Superlative Nauyaca Falls

Cataratas Nauyaca on the Baru River near Dominical is a must plunge.   Powerful, broad, sheer, and refreshingly cold, these waterfalls are some of the prettiest I've seen anywhere. 

After finally finding the small dirt road entrance, we held our breath as our independent-minded car bounced his way down the 2k pock-marked, steeply pitched, rock road, and prayed that we wouldn't find ourselves stuck at the bottom.  A few other cars were parked there at the rushing river, and families had Sunday picnics and played under the walking bridge. 

We hiked the hot, dry path, wide enough for all four of us to spread out!   The day was humid at 11 am, and getting stickier.  We trudged up the 4k trail, and were glad that it was Sunday, and there were no horses sharing the private trail that day.   We passed a small house where we were able to buy our $6 tickets (with cedulas - $8 without) and fill up our water bottles again.

Finally, after an hour of hot hiking, my intrepid family reached the falls.  We were amazed.  We jumped into the wonderfully cool water, plashing and swimming out to the  gorgeous falls.  We enjoyed our picnic of avocado and re-fried beans rolled into a tortilla, and then we swam some more.  We watched a daredevil scale his way up the center of the pounding falls, like a spider monkey, and then flip backward off the top of the cliff.  I applauded heartily, but called him absolutely crazy to the kids.  Steve equally mesmerized by a would-be model in a dental floss bathing suit. 

After the refreshing swim, the walk downhill seemed much shorter. And, to cap off our spectacular day, on the hike out, we spotted a toucan in a tree above the path.  Our car made it up the hill (hooray!) and we made it back to the beach for sunset.  A perfect day!

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To get there, drive south to Dominical, past Manuel Antonio and Quepos, about 45 minutes.  Just before Dominical, turn onto the San Isidro de General Highway, and head towards Baru.   You can buy a ticket at the office on the highway at the Catarata Waterfall.

 If it's Sunday, pass the office and turn onto the dirt road just past the blue gate and drive down the hill.  Bring cash to pay midway up the hill.

An intricate web over the Baru River