This magical wildlife refuge is located about an hour inland from the beautiful Central Pacific beaches of Bejuco and Esterillos. It is a wonderful place to stop in the morning for short hike to majestic waterfalls before making your way down the coast towards Manuel Antonio or the Osa Peninsula.

The trail to the falls is a well-marked, 1.5km descent through the forest, and is accessible to beginner hikers of all ages who are in good physical condition. On the way, you will pass a viewpoint of the Jucó River Canyon where you can stop for a picture-perfect moment before making your way down to the three incredible waterfalls (two called “The Twins” and the other called “Jucó”). The final descent is a bit steep, so take your time and go at your own pace, and it’s worth it once you arrive at the magnificent, 40m high waterfalls.

After you enjoy the mighty falls, you can make your way back up to the local restaurant for a delicious typical meal. Here they have access to hammocks, swings, picnic tables, a trampoline, and a small ~30m zipline, all overlooking the beautiful valley – so it’s worth it to stop by and enjoy a delicious meal as you take in the spectacular view. They also have access to nice showers and bathrooms in case you need to rinse off after visiting the falls.

Although there are several different routes to access the refuge, the best and safest way to arrive is to take route 239 off of highway 36 that heads down the coast, and it is required to use a 4×4 vehicle due to the quality of the road. The owners offer a free parking lot and are very friendly hosts who will be happy to help you out with whatever you need. Don’t forget to bring water bottles, shoes with good traction, and light clothing that can dry quickly.