La Catarata de La Fortuna

When I was planning on sights I wanna see when I get to the Arenal/La Fortuna I penciled in the waterfalls in La Fortuna. Especially when I read that this was "the waterfalls" at the beginning credits of the hugely successful movie Jurassic Park. I simply have to go see it. 2011_09_04 880
Just 6 km outside of the town of La Fortuna, the waterfalls is easily accessible. First I must show you how the roadways are in these parts of Costa Rica. When they want you to slow down, we normally get a speed bump. In Costa Rica, they give you a span of unpaved road in between paved lengths. This supposed to slow you down, it does slow you down. I just thought it's pretty unique to do that.
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Entrance fee is either $7 or $8, I cannot remember now. There is a visitor's center near the entrance where you can get some souvenirs.
The image above is quite familiar with some of the scenes in Jurassic Park.
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According to one site I read, the descent to the waterfall thru this trail is 10 minutes and 20 minutes going back up and the site also used the word demanding. I agree with the terminology used. It is demanding. I have seem younger people, more fit than I am that found the hike up quite challenging. I also disagree with the estimated time they gave. It was more than that for me, or was I hooked on taking pictures?
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The waterfalls drops 70 m and lies at the base of a dormant volcano amidst the lush tropical paradise/rain forest.
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The pool of water where the waterfalls drop is perfect for swimming. However we chose to swim a little farther away where the waters are calmer.
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Here, this is the spot we found dipping was perfect. Water was cold. It was raining as well, with thunderstorm. I just sucked in my fear of thunders and enjoyed the experience.
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And then we found out we were trespassing :(

Note that I cannot find anymore reference to this waterfalls as the one they used in the opening credits of Jurassic Park. Does anybody know for sure if this was the one?

Comments

  1. That area looks like what we want to see too. We have seen waterfalls through areas more difficult than that, e.g. those in Lake Sebu. I forgot the height but it might be comparable. That first photo looks like many areas here in the country, however the alternating paved and unpaved portions have other reasons, maybe you also know those reasons we have here, LOL.

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  2. Beautiful area and great capture of the waterfalls. Very nice.

    Alexander
    Alex's World! - http://www.kakinan.com/alex

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  3. no wonder this was Jurassic's setting.
    breathtaking waterfalls, lush greens, really exotic.
    glad you had a gr8 time even with the trespass incident. ^0^


    btw, twitted your post, thought i'd share it with others. ^0^

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  4. breath taking waterfalls! i myself would love to swim there. have never ever seen the movie so can't make the comment! :D

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  5. I have no clue if this was the one in Jurassic Park, Maria, but I like the thought it was, for your sake. And the thing is, if you didn't know you were trespassing, wasn't it fun! :)

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  6. I've been there too, it's so beautiful! Great photos.

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  7. I'm not sure if this is the same waterfall that was in the movie, but this one is certainly a beauty. I'm sure it would have taken me more than 20 minutes to get back up those stairs.

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  8. Wow I guess the only thing missing in these pictures are the dinosaurs. LOL But then I don't think it would be safe to visit if there were dinosaurs lurking around. :D

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  9. Ohhh! I want to go to Costa Rica! Great hike, might falls. Agree Andrea, this looks like someplace in the Philippines. My next posts will be of a breathtaking river/falls off Cebu. :)

    For some reason, I can't get through the open ID :(

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  10. Amazing photos, Maria!

    Happy Valentine's Day!

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  11. Wonderful images of a fantasic nature, Maria!

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  12. The waterfalls are amazing. Everything is so lush and beautiful.

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  13. Hi, I've been out-of-town this week ---so am just now trying to catch up. Glad I didn't miss this post.

    Love the waterfalls... WOW---I would definitely not want to miss seeing them.... INCREDIBLE..

    Thanks for sharing.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  14. What a magnificent waterfall. It definitely worth the walk!

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  15. I didn't even know at all about this falls being part of a movie scene until I read your post. What I do remember was how cold the water was close to the base of the falls!

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