Waterfall guide · Costa Rica
Bluefalls Waterfall or Bijagual Waterfall? Which Costa Rica waterfall hike fits your trip
Two very different ways to see waterfalls in Costa Rica: a guided hike past six waterfalls and turquoise pools in the cloud forest of Bajos del Toro, or a trek to one of the country's tallest waterfalls near Jacó. Here's how they compare.
Short answer
Choose Bluefalls if you want several waterfalls and swimmable turquoise pools on one guided 4-hour hike, about 2 hours from San José. Choose Bijagual if you're staying on the Central Pacific coast near Jacó and want to stand beneath one of Costa Rica's tallest waterfalls.
Bluefalls vs Bijagual at a glance
| Bluefalls | Bijagual | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Bajos del Toro, Alajuela — cloud forest between Poás Volcano and Juan Castro Blanco National Park | Carara area near Jacó, Central Pacific coast |
| Getting there | About 2 hours from San José | About 35 minutes from Jacó |
| What you see | Six waterfalls and several turquoise pools on one trail | One of Costa Rica's tallest waterfalls, plus natural pools |
| The hike | About 4 hours, easy to intermediate | About 7 km out and back with steep sections, or a 3.5-hour horseback tour |
| How to visit | Guided tour, daily at 7:00 am, minimum 2 people | Private property, visited on the owners' hiking or horseback tours |
| Price | $60 per person (group) · $100 private | From $20 hiking · $75 horseback (official site, at the time of writing) |
Bluefalls: six waterfalls in one hike
Bluefalls is the hike we recommend most often to first-time visitors in Bajos del Toro. Instead of building a whole day around a single waterfall, the trail links six separate falls into one four-hour outing, with turquoise pools appearing at several of the stops along the way.
The terrain sits comfortably between easy walks and technical canyon routes: real forest trail, some mud and uneven footing, but no scrambling or ropes. Your guide spends more time at the two or three best spots for swimming and photos, with shorter stops at the rest.
Bajos del Toro sits at around 1,400 meters, so mornings are cool and the water stays cold and clear. Tours leave daily at 7:00 am, and a 50% deposit (WeTravel or PayPal) confirms your spot, with the rest paid in cash on the day.
Bijagual: one of the tallest waterfalls in Costa Rica
Bijagual Waterfall is on the Central Pacific side of the country, in the hills of the Carara area about 35 minutes from Jacó. Its draw is sheer height: it's regularly listed among the tallest waterfalls in Costa Rica, and the property's owners put the drop at about 328 meters, while other sources give lower figures.
The waterfall sits on private land and is visited through the tours listed on the official Bijagual Waterfall site: a self-guided hike of about 7 km round trip through rainforest trails, or a guided horseback ride. Expect steep sections and a real climb on the way back.
Because it's a single, towering waterfall, Bijagual is about one big moment rather than variety. It pairs well with a beach stay in Jacó or a visit to Carara National Park.
Which one should you choose?
Choose Bluefalls if you want variety and swimming — several waterfalls and pools in one morning — with a local guide handling the route, pace and safety. It's also the easier fit if your trip runs through the Central Valley or north toward La Fortuna or Sarapiquí.
Choose Bijagual if you're already based on the Central Pacific coast, your priority is seeing one of the tallest waterfalls in the country, and you're comfortable with a longer, steeper walk or would rather go on horseback.
Can you do both?
Yes, but not on the same day. The two waterfalls are in different regions of Costa Rica, so plan them on separate days of your itinerary: Bluefalls from the Central Valley or on the way north, Bijagual during a stay on the Pacific coast.
Related tours: Bluefalls · Pozas Celestes · San Fernando
Frequently asked questions
Ready to see Bluefalls?
Tell us your dates and group size — we'll confirm availability for the 7:00 am departure.