waterfalls· waterfall· Dramatic Views· Remote
Catarata Bijagual
Witness one of Costa Rica’s tallest waterfalls, where four spectacular cascades plunge through a lush mountain canyon.
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Turrubares
Witness one of Costa Rica’s tallest waterfalls, where four spectacular cascades plunge through a lush mountain canyon.
Catarata Bijagual thunders down 328 meters across four powerful cascades, making it Costa Rica's second-tallest waterfall and a breathtaking display of raw tropical power. The falls plunge through a lush mountain canyon where dry forest transitions into misty rainforest, creating an ever-shifting landscape of mist, sound, and verdant vegetation. The remote location and dramatic elevation make this a pilgrimage for serious hikers and photographers seeking untamed natural drama. Best visited during the rainy season when water volume peaks, though the journey requires significant effort to reach this hidden treasure on the Central Pacific slope.
Costa Rica's second-tallest waterfall plunges 328 meters across four powerful cascades through a lush mountain canyon where dry forest transitions into misty rainforest. The hike is a demanding 6.4-kilometer round-trip trek with roughly 400 rustic stone steps descending into a steep canyon, ending at crystalline natural swimming pools beneath the tropical canopy. The return climb is highly strenuous under intense coastal humidity—pack abundant water, energy snacks, high-traction shoes, and electrolyte tablets. The surrounding Carara ecosystem offers excellent chances to see and hear pairs of Scarlet Macaws flying over the canopy, and an upper trail section provides panoramic views across the mountains to the Río Tárcoles mouth at the Pacific.
Best Time to Visit
Visit during the rainy season (May–November) when water volume peaks for the most dramatic waterfall display. The dry season offers clearer views but significantly reduced water flow.
What Changes Through The Year
Dry Season (Dec–Apr)
Water volume is significantly reduced, though visibility and trail conditions are clearer. The waterfall is less dramatic but still impressive.
Green Season (May–Nov)
Water volume peaks, creating the most powerful and breathtaking display across all four cascades. Expect intense coastal humidity and challenging conditions on the return climb.
Getting There
Located approximately 25 minutes north of Jacó in Turrubares, San José. Access via the Costanera Sur (Route 34); turn inland on a fully paved road that shifts to well-graded gravel at the final approach. Standard 4x2 sedan vehicles can safely reach the main gates.
What to Bring
Safety Considerations
Who This Is For
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Waterfalls
Two-tier 45-metre falls, three hours deep in the jungle south of Dominical
Waterfalls
Three-tier waterfall at the end of a jungle trail twenty minutes from the village
Viewpoints
One of the most dramatic and iconic highland regions
Hidden Gems
Impossibly blue river deep in Tenorio Volcano
Camping
The most biologically intense place on Earth — no services, no shade, no compromise
Living traditions near this place
🌾 Seasonal Rituals
One of the most important Indigenous cultural traditions in Costa Rica
🪡 Artisan Traditions
The last speakers of Maleku weave language into palm fiber
🪶 Indigenous Cultures
Wild cacao in the valley that fed the oldest chocolate trade in the Americas
🪶 Indigenous Cultures
The original chocolate, in the hands it started with