El Tigre Waterfalls is a project in the outskirts of the Monteverde region. With 148 acres (60 hectares) of primary and secondary rainforest, it encompasses four waterfalls, a couple of hanging bridges (not the wide, metal ones, but the ones made of rope and wood), tree trunk bridges over the river, and great trails.
You can also bring your bathing suit and take a dip surrounded by paradise!
Located around 6 miles (10 Km approx.) from the Ocotea Boutique Hotel, it takes around a half-hour drive on a partly paved road. (At the end is a gravel road in good condition). If you go in September or October (the Caribbean Coast’s sunnier period) for the morning tour, the views of the Northern plains are magnificent.
Whether you drive your car, you take transportation or decide to take the tour and go with a group and guide, El Tigre Waterfalls is a fantastic adventure and one of the most beautiful places in Costa Rica.
When Should I Hike at El Tigre Waterfalls?
There are some differences between going in the sunny and rainy seasons, such as the time of day in which it’s best to go. In the sunny season, you can take the hike at different times throughout the day, while in the rainy season hikes are taken mainly in the mornings.
But you can’t lose, since this decades-old preserve is open and beautiful throughout the year.
El Tigre Waterfalls History:
Tigre means tiger, but no, we don’t actually have tigers in Costa Rica. Costa Ricans for many years used the word tiger interchangeably with jaguar, though that’s been changing in the past decade or so.
But no matter the name, big cats certainly play a big role in the history of El Tigre. As the story goes, a few decades ago in 1985, when Costa Rica’s environmental restoration movement was still in its early years, a displaced jaguar wandered into the farmlands of Don Aurelio Rodriguez and his family, where over the course of a year it ate dozens of cows, calves, and horses.
It’s a sad day when displaced wild animals resort to hunting livestock because it can be incredibly difficult to relocate and reacclimate an apex predator. The titular jaguar was eventually put down by rangers from the community, but this sad story has an inspiring ending. Monteverde — and Costa Rica in general — have been developing tourism since the late ’80s. During that time, the Rodriguez family, as well as many other families in the area, switched from the beef cattle business to the conservation and sustainability efforts that have allowed the travel industry in Costa Rica, and particularly Monteverde, to thrive.
But the story of that lone, displaced jaguar was not lost on the Rodriguez family, who have developed an environmental project called “The Cry of the Puma and the Farmer”, to protect these far-ranging felines and teach farmers how to prevent predator attacks and keep those beautiful big cats wild. Now, countless farmers around Costa Rica have learned to manage their farms with nonintrusive, big-cat discouragement measures established by specialists all over the world.
The Different Ways to Hike El Tigre Waterfalls
The Full Tour
This is probably the best way to see El Tigre Waterfalls. They will pick you up early in the morning by a local tour guide who will tell you everything there is to know about the preserve and can provide some friendly company along with an expert look at the life in the surrounding rainforest.
This is the option we recommend the most, and can be done through our good friends at Ocotea Tours & Transfer.
Or Venture On Your Own!
The other option is to visit the preserve yourself. If you are driving and choose to go to El Tigre on your own, you have two different tour options:
The Waterfall Tour
The first option includes hiking (5 Km/ 3 Miles) to visit all the waterfalls and then returning by horseback riding or on the safari jeep, which you can organize at the entrance to the reserve.
The Big Hike
The second option is to do the entire trail system on foot, which includes all four waterfalls as well as a challenging but beautiful ascent out of the valley. This hike is almost twice as long (8 Km/5 Miles), and recommended for avid hikers who want to see everything they can on foot.
Zipline on a Bike?
You can also choose to add this fantastic and quite unique experience at the end of the tour. If you’re in Monteverde, you’ve obviously heard of ziplining, but at El Tigre you can change this experience up, riding a modified bike on three separate wires that are between 100 and 150 meters long and up to 70 meters above the earth.
The experience is truly breathtaking, completely safe, and has to be seen to be believed!
Hiking Trail El Tigre
Although the waterfalls are the main draw of El Tigre, the route itself is spectacular. The views and sounds of nature will accompany you during your walk.
The route begins with a steady descent, with occasional challenging spots where little streams flow across rough ground. It's a lengthy hike until you reach the first waterfall, but you shouldn't become too tired because it's primarily downhill. However, it puts a lot of strain on the knees, so remember to pause along the route.
The first waterfall and onwards are a mix of up and down.
While on the trail you will find a couple of rustic hanging bridges and eight bridges that are cut logs put across the river and with a rope on the side to hold on.
These planks are firm and broad enough, and not really high above the water but they can be a bit challenging for those who are afraid of heights.
You just have to be cautious and take it easy. The first ones may be a bit more challenging, but after the second, or third, you realize there is nothing to fear. Enjoy the adventure!
Most bridges have a maximum capacity of one person at a time.
Make Sure to Bring Snacks
We highly recommend you take a few granola or nut bars and some fruit.
Near the second and third waterfalls, the river bank is an excellent place to stop to take a break, and the snack you brought.
Then, you will begin going uphill up to the area where you can find the bathrooms and where you will find the horses or 4x4 drive.
If you do 'The Big Hike' rather than the 'Waterfall Tour,' the latter section of your hike will be entirely uphill. As you climb higher, the sights of farmlands and mountains gradually replace those of the rainforest.
And What About The Waterfalls?
1st Waterfall
In terms of sheer size, the first waterfall is the most impressive of all the waterfalls. After a time of hiking downhill, you will come to a bifurcation with trail markers. The route to the right leads to an observation deck from where you can see the waterfall from a distance, but the path to the left leads you closer to the waterfall.
I spent a long time at this observation platform, admiring the spectacular sight while flying water droplets brushed my face. Then I returned and climbed the steps to get a better look at the waterfall.
This waterfall can be seen from several different angles of the trail, and I suggest taking your time to get all the beauty in.
Waterfalls No. 2 and No. 3
The second and third waterfalls are relatively close together, and much smaller. There is no particular viewing platform for these two, and you cannot enter their natural waters from the trail, but there’s no need to take a side trip to see these two waterfalls because you can see them from the trail. The third one has a front perspective from one of the hanging bridges.
Compared to the first and fourth waterfalls, waterfalls number two and three are smaller and quieter, but they are beautiful, with the surrounding wilderness framing their white veils.
4th Waterfall
The fourth waterfall is a long way off the main track, along another path marked by trail headings. But despite the uphill trek, we would still recommend taking this detour. The waterfall is stunning, with an adjacent smaller and broader waterfall that falls like a curtain, striving to protect the cliffs behind it.
Standing along the pool's edge, you can enjoy an elevated perspective of the river below and the forest as far as the eye can see.
You have the option of swimming in the different ponds of the river at the 1st and 4th waterfall, and I highly recommend doing so. I also recommend you bring water shoes and wear your bathing suit (there aren't any facilities to change on site).
Protocols for El Tigre's Safety
El Tigre Waterfalls are buried in dense forest cover, deep in mountain valleys distant from the main town. It's no surprise that you cannot get any phone signal.
And if you set out without a guide, the excursion is a self-guided trek in a remote location. As exciting as the experience is, it also requires careful attention to safety precautions.
Fortunately, the management has put in place some safeguards to ensure the safety of their visitors.
The person recording your registration at the reception desk will show you the map and give you a comprehensive briefing about the place. It is a good idea to photograph the map or bring a copy with you.
Then, if you are going by yourself, they will give you a walkie-talkie and check on you throughout the hike, and also have yellow boxes along the route that have emergency first-aid kits and radios in case you need to call for help.
I didn't need to use any of these, but it’s comforting to know that if I had any sort of emergency (Especially going by myself) I would be in good hands.
Tips from Our Expert
Before we wrap up, we have a few recommendations and tips for you!
- This is a trail for experienced hikers, especially if you do it in the rainy season.
- Bring waterproof hiking boots, and if you don’t have any, at least tennis shoes with good soles. The trail can be muddy and slippery on some tracks and rocky on others.
- A good rain poncho is a good idea, even in the sunny season.
- Walking sticks (at least one) can be helpful. Even if you are an experienced hiker and in great physical condition, the trail can be tough at times, and a stick will give you safety and stability.
- Bring enough water. There is one recharging station, but it’s almost at the end of the hike.
Off To El Tigre!
El Tigre Waterfalls is one of the most beautiful waterfall projects in Costa Rica. Every single part of the trail is made of natural materials, and this gives an innovative, yet genuinely rustic wilderness feeling.
It is a real adventure, and a great story to tell afterward. We recommend it to hikers, photographers, nature lovers, and solo travelers.
Ask here at Ocotea Boutique Hotel and arrange the tour with us now!
