La Fortuna Waterfall or Bijagual Waterfall?

At a Glance

La Fortuna Waterfall: The Arenal Classic

La Fortuna Waterfall (Catarata Río Fortuna) is the best-known waterfall in the Arenal area, a single drop of about 70 meters into a deep pool framed by rainforest. It sits roughly 5.5 km from La Fortuna town, opens daily in the morning, and is reached by a staircase of around 500 steps with handrails; the climb back up is the workout. Swimming is allowed in the designated area, but the current right under the falls is strong.

The easiest way to visit is as part of a day around Arenal. If you are staying in La Fortuna, a local operator such as Guide Me Around Costa Rica can combine the area with hanging bridges, the volcano or hot springs, or handle your transfer from San José or Liberia.

Bijagual Waterfall: The Pacific Side Giant

Bijagual Waterfall drops about 328 meters (1,076 feet) through private rainforest in Carara, Puntarenas, the second-highest waterfall in Costa Rica. It has belonged to the Vindas family for generations and has been open to visitors since 2018, only through two tours:

• Self-guided hiking tour: 7 km round trip on a marked private trail, 3–4 hours, $20 per person
• Guided horseback riding tour: about 8 km, 3.5 hours, Pacific Ocean views, no experience needed, $75 per person
• Both end at natural freshwater pools at the base of the falls

Because access is limited to tours on private land, you share the trail with very few people, and the rainforest of the Carara biological corridor around it is full of scarlet macaws, monkeys and toucans.

Height, Access and Effort

Bijagual is more than four times taller than La Fortuna Waterfall, but it asks for more time: a half-day hike or ride instead of a short visit. La Fortuna is quicker and easier to fit into a busy day, with steep stairs as the only real effort. If you want the most dramatic waterfall and a rainforest walk, Bijagual; if you want a classic, accessible swim stop near your hotel in Arenal, La Fortuna.

How to Visit Both on One Trip

La Fortuna and the Central Pacific coast are about three and a half to four hours apart by car, and many Costa Rica itineraries include both. A simple route: fly into San José, spend two or three nights in La Fortuna (waterfall, volcano, hot springs), then drive to Jaco or Manuel Antonio and visit Bijagual on a morning hike. Carara National Park, 20 minutes from Bijagual, makes an easy extra stop on the same day.

Which One Should You Choose?

If your route covers both regions, the honest answer is: see both. They are completely different experiences, and together they show two very different sides of Costa Rica.