El Santuario Waterfall or La Catedral Waterfall is located in the canton of Upala, Alajuela; here we tell you about this wonderful place and how to arrive to the destination.

Why is it famous? As you reach the waterfall, you will see a crystal clear pond surrounded by rock formations, a product of volcanic activity in the area. This is why the waterfall is also called “The Cathedral”, because the walls of the cave are similar to the entrance of a cathedral.

It is truly a breathtaking view and a sample of how wonderful nature is in Costa Rica.

How to arrive?

If you are arriving from San Jose, the most accessible way to get there is to take the road to Liberia. It is a 4 and a half hour trip, on a gravel road, accessible to any vehicle. When you arrive at the destination, the parking is available.

To make the tour to El Santuario waterfall, there are two possible ways to arrive:

  • Finca Teodoro Álvarez M

If you choose the Finca Teodoro route, the route will be 5 km in total and you will have to cross the river 10 times, which is completely safe due to the safety ropes installed.

Price: 10,000 colones entrance fee

Duration of the tour: 2- 4 hours

Difficulty: Intermediate, so it is not suitable for people under 5 years old and people over 65 years old.

Hours: Monday – Sunday / 5:30 am – 1:00 pm (start of tours)

Contact: 8539 0596 / 8584 2073

If on the other hand you decide to visit the waterfall with Aventuras el Santuario, the tour will be 2 km in total and you will not have to cross the river at any time.

Price: 10,000 colones entrance fee

Duration of the tour: 10 min

Difficulty: Easy, suitable for children accompanied by an adult.

Hours: Monday – Sunday / Departures from: 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm

Contact: 8395 8923

Some recommendations

  • Remember to bring comfortable clothes and some snacks, as you may be hungry when you arrive at the waterfall due to the physical activity.
  • The tour to the Santuario waterfall is done during the dry season, that is, from February to May.

If you would like to visit more waterfalls, you can visit our previous article on Waterfalls in Costa Rica.