Waterfall Town of Bajos del Toro

If you are planning your next trip to Costa Rica or if you are already here and are in search of new magical places, how does it sound “waterfall trip to Bajos del Toro”? If this sounds interesting, I suggest paying attention to what you are about to read!

Deep in the middle of Costa Rica, near the Poás Volcano, we find a small town that few people knew about some years back, this town is named Bajos del Toro. This is a tiny town; less than one thousand people live and enjoy this quiet town every day.

When you search about waterfalls in Costa Rica, you will easily find some of the most known waterfalls like La Fortuna Waterfall or La Paz Waterfall. And it’s ok, go visit those places they are beautiful! But in the last years, with the help of social media, this new town has been winning popularity around Costaricans because of its natural beauty and photogenic landscapes full of waterfalls.

5 reasons why you should visit Bajos del Toro’s waterfalls

1. Fewer crowds are better, especially in Covid times

As I told you, the “Waterfall Town” of Bajos del Toro has been more famous lately. It’s becoming a great place to make one-day weekend trips from San José for locals. Making it less of a hidden gem and more like a must-visit place.

Related Post: One Day Hike in San José

The place isn’t fully developed yet in a touristic way, so since most visitors are locals, you won’t see people there during the weekdays, making the hikes easier and more peaceful.

(Fewer people walking in front of your camera when you are taking photos? Hell yeah!)

2. More than 5 different trails in the same place

Bajos del Toro town is very small. It’s basically a road with few houses, restaurants, hotels, small supermarkets, and entrances to the trails in front of it. Most of these trails have small information offices with restrooms, a parking lot, and a restaurant in front of this street.

The real struggle is having to decide which of the waterfall trails you want to do. It’s like going to Orlando and having to determine what amusement park to visit. These trails are not just walking and looking around. You will see wildlife in your way, you will want to swim in the waterfalls, you will take a lot of photos, so most of them take around 5-7 hours to complete.

The most famous waterfall trails in the zone are the following:

• Tesoro Escondido

The most famous waterfalls around the zone and it’s also the most developed trail of all. If you want to go for an easy/intermediate hike, this is the best option.

• Rio Agrio

When you buy the ticket to this waterfall, you also get access to Rio Agrio’s turquoise natural pools. The pools are around one mile away from the entrance of the waterfall. But don’t worry, the guys from Rio Agrio have a small truck to transport people from the waterfall to the natural pool entrance.

• Caída del Cielo

This is one of the highest waterfalls in the zone. Once you get to the waterfall, there’s a “secret trail” that takes you really close to Poás Volcano. I suggest you check this with the trail owners since some parts are not entirely legal to cross.

• Las Gemelas

Pay one get 4! Once you enter the trail of Las Gemelas, you will have access to four waterfalls. Enjoy Las Gemelas (twins), Roca Verde, and La Celestial waterfalls.

• Finca dos Ríos

Just right next to the Las Gemelas trail entrance, you will find access to Finca dos Ríos. A place with impressive waterfalls as well.

3. Great location for your Costa Rica itinerary 

Getting to Bajos del Toro isn’t easy. You will most likely have to rent a car and drive there (you could get there with a regular car, but I recommend you rent a car with 4×4). But at the same time, Bajos del Toro is in the middle of San Joseé and La Fortuna, two must-visit places in Costa Rica. Making this place a good stop on your trip.

Distances in Costa Rica aren’t so long, but you will usually pass by a cool place like Bajos del Toro when you go from one tourist place to another. So I strongly suggest you stop one day in Bajos del Toro! Try one or, if you are in excellent shape and motivated two trails. Continue then your way to La Fortuna or to San José.

4. Great value for an even more fantastic experience

Costa Rica isn’t a cheap place to travel around, I know it. But when visiting National Parks and natural beauties like Bajos del Toro we can’t argue! The entrances are really affordable, usually between $8 – $20.

Whether you get charged by a couple of guys at the entrance or by a small office at the trail entrance, you most likely will be charged 5,000 c0lones or $8, which, trust me, it’s an outstanding value for what you are going to see.

5. Swim in a beautiful natural pool

Pools are great. Who doesn’t love swimming in pools on a warm day? But have you ever swim in a natural pool? Maybe yes. But have you ever swim in a natural pool right next to an active volcano? This is really the added value when you visit Bajos del Toro. Some waterfall trails reach some parts of the Poás Volcano, like Caída del Cielo waterfall trail.

Natural pools here are pools you will hardly see in other parts of the world, and most of these trails have them. I personally recommend visiting the Rio Agrio turquoise pools. They even have small natural stone sliders where you will definitely have a lot of fun.

How to get to this Waterfall Town

Bajos del Toro belongs to the district of Toro Amarillo which is part of Sarchí from the Alajuela Province.

As I mentioned before, Bajos del Toro is a great place to visit on your way to La Fortuna. But at the same time, it isn’t far away from San José to make a one day trip. Take the Bernardo Soto route in the direction of Grecia, get to Sarchí after that, and then Bajos del Toro. Here is the Google Maps link.