Bijagual Waterfall
23-March-2026
Hidden deep within the Tarcolitos River canyon, the Bijagual Waterfall is one of the Central Pacific Coast's legendary, though lesser-known attractions. Its moderate-to-difficult steep access trails means that it is best suited for active hikers rather than the casual visitor.
The Bijagual Waterfall consists of a mix of several inclined and vertical drops with a combined height of approximately 180 to 200 meters. Entrance is available through two private nature reserves, each offering a unique viewpoint from different elevations.
The First Entrance
The first private reserve is located along the road leading to the town of Bijagual, about 5km from the Costanera highway. It features a single trail that leads directly to the base of the waterfall. At the trailhead, visitors pass a caretaker's booth, a deck with ocean views, and restrooms. Martin, the current caretaker, mentioned that the reserve doesn't have an official name and is simply known locally as "the first entrance", althought hidden in the signs the name is stated as Manantial de Agua Viva. Cell signal is erratic, there is no Wi-Fi, and they don't bother with social media. The place is promoted the old-fashioned way: through word of mouth.
The trail itself offers a challenging 2.2km (aprox.) descending hike that reaches the waterfall plunge pool. Once at the basin, one can stand just a few meters away to feel the force of the misty droplets as the water rams into the basin.
The visitor can also enjoy some calm river pools.
Relevant Links to this Reserve
walkmyworld.com Please take note that some of the trail information included in this article is incorrect.
alltrails.com Trail Information / Charts
The Second Entrance
The second entrance is also a private reserve named Tours Bijagual Waterfall and is located along the road leading to the town of Bijagual, about 8.3km from the Costanera highway. It features several trails that can be enjoyed by self-guided hike or guided horseback riding tour. Either option offers a great opportunity to immerse oneself in the rainforest, making it ideal for hikers, bird watchers, and adventure seekers alike. At a clearing located about 2.2 km from the entrance, the path forks into two branches. The branch to the pozas leads to a series of river pools perfect for rock diving and cannonball splashes, while the branch to the catarata takes the visitor down to a viewpoint positioned just above the waterfall’s mid-height, right beside the rushing water.
Relevant Links to this Reserve
You can visit Tours Bijagual Waterfall for further information
wikiloc.com This content entry incorrectly states the name Bijagua instead of Bijagual. Bijagua is a town in the San Carlos Region, also suited for nature lovers, but far away from Bijagual.
alltrails.com Trail Information / Charts
Waterfall Highlights
Region: Central Pacific Coast
Access: Two entrances, both being Private Nature Reserves.
Well-known nearby Attractions:
- Tárcoles River Bridge for Crocodile Watching
- Carara Nacional Park
- Tárcoles River Crocodile Tours
- Jacó Beach Surfing Lessons
Access difficulty: moderate-to-difficult
Estimated Fall Height: 180m-200m
Trip Duration: Allow 3 to 4 hours for a full experience at either reserve.