Tamarindo: 3 Waterfalls & Cliff Jumping Private Tour with Lunch

Three waterfalls, rope swims and a 90-foot drop: one day, one guide, no crowds

You spend the day moving between three waterfalls: tubing, swimming against a current with a rope, cliff jumping at different heights, and hiking through caves and forest. Lunch is included, as are transport, a guide, water and snacks. The main constraint is footwear: you need proper hiking shoes with thick soles, and the tour will turn you away without them. If you show up ready, you're in for a full day of water and rock without the crowds.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore three waterfalls and local lunch

• Tube down Rio Blanco river
• See two waterfalls and cliff jump
• Hike 25 minutes through caves and cliffs
• Swim with rope to La Leona waterfall
• Enjoy traditional local Casado lunch
• Hike 20 minutes to Llanos del Cortés waterfall
• Swim and cliff jump in water bowl
• Hike to waterfall viewpoint and swim at base

The experience

You're probably thinking this sounds like every other waterfall tour in Costa Rica, and yeah, that's fair. But this one starts with tubing down a turquoise river called Río Blanco, and it doesn't stop there. After floating past a couple of small falls in a lava-shaped canyon, you get to try cliff jumping off a 45-foot edge into a blue pool: different heights available, so you're not forced into anything you don't want. The whole thing moves at your pace because it's private, just you and your guide.

Then comes the part that actually feels like an adventure. You hike 25 minutes through hard trails, caves, and along cliffs to reach La Leona waterfall, which sits inside a cave. To get there, you have to swim against the river current using a rope: proper Indiana Jones stuff, except it's real and you're doing it. The rocks are slippery, the water moves, and your guide is watching the whole time. This is why closed-toe hiking shoes with thick rubber soles are non-negotiable. Chacos and water shoes won't cut it. The tour won't let you go without them, and honestly, once you're on those submerged rocks, you'll understand why.

Around midday you stop at a local restaurant for a traditional Casado lunch: rice, beans, plantains, salad, a protein. It's the kind of meal locals eat, not tourist food. After that, you hike about 20 minutes through tropical dry forest to reach Llanos de Cortés waterfall, the big one. You get to swim in the pool at its base, hike up to the top for photos, and if you want, cliff jump again. The whole waterfall experience takes a couple of hours, and the 90-foot drop is there if you're ready for it.

Your guide drives you in an air-conditioned vehicle, handles all the logistics, and brings water and snacks throughout the day. The tour runs full-day, which means you're looking at a solid commitment, but you're not arranging transport, timing three separate stops, or figuring out which waterfall is worth the drive. It's all planned, and it's all private.

What’s included

Your day includes private air-conditioned transportation from your hotel, a local guide for the full day, tubing down Río Blanco, access to three waterfall sites (including Llanos de Cortés), a traditional Casado lunch at a local restaurant, bottled water, snacks, and a video recording of your experience.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (4 to 75 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Sweet Costa Rica

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a full-day waterfall adventure without arranging your own transport, timing multiple stops, or sharing your guide with other groups: the private format and fixed itinerary are what make three separate waterfalls, a rope swim, and a 90-foot jump possible in one day.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What shoes do I need?

Closed-toe hiking shoes or sneakers with thick rubber soles. Chacos, sandals, and lightweight water shoes are not allowed because the tour involves climbing ladders, navigating caves, and walking on sharp, slippery submerged rocks.

How long is the tour?

Full day. The itinerary includes tubing, two separate waterfall hikes with swimming, a lunch stop, and the main Llanos de Cortés waterfall experience. Plan for 8–10 hours total.

Is cliff jumping required?

No. Different heights are available at the first jumping spot, and you can skip it entirely. The rope swim and cave hike are part of the tour, but jumping is optional.

What's included?

Private transportation, guide, bottled water, snacks, lunch at a local restaurant, and video of the day. The vehicle is air-conditioned.

Can I do this if I'm not very fit?

The tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness. You'll hike 25–30 minutes at a time, swim against a current, and climb ladders. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Is this tour crowded?

No, it's private. It's just you, your group, and your guide: no other tourists on the same itinerary.

Do I need to bring my own snacks?

No. Snacks and bottled water are provided throughout the day, plus a full lunch at a local restaurant.