This post shares everything you need to know about visiting Bajos del Toro, Costa Rica’s waterfall wonderland! This small town in the highlands is a hidden gem, and in this post, we’ll cover information about the area, how to get there, the best waterfalls, and where to eat and stay.
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About Bajos del Toro
Bajos del Toro is one of Costa Rica’s best kept secrets.
This tiny little town sits in a lush valley between two volcanoes and is a true waterfall wonderland. I don’t know how one tiny town can house more waterfalls than I can count, but Bajos del Toro does!
Nestled between Volcan Poas and Volcan Viejo, Bajos del Toro is a sea of green. Countless rivers flow through the valley, creating gorgeous waterfalls and dense rainforests.
The area is at an elevation of approximately 1,500 m / 5,000 ft, giving it a cooler, wetter climate that often creates mystical cloud forests.
It truly feels like a fairy wonderland, and it was everything we imagined Costa Rica to be.
So many shades of green you never knew existed, clean mountain air, mystic fog, clouds dripping from the rainforest, and thundering waterfalls so powerful you feel the spray from metres away. It is the definition of Costa Rica’s motto – pura vida.
Bajos del Toro quick facts
- 🚙 How to get there – drive a rental car, there isn’t any public transport in this area so a car is a must!
- 🛏️ How long to stay – as long as possible! 2 – 3 nights is ideal, but if you don’t have more than a night en route to La Fortuna that’s still worth visiting!
- 🗓️ Best time to visit – is during the dry season, which is typically November – April. The blue waterfalls can become browna and churned up and unsafe to swim during the wet season.
Bajos del Toro location
Bajos del Toro is located in the highlands northwest of San Jose in the Alajuela province. It is approximately 2 hours from the city.
The town and its many gorgeous waterfalls sit in a verdant valley, with the slopes of Volcan Poas to the east, and the Juan Castro National Park and Volcan Viejo to the west.
The name Bajos del Toro refers to a small town but is also used loosely as a catchall to describe the whole region and all its wonderful waterfalls. There are actually a number of other small towns around the area.
The region is centred around Route 708, mainly in the northern section. The town of Bajos del Toro is about the middle of the road, and the majority of waterfalls and attractions are located to the north of the town.
Getting to Bajos del Toro
Bajos del Toro is best visited with your own rental car. I don’t say this unless I think it is absolutely necessary, but really, it would be near impossible to visit and enjoy the region without your own wheels.
It would be possible to catch a combination of buses from San Jose to get close to the region (there are no buses that go all the way to Bajos del Toro town). But once you arrive, it would be nearly impossible to move around and visit the different waterfalls.
San Jose is the closest and best place to rent a car, and we would recommend making Bajos del Toro your first stop after the city or landing at the airport.
It’s the perfect pit stop between San Jose and La Fortuna, which is most likely on your itinerary.
It takes around 2-2.5 hours to reach Bajos del Toro from San Jose and around 1.5-2 hours from La Fortuna.
🚘 Browse for rental cars in San Jose here
Driving to Bajos del Toro
To reach Bajos del Toro from San Jose, the route that looks the most direct on the map is not the best or easiest route.
Taking Route 708 (the main road through Bajos del Toro) from Sarchi in the south seems the quicker option, and is possibly the route your map will suggest. But this road is very narrow, incredibly steep winding through the mountains, and in very poor condition, with huge potholes.
Instead, the route we took was via Route 126, approaching the region from the north. This route travels to the town of San Miguel, where you briefly turn on Route 140, which connects with Route 708 in the north near the town of Rio Cuarto.
🗺️ Visualise the route and all our recommendations on this interactive Bajos del Toro map
This road still has some pretty intense curves and climbs and winds its way through the mountains. But it is paved and well maintained, and not too narrow or sketchy. The drive is absolutely beautiful, and there are a few spots that are worth stopping at along the way:
- 👀 Mirador al Poas – a beautiful lookout over the valley and towards Volan Poas on a clear day. You may not pass this if you connect to Route 126 at a later point, but this was on our route.
- 💦 La Paz Waterfall – a stunning waterfall literally on the side of the road! Not to be confused with the La Paz Waterfall Gardens (❌) which are an expensive and unethical spot with an on-site animal ‘refuge’. You can simply park your car and have a quick look at the proper La Paz Waterfall from the road.
- 🍓 Strawberry stalls – the cool climate makes this a great region for strawberries, and there are roadside stalls all along Route 126 selling juicy, fresh strawberries!
The northern section of Route 708 where you will connect and head towards Bajos del Toro town and the waterfalls is paved. There are sections of the road that are in great condition, but in parts, there are huge potholes. Drive slowly, be careful and keep your eyes peeled.
You don’t need a 4×4 to drive to Bajos del Toro, no matter which route you come. Of course, following Route 126 will give you the smoothest drive, and having a 4×4 is always more comfortable on bad roads, it is not necessary. With slow, careful driving you can visit in any car.
Tips for your visit to Bajos del Toro
Bajos del Toro is a little more remote and less developed for tourism than other destinations around Costa Rica, so there are some important things to keep in mind for your visit…
- 🗓️ Stay a couple of days – this area is so often overlooked, and many who do pass by only do so for a day. We would recommend staying at least 2 nights and choosing 3 – 4 of the stunning waterfalls in the area to explore. We had 2 nights here and looking back, we wish we allocated a lot more time!
- 💰 Come with cash – there aren’t any ATMs in the area, and many waterfalls will only accept payment in cash, so come prepared with Colones.
- 🧥 Bring warm clothes – sitting at a higher altitude, the region is much cooler than other parts of the country. It cools quickly in the evenings, and if it rains. We were wearing pants and a jumper most nights, despite the days being a lot warmer in the sun.
- ☔️ Prepare for wet weather – the area is so lush and green because it receives a lot of rainfall year-round. Come prepared with a rain jacket and a waterproof bag to keep your things safe while hiking and at the waterfalls.
- 📱 There is not a lot of phone service – the area is quite remote, and we were off-grid practically the whole time, with both Claro and Liberty SIM cards not having any service.
Best waterfalls to see in Bajos del Toro
Waterfalls are the star of the show in Bajos del Toro and are what you will spend most of your time doing here.
Each waterfall is unique in size, style, shape and colour, as well as the ease to access them. Some require pretty tough and lengthy hikes, while others are a short stroll from a car park.
This list could go on forever (there really are that many!), but these are what we consider the highlights.
Catarata del Toro
The unofficial icon of Bajos del Toro, Catarata del Toro is one of Costa Rica’s most impressive waterfalls.
A single 90 m / 300 ft drop tumbles into an old volcanic crater, dripping with lush greenery. The rock is streaked with shades of red and orange, from its volcanic origins, and the entire scene looks like something out of Jurassic Park.
This is one of the easier waterfalls to visit, with access via a paved path. The whole circuit is around 3 km / 1.8 mi, and does include a few hundred stairs, but is so worth it to stand at the bottom of such a powerful waterfall, feeling its spray.
Swimming is not allowed here due to the strength of the fall, but admiring such an incredible display of nature is well worth a visit!
💧 Read more about Catarata del Toro here
Blue Falls of Costa Rica
The Blue Falls of Costa Rica is a collection of six different vibrant blue waterfalls and pools.
The incredible colour is created by an optical illusion, with sunlight reflecting off minerals in the water. The Blue Falls is one of the only places you can experience this in Costa Rica, and certainly the option with the least crowds.
Seeing these falls is an adventure, and requires a fair amount of hiking.
The falls are spread out across a large, privately owned reserve and you will walk through jungle trails, across bridges and through rivers to experience these gorgeous blue waters!
This is definitely one of the most adventurous waterfalls in Bajos del Toro, and we would suggest dedicating at least 4 hours to this site.
💧 Read more about the Blue Falls of Costa Rica here
Paraiso Manantiales
Paraiso Manantiales is a set of 8 beautiful waterfalls on privately owned property, in the north of the region.
In an area that is already a bit of a secret, Paraiso Manantiales could be considered a secret within a secret! It’s even less visited than some of the other waterfalls of Bajos del Toro, but we think it is just as impressive!
To see the falls, there is a 2.5 km / 1.5 mi circuit trail through dense rainforest.
You’ll pass a number of beautiful falls (not suitable for swimming) before reaching the Rio Toro (Toro River).
The trail descends down to the river and follows its banks to the final, and most impressive waterfall, Catarata La Mica. This remarkable rock face has a curtain of water thundering down and we were absolutely blown away by the sheer power.
The ‘Poza Celestial’ (Celestial Pool) is a perfect place for a swim, just next to the fall, with an unbelievable blue tone.
💧 Read more about Paraiso Manantiales here
Catarata Vuelta del Cañon
Okay, I know I’m making a lot of big claims and calling out a lot of favourites in this post, but Catarata Vuelta del Cañon was our favourite waterfall and favourite hike in Costa Rica!
This isn’t a waterfall for the faint-hearted, and only those who are willing to work for it will be rewarded with the stunning view!
To reach the waterfall, you’ll need to tackle an 11 km / 6.8 mi round trip hike, involving muddy trails and river crossings, but if you love adventure this is your dream waterfall!
What’s waiting for you is a two-tier waterfall dropping metres into a canyon covered with lush greenery. The second tier falls into a perfect blue pool at the bottom for a swim, as you look up and feel dwarfed by the huge canyon walls.
We did not see another soul the entire time we were hiking here, and it was a very special experience.
💧Read more about Catarata Vuelta del Cañon here
Quebrada Gata and Catarata Barroso
Quebrada Gata and Catarata Barroso are a pair of waterfalls that we sadly missed while we were in Bajos del Toro, but have grown immensely in popularity since then!
Requiring an approx. 4 km / 2.5 mi hike upriver, wading through water, you end up deep inside a canyon known as Cañón Jurásico, with waterfalls flowing in every direction. It looks epic (check out this video) and I’m really sad we didn’t know about it when we visited.
You have to have a guide to visit these waterfalls. Firstly, because the hike requires crossing private property on a hydroelectric plant, and the tour companies have arrangements in place. Secondly and most importantly, this is a very complex hike, requiring ropes and gear for rappelling, and an intimate knowledge of the river, which is fast flowing and slippery.
Senderos del Toro and Ecotours Toro Amarillo 360 are excellent local tour companies who both run guided hikes to Quebrada Gata.
💦 Find out about guided hikes with Senderos del Toro or Ecotours Toro Amarillo 360
Catarata Tesoro Escondido
This is one waterfall I really wish we had time to squeeze in. Meaning ‘hidden treasure’ in Spanish, Catarata Tesoro Escondido is home to one main waterfall and two smaller vibrant blue pools.
It is an approximately 4 km / 2.5 mi return walk passing lush forest and open fields, across hanging bridges and through a short river crossing to reach the waterfall.
The pools are the best spot to swim, and you can enjoy the bright blue mineral-rich waters the area is known for.
The property also has some funky viewpoints that are a great place for photos, and a restaurant. They offer a range of different entry packages to choose from, and you can include lunch for a decent price.
💦 Find out more on the Catarata Tesoro Escondido Facebook page
Cascada Pozo Azul
Cascada Pozo Azul is where you will find the tallest waterfall in the area, with an impressive drop of 155 m / 508 ft.
The property is home to a number of different waterfalls along a river, with some gorgeous blue pools for swimming in. But the star of the show is Catarata Caida Nieve y Paz.
To reach this huge waterfall, you’ll have to hike along the river, passing the other smaller falls, before descending a few hundred steps down into the canyon to see the fall in all its glory!
You should factor in 3 + hours for the experience, as the hike is not the easiest, and you’ll want time to spend swimming in the smaller falls and pools, as it’s not safe to swim at Catarata Caida Nieve y Paz.
Catarata Rio Agrio
Catarata Rio Agrio is not really what you’d expect from a waterfall in Costa Rica. This waterfall complex is also home to a Jurassic Park-style dinosaur park, Dino Land.
With over 20 different lifelike dinosaur replicas, some moving, some roaring, this is a good stop for kids or any dino fans!
Personally, this put us off visiting completely as we prefer our natural sights to be, well, natural. But we can see the appeal for those with kids, and it is a popular spot in Bajos del Toro.
The waterfall itself is beautiful and relatively untouched, and is one of the easiest to access in the area. A short, well-made path of around 1.5 km / 1 mi leads you to the thundering waterfall, dropping around 50 m / 164 ft.
The name Rio Agrio means ‘sour river’ in Spanish because the water is very acidic. Volcan Poas spews minerals, ash and gases into the water, creating a low PH level and making it unsafe to swim in the waterfall.
🌋 VISITING VOLCAN POAS
There are other things to do in Bajos del Toro besides waterfalls (but really the waterfalls are the best part!).
The Poas Volcano is another popular sight near Bajos del Toro. It’s not actually as close as it looks on the map, given the lack of roads in the area, but this is a good sight to stop at en route to Bajos del Toro.
It’s possible to drive right to the top of the volcano and look down into the crater lake. Reservations are required with SINAC (Costa Rica’s national parks authority) in advance, with specific time slots.
Given this is an active volcano, visits are never guaranteed, and the park is often shut if there is any increased activity (it has been closed since April 2025 due to major activity). On top of that, there is a major risk that the crater is entirely covered in cloud.
We decided not to visit as we weren’t sure we could commit to a specific time slot, and we didn’t want to take the chance the crater was covered in cloud. We’d already had our fair share of volcano experiences in Central America by this point!
If you’re planning to visit, this is a helpful guide.
Where to eat in Bajos del Toro
Bajos del Toro is a very small town, so there aren’t too many restaurant options. Many of the waterfalls have a restaurant on-site, but in addition, there are a couple of good options around town:
- 🍛 Restaurante Tipico Toro Amarilla – a great local spot with typical Costa Rican food at affordable prices. Their casados and rices are delicious!
- 🍚 Kafecitos Soda y Supermercado – another local option that has a range of Costa Rican dishes, as well as some international dishes. Food is typical casados, gallo pinto etc. Service is kind of slow but prices are good and they also have a supermarket where you can stock up on supplies.
- ☕️ La Terraza del Café de Logan – if you love coffee, don’t miss a stop here. The owner is a great barista, and you’ll get more than just a cup of joe, with informative explanations on the type of coffee you’re drinking and the different methods you can sample.
- 🦋 Restaurante Blue Morpho – part of the Blue Morpho Lodge, this restaurant offers all the typical Costa Rican options, as well as breakfast. Opening hours are inconsistent and incorrect online.
If you are camping, or staying in self-contained accommodation, we would recommend planning to cook at least some of your meals. Restaurant opening hours can be unreliable, especially during the week or during the low season (May – October).
There are a few small tiendas along Route 708 where you can buy basic snacks and groceries, but if you’re cooking, we would recommend coming stocked with groceries. We came from San Jose, so we did a big shop at Walmart, but the closest proper supermarket is in Rio Cuarto.
Where to stay in Bajos del Toro
HOTELS 🏨
Given the area is quite small, there are only a handful of accommodations around Bajos del Toro. Considering this, there are actually a couple of great options for a range of budgets. We recommend:
- 💰 Selvática del Toro – you get a lot of bang for your buck at Selvatica del Toro. All rooms are fully self-contained small apartments, on a gorgeous property with stunning mountain views. This is a great option for those on a budget who want to cook their own meals.
- $60 USD + per night check prices Booking.com | Expedia
- 💰 Bajos del Toro Rooms – this gorgeous little spot in the heart of the town has recently had a facelift. A range of private rooms are on offer, all with a lovely modern design and very spacious sitting areas and balconies, including a communal kitchen. You can’t book online, but contact them via Facebook or WhatsApp to arrange it.
- $60 USD + per night check prices Facebook
- 💰💰 Blue Morpho Lodge – situated close to town, Blue Morpho is a lovely spot with beautiful gardens and a scenic lake on the grounds. All the rooms are designed from shipping containers and are a comfortable, private option.
- $120 USD + per night check prices Booking.com
- 💰💰 Hotel Los Sueños de Bajos del Toro: a relatively new option in the area, right near town, getting rave reviews. There are two private and self-contained villas on the property. Each has a huge open-air deck with amazing views of the rainforest, waterfalls and dozens of hummingbirds!
- $180 USD + per night check prices Expedia
- 💰💰💰 Bosque de Paz Reserva Biologica – set on the grounds of a biological reserve, this accommodation is a classic lodge-style with comfortable rooms. Each room has a private bathroom and beautiful mountain views. The building has a large shared terrace and a restaurant.
- $300 USD + per night check prices Booking.com | Expedia
- 💰💰💰 El Silencio Lodge & Spa – if you’re looking for luxury, El Silencio is an incredible option. This beautiful lodge is just on the outskirts of town on a large, private reserve. All the rooms have stunning mountain and forest views, and all the touches you could need for a lavish getaway in nature. The property has miles of trails that lead to private waterfalls.
- $700 USD + per night check prices Booking.com | Expedia
CAMPING ⛺️
Bajos del Toro is a popular area for camping. Whether you’re travelling Costa Rica in a campervan or 4×4 set up, or a San Jose-local looking for a weekend away from the city in a tent, there are lots of great camping spots to choose from.
Most of the waterfalls will allow you to camp on their grounds, usually in large open grassy areas. Amenities vary, but you can expect access to toilets and cold showers, and if the waterfall has a restaurant area, you can hang out there in the evenings.
iOverlander is the best resource to find campgrounds around Costa Rica.
Here are some options for camping:
- ⛺️ Paraiso Manantiales – we camped here and paid 5,000 Colones per person for the night. We had access to the toilets and showers in the evening and could sit in the (closed) restaurant in case of rain.
- ⛺️ Catarata Vuelta del Cañon – we also camped here and paid 5,000 Colones total for the night. We had access to the toilet and showers, and we could have sat in the sheltered area if there was rain. It’s just an open, grassed area, but it had stunning mountain views, some friendly local dogs and plenty of horses and cows to watch in the surrounding fields. Not on iOverlander for some reason, probably because it’s a very informal arrangement.
- ⛺️ Rio Agrio – I think it’s possible to camp on the grounds at Rio Agrio. I don’t have any further information as we didn’t stay here, but it is listed in iOverlander as an option, so I would suggest contacting them directly if you want to stay here.
- ⛺️ Catarata Tesoro Escondido – same goes here. We don’t have a lot of information as we didn’t stay here, but I know camping is possible. I would suggest getting in touch directly or enquiring on arrival.
- ⛺️ Blue Morpho Lodge – the lodge allows a few people to camp in their car park. You can enjoy the lovely grounds of the lodge, with beautiful gardens, a small lake and plenty of covered areas to sit in. Plus, hot showers! They were charging a steep $15 USD per person at the time of our visit so we passed (even though a hot shower would have been delightful!).
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Final thoughts: Bajos del Toro
I am still shocked how somewhere as beautiful as Bajos del Toro remains under wraps, and free from the mass of tourists found in other parts of Costa Rica.
Every waterfall we visited after this region paled in comparison, and I am SO glad I stumbled across this hidden gem when planning our trip.
Please make time in your Costa Rica itinerary for this amazing area!
MORE BAJOS DEL TORO POSTS
- Catarata del Toro Waterfall Guide, Costa Rica
- How to Visit The Incredible Blue Falls of Costa Rica
- Catarata Vuelta del Cañon – Costa Rica’s Best Waterfall
- Paraiso Manantiales Waterfall – Bajos del Toro, Costa Rica
OUR COSTA RICA TRAVEL GUIDES
The Comments
Ashley
Amazing posy thank you for going into such great detail! I’m planning a 16 day trip (our first to CR) for 2/27-3/13! We have 2 nights in Bajos Del Toro, but your post may be persuading me to book an extra night. We already planned on doing all of the falls you mentioned, but do you think worth an extra day for the others or one main one? The rest of our time will be spent in Jaco, Uvita, MA, La Fortuna, Monteverde, and Reserva Conchal. Would love your input!
Sally Rodrick
AshleyHi Ashley, I’m so glad the post was helpful! Bajos del Toro is amazing, it was by far one of the best places we visited in CR. We only stayed 2 nights, but managed to squeeze in a lot, as we did one waterfall the afternoon we arrived, and one the day we left. We didn’t even get to all the ones in the post, as some of them are huge properties (Blue Falls) and long hikes (Vuelta del Cañon) that took like 4+ hours. I think you could definitely use another day there to spread them out. But it depends what time you think you will get there on day 1 (can you visit at least one waterfall on that day or will you be late?) and can you wake up early and squeeze one in the day you leave? A third night will not be wasted, if you have the time to spare from your other destinations. It sounds like you may not though. We didn’t stay in Jaco, but from what we saw driving through a few times, we would have hated it. It’s very commercialised, and there is nothing there that you won’t find in Uvita or MA, both are much nicer. I would only drive out to the Nicoya Peninsula if you’ve got plenty of time to spare there. Otherwise it is quite a big detour for just a few nights. Have the best time! Sally x
Amy
Sally, thank you for sharing all of this info! We are planning a trip to Costa Rica in September and are nervous about it being rainy season. Would the bajas del Toro area be safe and enjoyable from a weather standpoint in September? Any other recommendations for September would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Sally Rodrick
AmyHi Amy, it will definitely be wet. It’s hard to say what the area will be like, it depends if there has been heavy rain before/during your visit. I would count on probably not swimming in most of the falls as I’d say they would be raging pretty strong! But to be honest it was pretty cold when we went because its at a higher altitude, so not being able to swim isn’t the worst thing. The Blue Falls may not be blue, which is an important thing to consider and some of the hikes could be risky if there’s flooding or a lot of heavy rain. I don’t know for sure though, it might be a dry September, you never know. I would recommend being in touch with someone local before you visit though (one of the waterfalls, accommodation etc.) and they’ll be able to let you know what the situation is like. For September, definitely hit up the Caribbean! Puerto Viejo should be blue skies and sunshine, and much drier than the Pacific Coast at this time 🙂
Mihai
Hi Sally,
Great blog. I’ve been reading it in preparation for a trip to Costa Rica and when I compare it with other popular blogs I find that yours stands out as more elegant. Coincidentally, I am also going to Costa Rica in the second half of May and I plan to hike the Drake trail and visit Bajos del Toro after reading your blog. Thank you!
Sally Rodrick
MihaiHi Mihai, thankyou so much for the kind words. I’m so glad my blog has been helpful. I hope the weather is on your side, it mostly was for us and we found May to be quiet and uncrowded in most places we visited. You’re visiting two of my favourite places in the country, you’ll love it! Don’t miss Corcovado while you’re in Drake Bay. Enjoy! Sally