How much is it, and does anything get added later? Those two come up before almost every booking of the Hidden Paradise tour from Side, so they are answered first below, by the people who run it rather than a reseller reading a brochure.
Booking and money
How much does the tour cost?
€40 per adult, with the adult rate applying from age 12. Infants aged 0–3 go free. The price includes hotel transfer from the Side area, the Green Lake catamaran ride, lunch, professional guiding and insurance where applicable. The full line-by-line breakdown is in our prices guide.
Do I pay when I book?
No. Reservation is free and you pay on the tour day. No card details, no deposit, no online payment step. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure.
How far ahead do I need to book?
Bookings close 24 hours before departure, so reserve at least a day in advance. The tour runs every day, all year, so availability is rarely an issue outside peak weeks.
Are there hidden extras?
The extras list is short: alcoholic drinks, personal spending, towels and sunscreen (bring your own), and an optional professional photo and video service you are free to ignore. That is the whole list.
The day itself
How long is the tour?
It is a full-day excursion of around 7 hours, door to door, at a deliberately easy pace.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes: round-trip transfer from hotels in the Side area in an air-conditioned vehicle is part of the price. The exact pickup time is confirmed for your hotel the day before, so you are never guessing at a noticeboard.
Can we actually swim, or is it just photo stops?
You swim twice, and properly: about an hour during the catamaran stop on Green Lake and around two hours at the Hidden Paradise pools beneath the small waterfalls. Swimming is always optional: plenty of guests paddle and photograph instead.
Is lunch really included?
Yes. Lunch is served at a family-run restaurant just below the falls at the Hidden Paradise stop. Drinks beyond the meal and all alcoholic beverages are extra, paid on the spot.
What exactly do we see?
Manavgat Waterfall up close, the catamaran crossing of Green Lake, the old village mosque of Oymapınar, ancient aqueducts, a photo stop on the bridge approaching Green Canyon, the panoramic lookout over the canyon and Oymapınar Lake: and then the Hidden Paradise itself: clear pools below small waterfalls, framed by greenery and free of crowds. It is the quiet alternative on a coast of loud excursions; see how it compares in our complete local guide to Side excursions.
Suitability
Is it suitable for children?
It is one of our most family-friendly days out: easy walking, safe swimming spots, a relaxed pace and a real lunch stop. Children take part under parental supervision, and infants aged 0–3 travel free. Families planning their first excursion should read the first-timer family guide.
How fit do I need to be?
Not very. The day involves light walking between stops and short strolls at the viewpoints: there is no hiking. Anyone who enjoys nature at an easy pace will manage comfortably.
What should I bring?
Swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, a hat, comfortable shoes, a charged phone and some cash for drinks. The full checklist, including what to leave at the hotel, is in our what to bring and wear guide.
Weather and small print
What happens if the weather is bad?
If weather forces us to cancel, you reschedule free of charge: or use the standard free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. The programme order can also shift with weather and road conditions; every stop is still made.
Is the waterfall always flowing?
Honestly: in the hottest summer months Manavgat Waterfall's flow can be limited. The Green Lake catamaran ride always runs, and the Hidden Paradise pools are the day's real headline in any season.
Still unsure?
Ask us anything before you reserve. Since booking is free and you pay on the day, holding a place while you decide costs you exactly nothing: which is, we think, how excursion booking should work.