La Fortuna vs. Bijagual
A 70-metre volcano-country classic, or Costa Rica's second-tallest waterfall on the Central Pacific coast? Here's how the two compare.
Read the Comparison ↓Costa Rica has no shortage of dramatic waterfalls, but these two rarely get compared — mostly because they sit on opposite sides of the country. Here's what makes each one worth the trip, and which fits which itinerary.
Which waterfall is easier to visit?
La Fortuna Waterfall, by far — it's open access with a paid entrance, a short hike down, and no advance booking needed.
How tall is each waterfall?
La Fortuna Waterfall drops about 70 to 75 metres in a single fall. Bijagual is roughly 328 metres, the second-tallest in Costa Rica.
Can I visit Bijagual without a tour?
No. It's private land — access is only through a booked self-guided hiking tour or guided horseback tour with Bijagual Waterfall directly.
Are the two waterfalls near each other?
No, they're on opposite coasts — several hours apart by road. La Fortuna is in the north, Bijagual is on the Central Pacific near Jacó.
La Fortuna Waterfall: Easy Access, Classic Views
La Fortuna Waterfall drops about 70 to 75 metres in a single fall, inside Arenal Volcano National Park roughly 5.5 km outside La Fortuna town, at the base of the dormant Cerro Chato. It's one of the most photographed waterfalls in the country, and one of the easiest to reach — a paved road brings you to the entrance, then a stone stairway (several hundred steps) takes you down into the canyon. At the bottom, a swimming pool forms below the falls, though the current near the base can be strong after heavy rain.
It's not one of our five signature guided tours, since most visitors see it independently or combine it with a stop on the way to or from the Arenal Volcano trailhead. Entrance is paid on-site, and mornings are noticeably quieter than midday in high season.
Building a La Fortuna itinerary?
Browse Our La Fortuna Tours →Bijagual Waterfall: Costa Rica's Second Tallest
Bijagual Waterfall is a different scale entirely — at roughly 328 metres, it's considered the second-tallest waterfall in Costa Rica. It sits in Carara, Puntarenas, on the Central Pacific coast, about 25 minutes from Jacó and 50 to 55 minutes from Manuel Antonio or Quepos — several hours from La Fortuna by road, on the opposite side of the country.
The waterfall sits on private land owned by the Vindas family, who opened it to visitors in 2018. There's no independent access: you'll need to book either the self-guided hiking tour or the guided horseback tour directly through Bijagual Waterfall's own site. Along the way, keep an eye out for scarlet macaws, howler and capuchin monkeys, and sloths — the reserve has more than 200 recorded bird species. Both tour formats are built for beginners and families, and the property holds a 4.9-out-of-5 TripAdvisor rating with a Travelers' Choice award.
So, Which One Fits Your Trip?
These aren't really competing for the same visit — they're on different coasts. La Fortuna Waterfall is a natural add-on if you're already based in La Fortuna for the volcano and rainforest tours; it needs no separate trip and no advance booking beyond the entrance fee. Bijagual makes sense if your itinerary includes the Central Pacific — Jacó or Manuel Antonio — since it's a short drive from either, and worth building a half-day around.
If you're set on seeing both in the same trip, treat them as stops on separate legs: a few days around La Fortuna and Arenal, then a transfer south to the coast for Bijagual and the beach towns beyond it.
Ready to plan your days in La Fortuna?
See All Our La Fortuna Tours →Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it's inside Arenal Volcano National Park, with its own separate entrance fee paid on-site.
Yes, a pool forms at the base of the falls, though the current near the base can be strong after heavy rain — pay attention to any posted warnings.
Directly through Bijagual Waterfall's own site — there's no independent access, so booking their self-guided hiking or guided horseback tour is required.
Bijagual's private reserve has recorded over 200 bird species, plus scarlet macaws, monkeys, and sloths along the trail. La Fortuna Waterfall's trail is shorter and busier, so sightings there are less consistent.
Yes, both the hiking and horseback tour formats are designed for beginners and families.
Neither is one of our five signature tours. La Fortuna Waterfall is easy to visit independently near our other La Fortuna tours; Bijagual is on the opposite coast and booked directly through their own site.