Seasonal waterfall, Manuel Antonio National Park (Sendero Catarata)
Waterfall · Central Pacific
A small forest waterfall on the Catarata trail near the park entrance. It only flows in the rainy season, when the short detour through the jungle is a nice add-on to the beach trails.
closed on Tuesdays; open Wed–Mon 7:00–15:00; outside food and drinks are not allowed
- Cost
- about $18
- Time there
- 30 min
- Best time
- morning
- Kids
- 7 / 10
- View
- 5 / 10
- Crowds
- 4 / 10
- Swimming
- 0 / 10
- Effort
- 3 / 10
- Location
- 9.39251, -84.14177 — Google Maps
Before you go
- Entry
- $16 for visitors · ₡1,600 for residents · foreigners 2–12: $5 + IVA, under 2 free; residents 6–12: ₡500, under 6 and over 65 free · park entry only; foreign prices are + IVA (13%)
- Payment
- online
- Tickets
- Online only, book ahead
- Parking
- No parking
- Swimming
- No swimming
- Facilities
- restrooms, showers, lockers, food, drinking water
- Kids
- Good for kids
- Dogs
- Not allowed
- Bring
- ticket bought online at serviciosenlinea.sinac.go.cr, ID or passport, reusable water bottle
- Fewer people
- come at the 7:00 opening; September–October is the quietest period
- Season
- only flows in the rainy season (roughly May–November)
- Checked
- 2026-10
Tip
Ask at the park entrance whether it is flowing before you head over; in the dry months it is often just a rock wall.
Be careful
Footbridges and rocks get slippery when wet.
Getting there
Inside Manuel Antonio National Park: tickets online only, closed on Tuesdays.
Places nearby
- Morpho Beach BarFood & CoffeeOpen-air beach bar and restaurant steps from Playa Espadilla near the park entrance, with live music and salsa nights; howler monkeys and birds in the trees around.
- Restaurante Marlin (Playa Espadilla)Food & CoffeeBeachfront restaurant facing Playa Espadilla, known for grilled calamari, octopus, whole fried fish and fish casados at fair prices, with cold beer and piña coladas and a relaxed family atmosphere.
- Aguas Azules Parasailing (Playa Espadilla)Surf, Boats & Diving · from $40Parasailing from Playa Espadilla with 10-13 minute flights over the Manuel Antonio coast, plus jet ski rentals and tours, banana boat, snorkeling, surf lessons and a sunset cruise.
- Arenas del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest ResortStaysSustainable luxury resort set in 11 acres of rainforest next to Manuel Antonio, with direct access to two beaches.
- La Terraza Café Bar RestauranteFood & CoffeeTerrace restaurant next to Hotel La Arboleda with a wide Pacific view; best known as a sunset spot.
- El AviónFood & CoffeeFamous hilltop restaurant built around a Fairchild C-123 cargo plane, with a bar in the fuselage and sunset views over the ocean and jungle, about 150 m above the beach.
Sources: OpenStreetMap node/437605172 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/437605172 · https://www.sinac.go.cr/EN-US/ac/acopac/pnma/pages/default.aspx · https://www.komoot.com/highlight/5298376