La Paz Waterfall Tour

On a guided tour, you’ll get an interesting lesson on rainforest ecology. Other attractions in the gardens are a serpentarium, a ranarium (for frogs), and an aviary. For even more up-close interactions with animals, visit the petting zoo at Tica House. The trail takes you past five waterfalls, an orchid garden, and covers rainforest as well as cloud forest. There’s a scenic trout lake with clear water next to a bar and a covered dining area. You can swim in the lake, and then take a dip in the adjacent hot tub.

You have the option to have a break for lunch included in your tour. La Paz has a lunch buffet that features traditional Costa Rican dishes as well as pizza, french fries, and other comfort foods. Help yourself to coffee, tea, and fresh fruit juice.

Since it’s a rainforest, you can expect to get a little wet, and it tends to rain off and on throughout the day. Bring a poncho and/or umbrella, and there are a few canopies along the trail. Also, make sure to bring a camera — these gardens have no shortage of photo opportunities.