Cataratas El Tigre — Attraction in Cabeceras

Overall visiting El Tigre Waterfalls was an amazing experience. We did the "full package" which includes a 4x4 ride up the final hill and lunch afterwards, but first off, don't be misled by the mild-moderate rating which I think downplays the strenuousness of this hike. I am in fairly good condition and workout at the gym 3 times a week, and am a regular hiker, and I found this wonderful hike doable if definitely taxing (especially the last optional waterfall which is a serious uphill incline). As a note, my 12 year old son, also a hiker, did the hike as well. The hike itself winds up and down through dense and pristine Costa Rican landscape - there is lots of tricky footing both uphill and downhill, walking on narrow streambeds filled with rocks and water, some slippery mud, and everything else that you would expect on a jungle hike during the rainy season, so the distance itself is not the issue, more that you are getting a serious leg workout with all the careful footwork (which is also quite fun as well but tiring). I don't say this to critique the hike - I would do it again in a second - but only to warn anyone who thinks this is a placid path to scenic waterfalls that they need to expect a moderate to strenuous hike. Now onto the good stuff. This hike is very well organized - clear directions given at the start by courteous staff, and 'help' stations containing walkie talkies spaced out throughout the hike for any emergencies or problems. There is little chance of getting lost on the hike due to excellent signage and well marked paths. The landscape is as pristine and lush as it gets, and the thundering waterfalls (at least when I visited) will cool you off with lots of mist as you approach and cold clear water at the base. While "swimming" was mentioned as a possibility - you are allowed to swim anywhere you feel comfortable - the rainy season and resulting deluge of water bucketing down the waterfalls made the beautiful roiling river and multiple waterfalls suitable for only a cooling dip with bare feet at the edge of one of their bases, at least for me and my family. Perhaps during the drier seasons the pools at the bottom of the waterfalls would be more accessible. Overall the hike was challenging, beautiful, and satisfying. If you find you are tired by the last optional waterfall path, be aware that this section of the trail is the most arduous of the entire hike, although if you can push through, the waterfall at the end is fantastic and majestic. Close to the end of the hike an attendant directs you to the waiting area for either horseback riding or a drive by 4x4 up a pretty serious hill that I would not want to walk up after that hike - we took the 4x4 option as arranged in advance. Once you have arrived at the end point, the on site restaurant provides the included meal - decent and healthy - and optional additional drinks and candy are available to restore your calorie deficit. The view from the restaurant and surrounds is exceptional, as you watch the clouds drift over the verdant hills, and caps off the whole experience as being one that will not be soon forgotten. We also took the shuttle they offer to and from the site from our hotel, which was an extremely reasonable price and saved us from a 25 minute journey each way on twisty Monteverde roads that were better left to the skilled driver than to us. Overall, a wonderful experience for those who love to be right out in pristine landscapes and are up to a...

Only 3 stars. Why?

Set your expectation: I came in Monteverde to see the cloud/rain forest and after reading several reviews and asking around we decided to skip the two over touristic cloudy forests (Monteverde and Santa Elena) and go to El Tigre for a better or real experience which somehow it did happened.

Cons: The prices exaggerate if you compare it with any other real outstanding park like Mulu national park in Borneo ( i think 20 dollars with 3 days free entrance) or Bako, Cameron Highlands in Malesia, Rurenabaque (Bolivia) etc The hiking trail is very easy exect for the final part which is actually the less nice (you mostly walking uphill in field land for cows) where there are some up selling way to go back (pricy of course) : horse riding and Safari 4X4 (totally misleading the concept of Safari seeing that it is actually only a jeep ride back on a dirty road) 3 hours in total but if you are fitted you can make it in 1,5 hour. Bycyle zip line on the way again pricy and lunch package at the end of the tour, it seems everything made up for an entertainment park focus more on the spending of the customers rather than the nature. 12 dollar per person pick up and return from the hotel to the falls, wow! Timing is stricted regulated so if you finish early you need to wait. No animals seeing, but obviously it is due to the high quantity of people on the path and most of them talk loudly or even screaming. They are saying you can swim on the Waterfall pond but the power of the water is too stong make it risky. I understand that La Nina effect enhances the the amount of water/rain but it seems in general very difficult to swim. Pros: No doubt about the beauty of the flora and wilderness, as per my pics. Good path conditions and well signed.

Final comment: It is obvious that the park's popularity (as in general Monteverde) , particularly among North American tourists, seems to inflate its ratings. It's apparent that Americans, who often don't travel as extensively, can be overly enthusiastic (loud and used to comfort) about rather ordinary destinations. This observation is evident in the reviews, where there's a noticeable trend of exaggerated praise, seemingly more reflective of the reviewers' limited travel experiences than the park's actual merits. It is evident that most of them are just casual vacationers without the will of sweat a bit or no money issues. Think 4-5 people a family could spend up or more than 500 dollars (full package plus zip line) and it does happen often.

Go very early in the morning to have a better...

Excellent, reasonably priced hike, very good lun ch.

We did the full package hike with lunch and 4x4 option. There was ample parking when we arrived. The staff at reception was very helpful and the check in process was very fast.

They made us take pictures of the map instead of a printed one, which was a minor annoyance since I had to go and find the map on my phone and constantly scroll thru the new pics and videos I took.

The map does not have numbers for the bridges and the waterfalls and at some junction you are not sure which one is which (is this the one where we can take a dip in the water?).

Other than that, the trails were easy to medium hike difficulty, with rope railings covering dangerous parts and overall my family with a 8 and 10 year old did not have any issues with the hike.

The waterfalls are nice, but nowhere near as majestic as the La Fortuna Waterfall that we have seen previously.

Somewhere towards the end you have the option to get the zip bike which costed $30 per person, that became the highlight of the trip. It looked unsteady and dangerous, but then I saw my 8 year old come screaming with joy waving one hand while riding it and all my worries were taken away.

The reason for the 1 star off is the logistics issue at the end of the tour where you are taken back up to the reception area either by horses or the 4by4. We had to wait a good 20 minutes there because there were maybe 15 people ahead trying to get on horses. In the end the "horse people" left and our van came, but then we ended up following the horse people on the van, meaning a 5 minute ride became another 20 min ordeal.

They need to figure out a better way to spread out the people instead of getting everyone start at 930am and have this issue.

Once we were back at reception we went to the restaurant and they immediately stated preparing our food which we chose in the morning. The restaurant had free coffee and juices and it had a breathtaking view of the forest below. The food was excellent (much better than some other spots we went to where we paid $15 per plate) and we left the premises satisfied overall.

Apart from the logistics issue in the end, I am very happy with the price/performance provided by...