Catarata El Indio (Río Turbio, Mastatal)
Waterfall · Central Pacific · hidden gem
One of the tallest waterfalls in the Puriscal hills: the Río Turbio glides across a rock shelf and disappears over the edge in a drop of more than 200 m. The hike reaches the top first, then a well-built path goes about 300 m down to a ledge halfway down the falls, where the wind and spray are wild.
- Cost
- about $24
- Time there
- 4 h
- Best time
- morning, after a few dry days
- Kids
- 3 / 10
- View
- 9 / 10
- Crowds
- 1 / 10
- Swimming
- 8 / 10
- Effort
- 7 / 10
- Location
- 9.63805, -84.39122 — Google Maps
Before you go
- Tickets
- Better to book ahead
- Road
- 4×4 needed
- Walk
- 75 min
- Dogs
- Allowed
- Bring
- trail shoes or rubber boots, water, swimsuit, repellent, rain jacket
- Season
- after rain the farm road is deep mud; go after a few dry days
- Checked
- 2026-10
Tip
Book the guided hike with lunch at Finca Siempre Verde in Mastatal. Go after a few days without rain: the farm road turns into deep mud after a downpour.
Be careful
The top of the falls is a sheer drop with no railing — stay well back from the edge and never wade near the lip. Slippery, muddy trail.
Getting there
Road from Puriscal toward Parrita (Route 239), past the La Cangreja entrance, then left toward Mastatal for ~20 min to Finca Siempre Verde; the guide takes you 10 more minutes by car to the trailhead farm. Walk 1.5 km on a dirt road through pastures to the Río Turbio and 1.5 km more to the top of the falls; about 7 km round trip. High-clearance car or 4x4.
Places nearby
- La Iguana Chocolate (bean-to-bar farm tour, Mastatal)Food & CoffeeA small family cacao farm in the mountains of Mastatal making organic bean-to-bar chocolate.
- Villas Mastatal Eco Lodge (guides, breakfast & lunch for hikers)Tours & AdventureA small organic farm lodge in the Puriscal mountains that works as the base for hikes to the Las Gemelas waterfalls and Cerro Yarcazú: they line up local guides and serve home-cooked breakfast and lunch to day hikers, with a shower after the walk.
- Catarata El Salto de GamalotilloParks & WildlifeFamily-run waterfall about 45 minutes from Esterillos and Bejuco: a 6 m (20 ft) fall into a deep round pool, a shallow wading area, picnic spot and a 1.5-hour forest trail past a second fall.
- Mirador y Restaurante Donde AndrésFood & CoffeeWeekend farm restaurant and viewpoint run by Andrés and his wife, with food made from local ingredients and stunning views over the countryside.
- Restaurante Los PilonesFood & CoffeeLarge family restaurant in Parrita, on the way between Jacó and Quepos, with seafood, steaks, pizzas and cocktails.
- Hotel Playa Bejuco — Sunsets RestaurantFood & CoffeeSimple, locally run hotel a minute from Playa Bejuco whose poolside restaurant serves Costa Rican plates like arroz con pollo and casados.
Sources: OpenStreetMap way/525655037 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/525655037 · https://quebuenlugar.com/es/lugares/catarata-el-indio