Blue Falls and Catarata Del Toro: The Top Waterfall Hikes in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is known for its gorgeous landscapes, but many of them can feel touristy and overrun. That’s not the case for Blue Falls of Costa Rica and Catarata Del Toro – two impressive waterfall trails.

While there were people around us, it never felt busy. It’s what makes Bajos Del Toro one of Costa Rica’s hidden gems and a place where you can experience authentic Costa Rica.

When we planned our trip and things to do in Costa Rica, this was at the top of our list. And it should be at teh top of yours too. Inside, we delve into hikes, photos, and what you need to know to plan a trip. It’s so worth it!

Is Visiting Blue Falls and Catarata Del Toro Worth It?

For someone who loves waterfalls, photography, and hiking, I can safely say exploring Blue Falls and Catarata Del Toro is incredibly worth it. These are two of the most picturesque waterfalls in Costa Rica.

The two trails are distinct, making them both worth visiting. Neither is too challenging, but you will be working hard as there’s a combined 1,800 feet of elevation gain between the two waterfall trails.

I highly recommend a visit here if your itinerary allows.

Easy Booking: Expedia.com | Hotels.com | VRBO | Booking.com
Need Gear: Find it on REI.com
Find Awesome Tours: Viator.com or GetYourGuide.com
Follow on Instagram: @Alecoutside
Iceland on your bucket list? Get my Iceland guide + 144 pinned locations on Google Map

A Guide to Costa Rica’s Best Waterfalls at Blue Falls and Catarata Del Toro

First, how to plan your trip to Blue Falls in Costa Rica

How to get there?

Bajos Del Toro is not included in standard Costa Rica itineraries from any major travel agency. You have to really want to come here. But you’ll love it. You’ll want to rent a car to get around town and to the waterfalls.

But let me tell ya, the quickest drive from the San Jose Airport is wild! It’s one of the steepest roads I’ve ever driven, and it was remarkably foggy with low visibility. I would not recommend driving it in at night.

Option B is to go around Paos Volcano and come in from the north. This is longer, but you’ll avoid driving over a mountain. Note that the road from the north is pothole city. I’ve never seen so many and so big in my life. At one point, we were zig-zagging on the road to avoid them.

Staying a night? What are my lodging options?

There aren’t too many options. We stayed at Bosque De Paz Eco Lodge (rooms around $250 per night), which was great. It’s super rustic (no heater), but it makes you feel connected to nature. Dinner was $30 per person, but breakfast was included. Given the 2-mile dirt road that is falling apart to get there, an on-site dinner was much less stressful.

There’s also the luxury El Silencio Lodge and Spa, which has rooms for over $700 per night.

Take a look here for more options in the area.

This is authentic Costa Rica

This area is neither touristy nor big. Bajos Del Toro and the surrounding areas are the epitome of “If you blink, you’ll miss it.” Recent estimates put the population at around 200.

And with that, they don’t speak much English. When I say it’s not like the rest of Costa Rica, I mean it. In Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo, or La Fortuna, everyone seems to have working English. Not here. This is authentic Costa Rica.

Exploring Blue Falls and Catarata Del Toro

These are two different waterfall trails, but they are located very close together. You don’t have to do both, but I recommend it. Together, they cost $25 per person. (Individually, Blue Falls costs $20 and Catarata Del Toro costs $15.) Considering we had all day, it was an easy choice to do both!

To begin, you must go to Catarata Del Toro to pick up your wristbands and pay. There’s also a small place to get some food – burgers and hot dogs if that suits your fancy.

Total Hiking Distance: 6.5 miles, 1,800 feet of gain

What to know about hiking to Catarata Del Toro

This is one stunner of a waterfall. With a drop of 270 feet, Catarata Del Toro is not only impressive but also beautiful. Almost immediately after leaving the covered dining area, you’ll get a view of the waterfall from the top.

From here, you’ll walk about a quarter mile along the top before starting your descent of 500 feet to the water level. The stairs are the most brutal part of the trail. These aren’t standard U.S. stair heights. These are 1-2x as tall and incredibly steep.

Take your time as you descend.

After 30 minutes, you’ll reach the second-to-lowest viewpoint. Here, you’ll find a few benches, and for those wanting to go lower, a trail will be to your left. Be careful as you descend; the area can be muddy and slippery.

Once you get settled after hiking down, take a look around. You are inside an extinct volcano crater with basalt columns surrounding you. It was magnificently beautiful. The clash of green moss with the orange walls gave me life. I mean, anytime I can photograph volcanic waterfalls that remind me of Iceland, I’m in!

After “suffering” on the way up, we were given an amazing chance to witness a mother sloth with a baby clinging on for dear life in the trees nearby.

What to know for hiking to the Blue Falls of Costa Rica

Finally, it was time! I was going to get to see the Blue Falls of Costa Rica. As we began hiking, the clouds began to darken. We hoped the approaching weather would hold off.

To achieve the bluest water at Blue Falls, you need a combination of a low flow rate and sunlight. This works twofold: First, if sunlight hits the minerals in the water, it creates a bluer environment. To maximize the color, reduced water flow allows the sun to penetrate the water more easily.

Unfortunately, we had neither. The water was roaring thanks to the never-ending rain the night before, and it was cloudy. Even in the gloom, this place is magical.

Breaking down the Blue Falls hike to seven waterfalls

You’ll have to show your wristband when you pass by the gates. From here, you’ll have a 0.7-mile walk, including crossing a creek on a safe but janky bridge. Here, you come to a junction: Left or Right. Both take you to waterfalls.

We headed left towards La Celestial, La Turquesa (unfortunately closed due to high water levels), and La Pintada.

La Pintada

What a magical waterfall. What makes it special is the river’s bend below the overlook. It’s also surrounded by deep green plants and ferns, creating a serene feel. This is also the furthest downstream, and it still has significant elevation gain/loss.

La Celestial

This is the widest of the waterfalls, with an immense volume of water flowing. It was basically whitewater.

Then we hiked back the way we came and headed to the other three falls: Tepezquintle, Las Gemelas (translated to The Twins), and Poza Azul.

Tepezquintle

This is the best, in my opinion. But you work for it, going up and then down. The canyon you enter is so lush and magical. It truly felt spiritual in nature. It was also starting to rain heavily, so we didn’t stay long.

Las Gemelas

A gorgeous dual waterfall. They’ve installed a bridge over the river, making it far safer. It was raining hard on us, but the beauty couldn’t be hidden.

Make sure to walk as close as you can to the main waterfall to see the hidden one in the canyon to your left.

Poza Azul

Less of a waterfall and more of a blue swimming pool. This was the last one we did, and with the high water flow, there was no way we were going in. (Plus, it was cold!)

Photos to Inspire Your Trip to Blue Falls

More photos from our day to Blue Falls and Catarata Del Toro.

FAQ About Visiting the Blue Falls of Costa Rica Area

Can you swim here?

Yes! You can swim in almost all of the falls/pools when they are safe. Each waterfall has a guide there to assist/sorta keep you safe – though they are not lifeguards. If it hasn’t rained in a few days, it will be perfect.

What is the drive time from San Jose Airport to Blue Falls of Costa Rica?

Expect it to take 90 minutes to two hours to drive up and over the mountains. The roads are steep and winding, with limited visibility.

How long is the hike around Blue Falls?

In all, the hiking distance around Blue Falls (minus one waterfall) was 4.5 miles, or 7.2 km, according to my Garmin GPS watch. One and a half miles of that is getting to and from the junction.

While the distance to the waterfalls is not great, it’s the elevation gain you’ll notice. Each trail is a steep set of stairs that will work your legs.

Can you fly drones here?

Yes, you can fly drones at your own discretion. Be mindful of others and your surroundings, and note that GPS can malfunction, causing you to lose your drone. I only flew it at Catarata Del Toro due to the rain and kept it very conservative.

Suggested Gear to Pack for Blue Falls of Costa Rica

• Waterproof Hiking Shoes: Men |Women
• Hiking Sandals: Men | Women
• Rain Jacket: Men | Women
• Breathable Hiking Shirt: Men | Women
• 25L Hiking Pack
• Snacks, Water, and a water filter
• Download a map of the area
• Hiking poles (maybe, but packing them for an international trip likely isn’t worth it)

Final thoughts on visiting Catarata Del Toro and Blue Falls of Costa Rica

Costa Rica is filled with beautiful places, but Blue Falls of Costa Rica and Catarata del Toro feel different. They’re the kind of spots that remind you why you traveled here in the first place — towering waterfalls, vibrant blue pools, and jungle trails that still feel wild.

Even with a handful of other visitors, it never felt overwhelming or commercialized. Bajos del Toro still holds onto that raw, untouched energy that’s getting harder to find in popular destinations.

If you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica and want something beyond the typical tourist stops, this is it. Blue Falls and Catarata del Toro are beautiful and memorable. And long after you leave, they’re the kind of places you’ll still be thinking about.

Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.

Follow on social media: TikTok || Instagram || Facebook || Newsletter | YouTube