If you’re looking for a calmer experience and want to get away from the crowds that visit Costa Rica, there’s a place you can go. It’s called the Catarata del Toro, and it’s one of the countries best-kept secrets.
The Catarata del Toro is a breathtaking waterfall located in the Central Valley region of Costa Rica. It is one of the tallest waterfalls in the country and a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors with its stunning beauty and lush tropical surroundings. The waterfall is surrounded by a dense jungle, offering a unique and immersive experience for those who visit.
So if you’re looking to explore Costa Rica and all its natural wonders, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll talk about all you need to know about visiting the Catarata del Toro.
How Do You Get To The Catarata Del Toro?
While it remains a hidden gem in the country, the Catarata del Toro isn’t hard to find at all. If you find yourself in Costa Rica, all you have to do is type “Catarata Del Toro” into Google maps and you’ll get directions to the place easily. It’s located in the town of Bajos del Toro, which is a town in the Northern region of Costa Rica’s Central Valley.
Whether you’re driving or taking the bus to the falls, you won’t run into too much trouble, but getting to the mountains is only half the journey.
To get to the actual falls, you’re going to need to hike, which is a really fun activity to do in Costa Rica, as the place is filled with beautiful scenery that will take your breath away.
Since the falls lie in the middle of a huge rainforest reserve, expect to be hiking for while, but if you’re not up to the hike, you can also see the falls from the on-site restaurant, and it looks beautiful even from there. But if you choose to hike, you’ll be treated to a host of wildlife and a magnificent view of the 300-foot waterfall.
While the hike and the view make the trip very enticing, there are a couple of things you need to know before you decide on going.
Park Hours And Fees
As mentioned earlier, the waterfalls are in a private forest reserve, so you have to pay a fee to go in. But don’t worry, it isn’t that much. It costs $14 for adults, roughly 8,000 colones, and $7 for children aged 4-11 and senior citizens (about 4,000 colones).
One of the advantages of it being on private property is that the facilities are nice. There is a good parking area, a restaurant, bathrooms, and the trail is very well maintained.
The reserve is also only open from 7 AM-5 PM, Mondays to Saturdays, so make sure to plan the trip around that schedule.
How Are The Hiking Trails?
As mentioned earlier, the trail to the waterfalls is well-maintained. While it isn’t the hardest hiking route out there, it can be pretty tough. The trail starts fairly easily, as it is mostly flat, but that only lasts until you reach a set of around 400 concrete steps.
This leads down to the actual waterfall and can be pretty tough to descend and climb back up. The stairs are pretty steep and they can sometimes be uneven. The hike to the falls will take around 90 minutes or longer, depending on how your pace. It isn’t recommended for those with heart conditions
But the trail is filled with great viewpoints of the waterfalls. So make sure to take your time and absorb all the beauty that the Catarata del Toro has to offer. And if you the trail isn’t for you, don’t worry, you have a great view of the falls right outside the on-site restaurant, too!
Tips For First-Time Visitors
1. Wear Comfortable Clothes
Visiting the falls will usually mean you’ll be doing a lot of walking, so make sure to wear something you feel comfortable to move in. Also, remember to wear closed-toe hiking shoes as the trail can be slippery.
2. Bring Water And Sunscreen
Since you’ll be hiking, it’s best to stay hydrated and keep yourself from getting sunburnt.
3. The Falls Aren’t The Only Attraction
There are other things to do on the reserve such as a Hummingbird photo shoot, a canyon tour, and the Blue Falls tour.
4. You Don’t Have To Hike
It isn’t recommended for those with heart conditions to take the hike, so don’t force yourself if you aren’t up to it.
5. You Can Spend The Night!
The reserve itself has small rooms for two that you can avail of if you want to stay longer, and you can also find a lot of AirBnb’s in the town of Bajos del Toro.
And that’s all you need to know about visiting the Catarata del Toro. So if you’ve been searching for something to do in Costa Rica away from the usual large tourist crowds, a trip to these beautiful falls is the way to go!
