Las Golondrinas

Thanks to a random request to hang out with one of my coworkers up near Guácimo one weekend, I found myself planning a day trip to this beauty of a locale. When I get the chance to tell others about Las Golondrinas, I'm always quick to tell them that it isn't just the waterfall that makes it so wonderful in my opinion; it's the entire experience. Of course, the waterfall is a beautiful thing, but there's so much more. The deep, crystalline pool of nearly 15 feet, the natural cave with a long, smooth rock forming a bench to relax on, the 12-foot ledge you can climb to and jump off from into the pool, and the soaring rock wall that forms the shape of the canyon around the entire panorama of the place all combine for a truly breathtaking experience.

Getting to Las Golondrinas is a fairly simple trip. Simply plug in Catarata Las Golondrinas to Google Maps or Waze, and it'll get you there perfectly. If you're living that frugal life and don't have your own transportation, you'll need to grab a taxi from the bus terminal. I recommend a guy named "Pollo," and he can be reached on his cell phone at +506-8616-6682. ***NOTE: If you can't get ahold of Pollo, try his buddy Guillermo at +506-8810-6888*** Pollo charges you a one-way, flat fee of 5,000 CRC, so if there's four of you (more can fit in the back of his truck but be careful going up the hill and hang on), it works out to 1,500 CRC each person each way. Make sure you schedule the return trip with Pollo before he drops you off. Sometimes the cell service up at the entrance to the waterfall can be a little spotty, so it's best to have that organized before Pollo takes off. ***NOTE: If you can't get ahold of Pollo, try his buddy Guillermo at +506-8810-6888***

When you get to the entrance, you'll be welcomed by doña Elsy, easily one of the sweetest Costa Rican women you'll meet in this country. If you're lucky, she may even have a few freshly picked and peeled oranges waiting for you to enjoy. The entrance fee is 1,000 CRC each person, and you can safely leave extra baggage in the house with doña Elsy. Make sure to sign in on the guest book - doña Elsy loves to meet new people and will absolutely engage you in conversation if you're willing to sit around with her for a bit. She's so dang sweet.

The hike is fairly short at around 1,150 meters and lasts between 30-45 minutes, depending on your personal pace. You'll cross over a hanging bridge with a nice view of the river about 40 feet below, you'll walk through a few cattle pastures, and you'll climb up and around the side of a hillside as you approach the falls. This is the part that gets me about this particular waterfall - the last few meters of the approach are a full experience in and of itself. Before your eyes get their first glimpse of this awesome sight, your ears and your core get the sensation that absolutely pulsates from this thundering beauty. You take a few steps, following the path around the steep ridge, and it hits you. If you pay attention, you'll feel it all the way down in your stomach. The rumbling of the falls as it echoes through the tropical forest, bouncing off each tree trunk and floating among the leaves, the sound of that raw, natural power for which there is no comparison.

The space around the foot of the falls is wide open, with plenty of space to spread out and enjoy your time. Among the huge boulders there's a number of flat spaces to leave your items. To get to the cave, you'll need to swim around the left side and follow the rock wall until you get to it. It's about 10 meters wide, and you'll find a neat little natural rock formation in the shape of a bench. From there you can relax a few meters from the waterfall with a nice view of the main area. To get to the jumping-off point, it's a little further back and the left of the falls, with the stepping spots fairly clearly marked. Be careful on your way up, as the ground is constantly wet and slippery due to its proximity to the waterfall's splash. Take extra caution to jump out and toward the waterfall, because there is a shallow rock formation directly beneath the spot that could be a big hazard if you aren't careful to get some distance on your jump. For the more adventurous souls, there is a pretty neat little challenge offered: If you make your way to the cave to the left of the waterfall and look over behind the waterfall, you'll see that it doesn't come straight down from above. Rather, it juts out and at a slight angle, creating a small space between the falling water and the rock wall behind her. The challenge is simple - swim over to the edge of the splash zone, find a good hand hold, and climb across behind the waterfall. ***NOTE: This is not for anyone who cannot swim (those folks shouldn't be that close to the waterfall in the first place, I know. Still bears mentioning)*** The current created from the unique angel of the falls causes a strong push against anyone approaching and, of course, a strong push outward on the other side; however, the most dangerous/adventurous/adrenaline-pumping part would be when you arrive directly behind the waterfall. As you are neither on the left nor the right side, the sheer force of the water is pushing you right up against the rock wall. It's something that I can't really describe to you here in words. You have to try it yourself - with caution! There's a short clip in the YouTube video below when I was making my way across and took out the GoPro to get a bit of special footage from behind her.

It's super hard to pick a favorite among the waterfalls I've been fortunate enough to experience during my time exploring them down here in Costa Rica. Despite my proclivity for the taller, more powerful waterfalls, I must say that Las Golondrinas certainly holds a very special place in my heart. As you'll surely see for yourself if you ever get the chance to go, it is so much more than just a waterfall. It's a full experience - the approach, the cave, the jump, and the overall beauty of the entire area culminate in one marvelous expression of the natural wonder of this place. - Dakota B.

Las Golondrinas Waterfall Info

Difficulty: Easy

Location: Las Colinas, Guácimo, Limón, CR

GPS Coordinates: 10.1479, -83.6703

Height: approx. 40 meters / 131 feet

Nearest bus/taxi fare: Guácimo to Las Colinas, 5,000 CRC

Entry fee: 1,000 CRC

YouTube video: