The people of San Ramón have been visiting Las Musas for more than a century, perhaps even longer, as Huetar Indians lived in the area prior to the arrival of the Spaniards, but it is still barely touched by outsiders. Tourists bypass San Ramón, 65 kilometers (40 miles) west of San José, on their way to the Pacific beaches or to the Arenal Volcano, unaware that this natural gem is so close.
Las Musas combines nature at its best with hiking trails and a recreation arca for swimming and sports, but being a bit off the beaten path and little known outside San Ramón, it's like a secret hideaway. The park encompasses 20 hectares (49 acres) and retains much of its original natural state. While the recreation area includes a large swimming pool, a 60-meter (197- foot) long spiral-shaped waterslide, a smaller pool for tots, soccer fields, a volleyball court and a playground, it is set within a basin in the natural area so that it does not detract from the surrounding natural beauty. As it is only six kilometers (3.72 miles) from San Ramón, obstacles to getting there are few and easily overcome.
The main attraction of Las Musas is a waterfall, a majestic tower of water 60 meters (197 feet) high that comes tumbling and rumbling off the mountain into a natural pool before flowing into the Barranca River, one of Costa Rica's most important waterways to the Pacific. This impressive waterfall and the vista of mountains lined up on the western horizon are seen from every part of the park.
For those who want to combine exercise with nature, there are three trails for hiking. There is one for the hardy that wends its way to the top of the waterfall. It is a gradual rise that passes through woods thick enough for the overhead branches to form tunnels. For this trail, boots or non-slip shoes are needed.
An easier trail begins behind the dressing room area and crosses the river for a scenic one kilometer (0.6 mile) walk along the shore. A third trail, and the most awe inspiring of the three, is a gentle stroll on a well-tended and graded walkway to the base of the waterfall, where visitors can see and feel the force of the water as it hits the catch basin, lined by wildflowers and plants. A grotto just to the left of the falls was formed by centuries of water splashing into mountain is supreme. No wonder the poets were inspired!
The activity area of the park blends into the natural surroundings and includes tables and benches around the pool for sunning or enjoying the truly fresh air and a picnic area with a shelter and tables, bathrooms, dressing rooms, showers and an office with a check room. A soda (small restaurant) is open during the dry season from December to April, Tuesdays to Sundays, for quickie Tico-type food, such as gallos (tacos) or arroz con pollo (rice with chicken) and refreshments. However, it might be a good idea to bring snacks or lunch from San Ramón.
Las Musas is owned by a cooperative formed in 1967 to save the arca around the waterfall from development. They named it Las Musas ("The Musas") because the majestic cascada of water and the natural beauty surely were the inspiration for the poets and literary figures that lived and worked in San Ramón in the mid- to late-1800s, earning it the name "City of Poets." The waterfall and surrounding forests are the central attractions, and the pools and playing fields are designed and maintained to intrude as little as possible. Ecology is an important part of respecting nature and trash containers are marked for recycling.
A regional museum in the old municipal palace and the José Figueres Historie and Cultural Center, both in the center of San Ramón, are interesting stopping places on the way to or from Las Musas. To get to Las Musas by car, take the road from the south side of San Ramón's main church to Piedades Sur, past the University of Costa Rica campus and follow the signs. Alternatively, take the road from San Ramón to Comunidad de Cataratas and follow the signs to Las Musas.
Unfortunately, there is no regular bus service from San Ramón to the park, but taxis from downtown charge around $3 (¢1200; best to ask about the fee first). There is, however, bus service from Comunidad de Cataratas to San Ramón around 1:45 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., which involves a rather strenuous walk about a kilometer up a gravel road (0.6 mile) to a turn-around point; visitors can also ask the management to call a taxi from the office.
Ecotourism and Nature 
