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Lake at the bottom of a volcanic crater surrounded by rocky walls.

Costa Rica · Poás & Irazú

Waterfalls near Poás

From the La Paz trails to the blue falls of Bajos del Toro, under two hours from San José.

5 places

  1. Catarata del Toro waterfall1

    Photo: Steve Jurvetson, CC BY 2.0

    NatureOpen

    Catarata del Toro waterfall

    Bajos del Toro, Route 708, about 2 h from San José7.5 km from the centre

    Entry
    $15
    Hours
    7:00 to 17:00
    Booking
    Not stated

    A waterfall of about 90 m dropping into an old volcanic crater, in a private reserve with a hummingbird garden; you view it from above or by descending about 350 steps.

    Source: Catarata del Toro – Tickets · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    $15 adults (13+) and $7.50 children 4–12. A combo ticket with Blue Falls is available.
    Hours
    Monday to Saturday 7:00 to 17:00; closed on Sundays.
    Time needed
    About 90 minutes including the descent.

    Nearby: Blue Falls of Costa Rica (Bajos del Toro) (0.8 km) · Rafting on the Toro River (class III-IV) (5.8 km) · Poás Volcano (crater viewpoint) (7.4 km)

    Sources: Catarata del Toro – Tickets · Catarata del Toro – official site

  2. 2

    NatureOpen

    Blue Falls of Costa Rica (Bajos del Toro)

    Bajos del Toro, next to Catarata del Toro7.4 km from the centre

    Entry
    $20
    Hours
    7:00 to 17:00
    Booking
    Not stated

    A series of up to six turquoise waterfalls and pools on a forested stretch of river, owned by the same people as Catarata del Toro.

    Source: Catarata del Toro – Blue Falls ticket · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    $20 adults (13+) and $10 children 4–12.
    Hours
    Monday to Saturday 7:00 to 17:00; closed on Sundays. In the rainy season go early.
    Time needed
    2 to 4 hours; the walk is 2 to 6 km depending on how many falls you visit.

    Nearby: Catarata del Toro waterfall (0.8 km) · Rafting on the Toro River (class III-IV) (5.3 km) · Poás Volcano (crater viewpoint) (7.2 km)

    Sources: Catarata del Toro – Blue Falls ticket · Catarata del Toro – Blue Falls of Costa Rica

  3. 3

    NatureOpen

    La Paz Waterfall Gardens

    Vara Blanca, about 20 min from Poás7.8 km from the centre

    Entry
    $56
    Hours
    8:00 to 17:00
    Booking
    Not needed

    A private park with 3.5 km of trails beside five waterfalls on the La Paz river, plus an aviary, butterfly house, hummingbirds, snake exhibit and rescued wild cats.

    Source: La Paz Waterfall Gardens – About the park · 2026

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Rates valid until 15 December 2026: $56 + tax for adults and $40 + tax for children 3–12 (tourists).
    Hours
    Year-round 8:00 to 17:00; they recommend entering by 15:00.
    Booking
    No reservation needed.
    Time needed
    At least 2 hours.

    Nearby: Cinchona lookout and San Fernando waterfall (2.1 km) · Poasito strawberry farms (6 km) · Botos Lagoon trail (Poás) (7.7 km)

    Sources: La Paz Waterfall Gardens – About the park

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  4. 4

    NatureOpen

    Cinchona lookout and San Fernando waterfall

    Vara Blanca-San Miguel road, past La Paz Waterfall Gardens7.7 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A roadside stop facing the San Fernando waterfall, over 70 m high; the small eatery at the lookout has feeders that draw hummingbirds, tanagers and toucanets. The area was rebuilt after the 2009 earthquake.

    Source: BirdingPlaces – Soda y Mirador Cinchona · 2026

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: Go early for more birds; it is customary to buy something at the eatery in return for using the lookout.

    Nearby: La Paz Waterfall Gardens (2.1 km) · Poasito strawberry farms (7.5 km) · Poás Volcano (crater viewpoint) (7.6 km)

    Sources: BirdingPlaces – Soda y Mirador Cinchona

  5. Tapantí–Macizo de la Muerte National Park5

    NatureOpen

    Tapantí–Macizo de la Muerte National Park

    12 km south-east of Orosi69.1 km from the centre

    Entry
    $10
    Hours
    8:00 to 16:00
    Booking
    Required

    Very wet forest at the head of the Orosi Valley, part of the La Amistad biosphere reserve, with four trails and a lookout over El Salto waterfall.

    Source: SINAC – Parque Nacional Tapantí Macizo de la Muerte · 2026

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    $10 for non-residents over 13 and $5 for children 2–12.
    Hours
    Daily 8:00 to 16:00, including holidays.
    Booking
    Tickets online only through SINAC’s system.

    Tip: The main road (2 km, on foot or by bike) and the waterfall lookout can close because of natural hazards or staff shortages.

    Nearby: Casa del Soñador (Cachí) (8.1 km) · Orosi thermal pools (8.8 km) · Orosi colonial church and museum (8.8 km)

    Sources: SINAC – Parque Nacional Tapantí Macizo de la Muerte

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