Last Updated: January 12, 2022

Best Waterfalls in Puerto Rico

Peurto Rico is an amazing island in the Caribbean Sea and an unincorporated territory of the United States. It is a fantastic holiday destination and also a great place to live almost any time of year!

Once out of the lively capital and largest city of San Juan, you’ll find a landscape of mountains, tropical rainforests, rivers, charcos (water pools), and splendid waterfalls. The Cordillera Central mountain range slices through the middle of Puerto Rico and the rainfall off of the peaks results in a myriad of waterfalls across the island.

Some of these waterfalls can be difficult to find (take a GPS device) and the trails are muddy and slippery. Even agencies that book waterfall tours require you to be physically fit. But if you pack your sturdiest hiking boots and expect them to get muddy, you’ll be rewarded with the beauty and power of nature from the best waterfalls in Puerto Rico, some real hidden gems.

Cascada La Mina / La Mina Falls

Cascada La Mina
Image courtesy of Flickr

Many popular hiking trails with stunning waterfalls in Puerto Rico are located in El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest System. The La Mina Trail follows along the La Mina River through lush tropical trees and flora to the Cascada La Mina (La Mina Falls.) This spectacular waterfall drops into a pretty pool of mountain water after cascading over a jumble of huge rocks. The pool’s water temperature hovers between 60 and 65 degrees F and is refreshing for tired hikers to cool off in.

Covered picnic shelters with tables built of native stone are available near the trailhead along with a barbeque and running tap water. The area also has several rain shelters and parking. The trailhead is located at the Palo Colorado Information Center located at PR 191, 12.2 KM mark. The distance to the waterfall is 0.7 miles. A few sets of winding concrete stairs on the way back can be challenging.

Salto Curet in Maricao

Salto Curet

Image courtesy of Jesse Avilés, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Located in the town of Maricao, Salto Curet is a well-hidden waterfall that is worth the effort to get there. The falls are around 40 feet high and another set of falls are above. To get there, take Carratera 105 East. After crossing a bridge, you’ll see a sign for the falls Then turn right on Road 425. Keeping an eye on the condition of the road, drive as far as you can, and park. The falls are about a 20-minute walk away, and you’ll have to walk through a river that is usually clear and shallow. When the water isn’t clear, the falls have an orangish hue due to the clay soil. 

Charco Prieto

Charco Prieto is another hidden gem even though it’s only a 45-minute drive outside of San Juan in the backcountry of Bayamon. This is one of the best waterfalls in Puerto Rico and one of the highest too.

On the drive up about 1,000 feet, you’ll see sweeping vistas of San Juan’s metropolitan area. An off-the-beaten-path hiking trail leads through lush tropical forests, natural pools, rock formations, and fallen trees. The well-worn path is thin at parts, so you have to look closely for it. The hike to the falls takes a half-hour or more depending on your physical abilities. But the waterfall at the end is majestic and one of the tallest in Peurto Rico.

Doña Juana Waterfall 

The Doña Juana Waterfall is located right by the road in Orocovis. It is actually towards the center of the island and benefits from water that comes straight from the central Puerto Rican mountain range. The name of the waterfall roughly translates to “Mrs. Juana,”, although I have no clue why?

Locally it is also known as Chorro de Doña Juana. It actually features three smaller waterfalls that together fall around 100 feet (33m) in height.

La Coca Falls

Another one of the popular waterfalls in Puerto Rico is La Coca Falls. These stunning waterfalls are smack bang in the El Yunque National Forest. They can be read via the PR-191 road, which is just off La Coca Trail.

Charco El Mango

Charco El mango is located in Adjuntas, a beautiful mountain town in the middle of the island. It’s a little off the beaten path but not that hard to reach. Ruta Panoramica, the road that goes to the stunning pool of water is a famous scenic highway in Puerto Rico. Charco El Mango makes a good stopover on the way to the Guilarte Forest.

A dirt road leads to the charco, but if you aren’t driving an all-terrain vehicle, you’ll have to park near the grassy area at the end of the blacktop road and walk. Fortunately, the walk is flat and easy and only takes about 10 minutes. The walk is well worth the scenery. The water has pretty blue color and a small waterfall cascades into the pool.

Charco Frio and Las Tinajas

Cascada Las Tinajas

Image courtesy of CRISTINA FONSECA, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Charo Frio is a series of little pools formed by rivers flowing down from the El Yunque rainforest. The water pools are part of the Rio Fajardo (Fajardo River) in the town of Ceiba. The water pools are calm and perfect for cooling off on a hot day. Some of the pools are deeper than others, and everyone can have fun here. Las Tinajas is the more rugged part of the river with waterfalls, pretty river views, a rockslide, and a rope swing.

The river is located off of Road 971 in Ceiba. You can park along the road if there’s room, or pay $3 at one of the parking lots along the road. Many of the locals come here for recreation and bring picnics. The pink house at one of the parking lots has restrooms for public use.

Charco El Ataud

Charco El Ataud is one of the prettiest waterfalls in Puerto Rico. It is in the town of Adjuntas and is easy to get to. Coffin is a small area that is part of the Garzas River. After parking on the side of the road, you can get there by following a small path for about two minutes. You’ll pass by four waterfalls and several pools one after another on a descent to the largest pool. The walk is short but requires some agility and isn’t for small children. Keep track of the weather conditions via satellite and watch the clouds. Rainfall will make this a high-risk area for flash flooding.

Los Pilones Falls

Los Pilones Falls and Charco de los Caballos are the result of the Canovanas River that begins in El Yunque and flows to the sea. As evidenced by the many petroglyphs found, the river has been enjoyed by people for hundreds or thousands of years. The area is a popular hangout for local families who come to cool off during the summer.

To get there, Route 3 in Canóvanas and Carratera 185 south leads to an unnamed road where you’ll find parking by two abandoned houses. The walk to the falls is a bit long and difficult. It will take over an hour to reach them from the Charco de los Caballos area. The walk goes through a shallow river over slippery rocks. The walk is worth it as the falls look almost manmade. The upper fall drops into a pool and divides into a lower fall. Each is around 20 feet high.

There is an easier way to get to the falls, but it involves a 20-minute walk over private property, so do this at your own risk. Be sure not to leave any trash behind.

Juan Diego Falls

The Juan Diego Falls is located in the El Yunque National Forest. They aren’t visible from the road, and the trail to the falls is not paved. It’s a rocky and muddy walk, but the beautiful falls are worth the effort. The trailhead is at KM 10 on Road 191. You’ll see two streams as you travel up the road. Park in the designated parking area near the KM 9.9 marker.  The trailhead sign is on the right of the road. The trail is short but slippery.

You’ll see a couple of small waterfalls along the trail. The falls get larger near the end. There’s a spacious picnic where you can walk into a pool and stand under a 15-foot waterfall. Reaching the 40-foot tall upper falls requires skill and preparedness. This part is off the official trail and only for the very fit to undertake. The worn path on the left side is the easiest to take. Because of the difficult walk, there are never many people around the upper falls.

Cascada Las Delicias

One of the most enchanting waterfalls in Puerto Rico are within the Tres Picachos State Forest. To get there, you’ll take Road 149, a twisting and turning road that passes through the town of Ciales and leads to the even higher town of Jayuya. Once there, parking is available on the side of the road. There is room for three or four cars.

The falls are easy to reach after a short hike. They are some of the prettiest and easiest to reach falls on the island. Concrete steps lead to the first waterfall where there is a little pool to sit in. The water is cold and crystal clear. You have to climb over rocks to get to the main fall, but it isn’t all that difficult and the fall is absolutely stunning.

About the Author Anna Timbrook

Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.

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