Diamante Waterfall and Cave (Las Tumbas)
Waterfall · Central Pacific · hidden gem
A set of about ten waterfalls in old-growth forest above the village of Las Tumbas, near Tinamaste. The highlight is a pair of 26 m falls with a giant boulder cave behind them, fitted with a kitchen, sleeping platforms and bathrooms, and the top of the tallest fall (about 180 m) looks all the way out to the Pacific.
no independent visits — guided tours only (day or overnight)
- Time there
- 7 h
- Best time
- overnight, for sunset from the top of the falls
- Kids
- 2 / 10
- View
- 10 / 10
- Crowds
- 1 / 10
- Swimming
- 8 / 10
- Effort
- 9 / 10
- Location
- 9.26712, -83.77292 — Google Maps
Before you go
- Tickets
- Online only, book ahead
- Walk
- 150 min
- Swimming
- Yes
- Facilities
- restrooms, food
- Kids
- Not for small kids
- Bring
- hiking or rubber boots, rain jacket, insect repellent, swimsuit, headlamp if staying overnight, plenty of water
- Checked
- 2026-10
Tip
Book the overnight: watching the sun drop into the ocean from the top of the falls and then sleeping in the cave behind the water is the whole point. Wear boots — the climb is steep clay and loose gravel.
Be careful
Visits are guided only. The trail is steep and slippery and it's easy to get lost; jumping and rappelling only with the guides.
Getting there
Tours meet in Las Tumbas, by the soccer field, about 35 minutes from Dominical via Highway 243 and Tinamaste; cars stay at a farm where the trail starts, then it's about 2 km uphill (roughly 700 m of climb).
Places nearby
- Nauyaca Waterfalls (Cataratas Nauyaca, Don Lulo family)Parks & Wildlife · from $10Private entrance to the multi-tiered Nauyaca waterfalls above Dominical, run by the family of Don Lulo.
- Parque ReptilandiaParks & WildlifeSmall reptile park near Dominical with crocodiles, caimans, snakes and frogs in spacious glass enclosures; no booking needed, and reviewers praise the owner for his hands-on explanations.
- Restaurante ScalaFood & CoffeeHilltop restaurant in Escaleras with a wide view over the coast, between Dominical and Ojochal; reviewers praise fresh ceviche, pizzas, risotto and whole fried red snapper, with vegan options and warm service.
- Alturas Wildlife SanctuaryParks & Wildlife · from $5Alturas is a non-profit wildlife rescue center on a jungle hilltop between Dominical and Uvita, the only one covering this stretch of the southern Pacific.
- Gusto Italian Restaurant (Ranchos Remo)Food & CoffeeAuthentic Italian food high on the hill above Playa Hermosa, about five minutes north of Uvita, with a stunning ocean view: pizza, homemade pasta and gnocchi, beef tenderloin and grilled fish.
- La ParcelaFood & CoffeeA restaurant on a rocky point between Dominical and Dominicalito with the ocean on both sides — the view is the reason to come.
Sources: OpenStreetMap node/9438406917 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/9438406917 · https://www.twoweeksincostarica.com/diamante-waterfall-cave/ · https://quebuenlugar.com/es/lugares/catarata-diamante-perez-zeledon · https://www.twoweeksincostarica.com/things-to-do-dominical/