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Jaco: 10 Waterfalls Jungle Hike & Costa Rican Lunch

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Duration3h

GroupUp to 30

LanguagesEN · ES

Mobile ticketAccepted

Hike jungle trails from Jaco to hidden waterfalls with local flavors

You’ll taste fresh sugar cane juice before hiking jungle trails just outside Jaco, crossing rivers and ropes to reach ten waterfalls with natural pools for swimming or just dipping your toes. Along the way, learn about local plants from your guide and finish with a home-cooked Costa Rican lunch—leaving you sun-warmed and maybe a little changed.

Step-by-step itinerary

Meet at office and parking
Enjoy delicious lunch
Watch cocoa and banana plants
Learn about medicinal plants
Hike through jungle to waterfalls
Cross rivers and ropes
Observe 10 waterfalls and 8 pools
Swim and jump in natural pools

The Experience

The first thing I remember is the sticky-sweet taste of sugar cane juice on my tongue—cold, almost grassy, handed to us by a guy named Diego who grinned like he knew what was coming. We were only five minutes from Jaco Beach, but it felt like we’d jumped into another world. The air at Finca los Solis was thick and green, so loud with birds and that low hum you get in the rainforest. Our guide (Luis? I think it was Luis) pointed out these wild banana plants right away—he broke off a leaf and let us feel how waxy it was. I didn’t expect to care about a banana leaf, but there you go.

We started the hike toward the first waterfall, and honestly, I lost count of how many times we crossed the river. Sometimes there were ropes to help us over slippery rocks—my shoes got soaked in the first ten minutes. Luis stopped now and then to show us medicinal plants used by Pueblo Nuevo las Monas; he crushed one between his fingers so we could smell it (kind of minty, kind of earthy). There were ten waterfalls on this day trip from Jaco, each one louder than the last—at one spot I just stood there with spray on my face trying to hear what anyone was saying. Some people jumped into the pools—I chickened out at first but ended up wading in up to my knees. It was cold enough to make me yelp.

Lunch came after we’d dried off a bit back at the finca—rice and beans, plantains, something stewed that smelled like cumin. I sat next to an older woman from San José who told me she does this hike every year for her birthday. She laughed when I tried to say “gracias por la comida” properly (I probably butchered it). The whole thing lasted about three hours but it felt longer—in a good way. Even now I can picture that last pool with sunlight flickering through the leaves overhead…sometimes you don’t realize how much noise your brain makes until you’re somewhere quiet like that.

What’s included

Your day includes tasting fresh sugar cane juice on arrival, guided hiking through rainforest trails near Jaco Beach with stops at ten waterfalls and eight natural pools (swimming optional), all led by a certified local guide who shares stories about native plants and wildlife.
A typical Costa Rican lunch is served after your adventure at Finca los Solis.
Pickup at a meeting point is provided along with secure parking, WiFi access, dry bag use for valuables during the hike, plus showers and restroom facilities when you return.
Photos and videos taken by your guide will be sent after your experience.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomeNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Jorge Morales Solis