La Paz Waterfall Gardens

La Paz Waterfall Gardens – 1 hour North of San Jose

If you are stuck in San Jose you may find yourself bored very quickly. Short of some night clubs and a ton of museums, there isn’t much to do in the city. If you have an entire day to kill, I would suggest looking into a trip to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens. The Waterfall Gardens are filled with animals, great views, hiking, and tons of waterfalls.

A trip to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens is best if you have your own transportation. Even though the La Paz Waterfall Gardens are only an hour away from San Jose, a cab ride will cost at least US$40 each way.

The La Paz Waterfall Gardens include a wealth of activities and one could easily spend an entire day on the property. You can either pay for general admission or a guided tour. The guided tours get crowded fast, but are worth it if you want to hear information about the animals and plants. If you don’t care about that, I highly suggest doing it on your own. That way you can make your way in between the crowds.

The La Paz Waterfall Gardens Admission Includes:

Butterfly Sanctuary – The largest butterfly garden in the world
Hummingbird Garden – So many hummingbirds you’ll feel like your under attack
Serpentarium – See a number of snakes that are indigenous to Costa Rica
Frog Exhibit – Best at night, see some poison dart frogs
Tica House – See how Ticos lived hundreds of years ago
Trout Lake – See trout under water or catch your lunch
Aviary – Walk through a huge, open air aviary where birds fly freely
Wild Cats – A new exhibit with native local cats who have been rescued
Monkey – See a number of local monkey species
Waterfall Hike – See 5 waterfalls on a single hiking trail

What to Take

The La Paz Waterfall Gardens are located in the rain forest, so you will undoubtedly want some sort of rain protection. A constant mist and light drizzle are an everyday occurrence. Don’t be surprised by sudden down pours either. Many visitors bring a poncho and umbrella.

You will definitely want a camera with plenty of film or memory space. If you have a waterproof digital camera, you’ll have nothing to worry about. There aren’t many other places in Costa Rica where you can get up close and personal with Toucans and Macaws.

Good walking shoes and a fleece are also important. Because the park is high in the mountains the temperature can drop quickly. You’ll probably want a day pack with an extra layer in it.

For More Information

Cost: $32 – $65
Phone: (506) 2225-0643
Website: https://www.waterfallgardens.com/