Cataratas Escondidas (Hidden Waterfalls, Las Pailas sector)
Waterfall · Guanacaste · hidden gem
A tough out-and-back hike from the Las Pailas station up over old Pleistocene lava fields and open grass slopes to waterfalls in the canyon of the Quebrada Agria, with wide views toward the Pacific side.
Mondays; trail entry only 8:00–12:00; access may be limited after heavy rain
- Cost
- about $16.95
- Time there
- 4.5 h
- Best time
- start at 8 am
- Kids
- 2 / 10
- View
- 8 / 10
- Crowds
- 2 / 10
- Swimming
- 6 / 10
- Effort
- 9 / 10
- Location
- 10.794, -85.36134 — Google Maps
- Ratings
- 4.9 on Google (7)
Before you go
- Entry
- $16.95 for visitors · ₡1,130 for residents · 2–12: $5.65 foreigners / ₡565 nationals · park entry; plus ₡800 per person to cross a private farm on the last stretch of road
- Payment
- online
- Tickets
- Online only, book ahead
- Walk
- 120 min
- Swimming
- No swimming
- Facilities
- restrooms, drinking water
- Dogs
- Not allowed
- Bring
- closed shoes, water, sunscreen, hat, snack
- Season
- dry season Dec–Apr is sunnier but windier; the falls carry more water in the rainy season
- Checked
- 2026-10
Tip
Rangers only let you on this trail between 8 am and noon — buy your SINAC ticket online the day before and be at the gate at opening.
Be careful
Almost all uphill with no shade, strong wind and loose volcanic rock — wear real shoes, carry plenty of water and sun protection. Swimming at the falls is not allowed.
Getting there
Las Pailas sector of Rincón de la Vieja NP, 25 km NE of Liberia via Curubandé. Tue–Sun 8:00–15:00, closed Mondays.
Places nearby
- Hotel Buena Vista del RincónDay Passes & Hot Springs · takes 4 h–9 h · from $75A big ranch-style adventure park on the slopes of Rincón de la Vieja volcano where one day pass covers ziplines, hanging bridges, a record-long jungle waterslide, a horse ride to a waterfall, volcanic mud baths and hot springs, plus a buffet lunch.
- Hacienda GuachipelínTours & Adventure · takes 1.5 h–8.5 h · from $35A working cattle ranch at the foot of Rincón de la Vieja volcano that packs a week of adventure into one day: horseback with local sabanero guides, whitewater tubing on the Río Negro, a canyon zipline with rappels and a Tarzan swing, then hot springs and a volcanic mud bath.
- Sensoria Rainforest ExperienceParks & Wildlife · from $132Private rainforest reserve on the north side of Rincón de la Vieja with blue waterfalls, thermal pools and mud, visited on guided half-day experiences.
- Rincon Thermals & AdventuresTours & Adventure · from $50Big activity park on the slopes of Rincón de la Vieja that mixes hot-spring pools and mud with zipline, horses and a jungle waterslide.
- La Leona Waterfall Adventure HikeTours & AdventureLocal Curubandé operator next to La Leona Restaurant that guides the river hike — wading, swimming and rope sections — to the La Leona waterfall in its slot canyon.
- Soda CurubandéSodas & Local FoodThe one restaurant in the center of Curubandé, the farming village at the foot of Rincón de la Vieja: casados, rice dishes and bocas, cooked the traditional way.
Sources: OpenStreetMap node/772645486 · https://www.acguanacaste.ac.cr/turismo/sector-pailas/cataratas-escondidas-sector-pailas · https://www.acguanacaste.ac.cr/turismo/sector-pailas