El Pavon Waterfall: An Essential Guide

A lot of people visit Costa Rica for their magnificent beaches and lovely people. But the country is filled with amazing natural wonders that are a must-see whenever you’re in the area.

Costa Rica is home to the Cascada El Pavon, a beautiful waterfall hidden in the jungle. You will find this waterfall in the town of Uvita, and for a nature-lover who likes scenic views and wildlife who wants to get away from the crowded beaches, this is a place you want to see

El Pavón waterfall is also known as “The Peacock”, and is a stunning waterfall located in the Central Valley region of Costa Rica. The waterfall is located in the mountains of San Jose and it’s one of the most visited places in the area.

The waterfall is around 50 meters (164 ft) high, and it’s formed by the Pavón river, that runs into the waterfall creating a beautiful and powerful cascade. The waterfall is surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, and the contrast between the green of the jungle and the blue of the water is absolutely breathtaking.

It’s a great place to take a refreshing dip, hike or do some birdwatching. It’s also a popular spot for picnics and family outings, and it’s a great place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of Costa Rica.

If you’ve been looking to visit the Cascada El Pavon, you’ve come to the right place, as we take a look at all you need to know about visiting this small, yet stunning waterfall.

Read on to find out more.

How Do I Get To The Cascada El Pavon?

One of the best things about visiting these falls is that they are very easy to find. If you’re coming from San Jose, it’s about a 4-hour drive along Route 34.

The falls are around 40 minutes from Dominical, and if you find yourself in Uvita already, you’ll only have to drive around 20 minutes. If you type in El Pavon Waterfalls in either Waze or Google Maps, it will give you clear and concise directions.

While driving south along Route 34, you will see a sign that will lead you straight to the falls. It should be on your left. If you reach the bridge, that’s where you know you’ve gone too far.

But once you turn left at the sign, it will be around 4 kilometers to the falls. There are a bunch of signs along the way that will lead you to the falls, so it will be hard to miss.

What Can I Expect From The Cascada El Pavon?

Firstly, the falls aren’t big. But that doesn’t discount its beauty at all. The tiny waterfalls have a whole lot of character and there is a giant rock suspended right in the middle of the waterfall. It’s a sight to see. And unlike other waterfalls in the region, you won’t have to pay any fee to enter.

That comes with advantages and disadvantages. You can visit these falls any hour of any day since, but it’s best to go when the sun is out to enjoy the falls as much as possible. But since there is no fee for maintenance, there is no proper parking lot either.

Chances are you’ll find yourself parking on the side of the road. It isn’t the safest spot, so make sure to bring all your valuables with you when you leave the car.

Is The Trail To The Falls Hard?

After parking, you’ll have to take a short walk to the falls. There is a dirt path that you’ll find with steps leading down. You might even be able to hear the falls from here. The walk is not long at all but the stairs can be slippery, so make sure to go down slowly as there are no handrails too.

From the actual falls, you can find some other trails that will lead you to some pools where you can swim. This is nice as it can get crowded on weekends and holidays and finding a nice quiet spot for yourself is one of the best ways to enjoy the falls.

You can even take a quick walk up a trail to get to the top of the waterfall. All in all, this spot has a lot to offer and is well worth the visit.

Tips For Your First Visit

When visiting the falls for the first time, there are a couple of things you’d want to keep in mind. And we dig into them in this section.

First, you’ll want to be wearing the right clothes. The walk to the waterfalls isn’t too hard, but you’ll want to be in clothes that allow movement. Hiking shoes would also be nice to avoid slipping.

Wearing flip flops on the way down can be slippery. But once you get there, it will also be nice to have clothes that you can swim in to truly enjoy the falls. Also, make sure to bring a lot of sunscreen.

Next, you’ll want to visit on a nice sunny day, so we recommend going during the dry season. And if you want to have a nice, quiet, relaxing, and private experience, you might want to go on a weekday as the place can get kind of crowded on weekends.