San Jose to La Paz Waterfall Gardens Day Trip: Explore Costa Rica’s Wildlife Refuge
4.7
89 Ratings
Vara Blanca
Embark on a thrilling day trip from San Jose to La Paz Waterfall Gardens, Costa Rica's top ecological attraction. Explore stunning waterfalls, a wildlife sanctuary, and educational programs.
Duration:
7 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- La Paz Waterfall Gardens - Meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel, get on your transfer vehicle and head to the gardens of the La Paz waterfall. Visit ten animal exhibitions to see fascinating creatures, such as butterflies, monkeys, toads, snakes, exotic birds and even felines from the jungle that roam the place.\n\nTake a moderate-intensity hike to the gardens of the La Paz waterfall, an exuberant green space where biodiversity is very present. Walk the paved trail of 3 kilometers (1.8 mi), which will take you to the base of the La Paz waterfall. This ecological park, with a height that varies between 1,200 and 1,500 meters (4,000 to 5,000 ft), is home to a wide variety of wildlife and plant species.\n\nThe La Paz waterfall is a perfect and relaxing destination for the whole family, full of opportunities to take photographs worthy of a postcard of the fantastic natural beauty of Costa Rica.
What's Included
- Skip-the-line access
- Transport in an air-conditioned minivan
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Professional guide
- Lunch included
- Complimentary bottled water
- All taxes, fees and handling charges included
- Personalized experience with a driver/guide
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
Additional Information
La Paz Waterfall Gardens is Costa Rica’s most frequently visited private ecological site and boasts the best hiking trails near San Jose, as well as the country’s renowned waterfalls including the famed La Paz Waterfall. This wildlife sanctuary and private reserve is home to over 100 animal species and hosts various environmental education programs. It encompasses five waterfalls, cloud and rain forests, hiking trails, an aviary with 40 different bird species, a hands-on toucan feeding experience, titi monkeys, an insect exhibit, a butterfly garden with an onsite lab, two-toed sloths, white-faced or capuchin monkeys, spider monkeys, a hummingbird garden with over 26 recorded species where visitors can feed hummingbirds in the mornings and afternoons, a snake house, jaguars, pumas, ocelots, tigrillos and cauceles. The facility also includes a domestic animal area, an ox-pulled cart, a frog exhibit, orchids and displays of heliconias and bromeliads.
- Dress code is smart casual
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Location
La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.7
(89 Ratings)
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James_t
Apr 12, 2024
Enjoyable day trip from San Jose - A pleasant day trip from San Jose if you’re interested in wildlife and nature, the waterfalls are very impressive
Review provided by Viator
Rebecca_r
Apr 11, 2024
Great tour - Had a lovely day seeing the animals and waterfalls. Lunch was great too. The only thing i would note is that this tour mentions its wheelchair accessible but there are a lot of steps down to the waterfalls. Not an issue for us but something other travellers may want to be aware of. The animals are also caged rather than wild (having been rescued from zoos but unable to be released into the wild having been raised in caprivity)
Review provided by Viator
Hartini_h
Mar 31, 2024
Awesome Costa Rica - The wild animals and Waterfall experience were amazing!! We had a free lunch which was great and included in the tour. The Tour operator was very friendly and knowledgeable. I would recommend Costa Rica and this tour to anyone who will visit this country!
Review provided by Viator
Susan_b
Mar 9, 2024
Tropical Beauty - The beauty of being in a jungle is unsurpassed! I loved seeing the tropiical birds and sloths up close because it's almost impossible to see them well in nature. The hike and waterfalls were breathtakaing, but I think that the number of steps should be made clear to travelers (800 stairs!) I didn't know if the hike was somewhat level or what!!??
Review provided by Viator
Jackie
Mar 6, 2024
Wildlife and waterfalls! - La Paz Waterfall and wildlife adventure was the highlight of my trip to Costa Rica. What a beautiful property. Set in the jungle, LA Paz waterfalls are stunning in their beauty and grandor. And, the animals in sanctuary are excellently cared for. What a wonderful property. (Lots of stairs to see the waterfalls, but you can bypass them.)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elva_a
Mar 3, 2024
Great trip - Great wildlife refuge and stops along the way, attentive guide. Pleasant lunch in open air shady area. Walk to waterfall has many steps down but paved and with handrail; can be shortened up by skipping some viewing points. Return walk is half way to shuttles to return to top.
Review provided by Viator
Stoliver2017
Feb 29, 2024
Highly recommended - 12/10 stars. The guide is very informative and well studied in the species and plants of the CR. Will be returning in the future
Review provided by Viator
Sherri_r
Feb 27, 2024
Great excursion, beautiful waterfalls - Overall fun, well planned excursion, with a great guide. Beautiful waterfalls and scenery. Fun hiking around the area.
Review provided by Viator
Jane_s
Feb 22, 2024
Excellent - Very simple to book, confirmed and then arrived to pick us up on time. Our guide Charlton was superb. Very knowledgeable and helpful. Lunch was included which was a nice bonus.
Review provided by Viator
Ceris_w
Apr 23, 2024
Not so good Viator!! - The La Paz Refuge was fine and overall a good experience . However the company providing this tour messaged me the day before to inform me that they would not collect me from the pick up point which had been specifically selected from the list provided by them on the Viator web page and which was confirmed several weeks prior.
I was advised to take public transport to a convenient pick up point for them.. This is not acceptable but since I was given no choice , and had I cancelled at that stage I would have lost my money as happened with a previous excusrsion booked via Viator to Tortuguero when the provider refused to take me as a solo traveller at the last moment.( It was not worth his while financially - his words) These issues need serious investigation by Viator -- it does not reflect well on your reputation and your customers should not be penalised for actions like this by the tour providers you are promoting
Review provided by Viator
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