night in Diamante cave. The cave is located at one of the 
main waterfalls in the canyon, a twin cascade of about ninety feet. Between these twin falls is Diamante cave, a large, open cave equipped with a kitchen, elevated platforms for sleeping, and bathrooms! Since it’s impossible to see all ten waterfalls in one day, spending a night in the cave is a great way to explore the area and give yourself a chance to enjoy everything that Diamante has to offer.
Like Nauyaca Waterfall, Diamante Waterfalls are located on private land. You must have a guide to access Diamante Waterfalls. Tree of Life Tours offers numerous options for day tours or overnight tours. More information is available at http://treeoflifetours.com/index.html.
Whether you are seeking relaxation, immersion in the beauty of nature, the adrenaline of cliff jumping, or simply the pleasure of swimming in cool, fresh water, the waterfalls of southern Costa Rica are not to be missed! There are so many beautiful waterfalls in the area, but Nauyaca Waterfall and Diamante Waterfalls are both truly special. For more information on properties near these waterfalls, or properties with waterfalls of their own, contact Dominical Real Estate today!
