Parque Nacional del Agua Juan Castro Blanco
Parque Nacional del Agua Juan Castro Blanco
Parque Nacional del Agua Juan Castro Blanco
4.5
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4.5
46 reviews
Excellent
33
Very good
10
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Elizabeth S
Toronto, Canada637 contributions
Nov 2020 • Friends
The colours are beautiful - there are lots of opportunities to sit and enjoy with benches along the way. The first portion of the trail is cement steps and then it goes down to mud/stone steps. You have good access to stop at any point. If you go to the very bottom you get the rush of the water.
Beautiful hike. This was self-guided. It took 90 minutes.
Beautiful hike. This was self-guided. It took 90 minutes.
Written 18 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah K
5 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
Unfortunately didn't do my research and entered through the entrance near the town of bajos del toro ( there is an alternative entrance where better hiking / real trails are found). There was a sign indicating 2 km to the national park - however it was a very LONG and bumpy drive down an ill maintained road (definitely need a 4x4). We did hike a loop in the area and it was nice to be in nature .... but I highly recommend going to the other entrance (north of zarcero on the northwestern side of the park).
Written 28 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lou O
Pico Rivera8 contributions
Nov 2013 • Friends
This Park is a wonderful experience for nature lovers worldwide! After photographing the waterfall (100 meters fall), I then spent 2 hours hiking the several well maintained trails. I was glad I wore waterproof hiking boots as it drizzled for about one hour. Along the hike I came to a place where I took an image of the Rio del Toro well below the waterfall. The rapidly lowering elevation made for a wonderful photo! I also photographed orchids, flowers, insects, and several varieties if birds! Any nature enthusiast will find this visit a wonderful experience! Admission to the Park is only 5,000 Colones ($10 US Dollars).
Written 21 November 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jmaxwellb
Atlanta, GA83 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
We took a ride to this park from the village of Baja de Toro. (We were staying at the marvelous Bosque de Paz but a very windy, wet day put us in the car). A poorly marked gravel track, surely longer than the indicated 2km(?) almost had us give up but we persisted. Don't even think about it unless you're driving an SUV. There was an official sign in front of a set back building, though it did not say Juan Castro Blanco, so we ignored the yappy dog and entered. We were greeted by a sleepy guy in official uniform, signed the visitors' book - the first for months - and strolled the designated 1 km (or so) trail along a creek and through scrappy forest. After the wonderful trails in Bosque de Paz, with climbs to views, wildlife and a gorgeous waterfall, this was pretty mediocre stuff. Definitely not worth a detour. The park's conservation efforts are no doubt extremely beneficial, but not a tourist attraction. It's entirely possible that there's another entrance to a different portion of the park that is worth visiting.
Written 4 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thrane1010
Bergen, Norway5 contributions
May 2016 • Friends
Incredible beautiful national park with amazing scenery and waterfall.
I did a half day hike during mid may which was excellent! One can easily use a full day here.
I did a half day hike during mid may which was excellent! One can easily use a full day here.
Written 15 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fravelrocks
14 contributions
July 2015 • Couples
The park is about 3 hours from San Jose.
The hike to the lake took us through some of the most beautiful scenery in Costa Rica we have ever seen! And we've seen a lot of Costa Rica.
We definitely recommend you bring hiking shoes, extra socks, raincoat, water and a snack.
The hike to the lake took us through some of the most beautiful scenery in Costa Rica we have ever seen! And we've seen a lot of Costa Rica.
We definitely recommend you bring hiking shoes, extra socks, raincoat, water and a snack.
Written 5 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NanCarvajal
Heredia, Costa Rica248 contributions
May 2013 • Friends
Bring coat, is very rainy...we did hiking ( 14km). The lake is an old volcano very amazing, if you want to go to the mines ask to your guide, because this road is very difficult.
If you like adventure is your place!!! Remenber bring extra clothes and shoes.
If you like adventure is your place!!! Remenber bring extra clothes and shoes.
Written 24 June 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tony P
Tampa, FL16 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
On way to San Jose from Arenal, decided to visit Park. Using Waze we left 140 (main road) and followed a small dirt/partially paved road uphill for several miles. There are very few signs to let you know you you are headed in the right direction. The road winds through pastures, by small houses and cattle operations.
After a half hour or so we saw a sign for a private ecological reserve. We turned in the driveway and after a couple of minutes we arrived at the headquarters. The building includes rest rooms and a small restaurant. Parking is limited to a few vehicles. An attendant showed us the entrance to the hiking trail that was about 2k in length. He said the entrance was free but they accept donations.
We had the trail to ourselves. The trail leads up to an old growth cloud forest. Epiphytes (orchids, bromeliads, ferns, aroids)are abundant as are birds. FYI, trail is muddy and slippery in spots.
Highly recommend! After the hike we had lunch at the restaurant, very good food and service. Recommend guanabana juice. On way out of park had to engage four wheel drive as road was slick and steep.
After a half hour or so we saw a sign for a private ecological reserve. We turned in the driveway and after a couple of minutes we arrived at the headquarters. The building includes rest rooms and a small restaurant. Parking is limited to a few vehicles. An attendant showed us the entrance to the hiking trail that was about 2k in length. He said the entrance was free but they accept donations.
We had the trail to ourselves. The trail leads up to an old growth cloud forest. Epiphytes (orchids, bromeliads, ferns, aroids)are abundant as are birds. FYI, trail is muddy and slippery in spots.
Highly recommend! After the hike we had lunch at the restaurant, very good food and service. Recommend guanabana juice. On way out of park had to engage four wheel drive as road was slick and steep.
Written 23 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FishNerd7238
Forest Park, IL102 contributions
This park is very interesting. Almost Alpine in some places with vistas I simply did not expect. We made the mistake of simply following our vehicles GPS and it took us to the wrong entrance. We missed a lot of the scenery driving the wrong road and hiking up the wrong hillside. That being said it was still stunning and unexpected. Be ready for the rain, mud and cooler temperatures.
Written 20 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tony B
Wokingham, UK1,892 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
We did a horseback ride into here which was good. It was only for an hour so we didn’t get far but we did see some wild boat and also a Coati which we’d never seen before. The trees are so dense, great place to visit but I would suggest, only with a guide
Written 13 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is Parque Nacional del Agua Juan Castro Blanco open? What are the hours and cost? Thank you.
Written 28 March 2021
Hi, is there a trail map, I'd like to go but don't want to get lost, will be my 1st time in Costa rica. Thanks
Written 17 October 2018
At the part of the park accessed from near Bajos de Torro you don't need a guide. It's a short stroll on a well marked trail. We can recommend the birding guide at nearby Bosque de Paz lodge.
Written 2 February 2017
Hola JosyAM,
Leo que dices que usualmente has ido varias veces por ahí, es que como no hay tanta información sobre los senderos.
¿Qué otras entradas hay al Parque? Y qué tan fáciles son los recorridos. Yo también practivo senderismo a nivel intermedio.
Saludos,
Written 21 September 2015
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