Costa Rica: Ebano Waterfalls Hike & Rainforest Safari Lunch

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/12

Duration4h

GroupUp to 15

LanguagesEN · ES

Mobile ticketAccepted

Hike rainforest trails to waterfalls then swim and eat by the river

You’ll trek rainforest trails with a local guide, cross streams and bridges under towering trees, swim beneath double waterfalls at Ebano Natural Reserve, and share a banana-leaf lunch by the river. Expect laughter, wildlife sightings—maybe even monkeys—and moments that stick with you long after you’re dry again.

Step-by-step itinerary

Rainforest hike and waterfall swim

Travel in 4x4 safari truck
Hike 1.6 km through rainforest
Cross two bridges and five streams
Observe wildlife and tropical plants
Arrive at Ebano Waterfalls
Swim in deep waterfall pool
Swim in wider shallow waterfall pool
Enjoy authentic Costa Rican lunch by river

The Experience

We were already bouncing along in the back of this safari-style truck when I realized how far from town we’d gotten. Our guide, Luis, kept pointing out these massive trees—he called one a “ceiba,” which I probably mispronounced three times. The air smelled like wet leaves and something sweet I couldn’t place. There was this moment, right after we crossed a rickety wooden bridge, when everyone just went quiet because you could hear monkeys somewhere above us. Not see them—just that weird, echoing howl.

The hike itself wasn’t long (maybe a kilometer or so), but it felt like another world. We stopped every few minutes for Luis to show us some tiny frog or strange flower—he actually spotted a blue morpho butterfly and got way more excited than any of us. The ground was muddy but not too slippery if you wore good shoes (don’t do flip flops, trust me). When we finally reached the Ebano Waterfalls, it was louder than I expected—the water just crashed into this deep pool carved out of rock. A couple of people jumped in right away; I hesitated but ended up swimming too. Cold at first, then perfect.

I still think about the lunch—rice and chicken wrapped in banana leaf, eaten with our feet dangling over the rocks by the river. Luis told stories about growing up nearby and laughed when I tried to say “gallo pinto” properly (I didn’t even come close). Sun came out for maybe ten minutes while we ate, just enough to dry off before heading back through the forest. The whole thing felt sort of unplanned in a good way—like you’re just tagging along with someone who really knows this place.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup in a safari-style 4x4 truck for mountain travel to Hacienda Ébano Natural Reserve.
guided hiking through rainforest trails.
time to swim at both Ebano Waterfalls.
and an authentic Costa Rican farmer’s lunch wrapped in banana leaves enjoyed beside the river before returning in comfort.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Hacienda Ebano