La Paz Waterfall Gardens tour: 5 waterfalls & wildlife

Five waterfalls and a rainforest full of animals, all in one morning and afternoon

A 7-hour guided tour of La Paz Waterfall Gardens from San Jose takes you through rainforest trails to five waterfalls and a wildlife sanctuary holding over 100 species. Hotel pickup, a professional guide in English or Spanish, park entry and a buffet lunch with 35+ options are all included. Children from age 3 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore La Paz Waterfall Gardens

• Depart from San Jose hotel
• Travel to La Paz Waterfall Gardens
• Explore wildlife sanctuary
• Observe hummingbirds in aviary
• Walk cloud forest trails
• Visit five highest waterfalls
• Enjoy views of La Paz Falls
• Return to San Jose

The experience

The tour starts with pickup at your San Jose hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle. The drive takes you into the Central Valley's cloud forest, where the landscape shifts as you climb toward La Paz. Once you arrive at the gardens, the guide leads you onto trails that connect five major waterfalls, each one dropping through jungle canopy. The highest and most dramatic is La Paz Falls itself: the centerpiece of the sanctuary and the reason the whole place exists.

Wildlife appears throughout the walk. More than 25 species of hummingbirds live in the aviary section, and you'll move through it slowly enough to watch them hover and feed. The rainforest trails are home to marmoset monkeys, two-toed sloths, cougars and toucans, though sightings depend on the time of day and the animals' own schedules. The guide points out what to listen for and where to look, turning the walk into something more than just following a path. Bring a camera: the waterfalls against the jungle backdrop and the animals in their habitat are the shots people actually use.

Lunch happens midway through the day at the gardens' buffet, which runs to over 35 dishes. It's a break from walking and a chance to sit with the landscape in view. After eating, the second half of the tour covers the remaining trails and waterfalls, so the day builds from wildlife and hummingbirds into the full waterfall experience. The whole thing takes 7 hours from pickup to return.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• park entry and priority access to facilities.
• a professional guide in English or Spanish.
• a buffet lunch with over 35 options.
• trails through the cloud forest and to all five waterfalls.
• access to the wildlife sanctuary and hummingbird aviary.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (9 and older) · Child (3 to 8 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Summer Travel Costa Rica

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want a guide timing the day around wildlife viewing patterns and a midday meal break. Pick self-guided entry if you prefer exploring the gardens and trails at your own pace.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 8 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

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 animals will I actually see at La Paz Waterfall Gardens?

The sanctuary holds over 100 wildlife species. You'll see more than 25 hummingbird species in the aviary, and the rainforest trails are home to marmoset monkeys, two-toed sloths, toucans and cougars, though sightings vary by time of day and animal behavior.

How many waterfalls does the tour visit?

The tour covers five waterfalls, with La Paz Falls as the main attraction: the highest and most dramatic of the five, set deep in the jungle canopy.

Is lunch included, and what are the options?

Yes, a buffet-style lunch with over 35 different dishes is included midway through the tour, giving you time to rest before the second half of the walk.

What's the pickup situation from my San Jose hotel?

Hotel pickup is included in the tour price. You'll be collected in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle and returned at the end of the 7-hour day.