La Paz Waterfall Gardens: Costa Rica's Top Ecological Attraction

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: 24 hours
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…
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…

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
(96 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Navigator274213
Dec 17, 2024
Great experience. - Wonderful to see these animals up close and personal and to hear their unique stories of rescue. And the waterfalls? Magnificent!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Luisana_r
Dec 3, 2024
Magical place - If you're visiting Costa Rica for the first time and aren't sure where to start, I **highly recommend** the La Paz Waterfall Gardens Wildlife Refuge. It's hard to fully capture the beauty and magic of this place—it truly lives up to all the hype. I'm not usually one to write reviews, but my experience here was so unforgettable that I felt compelled to share it. If you you are a nature and animal lover, this is the place. And did I mention you'll get to see sloths up close? Honestly, what more could you ask for? Our driver, Daniel, and our guide, Arlene, were absolutely fantastic—friendly, attentive, and made sure my friend and I felt comfortable throughout the entire experience. A few tips: definitely wear comfortable walking shoes, especially if you plan to visit the waterfall viewpoints. There are quite a few stairs and some uphill stretches, so be prepared for a bit of a workout! Given the frequent rain, I’d also recommend packing a poncho or rain jacket just in case. The lunch was a delicious buffet with plenty of tasty options to choose from. Overall, I’d give this experience a solid 10/10. It was an unforgettable day filled with positive energy from start to finish. If you’re looking for a unique, memorable experience in Costa Rica, don’t miss this place!
Review provided by Viator
Danirae_s
Jul 22, 2024
Awesome! - This was an amazing tour!! I learned so much about Costa Rica and the efforts being made to preserve the wildlife. The guide was fun and engaging. Had a great time!!!
Review provided by Viator
Eas1229
Jul 20, 2024
Beautiful waterfalls - Great day. The animal sanctuary was cool and the waterfalls were beautiful. Our tour guide was awesome. Lunch was delicious. Lots of stairs
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marcia_n
May 22, 2024
Incredible Day Trip from San Jose - This was a perfect day tour from San Jose. Glad we saw all the animals, especially sloths up close. Just be sure you will be able to handle all the 500 or so steps for the waterfall trail. So pretty and serene. Buffet food was good and a lot of variety. Gerry our guide was fantastic, giving us many insights about life in Costa Rica. Pura Vida!
Review provided by Viator
Frank_j
May 18, 2024
A tour you should consider doing. - We went on the tour on May 6th, 2024, they picked us up at the hotel approx. 9:30 am. The tour was great and would highly recommend it, Our car driver Edwin and Guide Paul (I think was his name). Paul was very knowledgeable, even carries a small encyclopedia with him for references. The only thing I thought was unnecessary was the 2nd stop before we got to the park at a big souvenir shop (Fresas del Volcan), there was no added value at this stop except for us to purchase souvenirs, the same souvenirs are available at the end of the tour in the park at the retail store.
Review provided by Viator
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
Jennifercx6917ak
Jun 18, 2024
Beautiful - BEAUTIFUL. The refuge is amazing. Worth the trip. It is physical. Wouldn’t recommend to person with mobility issues. Lunch was good.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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
Select Date and Tickets
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
January 2025
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today