Monteverde is famous for its tropical cloud forest reserves which offer fantastic hiking opportunities. Although a hike in one of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserves is a must, another great hike you can do is the El Tigre Waterfalls.
The El Tigre Waterfalls Monteverde hike takes you deep into the cloud and transition forests to see a myriad of waterfalls via a network of hanging bridges. The hanging bridges go over rivers, into the forest and through canyons, creating a sensation of trekking deep into the wild Costa Rican jungle. If you love hiking and are looking for a fun adventure in Monteverde beyond ziplining, then you must El Tigre Waterfalls!
Here is how to plan your visit. There are affilaite links in this post.
El Tigre Waterfalls Monteverde Hours
The waterfall park is open everyday from 730 AM to 130 PM.
How to Get to El Tigre Waterfalls Monteverde
The best way to get to El Tigre Waterfalls Monteverde park is to drive your rental car to the waterfall park. They have free on-site parking. A 4wd is not required, although a high clearance car is. On Waze or Google Maps, enter “El Tigre Waterfalls” and make sure you take the route via Los Olivos. Get our Costa Rica car rental discount here!
There is no public bus or shuttle that goes directly to the waterfall park. El Tigre Waterfalls Monteverde park can provide transportation from you directly on their website ($12 USD per person roundtrip with set up pick up times and locations). A private shuttle is $60 USD up to 4 people. Whatsapp them at +506 8391 9625 to make your transportation reservation.
If you don’t have transportation and would like to book a tour, there are operators that offer tours to El Tigre Waterfalls Monteverde. Click here to book your Monteverde tours!
Entrance Fee – Reservations Required?
El Tigre Waterfalls Monteverde offers two options: the full package or the big hike. You can make reservations on their website directly. We recommend to do this if you are coming in a group, visiting during high season or peak season (December through April, peak being Christmas, New Years and Holy Week) and want to do the full package.
When we visited mid December, we did not make reservations. We did the full package, booked directly at the front desk.
The entire trail is 8 kilometers long (5 miles) but they offer two different ways to complete it. You do not need a guide for this hike, you can do it completely on your own.
Full Package
The full package includes the entrance to the waterfalls and 8 kilometer (5 mile) trail. You will hike the first 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) and you can choose between a horseback ride or 4×4 safari car for the last 3 kilometers (1.8 miles). Lunch is also included (typical Costa Rican). *Weight limit for horseback riding is 110 kgs or 250 lbs). Intermediate difficulty. Need to be in good condition. Cost is $66 USD per adult.
Big Hike
The big hike is just that – a big hike. You have access to hike the entire 8 kilometer (5 mile) trail. Lunch is not included but you can purchase it separately at the restaurant. You need to be in very good physical condition for the Big Hike. Cost is $33 USD per adult.
Coffee, water and juice are included for both options.
Zipline Bike
They also offer a zipline bike which is available at the end of the hike at the 5 kilometer mark. It is exactly what it sounds like, you will bike over the river, through the forest on a bike situated on a cable. There are three cables from 100 to 150 meters in length (328 – 492 feet) about 70 meters (230 feet) above the ground.
You can either do this at the end of the hike or book just the zipline bike without the other 5 kilometers trail (they’ll transport you via 4×4 safari vehicle and then walk about 300 meters or .18 miles to the starting point). Cost is $25 USD per person.
How Long Do You Need at El Tigre Waterfalls Monteverde?
Whether you’re doing the full package or the big hike, give yourself at least 4 hours including coffee or lunch time afterwards. We arrived around 9 AM and left by 1 PM after having lunch.
El Tigre Waterfalls Monteverde is not for anyone with asthma, breathing problems, any type of mobility problems or with very young children. There is no universal trail or access. Strollers, walkers and wheelchairs not allowed. Also cannot have an extreme fear of heights. Photos of the trail are below.
What to Wear
Sturdy closed toed hiking shoes, running shoes or sneakers. Comfortable, breathable hiking clothes. It is VERY humid in the forest, a lot more humid than I thought it would be. An insulted water bottle, water resistant/water proof day pack, camera, rain jacket, and hat. Get our full Costa Rica packing list here.
Monteverde sits higher in elevation and this area can rain almost any time of the year. Even during the dry season, there may be sprinkles here and there. Come prepared! We were lucky not to run into any rain mid December but it was very cloudy, kinda dark and windy. Read more about Costa Rica weather here.
We saw one couple with hiking poles. I was a bit surprised as they looked like they were in their 30s but the woman didn’t seem to be very enthusiastic about the hike nor had any experience as she was going extremely slow and not very steady. It’s a good thing she came prepared with poles to help her down the steps.
Video
If you want to see our video of El Tigre Waterfalls, check it out below!
The 5 Kilometer Trail at El Tigre Waterfalls Monteverde
We opted for the full package with the 4×4 safari ride at the end. Yeison and I are in good shape and are fairly experienced hikers.
The entire trail is a natural path, with rocks, tree roots and dirt the whole way. You’ll first walk about 5 minutes through a garden and then the path starts heading down into the forest.
They did a great job also with signage. There are signs pointing you which way to go and then markers for the last couple kilometers.
Even though they maintain this trail, clearing the bushes and putting a rope rail, it still feels very natural and pure. You can tell that they want to keep the trail as wild as possible but in a safe, yet fun and adventurous way. This hike is really for those who love hiking, if you don’t like hiking at all, you may have a bit of a tough time getting into it.
Surprisingly, this forest was extremely humid. Usually in the cloud forest, it’s a bit fresher and cooler due to the high elevation but perhaps it was because we were walking down into the river canyons or because the waterfall park was a bit lower in elevation, it was extremely humid. Right away, Yeison and I were both sweating a lot! I was glad I wore long hiking pants however, to ward off the bugs and protect my legs from the branches and leaves.
4 and 5 Kilometer Mark
At the 4 kilometer mark, they have a station with fruit and bathrooms. Then if you are doing the horseback ride or taking the 4×4 truck back up the last 3 kilometers, you will need to let the staff at this station know to call the operation center.
It was really nice to have some fruit at this point of the very humid hike!
At the 5 kilometer mark, this is where you will either hop on your horse or ride back up in the truck. If you opted for the additional zipline bike adventure, this is where you will start it.
If you are hiking the last 3 kilometers, follow the signs to continue on the trail. Some people walk up the same road as the truck which you can do too, but it’s just on the road.
El Tigre Waterfalls Photos
Below are photos of the trails, hanging bridges and waterfalls. As you can see, the entire hike was extremely lush, the trail is not horrendously difficult but you do need to be in good physical condition and have good shoes. This hike is GORGEOUS!
El Tigre Waterfalls Monteverde is definitely one of our favorite things to do in Monteverde!
Sample Monteverde Itineraries
Here are some ideas to incorporate El Tigre Waterfalls Monteverde if you have two full days. We have also written many Costa Rica itineraries with Monteverde included.
Need a hotel in Monteverde? Use our 5% promo code “mytanfeet” to save $$ at the following hotels: Hotel Poco a Poco, Monteverde Country Lodge and Sibu Lodge. All wonderful places to stay in Monteverde with a great location, excellent restaurant and very cozy and comfortable rooms.
If you have 2 full days full of adventure and nature
Day 1: Ziplining and hanging bridges in the morning at Treetopia or Selvatura Park. Lunch at Stella’s. Some souvenir shopping or relaxing at your hotel for the afternoon. Sunset at Mirador San Luis. Dinner at Tramonti or Restaurante Tico y Rico.
Day 2: El Tigre Waterfalls in the morning. Lunch at Sabor Tico. Then afternoon visit the Ficus Tree and then watch the sunset at Cerro Pinocho. Dinner at Taco Taco Monteverde or Otocuma Bar.
2 full days for hiking and nature
Day 1: Birdwatching tour at Curi Cancha Reserve or a guided hanging bridges walk at Selvatura Park. Highly recommend to add the butterfly garden, reptile/amphibian exhibit and sloth sanctuary at Selvatura Park. Late lunch at Orchid Coffee and Restaurant. Watch sunset from Cerro Plano (Mirador Valle Escondido Preserve).
Day 2: El Tigre Waterfalls hike in the morning. Lunch at Raulito’s Pollo Asado in downtown Santa Elena. Visit the Jardin de Orquideas (Orchid Garden). Optional night walk at Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve or Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve.
Costa Rica Vacation Checklist
- First time to Costa Rica? Read our First Time in Costa Rica guide.
- Not sure how to move around Costa Rica? Read our How to Get Around Costa Rica guide to find the best transportation method for you.
- Click the link to get our detailed Costa Rica Packing List so you know what essential items to bring.
- Do not forget to purchase Travel Insurance for your trip to Costa Rica.
- Stay connected by purchasing a prepaid SIM Card in Costa Rica. Get 10% off your Airalo eSIM package with our promo code “mytanfeet”
- Save money with Mytanfeet Deals for tours and hotels. Save more money with our Costa Rica Car Rental Discount.
Katherine C says
Hi! As Costa Rica first-time visitors departing a Playa Grande stay on a Saturday this June, my teen daughter and I thought we’d only add a few days around Arenal before returning to LIB on Wednesday for a Thursday flight home. But discovering all about Monteverde from your blog, I wonder if it is worth trying to do both, or if it’s too rushed and unpredictable given roads and rainy season. “Both” would mean arrive in Monteverde Saturday, tour Sunday and 1/2 Mon, drive to Arenal Monday afternoon, tour Arenal Tu and 1/2 Wed, drive to LIB Wednesday afternoon. Better to choose just a single location…4 nights in Arenal is not “too long”? Thank you for thoughts!!
Sammi says
You could technically do it but that’s very rushed and June is in the middle of our rainy season and Arenal and Monteverde are areas that do rain a good amount so there’s a good chance you’ll get rain and then you may feel disappointed or wish you had more time in one location. I’d just stay in La Fortuna, 4 nights is a great amount of time in the area because there is a ton of different things to do and see and it’ll be much less stressful. And if you don’t have a high clearance car or 4wd for Monteverde, I’d stick to just La Fortuna/Arenal. You could also split up your time in Arenal in case you do not want to stay the whole time just there, you could do two nights in Nuevo Arenal and two nights in La Fortun. They are not that far apart from one another and are along the route from Liberia to La Fortuna). There are some super cute B’Bs in Nuevo Arenal and along Lake Arenal like Los Heroes and Lucky Bug.
Maria Ferreira says
Hi, we are going to MonteVerde next month for my birthday.
I would like to know if we need to walk a lot before we find the first waterfall.
I won’t be able to do all those miles but I love waterfalls.
Instead of going in full circle is it possible to turn back anytime I want?
Thank you.
Maria
Sammi says
You could turn back after the first waterfall but it’s like, all uphill and steep because the first part of the hike is just going down and down into the river canyon. I don’t recommend this hike for anyone who cannot walk well or walk a lot, even if you want to turn around after the first waterfall, it’s a steep natural path going back up and the trail is a bit narrow, so if there are a lot of people, you will be getting in everyone’s way going up the opposite direction.
Kat says
Ahh this makes me want to keep El Tigre in our itinerary! We have 2 nights and 1 full day and I was thinking, get up bright and early and do the El Tigre waterfall hike, have lunch there, then head to one of the ziplines. We’d then fit in a hanging bridge walk the following morning before driving further south. Do you think this covers the best of what’s on offer? (I know, really hard to say with only 24hrs!) Thank you in advance, Kat (England)
Sammi says
It can be possible, tiring and a bit rushed but it’s possible.