Paraíso de Manantiales Waterfalls (Río Toro Amarillo canyon)
Waterfall · San José & Central Valley · hidden gem
A family farm in Río Cuarto opens a steep trail into the canyon of the Río Toro Amarillo, where a string of waterfalls pours over giant boulders stained yellow by volcanic minerals. Under 2 km of descent takes you past a couple of falls and down a dizzying three-storey spiral staircase to the river; the walk ends at the tallest fall and a deep swimming pool. The owner's soda by the parking lot serves casados, including tilapia.
- Cost
- about $4
- Time there
- 3 h
- Best time
- morning, after a few dry days
- Kids
- 3 / 10
- View
- 8 / 10
- Crowds
- 2 / 10
- Swimming
- 9 / 10
- Effort
- 7 / 10
- Location
- 10.30702, -84.24931 — Google Maps
Before you go
- Entry
- ₡2,000 for residents
- Tickets
- Pay at the entrance
- Walk
- 4,000 m
- Swimming
- Yes
- Facilities
- restrooms, food
- Bring
- trail shoes, swimsuit, towel, change of clothes, insect repellent
- Fewer people
- Quiet on weekdays; Costa Rican families come on weekends
- Checked
- 2026-10
Tip
Save energy for the climb back up, and don't skip the side fall off to the left on the way out. Come via Vara Blanca: the road from Grecia is often in poor shape.
Be careful
Parts of the trail are steep and slippery and the spiral staircase is not for anyone afraid of heights. Stay out of the canyon after heavy rain, when the river can rise fast.
Getting there
In Río Cuarto (Alajuela), about 20 minutes from Bajos del Toro. Park in front of the owner's soda, pay the entrance there and ask for directions: the walk starts on a gravel lane and turns left onto the canyon trail. About 4 km round trip.
Places nearby
- Recreo Verde Hot Springs & SpaDay Passes & Hot SpringsHot-springs complex beside the Río Toro in the hills above Venecia, about 1 h 40 min from the airport: thermal pools, a spa, zipline and canyoning, trails to a small cave, a restaurant, cabins and a campground.
- Cascadas Pozo Azul (Caída Nieve y Paz)Parks & WildlifeFarm trail that drops past blue swimming holes and a natural slide to Caída Nieve y Paz, the tallest waterfall around Bajos del Toro at about 155 m.
- Alojamiento y Mirador Bosque Alegre (restaurant above Laguna Hule)Food & CoffeeA simple country restaurant and lodge on the rim above Laguna Hule, the deepest natural lake in Costa Rica.
- Blue Falls of Costa Rica (Cataratas Las Gemelas)Parks & Wildlife · from $20Private forest reserve next to Catarata del Toro with a chain of milky-blue waterfalls and pools colored by volcanic minerals; you can swim at any of them.
- Catarata Río Agrio, Pozas Celestes & Dino LandParks & WildlifeFamily-run property where the acidic Río Agrio drops about 50 m into a steep canyon; the ticket also covers a lookout and the Pozas Celestes, cold baby-blue river pools down the road.
- Catarata Tesoro EscondidoParks & WildlifePrivately run waterfall on the edge of Bajos del Toro with its own lookout; large signs on Route 708 point the way.
Sources: OpenStreetMap node/5538809125 · https://quebuenlugar.com/es/lugares/paraiso-de-manantiales-rio-cuarto-grecia/ · https://ticotimes.net/2021/05/21/costa-ricas-newest-canton-launches-tourism-strategy · https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/5538809125