Llanos de Cortés waterfall is one of the most recognizable sights in inland Guanacaste: a wide curtain of water that drops into a large pool with a small sandy beach at its edge. It sits inland, near the town of Bagaces, and it is much easier to reach than most waterfalls in Costa Rica, which makes it a favorite with families. This guide from Tamarindo Estuary Tours Mi Rey covers what the waterfall is like, how to swim there safely, the best season, what to bring and how to visit it from Tamarindo.
Short answer: Llanos de Cortés is a wide, easy-to-reach waterfall near Bagaces with a swimmable pool and a sandy shore. From Tamarindo you can visit it on our Sloths and Llanos de Cortés Waterfall tour: $185 per person (minimum 4 people), 6:30 am to about 6 pm, with round-trip transportation, entrance tickets, drinks, a sloth tour and a Costa Rican lunch included.
What Llanos de Cortés waterfall is like
Most people picture a waterfall as tall and narrow. Llanos de Cortés is the opposite: it is not especially high, but it is wide, so the river spills over a broad rock ledge in a white curtain.
Below it, the water collects in a large, open pool. On one side the pool ends in a shore of fine sand, so you can walk into the water gradually, as you would at a lake beach. Trees around the pool give some shade along the edges.
The waterfall is a short distance off the Inter-American Highway, south of Liberia. From the entrance, a short trail leads down to the river; it can be steep and rocky, so take it slowly with children.
Why it is so popular
- Easy access. There is no long hike: the walk from the entrance to the water takes only a few minutes.
- The sandy shore. Children and less confident swimmers can stay in shallow water near the beach.
- The view. The wide curtain looks impressive from the shore and from the water.
Because it is so accessible, it is also popular with Costa Rican families, so weekends and national holidays tend to be busier than weekdays.
Your visit to Llanos de Cortés, step by step
- Arrival and entrance. On our tour the guide takes care of the entrance tickets, so you only need your bag and your swimsuit.
- The walk down. A few minutes on a short trail that can be steep and rocky. Watch your step, especially after rain.
- Setting up on the shore. Leave your things on the sand, back from the water, and keep your phone in a dry bag.
- The swim. Enter from the sandy side, where the water is shallow, and stay in the calmer parts of the pool.
- The climb back. Dry off, change and walk up slowly. In the midday heat, this short climb is the most tiring part of the visit.
Swimming at Llanos de Cortés
Swimming is the main reason to visit. The water is fresh and usually cooler than the ocean in Tamarindo. Near the sandy shore the water is shallow; it gets deeper toward the falls, and the area right under the curtain has strong currents and a constant pounding of water.
- Stay in the calmer parts of the pool unless you are a confident swimmer.
- Do not jump or dive from the rocks: the depth is uneven and rocks can hide below the surface.
- The rocks near the waterfall are slippery. Walk slowly and use water shoes or sandals with good grip.
- Follow your guide and any signs at the site. If the river is high or the water turns brown after rain, stay out of the water.
- Watch children at all times, even in shallow water.
Best season to visit
The waterfall changes a lot through the year, and the season affects both the view and the swim:
- Dry season (roughly December to April): the flow is lower, the pool is usually calmer and the water is clearer. This is the best time for swimming, and also the busiest.
- Green season (roughly May to November): the waterfall is fuller and more powerful, and the forest around it turns very green. After heavy rain the river can rise and become muddy, and swimming may not be safe or may be restricted.
In the green season, mornings are usually drier than afternoons. If weather or water conditions make the tour unsafe, we contact you to offer another date or a refund.
What to bring
- A swimsuit and a towel.
- Water shoes or sandals with grip for the trail and the rocks.
- Sunblock, a hat, sunglasses and repellent.
- A change of dry clothes for the ride back.
- A waterproof pouch or dry bag for your phone, and a camera.
- Cash for the balance of the tour, in US dollars or colones.
Llanos de Cortés entrance fee and opening hours
If you visit on your own, there is an entrance fee paid on site. Fees and opening hours can change, so check current information before you go and avoid arriving late in the afternoon. On our tour the entrance ticket is already included in the price, so you do not need to bring money for it.
Waterfall tour from Tamarindo: how to visit Llanos de Cortés
Llanos de Cortés is inland, so a visit from the beach takes most of a day. Driving times depend on the route, traffic and stops; on our tour, plan on about 2.5 hours each way. The simplest option is our full-day sloth and waterfall tour from Tamarindo, Sloths and Llanos de Cortés Waterfall, which pairs the waterfall with a guided sloth tour:
- $185 per person, minimum 4 people. Children 3 and under do not pay.
- Departure at 6:30 am, return around 6 pm.
- Includes round-trip transportation, entrance tickets, the sloth tour, bottled water, beers, juices for kids and a Costa Rican lunch (casado).
- Deposit of $75 per person online; the balance is paid in cash on the day of the tour.
- Pickup in Tamarindo is usually included; farther areas pay an extra transportation cost to the driver.
The sloth part of the day is explained in our sloth tour in Guanacaste guide. To learn about the animals themselves, how they live and how to watch them responsibly, read sloths in Costa Rica.
Llanos de Cortés or La Leona?
Both are waterfall days, but very different ones. Llanos de Cortés is about easy access and relaxed swimming. La Leona is an adventure: you hike along a river and into a canyon, and depending on the water level you may need to wade or swim a short stretch to reach the falls. Read our guide to the La Leona waterfall tour for details, or our overview of waterfalls near Tamarindo to compare all the options.
Ready for a swim at Llanos de Cortés? Book the Sloths and Llanos de Cortés Waterfall day with Tamarindo Estuary Tours Mi Rey online with a $75 deposit per person, or write to us on WhatsApp if you have questions about your date, your group or swimming with children. On another day of your stay, our Tamarindo estuary tour adds crocodiles, herons and mangroves in just 2 hours.
Book these tours
Sloths and Llanos de Cortés Waterfall$185 per personSee tour and book →
La Leona Waterfall Tour$160 per personSee tour and book →
Frequently asked questions
Where is Llanos de Cortés waterfall?
Llanos de Cortés is inland in Guanacaste, near the town of Bagaces, a short distance off the Inter-American Highway south of Liberia. From Tamarindo it is visited on a full-day trip.
Is Llanos de Cortés a good waterfall for children?
Yes, it is one of the most family-friendly waterfalls in Guanacaste. The walk from the entrance is short and the sandy shore lets children stay in shallow water, always with an adult watching them.
How much is the entrance fee to Llanos de Cortés?
If you go on your own, there is an entrance fee paid on site, and the amount and opening hours can change, so check current information before you go. On our Sloths and Llanos de Cortés Waterfall tour, the entrance ticket is included.
Is the water at Llanos de Cortés deep?
The pool is shallow near the sandy shore and gets deeper toward the waterfall, where the falling water also creates strong currents. Stay in the calmer areas unless you are a confident swimmer, and do not jump from the rocks.
Can I visit Llanos de Cortés in the rainy season?
Yes. From May to November the waterfall is fuller and the forest greener, but after heavy rain the river can rise and turn muddy, and swimming may not be safe. If conditions make our tour unsafe, we offer you another date or a refund.
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