It is a group of five waterfalls: Templo, Magia Blanca, Encantada, Escondida, and La Paz, between which there are hiking and educational trails. The Blue Falls of Costa Rica are two waterfalls with blue color (locally known as Cataratas Las Gemelas). For this reason we suggest avoiding weekends. Catarata del Toro & the Blue Falls | Central Valley & Highlands, Costa There are many signs so you cant miss it. Im always worried about slipping on these kinds of crossings, but our guide immediately gave me a hand and made the crossing easy. Oropendola Waterfall: an easy access canyon waterfall you can swim at, Rio Celeste Waterfall: the real hack to beat the crowds and it's not going early. Theres TONS of hummingbirds! Thank you so much for reading here, and see you soon. It is all up to you. Read the study from the University of Costa Rica here. Blue Falls of Costa Rica 5 21 reviews #2 of 8 things to do in Bajos del Toro Waterfalls Closed now Visit website Call Email Write a review About Ready for your bluest and coldest waterfall experience in Costa Rica? To visit the Blue Falls of Costa Rica, every visitor has to go with a guide from Catarata del Toro Adventures. Each one is unique. When we got to the office, it was cloudy, dark and drizzling. We recommend sturdy, closed-toe footwear like sneakers or hiking boots, sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent, and a lightweight raincoat or poncho. We have liability insurance from the INS, guaranteed by Costa Rica. Im SO thankful they provided us a guide because he knew exactly where to go, helped us walk on the rocks, told us the best photo spots and made sure we were safe. Duration is 5 6 hours, and the minimum age is 18 years; however, if you, as the parent(s), think your son or daughter can do it, it will be no problem. It is all up to you. Self-guided: Adults $15, Children $7.50, Seniors (65+) $7.50, Guided Extreme Tour: $50 per person (recommended for ages 18+ with good physical ability), Combo Entrance to Blue Falls & Catarata del Toro: Adults $25, Children $12.50, Seniors (65+) $12.50. Catarata del Toro and the Blue Falls of Costa Rica are located within a private rainforest preserve about an hour from the La Paz Waterfall Gardens. To reach this blue waterfall, you have to cross the property to the southeast point. The whole scene is simply magnificent. Go to Catarata Del Torobefore or after the Blue Falls Full tour. Instead, we would recommend taking Route 126 to Route 140, then connecting to Route 708 from there. The trail is moderate difficulty and you do not need to be in top shape to walk it, just decent shape and not have any ankle, knee or leg problems. Blue Falls Full requires previous reservations which must be made on their website. You need to have a sense of adventure to visit however. This part of the walk is all on a dirt road, with some stones you can use if the road is muddy. Rio Celeste waterfall is one of the most beautiful attractions in Costa Rica, but there are a few things you should know before visiting! Especially when you come early. After about 24 km on this road, youll finally reach the well-maintained parking lot of Catarata del Toro, where youll find the ticket office. 1. In the summer dry season months, a sedan can work. Heres a quick video of our visit to the Blue Falls. Just to the left of the turquoise waterfall is a second waterfall - Las Gemelas translates as the twins! It costs $14 to see the Catarata del Toro area, $15 to see the Blue Falls area, or $25 to see both sides. But trust us that we are 100% committed to conserving the natural environment and beauty around us. If there has been exceptionally heavy rain the falls can turn brown, or have the blue colour significantly diluted. For now, the most famous and visited one as we started to offer these waterfalls first. Why is the river blue? Bajos del Toro - The Ultimate Guide to chasing the best waterfalls in Let me know in the comments below! In Costa Rica, there are several blue waterfalls, the Rio Celeste being the most famous. If you pass the La Celestial entrance, keep going north on the trail for another 100 meters. Be aware that the first part of either video shows Blue Falls of Costa Rica, and the second part of either video shows Catarata Del Toro. The waterfall is less tall than some of the others, but wider and equally stunning. Tucked high up in the cloud forest, surrounded by mountains and volcanoes, these two twin blue waterfalls will take your breath away. Turn right at the sign and walk through the primary forest another 75 meters slowly downhill. 2023 Catarata Del Toro Adventures S.A. | All Rights Reserved | Contact us through WhatsApp +506 8399-7476 or e-mail: Remember that Rome wasnt built in one day either, and all the above: The minimum time you should consider is 2 hours, but now you can easily spend 3 to 4 hours, or if it fits you, the whole day. You can access your free e-book by clicking on this link. After a brief walk/hike you end up and a beautiful waterfall and can walk along a path that has several very blue swimming holes. Costa Rica's most beautiful and impressive waterfall. Come the rainy season (May through November), you may run into a few problems while visiting: All in all, so long as youre well-prepared and have managed your expectations, Catarata del Toro is definitely still worth visiting in the rainy season- you just may not get to see quite the same epic blue color! Nonetheless the atmosphere was incredible. Poza Azul is yet another sensational spot. After just over 310m youll reach a narrow bridge and after a little more downhill the trail will undulate - but its never steep. It has hiking trails that lead to seven blue waterfalls, two regular waterfalls, and several swimming holes. Blue Falls of Costa Rica 5 21 reviews #2 of 8 things to do in Bajos del Toro Waterfalls Closed now Visit website Call Email Write a review About Ready for your bluest and coldest waterfall experience in Costa Rica? All Rights Reserved. beauty, three or four blue waterfalls, rapids, a virgin forest, and a beautifully secluded part of the river. By the time we got down to the falls, it stopped drizzling, cleared up a bit and we got to enjoy the full Blue Falls experience. The name translated from those two blue waterfalls right next to each other is The Twins. Necessary to know and accept:Accept the limitation of liability, no pets, and no kids under six. La Pintada is something different. Does that not sound desirable: blue waterfalls and pools surrounded by lush tropical forests? Thanks for your support. Regardless of whether youre coming from San Jose or La Fortuna, the road will be paved the entire way. Although the track is well signed posted and easy to navigate, a guide is mandatory to visit Blue Falls. Then you MUST visit the Blue Falls of Costa Rica! The minimum time you should consider is 2 hours, but now you can easily spend 3 to 4 hours, or if it fits you, the whole day. Stroll and open your senses until you reach the waterfall. The blue river then spills over the rocks towards you. Best Waterfalls in Costa Rica Looking to see more spectacular waterfalls? Swimming is allowed but be careful. From there, you work your way down, through the river, up and down, to the La Pintada waterfall. Read the study from the University of Costa Rica here. As I mentioned earlier, there are two waterfalls (Cataratas Las Gemelas) for the Blue Falls Light tour. Another really cool thing about this waterfall? This helps towards the costs of running our website. Costa Rica is known for its incredible waterfalls, but did you know that one of its most stunning waterfalls remains a hidden gem? Waterfall la Piedra del Indio. From Poza Azul youll head back to the junction and then begin heading immediately uphill. Crossing rivers, feel spied upon on the forest trail. You will first see the river, then the first waterfall and then the second waterfall. We never saw a shape like this ourselves.Unfortunately, we cannot allow you to enter the river at this point for safety reasons. See some of our favorites with this post. You start the tour by crossing the farm up to la Tepezquintle. We did this one. Welcome to the Blue Falls of Costa Rica, Nature as Perfect as it can get. The waterfall sits in a deep bowl, completely surrounded by impossibly lush ferns, and seriously looks like something straight out of Jurassic Park. Getting to higher grounds and safety is easy if an earthquake or another natural disaster hits. The main road is paved but with potholes in some sections and is very steep. Blue Falls Costa Rica Really Does Have The Bluest Waterfalls Were Cat & Joe, two Brits, now living in Australia, with a passion for the outdoors and adventure travel. ). The stairs are mostly made up of small stones and were soaking wet, but thankfully they looked more slippery than they actually were. Good shoes. Fittingly, las gemelas translates from Spanish to the twins.. You could also opt to skip this one if you dont fancy the slightly rougher terrain. It has hiking trails that lead to seven blue waterfalls, two regular waterfalls, and several swimming holes. Mytanfeet is full of local tips, detailed guides, photos, videos and maps to help you plan the perfect trip to Costa Rica. However, once you turn onto the road that the reserve is located on, Route 708, it gets windy, steep, and has lots of gnarly potholes. And the best option available here is to plan your blue-in-person visit. We want to share this video; keep tissues at hand; so beautiful! So adjust your itinerary a little bit for a few hours. All waterfalls are safely accessible. Once youve gotten your gorgeous waterfall and hummingbird fix, you can retrace your steps and, if you so choose, go explore the other waterfalls and swimming holes in the park. The Blue Falls of Costa Rica are part of the same natural park as Catarata del Toro, and they are located just minutes away from it. Also, a blue swimming pool, mountains, birds, views, a beautiful hike, a workout, a good feeling, and happiness to be back. After just under 100m of dirt track and some rocks, youll reach the base of Tepezquintle (for reference this is roughly 2.8km from the start of the walk). You also can visit a sister property just up the street called Catarata del Toro. The guide will help you across the river and up to see both waterfalls. These sit right next to each other. Good to Know:The tour is as safe as possible. It had a tree down over the cascade on our visit, but it was still gorgeous. 2023 Catarata Del Toro Adventures S.A. | All Rights Reserved | Contact us through WhatsApp +506 8399-7476 or e-mail: Why is the river blue? In fact, they can look more tan or brown in color. However I have seen it look blue in rainy season too, so its worth checking if thats when youre visiting. We have all the up-to-date permits which are needed to operate. Blue Falls of Costa Rica: SWIM In Beautiful Waterfalls! - Greta's Travels One of the waterfalls has milky, robins egg blue water spilling over its cliffside, while the other one is tucked away in a fern-covered canyon, with clear, electric blue water. This leads to a path with some small rocks that are not too hard to navigate. Keep in mind that rainfall can affect the color of the water. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. THE 10 CLOSEST Hotels to Blue Falls of Costa Rica, Bajos del Toro Viento Fresco If you're traveling between Monteverde and Arenal, there's no good excuse for skipping this stop. Youll return back the way you came and then take a slightly different route from the bottom of the stairs after exiting the rainforest. Youll arrive at the waterfall after youve been walking for just over 1.5km (from the car park). Due to standing water or mudslides on the roadways, you may have a more difficult time reaching El Catarata del Toro Ecological Reserve if you have a sedan. You must bring: Walking shoes or boots, anti-slip tennis- or water shoes for the swimming part, or just old tennis shoes for the entire trip, swimming gear, anti-mosquito repellent, sun blocker, 1.5 liters of drinker water, snacks, and a camera. Rio Celeste Rio Celeste may just be one of the most famous waterfalls in Costa Rica, thanks to its eye-poppingly electric blue water. Monday to Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Those looking for a more accessible waterfall can head to, The main bridge leading to the waterfalls. Sector Santa Maria natural hot springs: the most underrated gem in Costa Rica? The full tour is $50 USD per person and it takes you to 4 more waterfalls so you see 7 total and a couple blue pools. 2023. Notably the trails, which cut through a lot of pasture, were being expanded and planted with native plants and trees. Getting to higher grounds and safety is easy if an earthquake or another natural disaster hits. They can be rustic in parts and require the odd bit of rock hopping, but generally speaking the paths are pretty good. Prices 2023 - Blue Falls of Costa Rica waterfalls - Costa Rica. Thank you for reading our post! This privately-owned ecological blue waterfall project is still in its development stage (51%). We always will have our tour guides watching, advising, and helping. It is easily reachable and only a 12-minute leisurely mud-free stroll from the entrance. Blue Falls is roughly 71km and a 2 hour drive from San Jose. Good to Know: The tour is as safe as possible. One portion of the park includes the trail to Catarata del Toro and a tropical flower garden and another portion, located down the road from the main office, includes the Blue Falls and a few smaller attractions, like Poza Azul, a swimming hole with incredibly blue (and incredibly cold!) . This picturesque waterfall falls into a small rocky pool. The water contains a mineral called aluminum sulfate that is bigger than average. Use Google Maps: 'Blue Falls of Costa Rica, Alajuela Province, Bajos Del Toro' and voila! There are a few rocks again, but it gets deep relatively quickly. The setting is so serene, with the turquoise water backed by fern covered cliffs. Luckily, there arent too many things you need to enjoy the Blue Falls, but theres a few items Id be sure are on your Costa Rica packing list so that you can make the most of your visit: As mentioned above, Justin and I had to leave earlier than we wouldve liked during our visit, given that we had to drive all the way back to La Fortuna and didnt want to drive at night. The early part of the walk is not particularly scenic and definitely not indicative of whats to come! If you visit both, the price is $25 USD per adult. The Blue Falls trail has to be one of the best wild swimming walks in the world and a must even if you dont like swimming and just want to experience the sensational scenery. At the time, (in 2019) the Rio Celeste waterfall, also known as the blue falls of Costa Rica, was making a huge splash on social media because it's a gorgeous waterfall that plummets into the cerulean blue water. Know that we will go as fast and far as you want and that you can have your (private) spot for a swim and a break anywhere at any time. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. The depth increases slowly but steadily until you reach the end of the rapids. Also, mountains, birds, typical waterfalls, forests, and canyons, and happy to be back. This tour is a good part of the day. Here are the steps for visiting the Blue Falls of Costa Rica: There are no buses that go to Bajos del Toro or Catarata del Toro Adventures. Theres also an onsite restaurant, with seriously tasty Costa Rican food. What a sight to behold! Youll continue on a track largely made up of rocks and then theres a little wooden bridge to cross. If you have more time in the area, we also highly recommend to check out other waterfall hikes in Bajos del Toro like Tesoro Escondido or Rio Agrio waterfall. The first waterfall youll visit is Las Gemelas, and its 550m from the signpost. It wasnt a fully clear blue sky but we got to see the beautiful blue color, especially when the sun shone through the clouds. As soon as we crossed the river, my jaw dropped and I was blown away by how absolutely beautiful the waterfalls were! Its definitely an amazing way to start your day! The Blue Falls of Costa Rica is a private 126-acre (51 hectare) property. with no safety barriers, so drive slowly - you pretty much have to anyway due to the gradient! Our mission is to share the travel tips & tricks we learn along the way with our 1.5 million annual readers providing advice to make travel more accessible for everyone. Its a forest lovers dream! The second waterfall you have to walk on the rocks to see this one since its around the corner. Hidden Gems of Costa Rica: Catarata del Toro and Blue Falls Loving the green views of the mountains, volcanoes, and forest. But the information on this page is also valid. There are many potholes along the way. Youll walk down the main road (from the parking lot looking at the road to your left) about 5-10 minutes until you see a blue gate on the right hand side. The blue color of the river and waterfalls comes from volcanic minerals released by Poas Volcano. We are continually investing time and money to keep everything safe as possible. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. Blue Falls of Costa Rica 6 kilometers north of Bajos Del Toro, Sarch, Alajuela, Costa Rica. Clear Views Incredible 360 views Views, amazing beautiful views is what you can expect. And know that not one photo on this website is photoshopped. You can visit: Tepezquintle, Las Gemelas, La Celestial, La Turquesa, and La Pintada. Walk My World 22 April 2023 The Blue Falls are some of the most spectacular waterfalls in Costa Rica. And also offer the most convenient access. And if you want to do Catarata Del Toro, Costa Ricas Ultimate Secret, on the same day, the combo price will be USD 25 = value for money! It wasnt until we got back to the parking lot when another couple started walking down. To visit the Blue Falls of Costa Rica, every visitor has to go with a guide from Catarata del Toro Adventures. Waterfalls. We care for nature; we pay and treat our employees fairly and squarely. Its free. Blue Falls of Costa Rica - Tripadvisor This privately-owned ecological blue waterfall project is still in its development stage (51%). 9 Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations in Costa Rica Read more about less trafficked destinations and why they are worth a visit. Once you meet the guide at the gate, youll walk about 30 minutes to the waterfalls. The Blue Falls are located in a small rural town in the mountainous cloud forest of Central Costa Rica, Bajos del Toro . The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Theres a large pool at the base and youll need to climb down a couple of rocks before negotiating a few rocks inside the water to get to the deeper section for swimming. They provide walking sticks and have guides available near the falls to direct you where to go. You may also hear them called Las Gemelas, meaning the The Twins ( cuz theres, like, two of them). After a few hundred meters through the forest, we descend to the blue river, crossing it and walking it upstream for another 100 meters. Know that not one photo was photoshopped. Duration: 2-3 hours.Age: 4 67+Weight: Easy to mediumTotal Walking Distance: 4.5 km.Price: USD 15.Reservation: It is not needed.Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 07.00 17.00 hours and Sunday is closed. Be aware that, at least in the rainy season, the mornings generally are better than the afternoons. 9 Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations in Costa Rica, Toucan Rescue Ranch: Wildlife and Sloth Tour, Tortuga Island Catamaran: Beach & Snorkel Tour from Jaco. These sit right next to each other. La Paz Waterfall and Peace Lodge Gardens. Additionally, to get to the waterfalls, you do need to cross a river and the guide will help you across. We always will have our tour guides watching, advising, and helping. The series of turquoise waterfalls are located in a pristine patch of rainforest, creating some of the most magical scenes in the country. How to visit the Whale Tail in Costa Rica: tides, the walk, and more, Cerro Tortuguero: the best walk in Tortuguero, La Leona Waterfall: difficulty, crowds, and private vs group tours, How to visit Nauyaca Waterfall the easy way, 15 incredible things to do in Manuel Antonio National Park, Poza Los Coyotes: the best $4 you could possibly spend in Costa Rica, The magical San Gerardo de Dota: a quetzal spotting paradise, 10 things to know before using Uber in Costa Rica, El Tigre Waterfalls - what to expect & the truth about the uphill climb, Skip Los Quetzales National Park unless you enter through the backdoor, The truth about the wild hike to Rio Savegre Waterfall, Rainmaker: hanging bridges and jungle swimming holes without the crowds, Uvita Waterfall: the natural jungle waterslide plus swimming holes, Bijagual Falls: the wild hike to the bottom of Costa Rica's tallest waterfall. You get a lot of spray from the falls, so its almost like its raining as you get close. You dont choose your guide, they are assigned when you buy your entry ticket, but if they are all as nice as Victor then youll definitely have a good time. Same office where you park. Our guide was quite insistent we take one, so we did. Estamos felices de presentar nuestro segundo proyecto: Blue Falls of Costa Rica - La naturaleza lo ms perfecta y, de hecho, la madre de todos los ros azules en Costa Rica. El Silencio Lodge: If youre looking to treat yourself for a night or two, this luxurious hotel is the perfect place to do it. There isnt public transit that goes to the reserve, so if renting a car isnt in the budget for you for this trip, you can also consider joining a tour, like this Full Day Bajos del Toro hiking tour or this Waterfalls and Volcano Trekking tour, that leaves from San Jose and allows you to explore Catarata del Toro, as well as other waterfalls around Bajos del Toro. Although we always prefer to do things independently, our guide Victor was lovely. Heres everything you need to know about visiting Blue Falls. The information on Walk My World (www.walkmyworld.com) is for research and general informational purposes only. The water contains a mineral called aluminum sulfate that is bigger than average. Straight away our guide told us that the waterfall was looking much less blue than usual. This pretty extreme tour is only for healthy people in excellent physical condition. They offer 2 guided walks: a light and full. If you are 67+ but healthy and fit, then, of course, you are welcome. The best time to see the Blue Falls and its colors is in the morning. I couldnt believe it when as if on a cue a hummingbird arrived and entertained me as I swam up and down the turquoise pool. By lisatallyho. Accessing the water is fairly easy, you just need to negotiate a few rocks, although they are wet and a touch slippery. Those looking for a more accessible waterfall can head to Catarata del Toro. See Google maps: Blue Falls of Costa Rica, Alajuela Province, Bajos Del Toro..
Lake Martin Family Medicine Patient Portal, Articles B