What Are the 14 Best Waterfalls in Costa Rica for School Trips

When planning a school trip to Costa Rica, it’s easy to focus on rainforests, volcanoes, and beaches, but don’t skip the waterfalls. Costa Rica is home to hundreds of them, tucked into jungle canyons, crashing into crystal-clear pools, and flowing through cloud forests.

Waterfalls here aren’t just photo ops. They’re incredible teaching tools, perfect for geography lessons, biology observations, sustainability talks, or simply rewarding students after a hike. Whether you're looking for a stop near San José or deep in the rainforest, here are 14 Costa Rica waterfalls for school trips that your students will never forget.

1. La Fortuna Waterfall

Located: Near Arenal Volcano
This iconic waterfall is a 200-foot drop into a turquoise pool surrounded by jungle. It’s easily accessible and a great complement to nearby volcano and hot spring visits.

2. Llanos de Cortés

Located: Guanacaste
Wide and dramatic, this waterfall has a beachy feel with shallow pools, great for groups looking for a relaxing, low-intensity stop with plenty of space to explore.

3. Rio Celeste Waterfall

Located: Tenorio Volcano National Park
Famous for its electric blue color (thanks to volcanic minerals), Rio Celeste looks unreal in photos and even better in person. A short hike makes it a perfect hands-on geography lesson.

4. Catarata del Toro

Located: Bajos del Toro
One of the tallest waterfalls in the country, this one plunges into an extinct volcanic crater. It’s surrounded by cloud forest and often combined with ecology-focused programs in the central highlands.

5. Bajos del Toro Amarillo

Located: Central Highlands
Beyond Del Toro, this whole region has a network of lesser-known but stunning waterfalls with wooden walkways and platforms, ideal for student groups looking to avoid crowds.

6. Nauyaca Waterfalls

Located: Southern Pacific, near Dominical
These two-tiered falls are accessible by hike or 4x4 truck and offer swimming, photo ops, and a real jungle vibe. Great for adventurous groups and active students.

7. Montezuma Waterfalls

Located: Nicoya Peninsula
Close to surf towns and wellness communities, these falls offer multiple levels to explore, plus the option of integrating local sustainability lessons or yoga workshops nearby.

8. Los Chorros Waterfalls

Located: Near Grecia, Central Valley
A short drive from San José, this is an ideal first-day or last-day excursion. It’s less touristy, more local, and provides a beautiful intro to Costa Rica’s lush inland landscapes.

9. Diamante Waterfall

Located: Tinamaste Region
This waterfall is massive and home to a cave behind the falls where you can book overnight educational stays with local conservation guides. Perfect for groups seeking a unique, off-the-grid adventure.

10. El Tigre Waterfalls

Located: Monteverde
This trail features four waterfalls along a suspension bridge hike. Located near cloud forest reserves, it fits well into biology and microclimate-focused itineraries.

11. Uvita Waterfall

Located: Southern Pacific Coast
Also known as Cascada Verde, this smaller, gentle waterfall is fun and safe for younger students. There's even a natural waterslide carved into the rocks!

12. Oropendola Waterfall

Located: Rincón de la Vieja National Park
Tucked into a canyon with hanging bridges and hot springs nearby, Oropendola is a great stop during an earth science-focused itinerary around volcanoes and geothermal energy.

13. San Luis Waterfall

Located: Monteverde
This 300-foot waterfall in the cloud forest is reachable by a guided hike through the forest, providing lessons in plant diversity, reforestation, and ecology along the way.

14. Las Chorreras Waterfalls

Located: Hacienda Guachipelín, Rincón de la Vieja
Located on private land used for educational group programs, these twin waterfalls pour into a cool swimming hole - a rewarding final stop after zip-lining or horseback riding.

Waterfalls as Learning Opportunities

Many of Costa Rica’s best waterfalls are located inside national parks or private reserves with built-in interpretive signage, guided hikes, and educational context. Whether you're tying them into lessons about erosion and water cycles or just letting students soak up the natural beauty, these waterfalls will absolutely become trip highlights.

Let Evolve Tours help design a school itinerary that includes some of these stunning spots - your students will leave with muddy boots, clear minds, and lifelong memories.

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