Montezuma Falls
Montezuma Falls
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Montezuma Falls and nearby attractions
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
33 within 3 miles
Attractions
8 within 6 miles
See what travellers are saying
- Cassidy O2 contributionsCRAZY CARLOS is the BEST!! + beautiful waterfallCRAZY CARLOS is the BEST!!! I showed up to the waterfall without a tour planned and he offered to help me because it is more safe with a tour guide. He was so helpful when I was crossing the river and made sure I was safe the whole time, and offered to take so many great photos and videos. He had great energy and was so friendly. The waterfall is great! Highly recommend going!Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 16 October 2023
- Justin T2 contributionsCrazy Carlos at Montezuma FallsIf you want to see Montezuma Falls, go with Crazy Carlos ! He is the best tour guide and knows the safest ways to get there. He will take care of your group like no other. From taking photos, to the history of the area, he does it all. We just happened to meet him in the parking lot and had the best day because of it. Carlos, if you read this, me and Sonya really wish we could have ran into you again. Thanks for everything !Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 11 November 2023
- Dustin RVictoria, Canada31 contributionsGreat spot before it fills up in the afternoonWent there first thing in the morning, we were the only ones there. Really cool spot I absolutely loved it. Some garbage along the way was unfortunate to see. Wasn’t the hardest hike but also need to be careful. I managed in flip flops but don’t recommend!Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 24 November 2023
- Myron B3 contributionsCrazy Carlos and hike to Montezuma Falls.We met Crazy Carlos at the entrance of the hike to the falls. My wife and I are 65 and 67, and he helped find the safest route in and back out again. He is crazy, but not stupid (his words), full of stories and we had a great time, except for sore muscles and aching feet. Great experience. Choose crazy, chose Carlos!Visited January 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 16 January 2024
- cdnpilot777Peachland, Canada4 contributionsCrazy Carlos The ScammerWe were reading the sign that gave directions to the falls when Crazy Carlos walked up to us. The sign said Falls are Free!!! Carlos said he was heading to the falls anyway and we stated that we didn’t need a guide. He insisted on showing us the way. He had us put our shoes in his backpack when the trail became slippery and wanted us to go in bare feet. Once there he coaxed me to follow him in the water over to the rocks beside the falls. He climbed up about 4 meters and I followed. We jumped together into the water. There were lots of people arriving when we left. Another group of girls were heading out so they followed along. Got to the parking lot and Carlos started whispering about the costs the tour companies charge $45. US per person. He said to us that we could help him out with a discount donation of $35. US each. He was convincing that he and his family really needed the help as he came from Nicaragua originally and poor. At the end of it all we paid for a taxi (with Carlos along) for a short ride up the hill to the Butterfly and brewery restaurant. We bought his lunch and his 2 tequilas then gave him the $70. that he was pleading for. Total Scammer!!!!! A local tour operator told us that they didn’t go to the Falls and it is Free. Please beware of friendly “Crazy Carlos”.Visited January 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 17 January 2024
- Jeremy HAtlanta, Georgia1 contributionCrazy Carlos and The Butterfy Brewing Company = a great way to see the falls and grab a bite and have a drink!We didn’t book a tour, but met Crazy Carlos at the trailhead and he offered to show us the best way to see the top of the falls. 10/10 experience! We got to spend time swimming and jumping in one of the upper pools. He took video and pictures for us and when we were done, showed us his second home, The Butterfly Brewing Company where we had lunch. Food and atmosphere 10/10. My wife and I had a great day with Crazy Carlos and we are looking forward to bringing more family back to take this tour. 👍🏼 🇨🇷Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 21 March 2024
- John b4 contributionsBeautiful findFun, beautiful and free (except for $4.00 parking). It’s about a 20 minute hike to get there. Wear good footwear. And you should plan on having to go up and down lots of steps. So if you have bad knees or bad ankles, I would not recommend it. But if you were in relatively decent shape and have good feet, then it’s not terribly difficult to get to.Visited July 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 1 July 2024
- Lyle BCharleston, South Carolina12 contributionsCrazy Carlos is the best for Montezuma Falls!Crazy Carlos met us at the Montezuma Falls trailhead and led us on an exciting hike to the waterfall. He was very friendly, knowledgeable, and patient. Crazy Carlos took lots of pictures for us and shared them via WhatsApp. There were very heavy rains the night prior and day of, there is no way we could have navigated the river and trail without Carlos. We did not have a reservation, so we discussed a fair payment! It was 100% worth it! When you travel abroad, you should respect the impact you have on the local environment and people. Always give back and always clean up after yourself. We would definitely take a tour with Crazy Carlos again!Visited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten 8 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
1,483 reviews
Excellent
939
Very good
413
Average
92
Poor
31
Terrible
8
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
SharonW
Bath, ME, United States6 contributions
Nov 2021 • Couples
Tried to find the Montezuma falls by ourselves, but got discouraged by the slippery, rocky, unmarked trail. The parking lot guy saw us leaving and said “Oh no, you must see the falls”. He guided us back and introduced himself as Crazy Carlos. He normally charges 30,000 per person for a booked tour, and we thought it well worth that!
Written 26 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel C
1 contribution
Sept 2020
If you're down for adventure and some treacherous hiking (which we did not expect), I heavily recommend the Montezuma Falls. It is quite the paradise itself. The most important detail, is that you should look for Crazy Carlos, the tour guide waiting for you in the parking lot near the bridge. An entertaining, agile and dedicated man that will help you with the trails and the sketchy parts of the trails. I recommend you do the falls with this dude, he'll tell good jokes all the way through and will take good pictures for you.
Don't forget to bring good shoes for this adventure, flip flops won't be safe enough. Also, you should grab a beer at the brewery located uphill with Crazy Carlos.
Don't forget to bring good shoes for this adventure, flip flops won't be safe enough. Also, you should grab a beer at the brewery located uphill with Crazy Carlos.
Written 23 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cdnpilot777
Peachland, Canada4 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
We were reading the sign that gave directions to the falls when Crazy Carlos walked up to us. The sign said Falls are Free!!! Carlos said he was heading to the falls anyway and we stated that we didn’t need a guide. He insisted on showing us the way. He had us put our shoes in his backpack when the trail became slippery and wanted us to go in bare feet. Once there he coaxed me to follow him in the water over to the rocks beside the falls. He climbed up about 4 meters and I followed. We jumped together into the water. There were lots of people arriving when we left. Another group of girls were heading out so they followed along. Got to the parking lot and Carlos started whispering about the costs the tour companies charge $45. US per person.
He said to us that we could help him out with a discount donation of $35. US each.
He was convincing that he and his family really needed the help as he came from Nicaragua originally and poor. At the end of it all we paid for a taxi (with Carlos along) for a short ride up the hill to the Butterfly and brewery restaurant. We bought his lunch and his 2 tequilas then gave him the $70. that he was pleading for. Total Scammer!!!!! A local tour operator told us that they didn’t go to the Falls and it is Free. Please beware of friendly “Crazy Carlos”.
He said to us that we could help him out with a discount donation of $35. US each.
He was convincing that he and his family really needed the help as he came from Nicaragua originally and poor. At the end of it all we paid for a taxi (with Carlos along) for a short ride up the hill to the Butterfly and brewery restaurant. We bought his lunch and his 2 tequilas then gave him the $70. that he was pleading for. Total Scammer!!!!! A local tour operator told us that they didn’t go to the Falls and it is Free. Please beware of friendly “Crazy Carlos”.
Written 17 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nati M
1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Family
Montezuma is a very cute little town, there was a market and it seemed entertaining. We went directly to the waterfalls. We had read many opinions and ideas, good and bad, and we decided that once there, we would not pass up the opportunity to go at least to the big waterfall alone.
There were quite a few cars in the town, we had to park in the parking lot (parking :)) for 2000 colones at the entrance. There we met the certified guide Armando (armandopescador@gmail.com) and with him we set out to do the longest and most difficult route. He patiently instructed us each time where to put our feet and hands on rocks, roots, trees and ropes. We went up and down places that I never thought we could go up and down, thanks to Armando. No problem! It was spectacular and my daughters (12 and 16 years old) enjoyed it much more than we had expected.
Armando explained to us about plants and animals of land, sea and air, we saw monkeys, birds,..., we swam and well, an adventure. Fortunately it was relatively dry and Armando showed us the slippery places.
The price is to be agreed upon, from 25-30 thousand colones you can have it. Add 2000 colones per head if you want the 3 hanging bridges.
We are more from the city and we walk but we are not climbers or extreme athletes so we took away an incredible memory.
There were quite a few cars in the town, we had to park in the parking lot (parking :)) for 2000 colones at the entrance. There we met the certified guide Armando (armandopescador@gmail.com) and with him we set out to do the longest and most difficult route. He patiently instructed us each time where to put our feet and hands on rocks, roots, trees and ropes. We went up and down places that I never thought we could go up and down, thanks to Armando. No problem! It was spectacular and my daughters (12 and 16 years old) enjoyed it much more than we had expected.
Armando explained to us about plants and animals of land, sea and air, we saw monkeys, birds,..., we swam and well, an adventure. Fortunately it was relatively dry and Armando showed us the slippery places.
The price is to be agreed upon, from 25-30 thousand colones you can have it. Add 2000 colones per head if you want the 3 hanging bridges.
We are more from the city and we walk but we are not climbers or extreme athletes so we took away an incredible memory.
Written 20 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kellokaykay
British Columbia, Canada42 contributions
Feb 2020
Our party of four made the trek during the dry season and it was an easy hike up to the falls with good shoes on. One short portion requires ropes to navigate the rocks but when during the dry season it's not difficult. Lots of roots to walk around but it's a good trail. The water at the falls is murky but not dirty. It's fairly crowded but compared to other, easily accessible falls it wasn't bad and we were easily able to get in and swim around. The refreshing dip is well worth the short trek and a swim in waterfalls is a mandatory Costa Rican experience.
Written 26 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Happiness11960088021
2 contributions
Aug 2023 • Business
We planned to go see the falls for ourselves. There, a man helped us park. He then offered to show us the way to get to the falls. The heavy rain the day before forced us to cross rivers. We wouldn't have ventured there with the kids, but Crazy Carlos guided us. We quickly realized that the service would not be free but the experience was pleasant and he was not pushy. He took photos and video of our family. We went to the waterfalls first and I told him we would be ok to come back. I offered to pay him and he told me that with a reservation, he asked for $40/person. But given that it was improvised, to give with our heart. For this reason and given that we did not do the full tour. I gave him $60 for the family. He seemed satisfied.
Very friendly, funny and caring. Speaks English, Spanish. I understood well even though I am unilingual French-speaking.
Thanks Crazy Carlos
Very friendly, funny and caring. Speaks English, Spanish. I understood well even though I am unilingual French-speaking.
Thanks Crazy Carlos
Written 6 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sftravelerbee
6 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
We did a lot of research about this and the hotels and others said it was a "20 minute walk" but this is a serious hike. Perhaps because of the season, I don't know for sure, but it was incredibly slippery, wet, muddy, and became absolutely treacherous getting to the second waterfall. There are no signs and the paths are not obvious. We really almost got lost in there, and it was very scary. You absolutely must have a water-proof pack and shoes, not sandals, but it must be taken seriously -- do not go in thinking this is just a little hike, it's not.
Written 27 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rochelle F
Randolph, NJ1,140 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
We entered via sunset trails after paying a small fee. This is the top of the falls and there is a path and a lot of steps. You enter via 3 hanging bridges and then start the descent. We opted to go all the way down to the falls with the big pool. At the end there is some tricky maneuvering over rocks and it can be very slippery so good water shoes are a must. Beware if you have issues walking-this activity is not for you.
There is a beautiful pool to swim in which was very refreshing (or cold as my husband would say). I thought is was wonderful, particularly after the hike we did (took about 30-40 minutes). The waterfall is beautiful to see also.
We spent a few hours there and the started the trek back up all those steps. There is access to the upper waterfall but we opted to forgo it as there was a somewhat steep and slippery climb and we were hungry.
There are 2 other places to enter these falls: the free access from the town (no steps/path) or 1 other midway.
Quite a fun outing.
There is a beautiful pool to swim in which was very refreshing (or cold as my husband would say). I thought is was wonderful, particularly after the hike we did (took about 30-40 minutes). The waterfall is beautiful to see also.
We spent a few hours there and the started the trek back up all those steps. There is access to the upper waterfall but we opted to forgo it as there was a somewhat steep and slippery climb and we were hungry.
There are 2 other places to enter these falls: the free access from the town (no steps/path) or 1 other midway.
Quite a fun outing.
Written 12 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
traveladventure
Boulder, CO9 contributions
Jun 2021
This was a fantastic adventure for us and we enjoyed seeing all of the falls and jumping in the cool refreshing pools. This hike would not be for the faint of heart in the rainy season. We are a Colorado family who hikes a lot, but the "trail finding" was difficult. Having two older teen boys kept us going, but we literally had to hop from slippery rock to rock up the river for a good ways, then eventually found a "trail" of sorts on the side (complete with ropes at times on especially slippery spots) to get to the biggest fall (I believe this is called the 3rd one). The kids were able to somehow get us to the other side of the river (again, lots of tricky rock hopping across a full river) and we bushwalked a bit to find a set of "stairs" that led us uphill to the other falls. At this point, it is a true trail and very clear as to where you are supposed to be walking, but it is straight uphill and may be difficult if you aren't in great shape. :) Or just take lots of breaks. We were the only ones on this trail. Even though we felt like we were far from everybody and everything at this point, suddenly there was a man in a lean-to and we paid a small fee to continue on the rest of the trail. He was friendly and helpful and accepted either dollars or colones. In short, this hike didn't feel particularly dangerous, but was quite the challenge finding it in the rainy season. I am imagining it may be much more straight forward in the dry season??
Written 22 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Danielle N
Pennsylvania453 contributions
Feb 2021 • Couples
If you are wondering why I wrote challenging it is in reference to the trail that is not paid for. We did not know there was one that you paid at the start. What we did do was follow path that led to the first view of the falls. Even on this path I questioned how the elderly couple I saw would make it this far. We followed the path to the bottom of the falls then followed the advice of a local and proceeded to climb straight up the side of mountain to get to the top of the falls. Thankfully that local was watching us and started yelling at the top of his lungs when my husband made a wrong turn while climbing up. Also luckily for us I understand Spanish. Essentially he was yelling my husband was going to die if he continued on that path. It was a very steep climb requiring us to be grabbing roots of the trees. We also didn't see or have a clear path. The local came bounding up behind us to redirect us on the correct path. Honestly would not have found it without him. He also told us many people have tumbled down being seriously injured by trying to go the way my husband was. It was easier going once he was with us. He led us straight to the top falls. We stayed there swimming, jumping (off small fall) and relaxing with mainly locals. Another local told us the way back down going the paid trail since we had our fill of adventure for the day at that point. Once we came back to atv, the gentleman parking vehicles gave us a tip on best place to eat. We brought him back a beer in thanks lol. Bottom line is falls were nice. I enjoyed them. That being said it isn't something I would do everyday while visiting. It is crowded down at the first fall on the bottom but the hike up isn't something you should take lightly. Lesson learned.
Written 17 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Have you been there in August? How is the weather? Can you swim under the falls then or is the water too muddy?
Written 29 May 2019
Cristina R
Toronto, Canada
Hi Lillie!
Do you have Carlos contact info?
Thanks!
Cristina
Written 28 January 2019
I do not..but walk around the area and ask for him...they will direct you to him.
Written 31 January 2019
Hi...we are driving our ATVs from Santa Teresa to Montezuma to see the falls. What is the best route to take?
Thank you. Pura Vida!
Written 3 February 2016
Showing results 1-6 of 6
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing