Canyoning in Costa Rica Introduction

In 2019, My friend Cabot and I had the incredible opportunity to explore the captivating Gata Media in the town of Bajos del Toro (more on Bajos del Toro below), characterized by its stunning travertine falls, unique blue/green water, and waterfalls cascading in from the sides. The descent was truly enchanting, featuring straightforward rappels and exhilarating jumps, adding another magical chapter to my adventures of canyoning in Costa Rica.

Bajos del Toro

Situated in the Central Highland region adjacent to the Juan Castro Blanco National Park, Bajos del Toro Costa Rica stands as a distinctive private reserve. Within its bounds lie some of the nation’s most enchanting waterfalls, including Tesoro Escondido (hidden treasure) and Toro Amarillo (Yellow Bull). Conveniently located near the Central Valley, this captivating reserve is a mere 90-minute drive from the capital city, San Jose.

Gata Media Approach

To descend this canyon journey, I found myself navigating through the logistical details with the help of a local canyoneer named Johan. Arriving at the exit, you’ll need to pay for parking, as the exit trail traverses private property which is managed by Will, a Dutchman associated with Blue Falls. There is a fee for hikers to access the waterfalls, Blue falls office (click for map of location) is open from Monday to Saturday 7am – 5pm, and closed on Sundays. The parking/access fee is about $11 per person as of 2023. As a side note, canyoning in Costa Rica is much easier with the help of a local! However, you can do it on your own with a little extra work.

The approach involved parking along a dirt road, ensuring to abide by any signs indicating restricted vehicle access beyond a certain point. The road, although public was quite muddy and unpassable by vehicle when we visited. This led to a ~30 to 40-minute walk until we reached the Quebrada Pilas river, which is marked by a suspension bridge. Suiting up here, we followed the riverbed, emphasizing the importance of respecting fences and land ownership markings. Avoiding forest crossings was emphasized to preserve this natural gem.

For those with a single vehicle, the option to explore most of the canyon exists, necessitating an exit just after the fourth rappel on canyon right (see map below). A well-established trail leads back to the approach road and parking area from the approach.

Canyon Beta

Rating:‌ 3C1 III (v3a4 III)

Rappels: ‌6, biggest rappel – 100ft

Time Requirement: 5-6 hours – Length: 2.5 miles

Approach: 30 minutes – Length: 1 mile

Technical Section: 3 hours – Length: 1 mile

Exit: 10 minutes (for the original exit I took details below) 10 mins – Length: .15 miles

The canyon’s beauty unfolded rapidly and ended up being one of my favorites from our Canyoning in Costa Rica trip. With the first toboggan/slide and initial rappel emerging within the first few minutes. Notable rappels included the 85-foot first rappel with bolts on the left of the canyon, Rappel 2 is 100-feet with bolts on the right, and Rappels 3 & 4 are right by eachother and 15 and 50 feet. It was crucial to avoid rigging on canyon right at this point to steer clear of a formidable hydraulic below these falls.

Rappel 5 featured a 30-foot descent with a bolt on a large boulder in the middle of the canyon. Some of these rappels appear to be jumpable, but you’ll need to depth check first as the color of the water makes it difficult to visual gauge the water depth.

Rappel 6 is a dramatic 100-foot rappel with bolts on the left which led into a picturesque amphitheater. Due to the popularity of this area a tourist platform has been built in this area to view this scenic spot. This is new since I visited the canyon. The descent continued downstream until reaching a narrow ladder on the left for the exit, just before the canyon reached a small reservoir (this is the reservoir we are swimming in at the end of the video below).

Exit Exiting the canyon involved using a ladder on river left, followed by navigating a trail that led to a fork. When we descended this canyon we took the trail to the right with a trolley crossing a small creek to avoid the private property. Now with the permission of Will at Blue Falls, the left path (marked private property/no trespassing) is an option. This will take you to an open area with a faint road leading to a cow gate and a more established road. This road curves toward the main road, guiding you to signs for the waterfalls, a viewpoint bench, and a gate at the main road, where there is a large pipe for the dam.

Gata Media Tips

A crucial note as mentioned above is the need to contact Will, the Dutchman, about access before embarking on the canyon. Will’s availability from Monday to Saturday. If you are respectful and contact him in advance he is pleasant to deal with, and will required a fee of ~6,000 colones per person for the access, as of 2023.

As I reflect on the breathtaking canyoneering journey through Gata Media, the memories of turquoise waters, stunning rappels, and the enchanting surroundings linger vividly. This hidden gem in Bajos del Toro revealed itself as a captivating playground for adventure seekers, offering a perfect blend of nature’s wonders and adrenaline-fueled challenges. The rushing waterfalls, the feel of the rocky terrain, and the beauty of the Costa Rican landscape canyoning in Costa Rica a highlight of my life. Gata Media isn’t just a canyon; it’s a testament to the beauty that nature has to offer to those willing to explore its depths.

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