Osa Waterfalls Trek from Jaco: Five Falls, Swim & Jump

Each waterfall gets bigger than the last, and you can jump from the highest one.

This 10-hour waterfall trek from Jaco takes a small group of 12 into the Osa area to visit five falls across three remote locations, with time to swim and jump in the pools. You trek between the falls, eat a traditional Costa Rican lunch in the rainforest, and travel by private vehicle with an English-speaking guide who handles all the routing and timing. Moderate fitness is needed for the hiking and climbing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Waterfalls adventure and swimming

• Pick up at start location
• Drive to three remote waterfall locations
• Relax, swim, and jump in waterfalls
• Enjoy traditional Costa Rican lunch

The experience

The Osa area sits south of Jaco and holds some of the wildest jungle in the region: the kind of place most visitors never reach because it takes a guide who knows the terrain and the access. You start with a pickup and a drive into that landscape, then trek between three separate waterfall locations, each one revealing a bigger pool than the one before. The guide leads you to spots where you can stand on the rocks and watch the water fall, wade into the pools, or climb up and jump. Five different falls means five chances to move through the water instead of just looking at it from a distance.

Lunch happens in the rainforest itself: a traditional Costa Rican meal cooked and served where you are, not back in town. The 10-hour day is built around the hiking and the water time, so you are not rushed between stops. The group stays small, capped at 12 people, which means the guide can watch the water conditions and move at a pace that works for everyone. You bring your own bathing suit, water and bug spray. The guide brings the knowledge of which falls are safe to jump from and when, and the vehicle that gets you to the trailheads without a car rental or a wrong turn.

What’s included

• An English-speaking guide who leads the trekking and knows which falls are safe to jump from.
• private vehicle transport from your Jaco pickup location to the three waterfall sites in the Osa area.
• a traditional Costa Rican lunch served in the rainforest.
• and time to swim and jump in the pools at each of the five falls.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to13h before

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Costa Rica Waterfall Tours

Is this one for you?Book this trek if you want to swim and jump at waterfalls instead of viewing them from a distance, and if you have the fitness for a full day of hiking and climbing in the jungle. The small group size and the guide's knowledge of the Osa terrain mean you reach waterfalls most Jaco visitors never see, and the 10-hour commitment gives you real time in the water at each one instead of a quick stop-and-go.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

How many waterfalls do we actually visit on this trek?

Five waterfalls across three different locations in the Osa area. Each one is progressively larger, and you have time to swim and jump at the pools.

What is the Osa area like compared to the beaches near Jaco?

The Osa is wild and rugged jungle inland from the coast: remote enough that most visitors need a guide to reach it safely. The waterfalls sit deep in that landscape, not on a marked trail you can walk alone.

Can I jump from all five waterfalls, or only some of them?

The guide assesses each waterfall for safety and water conditions on the day. You can jump from the higher ones. At others you may prefer to swim in the pool or stay on the rocks.

Is the 10-hour day one long hike, or are there breaks?

The day includes trekking between the three locations, time to swim and jump at each waterfall, and a lunch break in the rainforest. The pace is built around the water time, not a race through the stops.

What should I wear for a day of swimming and jumping in waterfalls?

Bring a bathing suit, water shoes or strap-on sandals (no flip-flops), and a camera if you want photos. The guide will tell you what to expect for the water temperature and current at each stop.

Does the tour include lunch, and what kind of food is it?

Yes, a traditional Costa Rican lunch is included and served in the rainforest during the trek. The guide arranges it as part of the day.