Visiting Nauyaca Waterfalls is always on my ‘must-do’ list when I go back to Uvita or Dominical. During my first trip to Costa Rica, I found a blog that mentioned Nauyaca as a great waterfall to visit. The pictures were convincing and I added it to my itinerary. The pictures were convincing and I added it to my itinerary. Seeing how big it is in person was quite different from the pictures, though. It felt like standing in the center of a city plaza surrounded by skyscrapers, but instead of buildings there is a lush jungle with towering rock walls and lots of natural pools. Walking the trails, swimming in the pools, and seeing all the exotic wildlife will entertain you for hours. But, eloping at Nauyaca Waterfalls will be the story you love to tell for the rest of your life.
What makes Nauyaca Waterfalls an unforgettable elopement location
There are several waterfalls in Costa Rica, but not many of them are comparable to Nauyaca. This two-tiered, 200 ft tall waterfall system is what makes eloping at Nauyaca Waterfalls an unforgettable experience. It’s also hidden in the jungle, requiring a mild to moderate hike to reach the falls, making it more secluded. It is a popular waterfall and you’ll need to plan your elopement around the busy times if you want privacy. Fortunately, it’s not difficult to access – it’s about a 20 – 45 minute drive from the city of Uvita.
How to get to the Nauyaca Waterfalls system
Getting to Nauyaca Waterfalls from Uvita is simple, although there are two different park entrances and choosing the one to enter will determine the route to be driven. I recommend going to Nauyaca Waterfall Nature Park for an elopement as it is a more scenic experience. Use Google Maps or Waze for directions and make sure to have a vehicle with 4-wheel drive. From the parking lot of Nauyaca Waterfall Nature Park, payment to enter the park is required and this is where a choice to either ride a truck down to the base camp or take the 2.7km hike down must be made. The best time of day to go to the falls is in the morning. This is when when it’s the least crowded and the coolest time of the day, which is ideal for hiking.
Tip from a Costa Rica elopement photographer: Purchase the ticket to the park that allows for the hike down the falls and enjoy the scenic hike. This ticket still includes the ride on the truck back up when it’s time to leave!
Planning your elopement ceremony at Nauyaca
Here’s the nitty-gritty on how to prepare for eloping at Nauyaca Waterfalls (through Nauyaca Waterfall Nature Park). First, there are no special permits required, just payment to the park for access. If privacy and seclusion are highly important, a morning elopement is the plan to make to avoid the crowds. Rainy season might be too wet, yet dry season is the hottest and most touristy time. I recommend planning for the in-between times, such as late-November to early-December, or mid to late May. To make the ceremony legally recognized in your home country, consider hiring an officiant in Costa Rica. I’ve worked with both Noel Ibo Campos and Marcello Galli and both are excellent officiants.
A real Nauyaca Waterfalls elopement: inside the experience
I had the pleasure of photographing Staci and Cole’s adventure elopement at Nauyaca Waterfall Nature Park on December 30th, 2025. When they inquired with me about their elopement, they had open minds and asked for suggestions and planning advice. I suggested a waterfall elopement and showed them some pictures I had of Nauyaca Waterfall. They fell in love with the idea of eloping at Nauyaca and I helped them plan their entire 6-day trip. They started getting ready on their elopement day at 7am, based on my recommendation to get to the waterfalls as early as possible. Staci put her dress on in private so that she and Cole could have the surprise of a first look before the ceremony. They chose to make the 2.7km hike at Nauyaca Waterfall Nature Park to add to the adventure of the day. We met their officiant at the base camp and set up at the bottom of the falls for their ceremony so the backdrop would be the full scale of the waterfall system. When the ceremony ended, we spent an hour exploring the falls while we took their newlywed portraits. Staci and Cole also added 35mm film to their elopement package which added a nostalgic and whimsical feel to their photo gallery.
An honest conversation: when the elopement shifts from the plan
The whole 6-hour day was a very fun and unique experience, but that doesn’t mean it was without any hiccups. Getting ready took a little longer than expected and we arrived at Nauyaca Waterfall Nature Park an hour later than anticipated. December 30th was also the peak of dry season, which means it was a very hot, harshly lit day. And being in the midst of busy season, the other tourists at Nauyaca became the unplanned guests to their wedding. However, as an experienced elopement photographer, I knew how to work with these challenges. I was able to frame their photos to block out much of the crowds and work with the harsh lighting of the mid-day sun.
Planning your Costa Rica adventure elopement: where to stay
Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast has so much to offer that traveling all that way just for the sole day of eloping at Nauyaca Waterfalls would be a missed opportunity for a very fun vacation. The drive from either of the international airports in Costa Rica to Nauyaca takes multiple hours, so I recommend planning a trip that is at least 3 days long. I personally like to drive down the coast to spend one night in either Jaco or Quepos and make the final stretch of driving to either Dominical or Uvita on day 2. There are a lot of hotels in both Jacó and Manuel Antonio. I’ve stayed at both Hotel South Beach Jaco and Hotel Villas Nicolas, and both were great experiences. I almost always stay in a rental house through AirBnB or VRBO when I stay in Dominical and Uvita. On the other hand, if I were going to stay at a hotel as part of my elopement trip, I would stay at Golden Pineapple Villas in Uvita. You can see pictures of Golden Pineapple Villas in this blog post featuring Ivonne and Isaac’s elopement and honeymoon photos. When driving back to the airport, I suggest driving back one day before the flight and staying the night in a hotel close to the airport.
Making a week of it: a suggested week-long trip for your elopement in Costa Rica
The best way to get a full adventure experience in Costa Rica is to plan a trip that is at least one week long and visit different cities. Here’s a roadtrip suggestion through Costa Rica:
Day 1 – Fly into San Jose and rent a car and drive down the coast, stay in Jaco for the night to see the sunset over the sea and have dinner at a local spot in town.
Day 2 – From Jaco the next day, drive down the Manuel Antonio and visit the Manuel Antonio National Park. After you’ve toured the park, drive down to Dominical and have lunch at Fuego Brewery. Book a stay near the Marino Ballena National Park in Uvita for the night.
Day 3 – The next day, drive down to Corcovado National Park and book a tour to see some exotic animals and plants. From Corcovado, drive back up the coast and stay near Tinamastes de Barú for the night.
Day 4 – Visit Nauyaca Waterfall the next morning and elope! Stay another night in Tinamastes de Barú to soak in that just-married-feeling and relax.
Day 5 – Use Google Maps or Waze to drive to Hacienda Orosi for a dip in the hot springs. Plan in advance to stay th enight and book a coffee tour, too.
Day 6 – Drive to Parque Nacional Volcán Irazú to see the tallest volcano in the country and explore the trails. Drive back to the city of San Jose and stay at a hotel near the airport for the night.
Day 7 – Return the rental car and fly home.
This is just one way to plan a Costa Rica elopement adventure. Every couple’s trip will look a little different. I’m happy to offer planning services to help prepare a customized itinerary that is built around you.
Ready to elope at Nauyaca Waterfalls?
If eloping at Nauyaca Waterfalls sounds like your ideal elopement, I’d love to photograph it and help you plan it. I’m Sara, a Costa Rica elopement photographer. I provide a documentary-meets-editorial style, capturing all the genuine moments of a wedding day, and offering gentle guidance for posed photos. Learn more about me and my photography style here. Ready to start planning? Reach out here. Feel free to check out my journal for more wedding inspiration and planning tips.
Take a look at more of Staci and Cole’s elopement pictures at Gather at Nauyaca Waterfalls below
