"Will Brake for Waterfalls" should be my truck's bumpersticker.
Coming from the flatlands of South Florida (we dynamited our only river rapids at the turn of the 20th Century to help drain the Everglades), I was stunned by Costa Rica's waterfalls during my first trip there in 1992. Since that time, I've been seeking out waterfalls on every visit. Sometimes, the choice of which areas I've visited has been dictated by the presence (or absence) of waterfalls in the vicinity.
Even though many websites identfy the"must see" Costa Rican waterfalls, countless others exist on private property and within parks and preserves. Most waterfalls, even some of those in parks and reserves are unsigned, but keep your eyes peeled for small signs with "Catarata" and perhaps an arrow.
Unlike in the USA, where visitor safety is a primary concern around waterfalls, Costa Ricans take a bit more casual approach - expecting visitors to use common sense. Therefore, you won't find many fenced viewing stations or even easy access to many waterfalls. This increases the sense of adventure but also makes personal safety and photography more challenging. Pools are almost always rock strewn, dangerously slippery, and full of spray. Just take your time; scout out shooting angles before you clamber with camera and tripod in hand, and keep your gear dry till the last minute. Then, take lots of shots and allow ample time to dry out your gear. I have shared my own experiences in the descriptions that accompany many of the photos in this gallery but caution the traveler to make their own safety the primary concern. Photos are secondary.
Similarly, waterfalls don't exist without rivers or lakes to feed them, so this gallery includes images from these other bodies of water.
