An awesome one-day tour with lots of waterfalls to discover 🌊. The waterfalls flow into the Toro Amarillo River canyon where it's impossible not to be filled with fun and have the best time ever 😍.
Our experience 🥾🌿
To get to this place, we went one way (Grecia) and returned through another (Vara Blanca). It all depends on what your heart and Waze tell you 😉. Still, the safer and more civilized road is through Vara Blanca. On the way, we did our classic snack stop 🍪 and continued until we reached Río Cuarto — specifically to Paraíso de Manantiales.
The parking lot is right in front of Don Carlos’ soda (local restaurant), who is also the property owner. Don Carlos welcomed us and kindly explained where to start the trail.
The walk begins on a normal gravel road and then veers left onto the trail that leads to the river and waterfalls. The trail has steep, slippery, and exciting parts. You don’t even go 1.24 miles (2km) when you pass a couple of waterfalls and then a spiral staircase that goes down three full floors in one go 🌀 (not recommended for those afraid of heights).
Once we arrived at the river, we explored the massive rocks dyed in bright Cheeto yellow 🍯. Upstream, there are plenty of waterfalls, and part of the fun is admiring each one, taking a seat, and listening to the river as the surrounding jungle rises around you 🌴🌊.
To finish, we went a bit further down to the tallest waterfall (not the chunkiest one), where we found a delicious natural pool. We jumped in for a good while and recharged before hiking back up. On the way back, we passed a waterfall that branches off to the left and then returned to the parking lot.
Before heading back to San José, we ordered a big “casado” with tilapia 🍽️ and a full pitcher of fresh juice — which we finished in no time. Ready and happy, we drove back feeling satisfied that we had discovered another Qué Buen Lugar for you.