Sábalo Waterfall Trail (Sábalo de Sierpe)
Trail · Osa Peninsula · hidden gem
From the soccer field of Sábalo, a hamlet near the mouth of the Sierpe River, a 30-minute forest trail with a few stream crossings leads to a two-tier waterfall. With the help of a rope you can climb to the upper pool — deep, cool and edged with trees like an infinity pool.
- Time there
- 2.5 h
- Best time
- morning
- Kids
- 4 / 10
- View
- 7 / 10
- Crowds
- 1 / 10
- Swimming
- 8 / 10
- Effort
- 5 / 10
- Location
- 8.78145, -83.5425 — Google Maps
Before you go
- Tickets
- Free entry, no ticket
- Road
- Gravel — a regular car is fine
- Walk
- 30 min
- Swimming
- Yes
- Bring
- water shoes, swimsuit, insect repellent, rain jacket
- Checked
- 2026-10
Tip
Combine it with a boat trip through the Térraba-Sierpe mangroves to the river mouth, run by local farms in Sábalo, and a home-cooked lunch.
Be careful
The climb to the upper pool is on wet rock with a rope — only if you're confident; ask locals before going after heavy rain.
Getting there
From the Puerto Jiménez road take the Rincón/Drake turnoff, then about 20 minutes later turn left to Sábalo (follow the Sábalo Lodge signs); dirt road in good shape with river views, high-clearance car recommended. The trail starts by the village soccer field.
Places nearby
- Sierpe OutfittersParks & Wildlife · from $65Private, customizable boat tours out of Sierpe: mangrove wildlife days, Caño Island, Corcovado's San Pedrillo and Sirena stations, plus a cultural day to the Boruca village and the stone spheres.
- Kokopelli Mangrove TourTours & Adventure · from $57Local guides take small boats through the Sierpe mangrove channels to see three monkey species, scarlet macaws, kingfishers and crocodiles; a night version looks for caimans and owls.
- Pastelería DeyFood & CoffeeBakery-café and pizzeria in Palma on the road to Puerto Jiménez, praised for strong coffee, homemade cakes and pizza that reviewers call the best on the Osa; air-conditioned and open late.
- Drake's Kitchen at Casa El TortugoFood & CoffeeFamily-run kitchen by the river bay in Drake Bay: seafood, rice with heart of palm, pasta and casados made by the owners' mother with produce from their own farm.
- Pacheco ToursParks & Wildlife · from $35Long-running Drake Bay tour company: Corcovado day trips and overnights, Caño Island snorkeling and diving, a river floating tour and night walks.
- Mar y Bosque (restaurant, bakery and tours)Food & CoffeeLocal family's restaurant and bakery at the edge of Drake Bay with views over the water at sunset; known for casados, seafood and smoothies, and the same family sells local tours.
Sources: OpenStreetMap way/539130093 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/539130093 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/5217237814 · https://quebuenlugar.com/es/lugares/finca-manglar-sierpe