Chasing Waterfalls and Misadventure in Costa Rica's Jungle to Cascada El Salto

The lush Costa Rican jungle enveloped me as I set out on my quest to find Cascada El Salto, a hidden gem tucked away in the heart of the rainforest.

Having seen this sign in an online post about El Salto, it was my only clue I was on the right track!

When you finally find the trail head (not easy!) the first obstacle you need to cross is a rusted out old bridge. If you choose to cross it, use extreme caution as the metal is rusted away and in many parts not safe to walk on.  

As I trekked deeper into the dense foliage, anticipation surged within me. The narrow trail wound through towering trees, their roots creating natural staircases that I carefully navigated. Vibrant flowers and curious wildlife peeked out from behind broad leaves, reminding me of Costa Rica's incredible biodiversity.

While it is not a long hike, it can be a technical hike as you need to cross through water, up slippery rocks, down muddy trails, and try to see a path in a jungle that is forever trying to erase it from view! 

After what felt like 40-60 minutes of hiking, I reached the final obstacle: a steep cliff face leading down to the waterfall. Here, a thick rope dangled invitingly, my only means of descent. With my heart pounding, I grasped the rope and slowly lowered myself down the slippery rock face. The descent was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking; each step had to be carefully placed to avoid losing my footing.

Finally, I reached the bottom, and the sight that greeted me was breathtaking. Cascada El Salto roared before me, its powerful waters plunging into a crystal-clear pool below. The mist from the falls cooled my skin as I marveled at nature's raw beauty. The challenging rope climb had been worth every moment of fear and excitement.

I spent time swimming in the refreshing waters and capturing photos of this hidden paradise. However, as the afternoon wore on, I realized it was time to head back. Little did I know that my real adventure was about to begin.

These pictures make the waterfall seem small.  And while certainly smaller than the more famous waterfalls in Costa Rica, El Salto did not disappoint for a spur of the moment afternoon hike.

As I started my return journey, the sky darkened ominously. Within minutes, a torrential downpour engulfed the forest. The rain came down in sheets, obscuring my vision and turning the once-clear trail into a muddy, slippery path. The canopy above, which had earlier provided welcome shade, now trapped me in a twilight world as daylight rapidly faded.

Confusion set in as familiar landmarks became unrecognizable in the dim light and rain. I found myself second-guessing every turn, the fear of being lost in this vast jungle creeping into my mind. The sounds of the forest, once enchanting, now seemed menacing as night approached.

Despite the panic threatening to overwhelm me, I forced myself to remain calm. Taking a deep breath, I recalled my route and began retracing my steps. Each careful movement was accompanied by a heightened awareness of my surroundings; I needed to find any signs that could lead me back.

About an hour and a half passed, each moment stretching into an eternity as I navigated through the dim light.  Just as despair began to set in, a faint glimmer of hope appeared – I found the river that I walked through on the way down to the waterfall.

With renewed energy surging through me, I pushed upstream hoping that I had not somehow stumbled on a 2nd, unrelated stream.  Branches whipped at my face and mud clung to my shoes, but I pressed on with determination and started to run - light was definitely running out. Finally, I the trees thinned out, and I saw the rusted bridge that I had crawled across initially and climbed up the embankment to it and stumbled down the road to where I had parked my car, exhausted but elated.

Fortunately, I had made it out of the jungle unharmed with an incredible story to tell. My adventure to Cascada El Salto had turned into a testament to resilience and the unpredictable nature of the wild.

This experience taught me valuable lessons about respecting nature's power and the importance of proper preparation. While the memory of El Salto's beauty remains vivid in my mind, it’s the journey – both thrilling and terrifying – that will stay with me forever; a reminder of the raw adventure that awaits in Costa Rica's magnificent jungles.