La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park in Costa Rica has over 100 animal species, and 3.5 kilometers of cloud and rainforest hiking nature trails.

La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park is a picturesque 70 acres of nature and wildlife refuge in San Jose, Costa Rica. Roughly 40 acres of the nature park are covered by clouds and rainforest and 30 acres of pastureland. There are five waterfalls which the park is named after. La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park is Costa Rica's largest wildlife sanctuary and has over 100 animal species, and 3.5 kilometers of cloud and rainforest, hiking nature trails. Exploring this park takes a minimum of two hours and there is plenty for visitors to see and explore. These include:

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Costa Rica's five famous waterfalls are in La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park and are along the park's nature trails. Hiking visitors stop to take photos of these magnificent waterfalls nestled in lush and beautiful vegetation. Nature trails leading to the waterfalls are paved and have steps with hand-railings that make accessing them fairly easier for most people of varying ages. Marriage ceremonies can be conducted at these waterfalls. Below are the five waterfalls and their heights:

Visitors wishing to soak in nature while burning calories, can hike on the 3.5 kilometers of nature trails at La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park. The trails wind their way around this lush and beautiful rainforest. Along the hiking trails visitors are likely to catch sight of colorful tropical birds near the falls, and also lead to the Hummingbird Garden with 24 small bird species. The garden has feeders set at various locations making it easier to spot and photograph the birds. Hikers also see these waterfalls from the top, middle, and below. Visitors are advised to bring comfortable trousers, shorts, and shoes with strong and rugged treads to prevent slipping. Since it rains and gets chilly, they can carry raincoats or buy them at the park. When it rains during hikes, there are places visitors can shelter from the rain.

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La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park teems with diverse wildlife that visitors can see while touring it. The park has pumas, ocelots, margay cats, monkeys, snakes, hummingbirds, jaguars sloths, butterflies, frogs, and many more. These animals are in different sections of the park. There is a frog garden where they roam freely and guides on standby educate visitors about them. There is also a Serpentarium with 30 snake species including the poisonous and beautiful ones native to Costa Rica. A football field-sized garden has different and beautiful butterfly species too. La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park has 40 bird species in total.

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At the freshwater Trout Lake, visitors can cast their lines and fish for trout and have it cooked for lunch or dinner to their liking. The park's management stocks the lake monthly with rainbow trout. La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park has fly-fishing rods that visitors can use to fish. The Big Trout Bar built around the Trout Lake is where guests dine and enjoy cocktails while fishing. The bar also has a deck where guests sunbathe or take a dip in two Jacuzzis. Visitors can also swim at Lake Trout and enjoy the beautiful scenery around it. This is a great spot for families to visit and have their children be taught how to fish.

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At La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park is a historical farmhouse dubbed "Casita Tipica." It was built over 100 years by farmers with tools available at the turn of the 20th century. Tools used were chisels, axes, hand saws, picks, and hand planes. Visitors also take rides on an ox-driven cart. Costa Rican Tico food including fresh milk from a cow and freshly made tortillas are available to visitors. This farmhouse gives a historical and cultural glimpse into Costa Ricans' rural lives. In front of the house is a small coffee garden. There, visitors also learn the history of coffee in Costa Rica and can pick any ripe berries.

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Visitors to La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park have plenty of wining and dining options from the six restaurants and bars, stocked with diverse and delicious cuisines and drinks. These include:

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La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park is open all year round though it's rainy during April and May and November and December. Tourism experts argue when it's rainy in Costa Rica the rainforests are the most beautiful. The park has a five-star 18-room Peace Lodge where visitors to the park stay. For more information, visitors can contact the park's management at reservations@waterfallgardens.com and parkoffice@waterfallgardens.com or call (506) 2482-2720 and (954). 727-3997.

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La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park opens daily from 8 am to 5 pm tickets and can be booked online here and the admission costs are:

James Karuga is an award-winning print journalist, photographer, documentary filmmaker, and travel writer from Kenya. He has been published on Reuters, Spore Magazine, and How We Made it In Africa. The different creative professions have enabled him to travel to East and West African countries and immortalize special moments on camera and video. A creative with a hearty appetite he will sample different food for free and without shame! Loves writing because it spurs his creativity.