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!
You do not need a 4×4 to reach us; however, it will be much more fun for the rest of your Costarican trip. So, any car can make it to our place; access roads are all paved. Tip: download the offline maps to your cell phone or tablet before coming to Costa Rica.
Know that Catarata Del Toro always fits in everybody’s schedule. You can easily combine a visit to Catarata Del Toro on your way to or from the Arenal area or the Sarapiquí area. It is worth the effort, and you will love it and, therefore, no matter how you visit us!
Monday to Saturday 07.00 – 17.00 hours, Sunday is closed.
Scroll down for more detailed directions.
Keep in mind that the roads, signs, and the way people drive here in Costa Rica are slightly different from those in most other countries.
Going downhill can be a new tricky experience for many, and therefore, you always need to use the compression of your engine. 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 you need them, and not doing so can lead to hazardous situations.
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.
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 and enough drinking water in the car, and some cash. And finally, fill up the tank when you have the chance, and please do not forget to enjoy this wonderful country.
Welcome, now you will see Costa Rica. And when lost, enjoy the moment and keep going!
Take the Inter-Americana Highway (Ruta 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. And 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. 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 from the airport and 2 hours from San José.
Take the Inter-Americana Highway (Ruta 1) to the North and exit Grecia. Drive through Grecia and after the red church, turn left, and left again, followed by a right and pass the mall ‘Plaza Grecia.’ Follow this road for 5 kilometers until you enter Sarchí.
At the famous Joaquin Chaverri Cart factory, you turn right, followed by left and right again, and follow this road for the next 25 kilometers. After that, you can choose the ‘La Luisa’ or the ‘San Pedro’ route; the latter is shorter and faster. The road has scenic views, and after going downhill, you will enter 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 scenic route will take 90 minutes from the airport and 2 hours from San José.
Take ‘Ruta 4’ towards Arenal: La Fortuna and, after a few kilometers, get off the main road at the new intersection. Roadsigns are there. Turn left at the top of the viaduct and follow the old main road to San Miguel. After San Miguel, turn right and 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. We have signs there!
Uphill
Drive for 14 kilometers uphill, which will take you 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, and if this is a detour on your way to La Fortuna, it will cost you only 30 minutes extra.
Take the road 142 and 4 to Muelle, continue this road, take the exit La Tabla. Drive all the way till the end, turn left for 1 kilometer and turn right. We have signs there!
Drive for 14 kilometers uphill, which will take you 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.
From the 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 on the opposite side a gas station: 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!
Drive for 14 kilometers uphill, which will take you 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 75 minutes.
Drive first to the Inter-Americana (Ruta 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 and follow the signs Zarcero; you will go through downtown Naranjo as you enter Zarcero, turn 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 2 hours.
Drive to Sarchí, and just before Sarchí, you will see significant signs of ‘Botanical Garden Else Kientzler.’ Follow those signs, and if you are in front of their place, keep driving uphill for the next 45 minutes. The road will bring you higher and higher, and keep going and enjoy the views until the way goes down again, and you will enter the town of Bajos Del Toro Amarillo. Keep going, and 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.
Drive to Zarcero, and as you enter, Zarcero turn right after the church and park. And this will lead you uphill to Palmira – Pueblo Nuevo and then down 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.
Drive to Zarcero, and as you enter, Zarcero turn left before the church and park, and this will lead you uphill to Palmira – Pueblo Nuevo and then down 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.
Try to find in San Carlos the road to Aguas Zarcas or La Marina, and if you pass a Delta gas station within 5 minutes, you are on the right track. 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!
Drive for 14 kilometers uphill, which will take you 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.
– You should be driving at 14.00 hours latest!
– If not, maybe it is better the next day so you can walk the trails in peace.
– And be aware of our opening hours!
Sorry to inform you, but there is no direct bus service anymore. 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 persons faster and cheaper.
Gallery ——– – ——– The perfect day trip