A tiny mountain town, a 180m waterfall, and a hidden lagoon This time we headed to Bajos del Toro , a charming little town tucked into a valley surrounded by towering green mountains. The kind of place that feels almost unreal — narrow streets, small pastures, streams, a classic corner grocery store, a soccer field right next to the church, and tiny houses. As you drive deeper into the misty forest and winding roads, you arrive at one of the most jaw-dropping sights in Costa Rica: Catarata del Toro . And as if that weren’t enough, the adventure continues to a lesser-known but equally magical spot: the Río Cuarto Lagoon , a quiet mirror hidden deep in the forest.
Our experience at Catarata del Toro and Río Cuarto Lagoon
Catarata del Toro
The Catarata del Toro is located about 7 km from downtown Bajos del Toro. It’s private land but also part of the Juan Castro Blanco National Park, known as the “Water Park.” And this waterfall does justice to that name: a 180-meter drop inside a massive yellow funnel that looks like something out of a dream.
The trail starts in a garden full of hummingbirds, then passes through a forest with several viewpoints that open like balconies over the canyon. Finally, you descend a long series of stairs until you reach the base of the waterfall.
There, the waterfall crashes down with such force that it creates a misty cloud that soaks everything. The rocks and logs around it are covered in moss that looks like a bright green carpet. You’ll want to take a thousand photos — it’s that surreal.
The way back is another story: humid, steep, and intense. So grab a snack, breathe deeply and take your time.
Río Cuarto Lagoon
After leaving the waterfall, we drove in the direction of Grecia until we reached an intersection with a large ICE sign for Río Cuarto Lagoon. We turned onto a small road (not in great condition — best with 4x4) and kept going until we saw a clear trail.
We parked, ducked under a barbed-wire fence, and hiked down a slippery, muddy slope surrounded by giant trees and thick forest. After about 50 meters, the lagoon revealed itself — a dark, mirror-like lake in total stillness.
This spot had a very different energy: quiet, peaceful, introspective. It was the perfect place to sit down, take a deep breath and just absorb the forest. You couldn’t hear anything except the rustling of the leaves in the wind.
Catarata del Toro and Río Cuarto Lagoon is the kind of combo that fills your soul — from the raw power of a giant waterfall to the stillness of a hidden lagoon. A full-circle adventure for nature lovers, trail seekers and curious explorers.