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
volcanicterrain, 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.