{"id":8804,"date":"2022-12-17T04:39:27","date_gmt":"2022-12-17T04:39:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/graduatedtravelers.com\/?p=8804"},"modified":"2026-09-02T12:06:37","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T12:06:37","slug":"de-hidden-gem-van-costa-rica","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/graduatedtravelers.com\/en\/de-hidden-gem-van-costa-rica\/","title":{"rendered":"The hidden gem of Costa Rica - Bajos del Toro"},"content":{"rendered":"

Costa Rica<\/span><\/mark><\/a> is known for its exuberant nature and wildlife. Most of these can be found in the quite well-known and touristic national parks. However, there are still a number of lesser-known places that you should not miss. One of these places is 2 hours away from the capital San Jos\u00e9. Here you will find a huge waterfall in a spectacular setting and rivers and waterfalls that are bluer than you can imagine. This hidden gem of Costa Rica is located in beautiful Bajos del Toro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The hidden gem of Costa Rica<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Catarata del Toro is an ecological private reserve between La Fortuna<\/span><\/mark><\/a> and Alajuela. This reserve is the habitat of more than 207 species of birds and has no less than 6 waterfalls. The reserve consists of two parts: Catarata del Toro and the Blue Falls. Together with the Nauyaca falls<\/span><\/mark><\/a> , Catarata del Toro and the Blue falls are certainly the most beautiful waterfalls in Costa Rica. But where everyone already knows the Nauyaca falls, Catarata del Toro and the Blue falls are still real hidden gems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"luiaard
Sloth with her (hidden) baby<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"kolibrie
Hummingbird<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The reserve is open from Monday to Saturday between 07:00 and 17:00. There is a large parking lot at the entrance to the reserve. It is therefore easy to reach by car. There are also toilets and a small caf\u00e9 at the entrance. In the parking lot we immediately spot a sloth with her baby. And as soon as we stepped into the cafe, the hummingbirds flew around us. You can also buy tickets for both parts at the entrance. You can read which options there are and how much they cost below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
Viewpoint of Catarata del Toro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Catarata del Toro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Catarata del Toro<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A hidden gem of Costa Rica is Catarata del Toro. This mighty waterfall falls from an enormous height into an old volcanic crater. The surroundings of the waterfall are beautiful and unlike anything you've ever seen. After a few steps from the entrance you will already reach the first viewpoint, where you can admire the huge waterfall from above. As you walk through the amazing rainforest you will come across several viewpoints where you can see the waterfall well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
Stairs to the crater<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Inside the crater<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Eventually you can go all the way down with more than 350 steps. You descend about 90 meters into the crater. At the very bottom you can walk around the crater to admire the entire waterfall and surroundings. You will notice that the sprayed water stings a little in your eyes, because the water is so acidic. You can also see that the water is acidic by where the vegetation does and does not grow in the crater. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A ticket for this waterfall will cost you \u20ac14 per person, but you can also combine it with a ticket for the Blue falls. While you're here, you don't want to miss the bluest waterfalls we've ever seen!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"Tour
Start of the hike to the Blue falls<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"toekan
Toucan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Blue falls<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Blue falls did not get their name just like that. As I said these falls are really very blue. The adventure to these waterfalls actually starts right away. You go to the waterfalls with a guide and you will have to hike a bit for it. At the start of our hike we immediately spotted a toucan! The rest of the hike was also great, because of the incredibly beautiful surroundings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reserve consists of a cloud forest. With us it rained during the tour and it was immediately clear why this is called that. The clouds hung very low in the rainforest and when we came back from the Blue falls, Catarata del Toro had completely disappeared in the clouds. How many waterfalls you will see and how long you will hike depends on which tour you do. You have two options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"cloud
Cloud Forest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"hike
Hike to the Blue falls<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Light version<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The light version of the Blue falls tour consists of a hike of 4.5 km. You will visit the hidden gems of Costa Rica. With this tour you will hike along the Las Gemelas waterfall, blue rapids, blue pool, Tepezquintle and La Celestial. With this tour you can choose how many to see and can stop earlier or later depending on what the group wants. As a result, this tour takes between 2 and 4 hours and costs \u20ac15 per person. If you do both the light version of the Blue falls and visit Catarata del Toro you can buy a combination ticket for \u20ac25. We have done this and we definitely recommend it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
Las Gemelas<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Blue falls<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Full version<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The full version of the Blue falls tour takes about 5 to 6 hours and costs \u20ac50 per person. You must be at least 18 years old for this tour and it is important that you make a reservation in advance. During this tour you will visit all the waterfalls that are in the reserve and you will therefore have to hike a lot longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will have the opportunity to swim on both tours. In addition, there are parts where you walk through the water. So put on your swimsuit and water shoes. When we did this tour it was raining and the water was really cold. So also take dry clothes with you, so that you can change in the toilets after the tour. We had not done this and were quite cold on the way back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

TIP<\/strong>: Put on swimsuits and water shoes, because you will get wet!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What to bring to the hidden gem of Costa Rica?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n