Some places can't truly be understood from a photograph.
Nauyaca is one of them.
In the south of Costa Rica, deep in thick rainforest, two powerful waterfalls form one of the region's most recognisable natural landmarks. They lie about 12 kilometres from Dominical, on the road towards Pérez Zeledón.
Two waterfalls in the rainforest
Nauyaca sits in a canyon about 80 metres wide. One fall drops freely for 45 metres; the other, around 20 metres high, tumbles down in cascades. At their foot lies a large natural pool of about 1,000 m², up to 6 metres deep, and there are other natural pools close by.
The way to the water
To get here, you leave your usual rhythm behind.
You can reach the falls on foot or on horseback — local operators offer several routes. But it is the way there that becomes part of the experience: the rainforest, the sound of water, the damp air, the stones underfoot, and the feeling that every step takes you a little further from the everyday.
This is no longer just a trip to see a sight.
It is a way into Costa Rica itself.
Costa Rica beyond the tourist trail
What makes Costa Rica's southern coast so special is that nature stays at the heart of every trip.
Nauyaca lies in the South Pacific region, known for its waterfalls, rivers, rainforests and nature trails. Costa Rica's official tourism portal singles out the region's impressive waterfalls and clear river waters among its highlights.
That is why Nauyaca captures what draws so many travellers to this part of the country: not just seeing a beautiful place, but feeling the nature around you and living a whole day inside it.
Nauyaca with Costa Rica Experience
For us, travelling in Costa Rica is not a list of sights to tick off on a map.
It is a chance to see the country differently: through its nature, its people, local places, and routes that become part of each traveller's own story.
Nauyaca can be part of a tailor-made trip through southern Costa Rica, pairing the waterfalls with other natural and cultural places in the region.
Because sometimes the most valuable part of a trip isn't how many places you managed to see.
It's what you felt while you were there.