Cataratas Las Gemelas (Jucó reserve, Mastatal)

Before you go

Tickets

Better to book ahead

Road

4×4 needed

Walk

3,000 m · back 60 min

Swimming

Yes

Kids

Good for kids

Dogs

Allowed

Bring

water (2+ bottles), trail shoes or rubber boots, swimsuit, repellent, sun hat

Checked

2026-10

Tip

Go with a local guide from Mastatal (Villas Mastatal arranges one and serves breakfast and lunch) and start by 9 am. It is hot and humid even in the forest — carry at least two bottles of water. A 4x4 with mud tires can drive the first 1.5 km of dirt road and cut the walk in half.

Be careful

Steep steps and slippery rocks near the falls. Check the pool for rocks and logs before jumping in, and skip it after heavy rain when the creek rises.

Getting there

From Santiago de Puriscal take the road toward Parrita (Route 239) up past the La Cangreja National Park entrance, turn left at the Mastatal signs, cross a couple of bridges, turn left again at the junction with a local-products stand and continue to Villas Mastatal. From the coast, Route 239 climbs from Parrita toward Puriscal; turn onto Route 318 to Mastatal. From the parking spot it is ~1.5 km on a dirt road to the Jucó reserve, then down past a lookout and ~1 km more to the stairs (about 3 km each way, ~1 h back). High-clearance car or 4x4.

Places nearby

• Villas Mastatal Eco Lodge (guides, breakfast & lunch for hikers)Tours & AdventureA small organic farm lodge in the Puriscal mountains that works as the base for hikes to the Las Gemelas waterfalls and Cerro Yarcazú: they line up local guides and serve home-cooked breakfast and lunch to day hikers, with a shower after the walk.
• La Iguana Chocolate (bean-to-bar farm tour, Mastatal)Food & CoffeeA small family cacao farm in the mountains of Mastatal making organic bean-to-bar chocolate.
• Catarata El Salto de GamalotilloParks & WildlifeFamily-run waterfall about 45 minutes from Esterillos and Bejuco: a 6 m (20 ft) fall into a deep round pool, a shallow wading area, picnic spot and a 1.5-hour forest trail past a second fall.
• Mirador y Restaurante Donde AndrésFood & CoffeeWeekend farm restaurant and viewpoint run by Andrés and his wife, with food made from local ingredients and stunning views over the countryside.
• Restaurante Los PilonesFood & CoffeeLarge family restaurant in Parrita, on the way between Jacó and Quepos, with seafood, steaks, pizzas and cocktails.
• Crustáceo ParriteñoFood & CoffeeFamily-friendly seafood restaurant in Parrita with a dedicated kids area, generous portions and fair prices.