How to reach us
Reaching us
Reaching Catarata Del Toro is very easy. Use Google Maps: ‘Catarata Del Toro, Alajuela Province, Bajos Del Toro’ and voila! But even then, they sometimes lead you completely wrong, so to be 100% secure, drive first to: ‘Bajos Del Toro – Sarchí – Alajuela.’ And when you are almost there, change to ‘Catarata Del Toro,’ and this works!
Please pay attention to get to the correct entrance, and do not get distracted by any other signs. Remember: You never have to drive on any dirt road; our location is on the main paved asphalt road. Follow this sign:
Type of car
You do not need a 4×4 to reach us; however, it will be much more fun for the rest of your Costa Rica trip. So, any car can make it to our place; access roads are all paved. Download the offline maps to your cell phone or tablet before visiting Costa Rica.
In need of a rent-a-car? The two best ones are Sunnycars and Wild Rider.
Schedule
Know that Catarata Del Toro always fits into everybody’s schedule. You can easily combine a visit to Catarata Del Toro on your way to or from the Arenal or Sarapiquí areas. It is worth the effort, and you will love it no matter how you visit us!
Opening hours
Monday to Saturday 07.00 – 17.00 hours, Sunday is closed.
Scroll down for more detailed directions.
Important
Remember that the roads, signs, and how people drive here in Costa Rica slightly differ from those in most other countries.
Compression
Going downhill can be a new, tricky experience for many, so you always need to use your engine’s compression. Please put the stick in 2 or 1 or L for automatic cars, and manual shift cars use low gear 1 or 2. Doing so will keep your breaks available when needed, and not doing so can lead to hazardous situations.
GPS users
The GPS in the rental car does not work, and even after all those years, we still do not exist. Bajos Del Toro does, but sometimes the GPS lets the people make a loop for hours! Use an accurate map instead, or use the before-mentioned apps.
Nighttime
You should drive in the daytime and nighttime, drive slowly and carefully, and expect the unexpected. Obey the rules and laws as traffic tickets are very high and know North, South, East, and West. Use a map and common sense, always have a spare tire, and learn how to use it. Have a flashlight, enough drinking water in the car, and some cash. Finally, fill up the tank when you can, and please do not forget to enjoy this wonderful country.
Off the beaten path
Welcome, now you will see Costa Rica. And when lost, enjoy the moment and keep going!
Inter-Americana
Take the Inter-Americana Highway Route 1 in the North – direction of San Ramon. Take the exit to Naranjo and follow the signs to Zarcero; you will go through downtown Naranjo. As you enter, Zarcero turns right after the church and park. This road will lead you uphill to Palmira – Pueblo Nuevo and then down to Bajos Del Toro; keep going. After 6 kilometers and three bridges, you will find Catarata Del Toro and Blue Falls of Costa Rica on your left-hand side. Welcome! This route will take 90 minutes from the airport and 2 hours from San José.
Inter-Americana
Take the Inter-Americana Highway Route 1 to the North, and just before the Toll Boots of Naranjo, turn right to á secundaria road B road and left again, go underneath a small tunnel, turn right, and drive on to another tunnel to Sarchi. But please use your Google Maps app for this.
Drive to Sarchí, pass the town center, and after the gas station, turn sharp left. Drive all the way straight up. You will pass San Pedro de Sarchí and Trojas. This route is fast and without many curves but steep.
Another way, less steep, more curvy, and slower, is to drive up to the first intersection after the gas station and turn left. This road will take you through the little town of La Luisa.
Almost at the summit, both routes connect again. Continue driving and go down to Bajos Del Toro. This part is exceptionally steep for nearly 2 kilometers: go slow and use the engine’s compression! After this town after 6 kilometers, you will find Catarata Del Toro and Blue Falls of Costa Rica on your left-hand side; welcome! This scenic route will take 60 minutes.
This scenic route will take 90 minutes from the airport and 2 hours from San José.
New route
Take route 4 to Arenal – La Fortuna and take the exit turn left at La Tabla. Drive all the way (southbound) to the 140, turn left, and after 1 kilometer, take the first right. Our signs are there.
Old route
The old, more tranquil route is through La Virgin and San Miquel. Please put it in your Google Maps app. Turn left at the top of the viaduct and follow the old main road to San Miguel. After San Miguel, turn right, drive towards Rio Cuatro, and pass this town. Keep going straight, cross the bridge, go up, and then after 1 kilometer, you take the first turn left. Our signs are there.
Uphill
Drive for 14 kilometers uphill, which will take 15 to 20 minutes, and you will first pass the town of La Colonia, followed by a new Bailey bridge shortly after. After that, keep going for another 7 minutes, and finally, you will find Catarata Del Toro and Blue Falls of Costa Rica on your right-hand side; welcome! This route will take 60 minutes; if this is a detour on your way to La Fortuna, it will cost you only 30 minutes extra.
Muelle – La Tabla
Take the road to Muelle Route 4, continue this road, and take the La Tabla exit on the right. It is just after the bridge over the Rio Toro. Drive all the way (southbound) to the 140, turn left, and after 1 kilometer, take the first right. Our signs are there.
Uphill
Drive for 14 kilometers uphill, which will take 15 to 20 minutes, and you will first pass the town of La Colonia, followed by a new Bailey bridge shortly after. After that, keep going for another 7 minutes, and finally, you will find Catarata Del Toro and Blue Falls of Costa Rica on your right-hand side; welcome! This route will take 90 minutes.
Poás
From Poás Volcano Park, drive back to the town of Poasito: turn left on Ruta 120, and after 6 kilometers, you will see an intersection with a gas station on the opposite side: turn left. After that, the road leads you to Varablanca, Cariblanco, and finally to San Miquel. When reaching San Miquel, make an almost 180-degree left turn. After 4 kilometers, you will pass the town of Rio Cuatro. Keep going straight, cross the bridge, go up, and then after 1 kilometer, you take the first turn left. We have signs there!
Uphill
Drive for 14 kilometers uphill, which will take 15 to 20 minutes, and you will first pass the town of La Colonia, followed by a new Bailey bridge shortly after. After that, keep going for another 7 minutes, and finally, you will find Catarata Del Toro and Blue Falls of Costa Rica on your right-hand side; welcome!This route will take 100 minutes.
Inter-Americana
Drive first to the Inter-Americana Route 1 and turn right towards San José – San Ramon. After the mountains, you will pass San Ramon and continue towards San José. Take exit Naranjo. From this point, you can choose to go through Zarcero or Sarchí. See the following descriptions. Either way, it takes 2 hours.
Sarchí
Drive to Sarchí, pass the town center, and after the gas station, turn sharp left. Drive all the way straight up. You will pass San Pedro de Sarchí and Trojas. This route is fast and without many curves but steep.
Another way, less steep, more curvy, and slower, is to drive up to the first intersection after the gas station and turn left. This road will take you through the little town of La Luisa.
Almost at the summit, both routes connect again.
Continue driving and go down to Bajos Del Toro. This part is extremely steep for nearly 2 kilometers: go slow and use the engine’s compression! After this town after 6 kilometers, you will find Catarata Del Toro and Blue Falls of Costa Rica on your left-hand side; welcome! This scenic route will take 60 minutes.
Zarcero
Drive to Zarcero, turn right after the church, and park in this town. This road will lead you uphill to Palmira – Pueblo Nuevo and then to Bajos Del Toro. Keep going, and after 6 kilometers and three bridges, you will find Catarata Del Toro and Blue Falls of Costa Rica on your left-hand side; welcome! This route will take 60 minutes.
Zarcero
Drive to Zarcero, turn left before the church, and park in this town. This road will lead you uphill to Palmira – Pueblo Nuevo and then to Bajos Del Toro. Keep going, and after 6 kilometers and three bridges, you will find Catarata Del Toro and Blue Falls of Costa Rica on your left-hand side; welcome! This route will take 90 minutes.
Aguas Zarcas
Find the road to La Marina and Aguas Zarcas in San Carlos. You are on the right track if you pass a Delta gas station within 5 minutes. Drive straight through Aguas Zarcas to Venecia, and 3 kilometers after Venecia, you will pass a big bridge over the Rio Toro, then just 2 kilometers more and turn right. We have signs there!
Uphill
Drive for 14 kilometers uphill, which will take 15 to 20 minutes, and you will first pass the town of La Colonia, followed by a new Bailey bridge shortly after. After that, keep going for another 7 minutes, and finally, you will find Catarata Del Toro and Blue Falls of Costa Rica on your right-hand side; welcome! This route will take 60 minutes.
If you arrive at SJO aIf you arrive at SJO airport and you want to visit Catarata Del Toro on the same day
– You should be driving at 14.00 hours at the latest!
– If not, it would be better the next day so you can walk the trails in peace.
– And be aware of our opening hours!
Bus – Uber
Sorry to inform you, but there is no direct bus service. The best way to travel is by bus and Uber. Take the direct bus from San José or Alajuela to Grecia. And from there, an Uber. Or, if you want to travel faster, take an Uber straight from your hotel, especially with two or more people, faster and cheaper.
Gallery ——– – ——– The perfect day trip
