Sharing is caring!

In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about visiting the Catarata Tesoro Escondido waterfall in Bajos del Toro. We’ll go over the details you need to know for exploring this waterfall, from opening hours, costs, what to bring and everything else.

Costa Rica is an absolute natural wonderland. From pristine beaches to volcanoes, immense national parks and impressive waterfalls, there’s no better place to explore for nature lovers. And for those looking to find the best waterfalls, Bajos del Toro is where you need to go.

This small unassuming and fairly unknown region is home to some of the best waterfalls in the country. And in this post, we’ll check out one of our favorite cataratas – Tesoro Escondido.

We’ll highlight everything you need to plan your trip to this waterfall. We’ll get into the details of what to expect in terms of terrain, what the amenities are, costs, opening hours, what to bring and everything else you need to know to best plan your time here.

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For more information, please see our disclaimer here. We take all the efforts necessary to ensure the information included in this post is accurate, correct and current, sometimes, things just change! Travel information like opening hours, business operations and prices may change. If you find anything in this post that is incorrect or outdated, please let me know in the comments so I can update it for other readers. Cheers!

A bit about the Bajos del Toro region

Bajos del Toro is actually a small town in Costa Rica’s province of Alajuela. However, this is what the area is referred to as well, as the towns in the region are all quite small. In this article, we’ll refer to the town and the region of Bajos del Toro interchangeably.

Located about 2 hours from San Jose, to the northwest, you will find the town of Bajos del Toro. It’s nestled in the valley between the Poas and the Cacho Negro Volcanos, at an elevation of about 1,500 m (5,000 ft). The climate here is cooler and wetter than in other parts of the country. But this combination creates mystical cloud forests. The mountains and valleys, as well as the many rivers running through the region, make it the perfect waterfall wonderland.

The best way to reach the region is by rental car. The public transportation system might get you close to here, but if you’re looking to chase the best waterfalls in Costa Rica, you’ll need to have your own set of wheels. Make sure you add this destination to your road trip itinerary, as it’s still a hidden gem that tourists have not yet discovered.

The region is centered around Route 708, mainly in the northern section. Most of the attractions in the area are located to the north of the town of Bajos del Toro. And as you’ll see, most of the attractions here are waterfalls!

If you want to discover more about the region, we recommend you check out our full guide to Bajos del Toro.

Everything to know about Tesoro Escondido waterfall in Bajos del Toro

Located in Bajos del Toro, amongst many other waterfalls in the region, you have the spectacular waterfall called Tesoro Escondido. At a staggering height of 49 meters (or 160 feet), this is a waterfall that is more popular with locals than with tourists… for now!

In Spanish, Catarata Tesoro Escondido translates to Secret Treasure waterfall. And it really is a treasure to behold! This one big waterfall is truly beautiful.

Although there are no other waterfalls on the property, there are many natural pools (pozas) that you can swim in. They even have one called the Poza Esmeralda, which is a vibrant blue color, distinctive of some of the waterfalls in the area.

On-site, you can also find a lookout shaped like a waterdrop (la Gota), a cafe-restaurant and a few amenities. Like most waterfalls in the area, this one is located on a private property that is still an operational farm. In fact, when we walked in we were greeted by cows before we saw any humans!

Fun Facts about the Catarata Tesoro Escondido

Here are a few quick things to know about the Tesoro Escondido waterfall.

• Opening hours: Open daily. Weekdays: 8 am to 3 pm. Weekends: 8 am to 4 pm
• Entrance fee: 7,500 colones or about $15 USD. You can pay by card or cash.
• Location: Find it here on Google Maps
• How long is required to visit Tesoro Escondido? You’ll need about 2-4 hours to explore the whole site, chill out and hike to the lookout. You can spend more time here if you want to swim under the waterfall or in the natural pools.
• Hike difficulty: Fairly easy. Not a lot of elevation, but about 30-45 minutes to hike to the main waterfall.
• Hike distance: 3.9km loop
• Elevation gain: 180m, as we mentioned, it’s easy but it’s not all that flat. There are some steps in the forested area.
• Terrain: A mix of everything: some forest, some wide open spaces, a short hanging bridge, some parts on a platform and your final stretch will be on rocky terrain.
• What can you find on site: There is 1 main waterfall, a few natural pools (pozas) and a lookout
• Amenities: Bathrooms, showers, a restaurant, glamping accommodations.
• Can you swim at the Catarata Tesoro Escondido? Yes, you can swim beneath the main waterfall and in the natural pools too
• Official website: Their site is currently under construction, but coming soon.

How do you get to Catarata Tesoro Escondido?

Tesoro Escondido is located on Route 708 in the Bajos del Toro region. Like all the waterfalls in the area, the best way to reach the Catarata Tesoro Escondido is by taking your rental car.

Bajos del Toro is located about 2 hours northwest of San Jose. And Route 708 is where most of the waterfalls and attractions in the area are located. The transportation system in the area is not really set up for tourism, so we highly recommend renting a vehicle to get around this part of the country.

The roads in the area are paved, although some of the entrances to the waterfalls are a bit more rugged. You don’t need to have a 4×4 to get around, but if you are planning a longer itinerary around Costa Rica, you may want to rent one.

We rented a campervan through Costarider Campervan and highly recommend using their services if you plan on traveling around Costa Rica.

What does it cost to visit the Catarata Tesoro Escondido?

The cost of the entrance to Tesoro Escondido waterfall is 7,500 colones or about $15 USD per person. At the ticket office, you can either pay by cash or by credit card. This will allow you to spend all day at this property which features natural pools, a waterdrop-shaped lookout and the waterfall, of course.

They also have a little café-restaurant at the entrance, near the ticket office. You can grab a bite there if you stay for a while, or bring snacks and enjoy them on the trail. There are a few picnic tables sprinkled around the property, so you can spend quite a while here.

Do you need a guide to visit Tesoro Escondido waterfall?

You don’t need a guide to visit the Tesoro Escondido waterfall. The trail is very well-marked at all the junctions, and you know exactly how to get where you need to go.

However, while we were visiting the Catarata Tesoro Escondido, there was an employee who came by to let us know that they were going to close the park down. During the rainy season, if the rainfall is too strong or abundant, they have to close the site down. This is because the waterfall becomes too powerful from the rain and this causes the river to overflow. In time, that water goes down to the pools making it dangerous to swim there.

When is the best time to visit Catarata Tesoro Escondido?

There are advantages and disadvantages to visiting this waterfall in Bajos del Toro at any time in the year, but if we were to recommend the best time, it would be in April or November.

There are 2 main seasons in Costa Rica. The dry season runs from December to April and this is when the weather is at its best – sunny days, better trail conditions. However, this is also when there are more tourists around and since it doesn’t rain much, the waterfall is not as powerful or as impressive.

During the green season (or the rainy season) from May to November, you can expect more rainfall, which leads to fuller and more dynamic cascades. It also means the scenery and landscape around are a lot lusher and greener. But, if it rains too much, some waterfalls might be closed or inaccessible.

After spending 3 months in Costa Rica, exclusively during the rainy season, we recommend visiting the waterfalls as early as possible in the morning. This way, you don’t need to worry as much about the rain.

What amenities are available at Tesoro Escondido waterfall?

There are actually quite a few amenities at the Catarata Tesoro Escondido. At the entrance, they have restrooms and a restaurant. They also have accommodations on site (glamping style).

What’s also great about this waterfall property is that there are many bathrooms along the trail. This is rare considering all the waterfalls we saw in Costa Rica. And they also have picnic tables around, so you can truly enjoy your time at this waterfall.

Is the hike to Catarata Tesoro Escondido difficult?

Overall, the hike at Tesoro Escondido waterfall is not difficult or long by any means. It’s about 3.4 km long and the whole trek should take about 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete. Not that bad when you compare it to Catarata del Toro or the Blue Falls of Costa Rica. And definitely not like hiking to Vuelta del Cañon!

Regardless, you should wear good shoes (or sandals with velcro straps) while hiking the trail, but it’s very manageable. Just know that if it rained recently, the terrain will be muddy and the rocks will get slippery. In that case, your footwear will be even more important.

The path is very well marked with signs pointing to different sections and attractions. Most of the trail is well-maintained and beautiful. At the end, however, you will get onto a very rocky trail where you will have to carefully walk through rocks and small boulders. As long as you’re wearing good shoes, and taking it slow, you should be fine.

Everything you need to know about hiking to Tesoro Escondido waterfall

As we just mentioned, hiking to the Catarata Tesoro Escondido is not long or hard. The terrain does vary quite a bit, however, but it makes the trail that much more enjoyable. You don’t get bored of walking in the same type of terrain. Instead, there is something new and different after almost every bend!

Here is a quick breakdown of the hiking trail to help you best plan for your trip to Catarata Tesoro Escondido.

Starting the hike to Catarata Tesoro Escondido

Right at the parking lot, you’ll notice the trailhead. There is a sign that marks the way. You’ll start the trail by heading slightly downhill on a gravel path with loose stone. Nothing too crazy or too slippery.

After descending on the gravel path, you’ll get to a wooden swing bridge that you need to cross. After that, you have to climb a series of stairs. Again, nothing too steep or crazy. It does get your heart pumping a bit, but nothing intense.

Once you get to about 100m into this section, you’ll arrive in a charming mossy grotto. You’ll be surrounded by lush greenery, a delightful and unexpected spot. Enjoy it! Luckily, even in the rainy season, we didn’t have any mosquitoes or bugs. There are some more little ups and downs and flat sections in this part.

After leaving the mossy walls and a little downhill section, you’ll reach the river and cross a second bridge. Once you cross it, you’ll need to climb up a little before emerging into the open again.

Getting to the first junction at Tesoro Escondido

Once you’re out in the open, you’ll be surrounded by wildflowers. The grassy path has flower beds on either side. You’ll also have a clear view of the surrounding mountains. After walking through the forest, it’s quite impressive to see the beauty of the Bajos del Toro region.

After walking approximately 450m along the grass, you’ll come across a rustic toilet. This will be the last man-made bathroom before getting to the pools and the waterfall. Keep that in mind for your trek!

At the 1km mark, you’ll see a sign at the junction. You’ll have the choice to climb up to the drop-shaped lookout (La Gota Mirador), or you can head to the waterfalls.

The Mirador at Catarata Tesoro Escondido

From the trail, you can see the drop lookout at the top of the hill. We’re sure it’s a beautiful place to catch the view of the mountains and valleys surrounding this site… we knew we had limited time at this fall (Rain was coming, as it always does in the rainy season of Costa Rica), so we figured we would head up there after the waterfall.

Long story short – clouds rolled in, and with it, the rain came with them, completely obstructing our view! It was a total white-out by the time we got back from the pools. If you have the chance, the stamina and the desire, head up there and take the view in. It’s spectacular enough from the hiking trail, we can only imagine how beautiful it is when it’s clear out!

If you’re heading to the waterfalls, we recommend checking out Catarata Tesoro Escondido first (the taller and furthest one). It’s truly impressive and in seeing it first, you won’t need to return to this junction after visiting the smaller waterfalls and natural pools. It’s quicker to make a loop.

The main waterfall at Catarata Tesoro Escondido

Once you reach the junction, you only have a short 400 meters standing between you and the base of Catarata Tesoro Escondido. From this juncture onward, the scenery becomes increasingly enchanting. And the trail becomes a little more rugged.

Meandering alongside the river for the majority of the journey, you’ll notice the water taking on a deeper shade of blue as you get closer to the cascading falls.

As you continue along this part of the trail, it gets a little more rustic. Expect rocky stretches and a basic wooden boardwalk to navigate. There’s no chance of getting lost as the trail is pretty straightforward. You’ll need to forge your path and use the rocks that seem the sturdiest to you.

Just be warned that in the rainy season, it gets mossy and slippery sometimes. Make sure you’re wearing sturdy shoes – they can be hiking shoes, running shoes or sandals with velcro straps. As long as you have good grip on your soles.

We know it can be tricky walking on uneven and rocky terrain, but be sure to look up once in a while – the river nearby, the massive boulders, the lush foliage clinging to the cliff walls – the scenery here should not be missed! Through the foliage, you’ll get glimpses of the waterfall. You’re very close!

And before you know it, you’ll be at the foot of the waterfall! Take in its beauty! And if you’re brave enough, jump in. Just be warned, as with all the waterfalls in the Bajos del Toro region (and all the falls in Costa Rica), the water is frigid!

Also, take note that the waterfall is most powerful during the rainy season. But you run the risk of it being closed if it rains too much, or if there is a risk of rain. The waterfall gets very strong and creates a flood effect on the river and the natural pools further down its path.

In the dry season, the Catarata Tesoro Escondido is more of a thin ribbon. But you have the chance to enjoy its beauty without worrying about the rain and about closures.

Swimming in the Tesoro Escondido waterfall’s pool

As we mentioned, you can swim at the foot of the pool but you should know about a few things before jumping in. When you step into the pool, you’ll need to navigate a few slightly slippery rocks before it deepens enough for swimming, but it’s manageable. Just be careful as the rocks are covered in algae or moss. Wearing water shoes is advisable!

Despite the fall’s flow not being overwhelming, the current is surprisingly strong. Maybe it’s the shock from the cold water that makes it harder to swim! But you’ll notice that the current is softer in certain parts. Just stick to the parts of the pool that are more comfortable for you.

We do recommend taking a moment to look up at the waterfall from the pool. It’s really a stunning view!

The pozas and smaller waterfalls at Catarata Tesoro Escondido

If you walk back to the initial junction, you’ll get to the sign that points you to the rock pools – Pozas.

There’s only one path to get down to the next set of waterfalls and natural pools. You’ll walk an uneven staircase, but there’s a handrail if you need it… but to be honest, even the rail is a bit wonky and looks like it might give out!

As you’re going down the stairs, you’ll notice the pools revealing themselves. All in different shades of blue, turquoise and green, depending on the weather. We had a very overcast day, with rain mere minutes away, so the water wasn’t as vibrant as it would be on a sunny day!

Once you reach the bottom of the set of stairs, you’ll see the pool with a smaller (but still impressive waterfall flowing into it. This fall is set in a miniature canyon, with beautiful deep blue water (even bluer than Catarata Tesoro Escondido). which makes it so stunning!

As always, there are a few more rocks to navigate (somewhat slippery), but you’ll find it deepens pretty quickly. A good thing if you want to enter fast since the water here is just as cold as the main pool. Even if this pool is small, it’s an ideal spot for swimming since there isn’t really a current to fight with. Plus, the beautiful cave and the lush surroundings make it feel like you’re swimming in a paradise pool!

As you continue going down the other paths, you’ll see other pools reveal themselves. They’re a bit less secluded than the first since the stairs are more visible and give others a good view of the waters. We were lucky as there was no one else around.

This is as far down as we were able to go. As we were going to make our way to the Poza Esmeralda, a guide came down to tell us that they were going to shut the site down because of rain.

Even if we didn’t make it to the Poza Esmeralda, we saw pictures of it on the Tesoso Escondido’s Facebook page, and we know we missed out. If you have the chance, we highly recommend you make the trek down there.

In fact, we think you should head there first. You’ll get to see all the natural pools (pozas) on your way down to the Poza Esmeralda, and then you can decide which pool you want to swim in on your way up!

In reading different reviews online about the Poza Esmeralda, we saw that the current is surprisingly stronger here than in other pools. If you’re not a strong swimmer, or if you just don’t want to keep fighting the current, you can hold on to one of the rocks and bob around.

We’ll give you the same advice there as we did at the other pools. Often, the rocks on the edge of the pools are your entryway into the water. They are covered in moss and algae, which means they can get slippery. Make sure you have a good grip on the water shoes or the Chacos-style sandals you wear.

What you should pack to visit Catarata Tesoro Escondido

If you’re planning on visiting one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Costa Rica, here are the things you should pack to make sure you have everything you need to have an amazing time.

• Bathing suit: This is a must! Not only can you swim at the bottom of the main fall, but you can also swim in the many natural pools. You don’t want to miss out on the beauty of this place. But again, be warned, the water is cold!
• Fast-drying towel: To dry off between the waterfalls and the small treks you need to go on to get from one pool to the next.
• Hiking shoes: No need for full-fledged hiking boots, the terrain is not very rugged, but good shoes with decent grip are important, especially in the rockier parts.
• Water shoes or Chacos-style sandals: We recommend having water shoes, as entry into the water involves walking on slimy rocks. If you’re like us and don’t like slimy things, then water shoes are a lifesaver. We can’t go anywhere without them now!
• Waterproof bag or dry bag: If you want to bring things and worry about them getting wet, a dry bag is a great thing to have. Maybe it’s because we went in the rainy season, or maybe it’s because the surrounding area of the Catarata Tesoro Escondido is always wet, but it’s hard to find a dry path sometimes. This will help you!
• Snacks: There are plenty of places to stop and enjoy the view on the Catarata Tresoro Escondido property. We recommend packing snacks so you can enjoy the waterfall, the pools and everything else. Make sure to pack a garbage bag too so you can bring any rubbish back with you.
• Water bottle: You can bring a filled reusable water bottle with you, or even a water filtration bottle so you can filter the water from the waterfall and drink that. Although the hike is not very strenuous, you do want to stay hydrated, especially if you plan on sticking around the property for a while.

Where to stay near Tesoro Escondido Waterfall

To explore the Catarata Tesoro Escondido and the other falls in the region, we recommend setting up camp in the Bajos del Toro region of Costa Rica. Luckily, there are plenty of accommodations here for all budgets and types of travelers.

Here is a short list of places you can book during your stay.

• Budget-friendly: Las Cabañas.  Hospedaje Las Orquídeas
• Mid-range: Hotel Mango Valley.  Selvática del Toro.
• Higher-end: El Silencio Lodge & Spa.  Bosque de Paz Reserva Biologica.

For the best options, we always book through Booking.com or Hostelworld.com. They have great options, we can scan through reviews, see pictures and make sure we’re choosing the best accommodations for our budget and location.

Also, note that you can stay on the Catarata Tesoro Escondido property as they do have glamping options available.

What else to do near Catarata Tesoro Escondido

There are plenty of things to do while you’re staying in Bajos del Toro. Of course, you have a ton of other waterfalls you can explore. If you’re not too keen on seeing more water falling down rocks, we recommend you check our full Bajos del Toro guide.

As a summary, here are a few of the things to do in the area:

• Check out the national parks nearby, like Poás National Park, Juan Castro Blanco National Park and Carara National Park
• Relax at the different hot springs in the area
• Take a dip in the natural pools
• Get an adrenaline rush by going ziplining, rappelling down a waterfall or going canyoning
• Visit El Silencio Lodge to go for a mystic hike or a night walk, horseback riding, oxcart painting, and much more
• Visit one of the spas for a massage

There’s so much to do in Bajos del Toro, so if you’re staying nearby, you can enjoy all these activities. If not, you can stay in La Fortuna or in San José, and take a day trip from there.

There you have it! Everything you need to know about having an amazing time at Catarata Tesoro Escondido. A beautiful waterfall that is not that known by tourists, but that is loved by locals!

We highly recommend you visit this hidden gem before it becomes to popular. And don’t be afraid to check out other waterfalls in the region. On the side of the road, you’ll see plenty of signs pointing you to many of the falls in the area. Take your pick and enjoy!

Let us know in the comments if you have any questions about hiking to the Tesoro Escondido waterfall. Is there any other information you’d like to have? Are you more excited to visit the pools or the main waterfall?

---

Thank you so much for reading the article all the way through!

We put a lot of time and effort into the content we create. Please like, comment and share – every action on your part helps us out tremendously and is very appreciated.

You can also help us by pinning this article for others to find.

---