La Paz Waterfall Gardens: One of the Few Resort Experiences We Actually Recommend
- jackbalstad
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
While Colibri Callajero is all about the hidden gems, authentic experiences, and off-the-beaten-path experiences, we recognize that these sorts of adventures are not for everyone. Whether due to personal preferences, mobility limitations, health concerns, or any other assortment of reasons, there are definitely some travelers who are best suited to experience Costa Rica via something we rarely recommend: a resort.
WHAT?!?! A RESORT? HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MINDS?
We know. Resorts typically have an isolating effect and prevent people from genuinely interacting with the country they just traveled a long distance to visit. They also present a complex ethical topic that involves discussions of eco-exploitation, gentrification, inequality, economic displacement, and even cultural degradation. Especially in Costa Rica, these are highly sensitive and volatile topics that quickly become passionate, and for good reason. The impacts of unethical tourism on the Tico population are very real. We have already written about the ethics of tourism in Costa Rica, so this will not rehash that territory. Instead, we want to acknowledge the complexity around the topic while using these considerations to guide our coverage of the La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Peace Lodge.
Where Is It?
La Paz Waterfall Gardens sits in the mountains of Vara Blanca, north of San Jose. For travelers flying into SJO or visiting the Central Valley, this location is very convenient. It's close enough to the airport that it can work well as either the first or last stop of a trip, but it’s far enough into the mountains that you feel like you've escaped the city.
The drive itself is part of the experience. As you climb into the mountains, the scenery changes dramatically. Urban landscapes give way to forests, farms, cloud-covered hillsides, and the lush environment that makes this region famous.
What Is It, Exactly?
The property is best thought of as two different parts: the Peace Lodge hotel and the Waterfall Gardens. The Peace Lodge encompasses the hotel itself and a series of pools and restaurants, whereas the Waterfall Gardens consist of a network of waterfall trails, wildlife exhibits, and educational experiences. If you are doing a day tour, you are coming for the Gardens. If you are staying at the resort, you have access to the entire property in a singular, convenient location.
If you're the type of traveler who wants to explore jungle roads, eat at roadside sodas, or search for wildlife in remote national parks, La Paz probably won't be the highlight of your trip.
If you're traveling with young children, family members with mobility concerns, or have limited time in Costa Rica, this is a much more sensible destination.
Who Should Skip La Paz?
If your dream trip to Costa Rica involves spending every day exploring remote rainforests, areas with very few tourists, or finding wildlife in its own element, La Paz may not be the best use of your time.
While the property is beautiful, it is still a developed attraction. Independent travelers spending multiple weeks in Costa Rica will encounter more authentic experiences elsewhere. La Paz is a convenient and thoughtfully designed introduction to Costa Rica, but it is not a replacement for the country's national parks and wild places.
The Waterfalls
Costa Rica has countless and incredible waterfalls, but not all of them are easily accessible. We’ve visited some “wild” waterfalls that require you to be an athlete or expert hiker to access.
At La Paz, the trails are wide, paved with high-texture concrete, guided by guardrails, and well-maintained. The trails bring you to multiple views of five different waterfalls. You will have several flights of stairs to descend and ascend, but with great views all along the route, this is a very pleasurable walk to take slowly if you need to pace yourself.
Animal Exhibits
There are several animal exhibits showcasing a great range of wildlife in Costa Rica. On your walk from exhibit to exhibit, you will pass through an enclosure that showcases a breathtaking density and diversity of butterflies. You’ll see several fascinating species in the bird exhibit and can take a chaperoned walk through the toucan enclosure, where curious toucans will perch within feet of you or may even buzz your head. You’ll likely get the same treatment from the hummingbirds in the hummingbird garden. This is just the start, as the exhibits for the snakes, big cats, frogs, and orchids all have more educational and delightful experiences to be had.
This sounds like a zoo. How is this ethical?
While it looks like a zoo at first glance, this is really an animal sanctuary. According to the staff, the animals here are entrusted to the facilities by Costa Rica’s wildlife authorities and governing bodies (MINAE/SINAC). All the animals housed at La Paz were rescued, confiscated from illegal ownership, injured, or otherwise unable to return to the wild. In addition to this, the enclosures are high-quality and you can see a lot of care and investment has gone into making a high quality experience for the animals. Having experienced La Paz for ourselves and researched its operations, we found little reason for concern and came away with a positive impression of how the facility approaches animal care.
Tips for Visiting
If you do a day trip, we recommend getting the included lunch ticket. The buffet serves Tico-style food and is far better than any buffet has the right to be. It is billed as a lunch ticket, but the buffet is open from 11am – 4pm, so you have a lot of flexibility as to how you plan your tour. Bring a rain jacket because it’s likely to rain. In the event it doesn’t, you’ll get close enough to some of the waterfalls that it will be useful anyway. Finally, bring a good camera and make sure you leave enough time to really enjoy the visit and spend some time with the exhibits, this isn’t something you want to rush.
Final Thoughts
La Paz waterfall gardens is a different kind of resort, one that, in our assessment, makes a great effort to abide by laws and operate with high standards and in an ethical manner for the environment and its local community. To the best of our abilities, this doesn’t appear to be greenwashing either.
If you are in the category of traveler that needs a resort or all-inclusive to make your trip to Costa Rica viable, we recommend you stay at La Paz Waterfall Gardens over other resorts.
For other travelers who are visiting the San Jose or Poás areas for a short stay, a day trip here can be a good way to experience multiple facets of Costa Rica in a single location. We don’t recommend making this the focus of your trip, but for certain travelers, this can be a good option.
You can purchase tickets directly from the website for a self-guided option, but for people wanting a guided experience we recommend booking here. Consider a trip consultation to optimize the rest of your trip.
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