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Ask most travelers about waterfalls in Costa Rica, and you’ll hear the same names: La Fortuna, maybe Río Celeste. Hardly anyone mentions Bajos del Toro.
That’s a shame, because this small mountain area is packed with some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country. Some are famous for their turquoise water, some you can see from a short trail, and some you have to earn by crossing rivers and walking through the forest. If you only chase the best-known ones, you’ll miss most of what makes the area special.
In this guide, I put together the best waterfalls in Bajos del Toro, plus a waterfall map, how to get there, where to stay, and what to bring, so you can plan your route and decide how many days you need.
Bajos del Toro Waterfall Map
Best Waterfalls to Visit in Bajos del Toro
Blue Falls
Easy to moderate | 4.3 miles (7 km) full hike | 3 to 4 hours full hike | $20 adults, $10 children | 7 am to 5 pm, closed on Sunday
These are the best-known falls in Bajos del Toro. Blue Falls are a group of seven celestial blue waterfalls.
Go to the Catarata del Toro to buy your tickets first, then drive for 5 minutes to the Blue Falls entrance. From there, you need to walk for about 10 to 15 minutes to the start of the trails leading to the different waterfalls. Although all the trails are very well signed, a staff member guided us to the different waterfalls.
Some waterfalls are similar, but others are truly unique and imposing; all are a bright celestial blue. Access to some of the waterfalls is pretty flat via man-made platforms, but for others you will need to go downstairs, avoid tree roots, and even cross a river. You can swim in some of the pools, but the water is cold.
You can visit both the Blue Falls and Catarata del Toro in one day. Buying a combined ticket is cheaper than buying separate tickets.
Read all the details on visiting in my full guide to Blue Falls.
Catarata del Toro
Moderate | 2.2 miles (3.5 km) out-and-back | 1.5 to 2 hours | $15 adults, $7.50 children | 7 am to 5 pm, closed on Sundays
Catarata del Toro is part of the same company as Blue Falls, and it's only 5 minutes away. This imposing 300-foot (90 m) waterfall falls into an old volcanic crater, which really makes it stand out.
To reach the waterfall, you must descend about 350 to 400 stairs, then climb back up. You can use one of the wooden sticks at the entrance as hiking poles to help you on the stairs. You can also see the waterfall from higher viewpoints without going all the way down, but if you can, I recommend going all the way down.
Swimming isn't allowed here, as the waterfall is too strong to be safe.
If you're planning to do both Catarata del Toro and the Blue Falls on the same day, I recommend going to Catarata del Toro early in the morning and then the Blue Falls. Don't forget to buy a combined ticket to save about 30% compared to individual tickets.
For more information on visiting, read my complete guide to Catarata del Toro.
Vuelta del Cañón
Moderate to difficult | 8 miles (13 km) round trip | 4 to 6 hours | Guided tour from $45 USD per person
One of the most unique waterfalls I've ever seen, because it has two levels, and the lower one forms a perfect pool. Its water is a deeper blue than the Blue Falls. Swimming is allowed in the ground-level pool.
To reach this waterfall, you will need to hike for about 13 km and cross rivers 14 times, so prepare to walk through hip-high water if you're short. The trail is marked only by orange ribbons tied to some trees, which are easy to miss.
In theory, you can do it on your own, but I wouldn't recommend it because it's easy to get lost, the start and end of the river crossings aren't always obvious, and the riverbed rocks can be slippery. Additionally, the farmer who owns the land where the trail starts has recently begun asking for entrance fees and apparently also requires people to come exclusively with a guide.
Tesoro Escondido
Easy to Moderate | about 5 km round trip | 1 hour | ₡7,500 (~$15 USD) | 8am - 2pm daily
Our last waterfall in Bajos del Toro was Tesoro Escondido. It is an amazing waterfall, and the experience is different from all the other waterfalls we've done, as you walk on a platform along the river to reach the main waterfall.
There's also a lower set of smaller waterfalls downstream from the main waterfall, plus a detour before reaching the waterfalls that takes you to a higher viewpoint, where you can see the whole valley on a clear day. Swimming is allowed in the pools next to the waterfalls.
However, the infrastructure wasn't as well maintained as at Blue Falls and Catarata del Toro. Sections of the platform were missing or fragile; in one area, rocks can fall onto the platform, so move quickly through it, and some of the handrails leading to the lower falls were made of random materials.
Paraíso Manantiales
Easy to moderate | 1.5 miles (2.5 km) circuit | ~ 90 minutes | $10 USD
When we were there, Paraíso Manantiales was closed because of an ownership change, so we couldn't visit, but it is on our list for the next time we go to Costa Rica.
This set of 8 waterfalls differs from others in the region, as they are rockier and not blue. These waterfalls aren't the most well-known in the region, so you'll likely find few people on the trails.
You’ll pass several falls (not suitable for swimming) before reaching the Rio Toro (Toro River). The trail then follows the riverbank until the last and most impressive waterfall, next to which you can swim in the ‘Poza Celestial’ (Celestial Pool).
Jurassic Canyon
Moderate to Difficult | ~ 3 to 4 hours | Guided tours from $45 USD
We first decided to visit Bajos del Toro after looking at pictures of this hike online. Every source says it was in Bajos del Toro, but it actually isn't. It is 1 hour away by car, but Bajos del Toro is a good base for a tour to Jurassic Canyon.
Visiting this place is dangerous, and people have died there. The river level can rise suddenly, and there's no cellular reception inside the canyon, so you can't quickly contact emergency services.
Also, you can't do it on your own because the land belongs to ICE, the state utility that owns it, which has publicly asked people not to enter the canyon. Guided tours still run, and since the trails aren’t marked, you need a guide.
That said, this place is just as beautiful as in the pictures. You get to see two highlights: the canyon with multiple waterfalls and another, bigger waterfall in the middle of the jungle that looks like it comes straight out of The Lord of the Rings.
I did the tour with a local guide named Daniel from Tororides; here's his WhatsApp number: +506 8854 1160.
How to get to Bajos del Toro
By car
From San José: It takes about 1h40 without traffic jams via Sarchí. Be careful on this route, because some stretches are very steep going up and down. We lost our brakes on one of these sections, and it was pretty scary.
From Sarapiquí: Drive for about 1h20 to reach Bajos del Toro. This route has many potholes, but it is safer than the route that goes through Sarchi.
By shuttle
Some hotels in the area offer paid shuttle services that can pick you up from the airport and bring you directly to your hotel.
By bus
As I explain below, I don't recommend coming to Bajos del Toro by bus. If you do, you will need to take a mix of bus and taxi anyway, because there's no bus terminal in Bajos del Toro.
For both options below, the ride theoretically takes only 2 hours; however, buses can be significantly delayed, so keep that in mind.
From San José: Take a bus to Grecia, then a taxi to Bajos del Toro.
From La Fortuna: Take a bus to San Carlos, then a taxi from there.
Where to stay in Bajos del Toro
💰💰💰💰 Luxury: El Silencio Lodge & Spa Costa Rica. We didn't personally stay here, but we bought a day pass. The infrastructure is good, and the food is delicious. They have a hummingbird garden and their own private forest where many animals live, and you can hike.
💰💰 Comfort: Forest View Mountain Retreat in Bajos del Toro. We stayed in this cabin, and it was a convenient base for reaching the town on foot, as well as the entrance to the numerous waterfalls in Bajos del Toro. The cabins are clean, modern, and surrounded by nature. The only caveat is that the stairs going to the second floor are a little bit dangerous.
Prepare your trip to Bajos del Toro
How many days to stay?
Bajos del Toro is a tiny town in Costa Rica where, at first sight, there's not much to do. However, it is surrounded by some of the country's most impressive waterfalls.
I recommend staying at least 2 full days to see some waterfalls, but if you want to see most of them, stay 3 to 4 full days.
Moving around
You will need a car to get around Bajos del Toro, as it is a tiny town where you won't easily find taxis. Unless you're planning to take only guided tours with transport included, you will need a car to explore the area.
What to bring
Here's a list of essentials for your trip to Bajos del Toro:
- Shoes that can get wet and dry quickly. As mentioned above, you'll need to cross rivers to reach some of the waterfalls. The riverbeds are full of rocks, so you cannot just take your shoes off, and that's why you need shoes that can go in the water.
- A jacket and a rain jacket. Because it is surrounded by mountains, the city has a microclimate that makes it more humid and colder than other cities in the country.
- A waterproof bag to store your electronics and other important stuff when you cross rivers (especially useful in Jurassic Canyon).
- Cash, because some places only accept cash.
- A good camera. Bajos del Toro is often overlooked as a wildlife destination, but many animals and birds roam free in the green areas.
- Groceries. If you're staying longer and plan to cook, consider buying groceries on the way to Bajos del Toro, as the town has only a small grocery store that might not have everything you want.
Bajos del Toro Waterfalls FAQs
1. Is Bajos del Toro worth visiting?
Yes, if you like waterfalls and don't mind basing yourself in a small mountain town. If, on the contrary, you're going to Costa Rica with the beach and clear skies in mind, Bajos del Toro probably isn't for you.
2. How difficult is the hike to the Blue Falls?
It’s easy to moderate. The full circuit is about 7 km (4.3 mi) and takes 3 to 4 hours, or about 4.5 km (2.8 mi) if you only do one side of the park (half the waterfalls). The right side is easier, with platforms to walk on. The left side has stairs down to Turquesa and La Pintada, plus a river crossing. You don’t need to be an athlete, but you should be in decent shape.
3. What is there to do in Bajos del Toro besides waterfalls?
Not much at first sight, since it’s a tiny mountain town. But there’s wildlife, and birds and other animals roam free in the green areas. El Silencio Lodge offers day passes with a hummingbird garden, private forest trails, and good food.
