El Tigre Waterfalls Excursion, Monteverde

5.0 (8 reviews)
Trek through dense primary forest and discover four beautiful waterfalls, followed by a horseback ride back to the trailhead.

Overview

Embark on a guided exploration of El Tigre Waterfalls, where you'll traverse a series of trails through primarily untouched forest to see four impressive waterfalls. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, the adventure begins with a hike across hanging and natural bridges with opportunities to swim under waterfalls, and the chance to spot a variety of wildlife such as monkeys and tropical birds. After the mostly downhill trek, switch gears and saddle up to ascend on horseback. This experience, ideal for nature lovers and adventure seekers, connects you with Costa Rica's natural landscapes.

Highlights

  • Navigate a scenic trail featuring hanging bridges and waterfalls
  • Refresh with a dip in the chilly waters beneath the cascading waterfalls
  • Spot wildlife with the help of your naturalist guide
  • Thrill to riding horseback through rivers and following stone paths
  • Appreciate stunning viewpoints with glimpses of distant volcanoes and Lake Arenal

Know before you go

Duration
5h
Recommended for
13 years old & up
Group
Small group
Food & Drink
Lunch Included

What you'll do

Embark on a memorable adventure through the picturesque Cataratas El Tigre (El Tigre Waterfalls) area, an expansive 148-acre (60 ha) stretch of lush primary forest. After a quick transfer from your hotel in Monteverde, you'll arrive at the starting point and gear up for your journey. Accompanied by a guide, you and a small group of like-minded travelers will explore this vibrant ecosystem, home to monkeys, snakes, peccaries, and various colorful insects and tropical birds. Your guide will help you spot these creatures as you traverse the trails and share insights into the area's rich biodiversity. 

The mostly hike spans approximately 3 miles (5 km) and takes about three hours, leading you over natural stone paths and past four waterfalls, each ranging from 49 feet to 98 feet (15 m to 30 m) in height. There's even a chance to reward yourself with a refreshing swim at the base of a waterfall. As you continue, you'll cross hanging bridges that offer some pretty exceptional views of the lush landscape, and if the weather is clear, you might even glimpse distant volcanoes from a scenic viewpoint, including Arenal, Rincón de la Vieja, Tenorio, and Miravalles, and the picturesque Lake Arenal.

As your mostly downhill trek concludes, you'll enjoy the return journey via horseback (best for those with some horseback riding experience), which will take about 35 minutes to return to the trailhead. You'll have fun leading your horse over a few rivers and rocky paths, and always through dense greenery. If horseback riding isn't your thing, there's the option of returning via 4WD or continuing back up on foot, another 2 miles (3 km).

Start times

  • Daily
    7:00 am, 12:00 pm

What's included

  • Round-trip transportation from/to your hotel
  • Entrance fees
  • Guide
  • Lunch
  • Horseback ride

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Traveler reviews

8 total ratings, 6 with reviews
5.0
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
4.9
Food
4.5
Guides, Drivers and Staff
4.6
Transport
4.6
Adam
Adam G.
Boulder, CO | Reviewed on Jul 30, 2024
Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable about our hiking area! We were a group of five, and two others were also in our group. We hiked about five kilometers, and once you reach the bottom, you can choose to go back via horseback or a 4x4 vehicle. There are hanging bridges to cross that offer beautiful views! There are a couple of spots to go for a swim under the waterfalls. Be sure to bring a towel and swimsuit—the water is refreshing and cold, which was a nice break from the heat and... Read more

Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable about our hiking area! We were a group of five, and two others were also in our group. We hiked about five kilometers, and once you reach the bottom, you can choose to go back via horseback or a 4x4 vehicle.

There are hanging bridges to cross that offer beautiful views! There are a couple of spots to go for a swim under the waterfalls. Be sure to bring a towel and swimsuit—the water is refreshing and cold, which was a nice break from the heat and humidity!

We didn't see much wildlife, but it didn't take away from the experience.

Tips for future travelers

Bring shoes that are good for the mud, water, and hiking.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
They provided transportation to and from the hike, but keep in mind the transfer times are set, and we had to rush to eat our lunch to ensure we would make it. It felt rushed, and they weren't flexible on the timing even though the hike took longer.
Howard
Howard L.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Jun 03, 2024
We were hesitant at first since we had seen a waterfall in La Fortuna. However this is a must do hike. It is very strenuous and we welcomed the provided walking stick. Very much enjoyed the horseback ride back up. Read more

We were hesitant at first since we had seen a waterfall in La Fortuna. However this is a must do hike. It is very strenuous and we welcomed the provided walking stick. Very much enjoyed the horseback ride back up.

Tips for future travelers

Don’t bring rain gear. It is very hot.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
John
John F.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Mar 26, 2024
It was wonderful to actually be hiking in this landscapes and get the feeling of what it's like. there were not as many people. I appreciated our guide. It was nice to take a vehicle out. I cannot imagine that kimkim would suggest taking the horses up that long hill out of the trail. It's arduous even in a vehicle not to mention the hardship on these poor horses. Read more

It was wonderful to actually be hiking in this landscapes and get the feeling of what it's like. there were not as many people. I appreciated our guide. It was nice to take a vehicle out. I cannot imagine that kimkim would suggest taking the horses up that long hill out of the trail. It's arduous even in a vehicle not to mention the hardship on these poor horses.

Tips for future travelers

It was great.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
M
Mark H.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Mar 18, 2024
Very cool hike. Unique. Take the horses. Read more

Very cool hike. Unique. Take the horses.

Tips for future travelers

This requires good hiking balance. true single track trails.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Brad
Brad F.
Canada | Reviewed on Mar 17, 2024
its a moderate hike, really beautiful place. I would repeat. Guide was knowledgeable but did not seem interested in us or anything else. Read more

its a moderate hike, really beautiful place. I would repeat. Guide was knowledgeable but did not seem interested in us or anything else.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Jane
Jane R.
Newburgh, NY | Reviewed on Mar 15, 2023
Beautiful hike with many hanging bridges and waterfalls. Lots of wildlife that our guide pointed out. We took horses back up the mountain at the end. Read more

Beautiful hike with many hanging bridges and waterfalls. Lots of wildlife that our guide pointed out. We took horses back up the mountain at the end.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport

Like what you see?

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