These sit right next to each other. At first we were disappointed when the predicted sunny weather didnt happen for us, but in fact the cloud and mist made for one of the most atmospheric walks weve done. Let's have a closer look at them. As of 01 February 2022, all waterfalls are accessible. Theres also an onsite restaurant, with seriously tasty Costa Rican food. To access the waterfall you have a short (few minutes) walk up the river. And, 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. The water rushing over both of the falls flow into one river, combining to create an eye-popping stream of turquoise water. The blue color of the river and waterfalls comes from volcanic minerals released by Poas Volcano. My husband and I spoke to Jenn via Zoom about 6 months ago, we appreciated all of your advice! Because of stronger currents dredging up mud from the river floor, the Blue Falls tend to well, look a lot less blue! Since our family didnt have a lot of time to explore the entire property, we are already looking forward to going back again soon. Costa Rica's most Beautiful and Impressive Waterfall Second to None in Beauty and Splendor Our opening hours are Monday to Saturday, 07.00-17.00, Sunday is closed, and no reservations are required. Originally, there was only access to this pair of cataratas, so their image has long been associated with the site, and visitors are most excited to see these two falls. And in case of an accident, we have our liability insurance. Our next stop was La Fortuna. Read the study from the University of Costa Rica here. Its free. Entering the blue world to behold the most amazing blue waterfalls. There is very limited public transport around the region, and even if you were able to reach Bajos del Toro via bus, it would be near impossible to move between the waterfalls. It is magical, and remains etched in my mind as much as the waterfalls themselves. Those views are so incredible that it never gets routine even after many years. We stayed for two nights, and in addition to the Blue Falls, we visited Catarata del Toro, Paraiso Manantiales and Catarata Vuelta del Caon. I will touch more on the differences between the normal (Light option) and the guided (Full Extreme option) below. And thats exactly what we got. A local expert explained to us that the blue color is only a reflection of sunlight on the minerals floating in the water. The best places to visit in Costa Rica - Lonely Planet When the light reflects on it, it produces a vibrant blue colour. But it is possible to visit the Blue Falls with a guide. Every waterfall has its characteristics and own beauty. Its better if there hasnt been rain for at least a few hours. The increased water flow from the falls may make it too dangerous to swim in the river. . Catarata del Toro is located in the remote village of Bajos del Toro, about one hour and 40 minutes away from both San Jose or La Fortuna. Welcome to the Blue Falls of Costa Rica, Nature as Perfect as it can get. It fills us daily, with grace and a sense of immense inner peace. Required fields are marked *. Also, mountains, birds, typical waterfalls, forests, and canyons, and happy to be back. If you are 67+ but healthy and fit, then, of course, you are welcome. , on the same day, the combo price will be USD 25 = value for money! As I mentioned earlier, the owners of the Blue Falls of Costa Rica have another attraction the Catarata del Toro. Both these roads are paved and you do not need a 4WD, weve done it in a very old 4WD and a newer small car and the small car coped better! Although its possible to drive all the way up 708 from the south, we would recommend driving to the Blue Falls via Route 126, which means you will actually loop around and approach the waterfalls from the north. It all started about 10 years ago with an amazing two-week vacation . Hi Breanna, Good to hear from you again! From here you are just 400m away from the final waterfall, La Celestial. Getting to higher grounds and safety is easy if an earthquake or another natural disaster hits. The owners of the Blue Falls and Catarata del Toro previously offered a couple of cabins on-site. Blue Falls of Costa Rica - Tripadvisor The entire property can be explored in three to four hours. It has hiking trails that lead to seven blue waterfalls, two regular waterfalls, and several swimming holes. Our guide was quite insistent we take one, so we did. In fact, it makes an excellent midway stop if you fly into San Jose and are making the drive north to La Fortuna! This is a very easy pool to access and better for swimming than any other spot along the trail. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Talk about a magical place! Most visitors to Costa Rica have La Fortuna on their itinerary, but we would highly recommend adding a day or two in Bajos del Toro on the way. Read the study from the University of Costa Rica. But if youre up for the adventure of the Blue Falls, you will most likely want to visit Catarata del Toro too. Youll then walk a little further to reach the junction where you may or may not have picked up your wooden stick. It is definitely passable with any car, you just need to drive slowly and carefully. We walked to all 6 attractions and Braydens Garmin watch said we had done about 8 km / 5 mi when we were finished, and we were at the site for around 4 hours, including plenty of stops for swimming, photos and lunch. If you continue up the left side of the river, you can then see the second twin waterfall off to the left. You can swim in the pool here. Thats exciting that your trip is coming up. 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. 298 were here. Seethe videoat the end of this page for the first impression. There are guides here to further explain the property, and point you in the right direction. Check out our latest stories here and follow us on Instagram (@UprootedTraveler), YouTube, or on Facebook to see what were up to next! Remember that Rome wasnt built in one day either, and all the above:Deo Volente. We had our picnic lunch here, and had the waterfall all to ourselves! Also, we will cross a river by a bridge until we end up in the. These waterfalls are unique in their own way and can both be accessed from the same parking lot. These are the most popular ones and are a little easier to access than the other set. However, the park is constantly making improvements and has built a metal walkway that spans the entire width of the river. What info do you have as it concerns the cyber attacks mounted against Costa Rica by Conti hackers? You reach a viewpoint looking over an incredible waterfall pouring into a large blue pool. How to Visit The Incredible Blue Falls of Costa Rica They generally recommend visiting the first 3 falls first, and then seeing how you feel. Easily accessible, with only a few steps, very spacy, and very important: a very gentle increase of depth. Adventure Tours. But there is something about a bright blue waterfall that heightens its allure. It sits in a moss covered canyon and has the most astonishing shade of blue water. Even a really grey morning couldnt diminish its beauty. Normally Id be a little disappointed, but honestly it was like a scene from Jurassic Park - with thick mist and the powerful waterfall surrounded by orange cliffs and lots of foliage. The most famous waterfalls on the property are a set of two cascades called Las Gemelas. Its located on private land and owned by the same people as Catarata Del Toro. We supply a safe and guarded parking lot, restroom before and after, a walking stick, a tour guide, and the most beautiful experience. From here you can see the falls just ahead of you. This is $50 USD per person and must be booked in advance. ). Youll have a 150m climb on a series of stairs before you begin the descent. You can normally drive to a car park down the road when you have your tickets. There are many potholes along the way. This thundering fall might not have a lot of height, but the wide curtain of water pouring down into the pool below is seriously strong. Thanks for your support. There is a third option to visit the Blue Falls of Costa Rica, which is the Full Extreme Tour. Because the colour is essentially an optical illusion created by light, if you visit on a cloudy or rainy day, the blue tone wont be as vibrant. The next waterfall youll visit is Tepezquintle and this is the slightly more challenging one. We arrived first thing, so the second car park wasnt open yet, and we walked from the ticket office to the trailhead, which was 470m down the road. This is no longer the case. After this point, its all rocks to get closer to the waterfall. 2023 - Walk My World. And to finish your day more than ideal you also can visit the incredible Catarata Del Toro waterfall. This causes volcanic minerals to get into its waters, and color it blue. 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. Hi Peg, Thanks for following along all this time! Thank you for reading our post! Good to know that your safety is our priority. Its much quicker to drive via Route 126 and connect with Route 708 in the north, as you will avoid the very heavily pot-holed section of 708 in the south. The trail is well marked and maintained. Approximately twenty-five minutes till this point, and then: 1 Get ready for an extra fifteen-minute hike over a jungle trail and through a blue water canyon to the waterfallTepezquintle.2 We use the same way back, and then we will descend into the blue riverand towards theLas Gemelas.3 We take a quick look from above at the blue rapids.4 Entering the beautiful blue pool.5 We will take a not-so-easy route from here, and the tour guide will bring you safely to La Celestial, La Turquesa, and La Pintada.6 And down to a vast blue lake.7 And finally, a section where we can spot another threewaterfallsand some lovely surroundings.8 From here, we are heading back. 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. BLUE FALLS OF COSTA RICA (Bajos del Toro) - Tripadvisor The trails at Blue Falls are not accessible for those with limited mobility. Also, a blue swimming pool, mountains, birds, views, a beautiful hike, a workout, a good feeling, and happiness to be back. 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. We have liability insurance from the INS, guaranteed by Costa Rica. Blue Falls of Costa Rica quick facts Need to know Location: Google Maps Opening hours: Monday - Saturday (CLOSED SUNDAYS), 7 am - 5 pm Entrance fee: $15 USD or $25 USD combo with Catarata del Toro Hike length: from ~ 4 - 8 km / 2.5 - 5 mi Difficulty: Moderate - difficult Swimming: Yes Youll pass a second trail junction and then begin heading downhill on a series of stairs. And also offer the most convenient access. They can be rustic in parts and require the odd bit of rock hopping, but generally speaking the paths are pretty good. This post shares everything you need to know about visiting the Blue Falls of Costa Rica. Your email address will not be published. There are some very steep and windy mountain roads. Getting to higher grounds and safety is easy if an earthquake or another natural disaster hits. 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. Enjoy this fantastic place; swimming is allowed, and pictures are necessary.2 We take a quick look from above at the blue rapids.3 Entering the beautiful blue pool, which offers the safest swimming opportunity, also for children of any age.4 Get ready for another fifteen minutes hike over a jungle trail and through a blue water canyon to the waterfall Tepezquintle.5 If there is time and energy, you can add the La Celestial.6 Going back. There are a handful of accommodation options around Bajos del Toro for a range of budgets. It is extremely informative in a variety of respects. Can it be over 10 years? We care for nature; we pay and treat our employees fairly and squarely. Is the trail to the Blue Falls of Costa Rica difficult? We offer no transportation to and from our start location: Google Maps Waze: Catarata Del Toro. The customer is responsible for being on time and bringing the correct clothes/shoes/gear. Cascada El Pavon: the best free thing to do near Uvita? A ton of work has been done to make it possible to even hike here, but the trails are uneven, incredibly slippery and steep in parts. Hello, I read about Catarata Las Gemelas when researching travel from La Fortuna to Manual Antonio. And also offer the most convenient access. 9 Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations in Costa Rica Read more about less trafficked destinations and why they are worth a visit. The depth increases slowly but steadily until you reach the end of the rapids. Its possible to swim in both of these falls if you wish. The water from the crater and surrounding volcano collects into a river, which winds its way down the hillside and close to the town. Weve done it with our kids. Heres everything you need to know about visiting the Blue Falls of Costa Rica, an unmissable hidden gem. The Blue Falls of Costa Rica are not as simple to access as some of the other waterfalls around the country. Safety, liability, internal rules, and other important stuff. 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. Its like a scene from a movie. If there has been exceptionally heavy rain the falls can turn brown, or have the blue colour significantly diluted. Either way be expecting a very natural area with few amenities, but a whole lot of beauty. Just in front of you to the left rises the dormant . Bajos del Toro is the perfect detour between San Jose and La Fortuna. Roads are all paved, and no need for a 44. Hidden Gems of Costa Rica: Catarata del Toro and Blue Falls All tours start at Catarata Del Toro; restrooms are available. Full-Day Bajos del Toro Hiking Experience. La Celestial translates to the heavenly in English and its easy to see how it got its name. Sector Santa Maria natural hot springs: the most underrated gem in Costa Rica? Visitors can choose to purchase admission to Catarata del Toro for $14 or the Blue Falls for $15, or a combo ticket to visit both waterfalls for $25. Unlike the most famous blue waterfall in Costa Rica, Rio Celeste, youre welcome to jump in and swim in the water here. The Blue Falls are some of the most spectacular waterfalls in Costa Rica. The Blue Falls are two of the most stunning waterfalls in Costa Rica, located in Catarata del Toro, an ecological reserve that is tucked away in the lush Central Valley. We did see porta loos inside the grounds when we visited, but there was a film crew there filming a religious documentary, so I dont know if they were simply set up for the crew, or if they are permanently there. If you just want to visit the Blue Falls of Costa Rica, the entrance fee (at the time of writing) was $15 USD per person. Overall, the trail is easy to moderate with a few ups and downs, but nothing too intense. Blue Falls of Costa Rica 5 21 reviews #2 of 8 things to do in Bajos del Toro Waterfalls Open now 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM Visit website Call Email Write a review About Ready for your bluest and coldest waterfall experience in Costa Rica? And when the light (from the sun) shines on it, the water reflects a blue color. What can you expect: beauty, seven blue waterfalls, rapids, virgin forest and river sections, blue swimming pools, and a blue lake. Blue Falls is located in Bajos del Toro and you buy your tickets from the same place as Catarata Del Toro. Do you really need a guide to spot wildlife at Manuel Antonio National Park? The combination of the blue waterfalls and blue pools with the green forest, the canyons, the volcanoes, the views, and the wildlife makes it what it is. Blue Waterfalls Seven times Blue We offer our clients seven blue waterfalls and three normal ones, and we understand that this is pretty awesome. Hello Jenn and Matt! Facebook Email or phone Password Forgot account? After crossing the blue river, youll see the largest of the twins first. In fact, we ran out of time before we could explore the whole thing! We are continually investing time and money to keep everything safe as possible. You dont need to reserve in advance, and you can simply visit both attractions on your own schedule. Keep in mind that rainfall can affect the color of the water. Minimum clients needed two and a maximum of fifteen per group. 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). Youll see some old blog posts mentioning just two blue waterfalls. The Blue Falls of Costa Rica (also known as Cataratas Las Gemelas) is a set of two waterfalls with an intense bright blue color. It felt fitting that the visibility was somewhat obscured by the mist, it all added to the wild vibe. Bits can be slippery, but your guide will always give you a hand if necessary. Instead, we would recommend taking Route 126 to Route 140, then connecting to Route 708 from there. The water comes down the mountain from a high elevation, and temps locally are cool at night (mid-60s F or around 18 C). Then, we will start walking over the public road and cross a beautiful farm. The information on Walk My World (www.walkmyworld.com) is for research and general informational purposes only. Theres not a ton of space on the riverbanks to sit down or put your things, so I would save your picnic for another fall. Las Gemelas is incredible, the blue water is stunning and the waterfall, powerful. The entire Bajos del Toro region (strangely) still flies under the radar with most international visitors, and there is a seriously good chance you can visit the Blue Falls with little to no other visitors. Sitting at the northern base of Poas Volcano, this town is about two hours from San Jose and one hour 40 minutes from the popular tourist destination of La Fortuna. You get a lot of spray from the falls, so its almost like its raining as you get close. It costs $14 to see the Catarata del Toro area, $15 to see the Blue Falls area, or $25 to see both sides. 6 Incredible Waterfalls in Costa Rica (+ Everything You ACTUALLY Need This was a little tricky for us with one of our kids in a baby carrier, but we managed. By using the website, you accept full personal responsibility for any harm or damage you suffer as a result of your actions arising out of or in connection with the use of the website or its content. Catarata del Toro is actually the original and you could say main attraction. Many go on their knees in front of one of our blue waterfalls. So enjoy this fantastic place, swimming is allowed, and pictures are a must. So, feel safe to visit us. The Perfect 5 Day Costa Rica Itinerary - Simply Wander The other two falls are more challenging to reach and we decided to save those for another time! Youll then need to cross the river using the rocks for stepping stones. We are working hard to get it done right. At time of writing the Blue Falls are open between 7am and 5pm Monday to Saturday (closed on Sundays). If you visit Catarata Del Toro on the same day the combo prices is USD $25. Then, we will start walking over the public road and cross a beautiful farm. We have all the up-to-date permits which are needed to operate. Continue up the path to the right, following signs for Las Gemelas for about 10 or so minutes and youll eventually reach a metal platform that leads down to the river and the Blue Falls. You can access your free e-book by clicking on this link. You may also hear them called "Las Gemelas", meaning the "The Twins" ( cuz there's, like, two of them). The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Youre standing in a lush, misty forest looking at the most picture-perfect blue waterfall. As mentioned above, you can find the Blue Falls at the Catarata del Toro ecological reserve, a 126-acre privately-owned reserve with lush rainforests, several blue waterfalls, and refreshing swimming holes. Waterfall Tours In Costa Rica. Youll find a cafe and toilets here. Theres TONS of hummingbirds! The Blue Falls are actually made up of seven waterfalls, all dotted along the same turquoise river. 1. This privately owned reserve is over 126 acres / 51 hectares and there is a fair amount of walking involved to reach the falls. Its hard to imagine it gets much better than this - unless you dont like cold water, in which case brace yourself. The Blue Falls of Costa Rica are NOT open on Sundays. ), and avoid weekends if you really want the place to yourself. 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. The Blue Falls of Costa Rica feature two jaw-dropping cascades, with Gatorade blue water, thats perfect for cooling off under the hot sun. This took us about 1.5 hours total, with about a half-hour at the falls. We have liability insurance from the INS, guaranteed by Costa Rica. Blue Falls of Costa Rica: Central America's Best Hidden Gem Although we always prefer to do things independently, our guide Victor was lovely. When Justin and I visited, there were at least three hummingbirds flitting around the green waterfalls canyon. The Blue Falls are on Route 708, which is where most of the regions waterfalls are clustered. They are very friendly and will be keeping an eye on you to make sure you are safe and give you a hand with any tricky parts of the trails or falls. Fairyland Loop Trail: The Most Underrated (and Jaw-Dropping!) Quite a challenge for newly-installed President Chaves. Parque Nacional Volcn Arenal Parque Nacional Volcn Arenal is approximately 17km (10.5 miles) west of La Fortuna. I dont mind cold water swimming, but this definitely isnt the tropical Costa Rica you might have pictured! If you purchased the combo, the next tour would be. Be aware that the first part of either video shows Blue Falls of Costa Rica, and the second part shows Catarata Del Toro. I wouldnt say these three were necessarily harder to reach, but the trails are not as complete here, and work is still being done to improve access. Accept the limitation of liability, no yoga, no pets, and no kids. Read more about the dangers here. Costa Rica has thousands of waterfalls, from towering cascades and wispy veils to churning jets and relaxing trickles. If you have any questions about the age limits, dont hesitate to contact us. Just to the left of the turquoise waterfall is a second waterfall - Las Gemelas translates as the twins! Views, amazing beautiful views is what you can expect. And the best option available here is to plan your blue-in-person visit. Prices 2023 - Blue Falls of Costa Rica waterfalls - Costa Rica. Dont get me wrong we loved every second of it! Sign up to our mailing list to get our free mini guide! The opening hours are Monday to Saturday from 7 am to 4 pm. Note:If you have any questions about the age limits, dont hesitate to contact us. The series of turquoise waterfalls are located in a pristine patch of rainforest, creating some of the most magical scenes in the country. There are many uneven rocks and some slippery spots. The Hike to Catarata del Toro Its a forest lovers dream! Blue Waterfalls - Blue Falls of Costa Rica Its not possible to swim here, and the lookout is elevated quite high above the water. This is another impressive waterfall worth checking out. Accessing the water is fairly easy, you just need to negotiate a few rocks, although they are wet and a touch slippery. From the pool, you can look back up the river and see the bridge to reach Las Gemelas. Also, we will cross a river by a bridge until we end up close to the blue river. This one does involve a bit more boulder hopping and a river crossing (using rocks as stepping stones). Its an easy hike with little kids. I dont think this was going to incur any extra cost, they just roam around the property to make sure everyone is okay. 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. Thankfully we have not been impacted. Blue Falls of Costa Rica - Home | Facebook The entry fee is USD $15 per person and this includes the guide. It's easiest to reach the park by car or on a tour. And, 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. Well, it is optical. Then, we will start walking over the public road and cross a beautiful farm. The blue water and majestic waterfalls made for a really nice afternoon hike. There are very few rocks inside the water to climb over and it gets deep relatively quickly, so its a relaxing place to swim. 1. How to Visit the Blue Falls of Bajos Del Toro in Costa Rica The Blue Falls are located in a small rural town in the mountainous cloud forest of Central Costa Rica, Bajos del Toro . Once you leave the metal walkway youll have a very short section where you walk along the rocks beside the river. This is a saving of USD $4. There are very few amenities at the Blue Falls of Costa Rica. Sandwiched between two national parks, this upscale resort perfectly melds the surrounding natural beauty with seemingly endless bougie perks, like yoga classes, guided meditative hikes, and farm-to-table breakfasts (all included in your stay!!). We use cookies to optimize our website and our service. To be honest I dont know how long these prices will last as they charge less for a guided walk to five waterfalls than most other waterfalls in Costa Rica charge for one self guided walk! Visualise our suggested route on our interactive Bajos del Toro map, book in advance directly with the Blue Falls of Costa Rica, Bajos del Toro Travel Guide Costa Ricas Waterfall Wonderland, Catarata Vuelta del Can Costa Ricas Best Waterfall, How to Visit The Incredible Blue Falls of Costa Rica. Those looking for a more accessible waterfall can head to Catarata del Toro. However I have seen it look blue in rainy season too, so its worth checking if thats when youre visiting. Find some of the most popular Costa Rica waterfall tours here: El Santuario: adventuring into Costa Rica's incredible canyon waterfall. Otherwise, the pools are extremely photogenic on their own. And the best option available here is to plan your blue-in-person visit. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. is to check the other pages on this website. Note: Age limits are just an indication. However now the standard trails are in much better condition, you can visit all the falls without a guide or tour. Fittingly, Thick forest is mixed into the pasture land near the Blue Falls, You also can visit a sister property just up the street called, The stone path leading to the river and waterfalls. But this really feels like a pinch-me fairy tale moment. Costa Rica has thousands of waterfalls, from towering cascades and wispy veils to churning jets and relaxing trickles.
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