Location Alajuela, Costa Rica Watercourse River La Paz Number of drops 1 | Total height 37 metres (121 ft) Height 37 m Phone +506 2482 2720 | |
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Address 126, Alajuela Province, Costa Rica Hours Open today · 8AM–5PMFriday8AM–5PMSaturday8AM–5PMSunday8AM–5PMMonday8AM–5PMTuesday8AM–5PMWednesday8AM–5PMThursday8AM–5PM Similar Poás Volcano, Arenal Volcano, Tortuguero National Park, Irazú Volcano, Manuel Antonio National Profiles | ||
La Paz (Spanish: "the peace") is a waterfall in central Costa Rica. In Spanish, it is known as Catarata de La Paz. It is 31 kilometres (19 mi) north of Alajuela, between Vara Blanca and Cinchona.
The waterfall is located immediately alongside the road from Alajuela that leads to the northern plains of Costa Rica. The River La Paz forms the waterfall after traversing 8 kilometres (5 mi) of volcanic terrain, and then continues through the rainforest of the eastern side of Poás Volcano. A short path leads behind the waterfall, where a small shrine had been located. Upstream from the waterfall is La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a hotel and park, where visitors can observe many different species of local wildlife.
The waterfall and surrounding area were severely damaged in the 6.1 magnitude earthquake of January 8, 2009. Landslides damaged the road that runs alongside the waterfall.