Manuel Antonio Waterfalls Tour: Small Group, Hidden Mulguri

Three waterfalls and a mountain village lunch, five to seven hours away from the tourist trail

A small group tour from Manuel Antonio to Mulguri Waterfalls, a remote rainforest site in the Quebrada de Arroyo region, where you swim in natural pools beneath three cascades and eat lunch in a local family's home. The tour includes a scenic drive through mountain villages and farmland, a professional guide in English or Spanish, hotel pickup from selected properties, light refreshments and bottled water. Five to seven hours total.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Mulguri Waterfalls and local culture

• Drive through mountains and local farms
• Walk trail to Mulguri Waterfalls
• Swim in natural jungle pools
• Relax under giant trees
• Have typical Costa Rican lunch with local family
• Explore local cultural and rural tourism

The experience

The tour starts with a one-hour drive from Manuel Antonio through small villages, natural springs and rainforest, climbing into the remote back country where Mulguri sits. You'll pass local farms and cross rivers on the way up into the mountains. The waterfall area itself is reached by walking down a trail with steps to a pristine pool area that has three separate waterfalls, one water drop and four natural swimming pools at different depths, so you can choose where to swim or wade depending on what feels right.

After time in the water, you head to a local family's house for a typical Costa Rican lunch they prepare. This is where the cultural part of the tour happens: you eat with the family and get a real look at rural life in the area, not a staged version of it. The guide is a professional who speaks English or Spanish, and the whole group stays small enough that you're not herding through the site with fifty other people.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included if your hotel is on the selected list. Check your property when you book. Bring a moderate level of fitness: the trail down to the pools has steps and you're walking in the rainforest, not on a paved path. Specialized infant seats are available if you're traveling with very young children. The tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers or anyone with spinal or cardiovascular concerns.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English or Spanish.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from selected hotels.
• light refreshments.
• bottled water.
• typical Costa Rican lunch prepared and served by a local family.
• access to three waterfalls and four natural swimming pools.
• local taxes.

Options for this experience

2 options

Mulguri Waterfalls TourGuide in English or Spanish · 08:00Transport in a 4x4 around Quepos and the Manuel Antonio area, a hanging bridge, a visit to the waterfalls, a typical lunch, snacks, drinks and a bilingual tour guide are included. Pickup is included.

Private tour of the Mulguri WaterfallGuide in English or Spanish · 08:00Mulguri Manuel Antonio Waterfalls Adventure: explore the rainforest over a hanging bridge, swim in the stunning waterfalls and discover the culture of Costa Rica. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (10 to 75 years) · Youth (7 to 9 years) · Child (4 to 6 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 10

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.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Mulguri Adventure

Is this one for you?Choose the private option if you want the guide and the pools to yourself, or the small group tour if you're comfortable sharing the experience with a few other travelers: either way, the group stays small enough that you're not part of a crowded herd at the waterfalls.

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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: Youth (7 to 9 years); Child (4 to 6 years); Infant (under 4): free.

How far is Mulguri from Manuel Antonio, and what's the drive like?

Mulguri is about one hour away by car from Manuel Antonio. The drive takes you through small local villages, natural springs and rainforest, crossing rivers and passing farms as you climb into the mountains toward the remote Quebrada de Arroyo region.

Can I actually swim at the waterfalls, or is it just looking?

You swim. The waterfall area has three waterfalls, one water drop and four natural swimming pools at different depths, so there's a safe spot for different comfort levels and ages. The pools are described as resembling a natural jacuzzi.

What kind of lunch is included, and where do we eat?

A typical Costa Rican lunch prepared by a local family, eaten in their house. This is part of the cultural tour component. You're not eating at a restaurant, but with the family in their home, which gives you a real sense of rural life in the area.

Is hotel pickup really included, or is there an extra charge?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the tour price, but only from selected hotels in the area. Confirm your property is on the list when you book.

What's the fitness level needed for this tour?

You need at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The access to the waterfalls involves walking a trail down steps through the rainforest to reach the pool area. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, cardiovascular concerns or pregnancy.