Catarata Manantial de Agua Viva

This was a great side trip for me and the wife on the trip back to San Jose for Playa Hermosa. It is a short (2.5km one way) hike to a beautiful waterfall. About half down and half up on the way in. The last half km on the way out is challenging. Wear sturdy shoes, pack water, a snack maybe, and a towel. Know what you are getting in to. This is not a guided easy stroll to a scenic feature. This is a nature hike requiring you to be somewhat physically fit. The trails are well maintained but steep in some places. I am adding this because some reviewers complained about the hike, the trail, the distance, the conditions, the cost (guided tours are more and do not put you close to the falls), etc. There are two areas to stop for a swim and to cool off on the way in or out. I recommend this if you are adventuraous and enjoy some physical activity. Unless you are on an extreme vacay budget the $20 fee is affordable and well worth the cost.

Catarata Manantial de Agua Viva in Costa Rica is a picturesque destination, but perhaps not worth the $20 per person admission fee. Visitors are advised to wear sturdy shoes and bring along a walking stick for added support on the trails. It's also recommended to pack snacks, water, and extra clothing for the excursion. Travelers with children should plan for a four-hour round trip to and from the waterfall. To optimize the experience, starting the journey as soon as possible and aiming for the "G" point is suggested for a quicker and more enjoyable route to the river. The trek all the way to the "I" point is described as lengthy and exhausting, so visitors should consider their fitness level before attempting the full hike.

Very grand and beautiful waterfall with amazing surroundings. Definitely a more rugged and wild hike than most others we have been to in Costa Rica. Easy to pay and get a walking stick (we never use a stick but I highly recommend it here). Guy at the entrance was very friendly, spoke basic English. Definitely recommend.

Family and I did this hike on a Sunday. We arrived at 7:50am and were the only ones there. Google has the hours from 8-4 however they are 7am-4pm according to what is written on their building. Road is paved all the way up if you are coming from 34. There are a lot of potholes but we saw many cars driving without issue. My 4 year old completed this hike all on his own. It took us 1 hour down and roughly 1.5 hours back up. We spent the entire day there, about 6 hours. We only saw 3 other couples the entire day. You pay $20pp US to enter, the trail is well marked and the beginning is super steep. The last 1/4 mile or so back took my little man and me about 30+ minutes. He has been hiking since 2 in Utah so he is well versed in mountain hiking. Not a kid friendly hike otherwise. You should be in good shape to attempt the hike. You will need proper footware and don't forget to grab a hiking stick at the booth.

Very expensive for what ir offered, 20US$ per person. Kids over 8 had to pay the same! The map at the entrance says 2km to the fall but it’s actually 2,8km. And walking at a good pace it took us 1h08 to get to the fall and not the 40 min the ticket man told us. The path is wide and well kept. 2/3 down hill. The humidity is high so you’ll sweat a lot. So it’s a good idea to use the simple shower just before you arrive back at the car. There’s a bathroom next to it. There are 2 pools you can bathe in before the view of the fall. The water was kind of muddy, probably because os the rain.

Not for the weak at heart... Or out of shape 😳, but well worth it if you feel up to it. BEAUTIFUL waterfall at the end and a few smaller falls and pools to swim in along the way. It is expensive! $20 a person. I'm sure there are free hikes and falls in other areas, but the view from start to finish on this one was amazing. 👍 We didn't rush any of it, stopped a couple times along the way to sit, hydrate, check out the views and catch our breath and took us almost 4 hours round trip. I recommend bringing a light lunch (you don't want to carry too much extra weight) to sit and eat and enjoy at the big waterfall. Overall, it's a bit pricey and a moderate level hike but totally worth it. You will not regret it if you go. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

A challenging hike on a well-maintained trail leads to 2 swimming holes, small cascades, and the highest waterfall drop in Costa Rica. You’ll need to carry water and good hiking shoes are necessary. The host at the top keeps your car safe and offers a restroom and potable water. It was $20/person which was steep but this was one of the more memorable activities we did and the cost makes sense given the maintenance requirement of this trail. A 4x4 is best for the road to get here due to potholes and loose sections. This is a rare chance to feel the powerful spray at the base of such a waterfall drop

Great views on the way driving up to the falls and during the hike. Bring water and maybe a snack for the hike. We arrived at 8 and were the only people on the trail. It took us 1 hour to go down, 1.5 hours to come back up. The views were worth the hike