La Paz Waterfall (Costa Rica) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids La Paz Waterfall |
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| (es) Catarata de La Paz | |
La Paz waterfall
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| Location | Alajuela, Costa Rica |
| Coordinates | 10°12′6.28″N 84°9′41.23″W / 10.2017444°N 84.1614528°W |
| Total height | 37 metres (121 ft) |
| Number of drops | 1 |
| Watercourse | River La Paz |
The La Paz Waterfall is a famous waterfall in central Costa Rica. Its name, "La Paz," means "the peace" in Spanish. People also call it Catarata de La Paz. This beautiful waterfall is about 31 kilometres (19 mi) north of Alajuela. You can find it between the towns of Vara Blanca and Cinchona.
Discovering La Paz Waterfall
The La Paz Waterfall is easy to find because it sits right next to Route 126. The River La Paz creates this amazing waterfall. The river flows for about 8 kilometres (5 mi) over old volcanic land. After the waterfall, the river continues its journey through the thick rainforest. This forest is on the eastern side of the famous Poás Volcano.
You can even walk on a short path that goes behind the waterfall. It's a cool experience to see the water falling from behind!
La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Just upstream from the waterfall is a special place called La Paz Waterfall Gardens. This is a hotel and a park where visitors can see many different kinds of local wildlife. It's a great spot to learn about the animals and plants that live in Costa Rica's rainforests.
Earthquake Impact and Recovery
On January 8, 2009, a strong earthquake hit Costa Rica. It had a magnitude of 6.1. The La Paz Waterfall and the area around it were badly damaged. Landslides caused by the earthquake hurt the road that runs next to the waterfall.
But don't worry, the road has been fixed since then. Today, it's a popular spot for people to stop their cars. They can take amazing photos of the waterfall and even buy souvenirs.
