Costa Rica boasts a range of beautiful waterfalls with blue or turquoise waters, the most popular being the Rio Celeste. Although the Rio Celeste is worth a visit, other areas offer the same beauty with less crowds. In this post, I will introduce you to a place with little to no crowds. It features turquoise blue swimming holes. You can also enjoy cascading blue waters. The Blue Falls of Costa Rica is known as Catarata Las Gemelas by locals. It is located in Bajos Del Toro, Costa Rica.
How to Get to The Blue Falls of Costa Rica
Blue Falls/Catarata Las Gemelas, is located in the town of Bajos Del Toro. It is on route 708 and is approximately 2 hours from San Jose or 40 minutes from La Fortuna. There are no buses that travel to this location, therefore a car rental or taxi is recommended.
You do not need a 4×4 to get to this location as the drive is paved. However, you will find route 708 to have steep and also windy roads. For this reason, I recommend not driving to this location during dark hours. Avoid traveling early in the morning or late in the evening.
Note: There are lots of signs marking Blue Falls, making it difficult to miss!
The property is a privately owned, and the entrance fee is $15 USD for adults or $7.50 USD for children. You will purchase entrance tickets for Blues Falls at Catarata del Toro Adventures which is approximately 200m down the road.
Where to Park at Blue Falls
Parking is free and located across from the entrance. There will be someone sitting at the entrance that can give you instructions on where to buy your ticket and park information. If the parking lot across from then entrance is full, they have parking where you purchase you’re ticket approximately 200m up the road.
What to Expect on Arrival to Blue Falls of Costa Rica?
When you enter the park there are two routes you can go. One route is to see the lower falls and the other is to view the upper falls. There will be several guides that can direct you towards the waterfalls you wish to visit.
At each waterfall or swimming hole, you will find a guide who will help direct you. There are six waterfalls in this park and you choose freely which ones to visit. The swimming holes are located either on your way to the waterfall or at the waterfall itself. The 6 waterfalls are: Tepezquintle, Las Gemelas, La Celestial I and II, La Turquesa and La Pintada.
Opening Hours
The Blue Falls of Costa Rica is open from 7am to 5pm daily. They are closed every Sunday, yet, they are open for holidays like Christmas and also New Years.
Blue Falls of Costa Rica Difficulty and Trail Length
If you plan to see all the falls on the property, the hike will be approximately 6km. You could easily spend an entire day at Blue Falls. Be ready for a lot of walking!
Duration Needed at Blues Falls
You will need at least 2-6 hours at the Blue Falls of Costa Rica. The duration will depend on how many waterfalls and swimming holes you plan to visit.
Keep in mind that Blue Falls will close during heavy rain conditions. For this reason, the mornings are better for visiting due to the low risk for rain. Arriving early will not only maximize your time at the Blues Falls of Costa Rica, but will increase your chances of having little to no crowds.
Difficulty of Trails
The trails within the park are easy to moderate difficulty. Some trail lengths are long with steep inclines for walking. I would recommend this park for the average person in good health/shape.
Note: There is a river crossing you must complete to get to one of the waterfalls – Catarata Tepezquintle. However, a guide is present to assist you to safely cross.
Packing Ideas – What You Should Bring to Blue Falls of Costa Rica
- Non-slip shoes are required for the swimming holes
- Backpack with water and snacks
- Camera
- Swim suit
- Sunscreen
- Mosquito repellent
- Waterproof phone carrying case