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I visited Costa Rica with a friend in July 2023. Since we didn’t want to rent a car, we relied on guided day trips to explore the country’s top attractions. One of those was the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a combination of wildlife sanctuary and waterfall trails located about 1.5 hours from San Jose. We booked a group tour to visit, and here’s what the experience was like — and whether I think it’s worth it.
Lunch
We started the tour at 10AM, so we got lunch when we arrived at the park. The food was buffet-style with a mix of local and international options. It tasted surprisingly good, and it was nice being surrounded by the park and close to nature.
Wildlife Sanctuary
After lunch, we explored the animal sanctuary with our guide. The park is the largest animal sanctuary in Costa Rica, home to over 100 species, including tropical birds, rescued big cats, monkeys, and sloths.
Highlights:
- Seeing sloths up close
- Walking through the butterfly observatory surrounded by butterflies
- Spotting a tiny frog on a leaf that the guide pointed out
The guide added a lot of value here by helping us spot animals we definitely would’ve missed on our own and sharing background on them.
Waterfalls & Trails
After the animals, we headed to the hiking trails to see the waterfalls.
There are five waterfalls connected by well-maintained paths and staircases. Some sections are steep, but overall the hike wasn’t too difficult. The steps can get wet and slippery, so I recommend sturdy hiking boots for safety. There are beautiful wooden handrails you can hold on to if needed.
The waterfalls were stunning — lush, scenic, and surrounded by rainforest. It was also pretty cool seeing so many waterfalls together. The guide even showed us a fun optical illusion using the waterfall. After staring at the rushing water for about 20–30 seconds, the surrounding rocks looked like they were moving upward!
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Easy, no-planning day trip from San Jose
- Good mix of wildlife + waterfalls in one place
- Guide helps spot animals and adds context
- Well-maintained trails and facilities
Cons
- Group tour pace can feel slow
- Less flexibility compared to visiting on your own
- Can feel a bit “curated” vs fully wild nature
Verdict
Overall, we had a really enjoyable day at the park. It felt relaxing, scenic, and surprisingly educational thanks to the guide. The pace was slower because it was a group tour, but I didn’t mind spending more time in nature. If you’re looking for a low-effort, nature-focused day trip from San Jose, this is an excellent choice!
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