If you’re traveling to the island, you have to visit at least one of the beautiful waterfalls in Puerto Rico. I mean, most of them are free so all you need is to put on your bathing suit and your water shoes!
I am a Puerto Rico local who has written an entire ebook on Puerto Rico, and who loves visiting waterfalls myself, and I’ll tell you which waterfalls you should be adding to your Puerto Rico itinerary. Let’s dive in!
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17 Best Waterfalls In Puerto Rico
Gozalandia Falls
This 60-foot-tall waterfall in San Sebastian is especially popular with locals.
🥾 Easy (0.5 miles) | 📍 Google Maps | Park Website | 🚗 2h from San Juan | 🅿️ Parking: $10
Located in the west of the island, this waterfall is one of the easiest ones to visit in Puerto Rico, whether you’re alone or with your family.
Gozalandia Falls is popular among locals for its easy access so it can get crowded. The 50-foot waterfall has a deep pond at the bottom and a submerged cave you can swim into.
There’s a paid parking lot and you can visit from 9 am to 6 pm, but if you want to enjoy this Puerto Rico activity for longer, you can camp on-site or find a hotel in what’s considered one of the best towns in Puerto Rico to stay at.
Juan Diego Falls
One of the most scenic Puerto Rico waterfalls in El Yunque.
🥾 Moderate (0.125 mile) | 📍 Google Maps | Website | 🚗 1h from San Juan | 🅿️ Parking: Free
Juan Diego Falls used to be one of the best-kept secrets of El Yunque National Forest since it’s not visible from the main road, but lately, more people venture to visit this waterfall, so visit early to avoid the crowds.
You will find smaller waterfalls and natural pools before you reach the Juan Diego Falls where you can also cool down.
Although easy to visit, you can always book one of Viator’s El Yunque Tours to tour the waterfalls safely.
La Coca Falls
An easy waterfall to visit in El Yunque.
🥾 Moderate | 0.03 miles | 📍 Google Maps | Website | 🚗 1h from San Juan | 🅿️Parking: Free
Also in El Yunque, La Coca Falls is easy to access and you can see it quickly after crossing the PR-191 gate to El Yunque.
The fall is visible from the road, but you can get closer through a muddy trail located to the left of the fall. The rocks in front of La Coca Falls are slippery, so make sure your shoes have a good grip.
La Planta
An old dam in Arecibo, you can stand behind the waterfall at La Planta .
🥾 Moderate (0.49 miles) | 📍 Google Maps | 🚗 1h from San Juan | 🅿️ Parking: Free
La Planta River was once a hydroelectric plant in Arecibo, but it’s no longer in use. Nowadays, the old dams create a series of waterfalls and waterholes where locals gather to escape the heat.
The most popular is the second waterfall which has a small hole inside that you can use to stand behind the curtain of water.
But to get to it, you have to trek through the river from the first waterfall, so make sure you are prepared with water shoes and a dry bag to get to this beautiful Puerto Rico site.
👉 Local Tip: Occasionally, you’ll find a person charging for parking on-site.
Las Tinajas
While at the Las Tinajas waterfall in Fajardo, use the rope swing to jump into the ponds.
🥾 Difficult (1.4 miles) | 📍 Google Maps | 🚗 1h 20m from San Juan | 🅿️ Parking: $5-$15 for private parking, free on-street parking
Las Tinajas is a waterfall located between Ceiba and Fajardo known for being great for cliff diving and swimming.
If you’re fit and in the mood for adventure, you can trek upriver to the waterfall from Charco Frio.
But, overall, it’s recommended (and easier) to pay for parking and use a private property trail at the end of the road.
While visiting use the rope swing to jump into the deep ponds or slide from one of the natural waterslides into the water.
👉 Local Tip: There are multiple parking spots to get to Las Tinajas Falls. You can find free on-street parking and hike from Charco Frío or access through multiple private properties for $5-$15.
Salto Curet
A secluded waterfall in Maricao with a 100-foot cascade.
🥾 Difficult (0.67 miles) | 📍 Google Maps | 🚗 2h 30m from San Juan | 🅿️ Parking: Free
Salto Curet is sitting in the mountainous town of Maricao. Although worth it, getting to Salto Curet isn’t for the faint-hearted.
You will have to navigate 30 minutes through thin curvy roads, and then hike another 20 minutes upstream to get there. You really need to know how to drive in Puerto Rico to master the route.
But, this secluded and beautiful waterfall deserves a visit for its 52-foot cascade and the scenery that surrounds it.
🚗 Local Tip: If you have a 4×4 vehicle, you can go further down in the dirt road to get closer to the waterfall.
Charco El Ataud
This waterfall with a natural pool in Adjuntas can be reached after a steep walk.
🥾 Moderate (0.16 miles) | 📍 Google Maps | 🚗 1h 45m from San Juan | 🅿️ Parking: Free
Charco El Ataud has four stunning waterfalls, each one with a natural pool.
Finding El Ataud is relatively easy, but getting down to the first small natural pool is pretty steep, and will require some skills, which is why you shouldn’t visit with children.
You must park on the main street and after a short 5-minute walk, you’ll get to the river.
👉 Local Tip: As a general Puerto Rico safety tip, you must always check for weather alerts when visiting waterfalls. Always keep your eyes open for signs of floods.
Salto Collazo
A gorgeous Puerto Rican waterfall in San Sebastian that can be reached after an easy walk.
🥾 Easy (0.06 miles approx) | 📍 Google Maps | 🚗 1h 40m from San Juan | 🅿️ Parking: Free
Salto Collazo is right next to PR -111 road in San Sebastián. You can get to it by parking on the street and venturing beside the bridge down to the waterfall. The 36 foot waterfall is easy to get to, so you can visit with kids.
Doña Juana Waterfall
An easily accessible waterfall in Orocovis with a pool.
🥾 Easy (0.06 miles) | 📍 Google Maps | 🚗 2h from San Juan | 🅿️ Parking: free
Easily one of the most famous and breathtaking waterfalls in Puerto Rico, Doña Juana Waterfall is located along Road 149 in Orocovis.
You don’t need to hike to get there, which makes it accessible too, although driving there, specially if you’re not used to driving in Puerto Rico mountains, is an adventure itself.
At the bottom of the waterfall, you’ll find a pool you can swim at.
Charco Prieto
This waterfall in Bayamon is one of the closest to San Juan.
🥾 Difficult (1 mile) | 📍 Google Maps | 🚗 48m from San Juan | 🅿️ Parking: Free
Charco Prieto is hidden waterfall in Bayamón, and one of the closest waterfalls to San Juan.
The trail to the waterfall is relatively accessible, with green scenery and small waterfalls that make it one of the best hikes in Puerto Rico.
You can stop at these falls and pools along the trail to cool down, but don’t miss the chance to get to the final waterfall at the end of a 30 minute up-mountain streneous hike.
The trail is visible and at some points marked with small pink ribbons. If you aren’t sure about visiting alone, you can book a guided tourso a local guide takes you to this amazing waterfall safely.
If you have more time in your visit, consider checking out some of the things to do in Bayamon nearby.
Las Delicias
An easily-accessible waterfall in Ciales.
🥾 Moderate (0.16 miles) | 📍 Google Maps | 🚗 1h 30m from San Juan | 🅿️ Parking: Free
Las Delicias Waterfall sits in the mountains of Ciales, near Tres Picachos peak.
This waterfall is easily accessible from road 533 in Ciales, and you just have to park along the road and take a few steps down the first waterfall and pool.
You’ll have to do a little climbing to get to the second waterfall, but you’ll love this magical place.
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La Canoa Waterfall
A waterfall in Naguabo with plenty of history and adventure activities.
🥾 Difficult (0.13 miles approx to the lowest pool) | 📍 Google Maps | 🚗 1h from San Juan | 🅿️ Parking: Free on-street parking or $5 for parking on private property
You can find La Canoa Falls in Charco El Hippie in Naguabo. The waterfall breaks in multiple rock formations that make it look like a stair.
The waterhole next to it, known as Charco el Hippie, is popular for swimming and cliff diving.
You will find Puerto Rico caves, Taino petroglyphs, and a lot of green scenery if you hike beyond the lowest natural pool making this stop worth adding to your Puerto Rico itinerary.
La Mina Falls
This El Yunque waterfall can be reached after a steep 45-minute hike.
🥾 Difficult | 0.7 miles | 📍 Google Maps | Website | 🚗 1h from San Juan | 🅿️ Parking: Free
Located in El Yunque National Forest, La Mina Falls is the most popular one in El Yunque.
The hike to the fall takes around 45 minutes through a descending trail, also known as La Mina Trail, that has steps and bridges in some parts.
👉 Local Tip: As of March 2024, access to La Mina waterfall is temporarily closed.
Los Pilones Waterfall
Hike upstream and reach this waterfall in Canóvanas with multiple waterholes.
🥾 Moderate (1.1 miles) | 📍 Google Maps | 🚗 40 minutes from San Juan | 🅿️ Parking: Free
Los Pilones Waterfall is a segmented waterfall located in Canóvanas on Puerto Rico’s east coast.
Getting to the waterfall is relatively easy and family-friendly unless it has rained recently. After a rain, the 20-minute hike can take up to 40 minutes on a muddy and slippery trail.
You can access the river from different points, but the most recommended route is through the second bifurcation to the right.
The falls are often less crowded than those in El Yunque and the base pool is deep enough for swimming and cliff diving in some areas.
La Soplaera Waterfall
Balance over rocks and cement paths to reach this Peñuelas waterfall.
🥾 Moderate (0.3 miles) | 📍 Google Maps | 🚗 2 hours from San Juan | 🅿️ Parking: Free
La Soplaera is located in Peñuelas. This fan waterfall has a deep waterhole at its bottom and a concrete piece you can use to jump in the water. The hike to get to is short, but it can be slippery.
In some sections, you’ll have to balance over concrete paths to get to the waterfall, so isn’t ideal to visit with kids.
Although beautiful, keep in mind this waterfall is prone to flash floods so you should keep an eye on the weather.
🚗 Local Tip: If you’re taking PR-52 to the south coast, use PR- 785 PR- 786 to get there.
Las Pailas
Slide in this natural waterslide in Luquillo
🥾 Easy (0.3 miles) | 📍 Google Maps | 🚗 46 minutes from San Juan | 🅿️ Parking: $5 for parking + $1 entrance fee
Las Pailas is one of the best waterfalls in Puerto Rico to visit if you want to stay near San Juan.
Located in Luquillo, Las Pailas is famous for having a natural waterslide that both locals and tourists ride to plunge into the below pond.
Getting to the waterfall through a private property is easy, and the area is kid-friendly too.
Charco Los Morones
Slide in this natural waterslide in Luquillo
🥾 Difficult (0.18 miles on the shortest trail) | 📍 Google Maps | 🚗 1 hour 30 minutes from San Juan | 🅿️ Parking: Free
While they aren’t for swimming, Charco Los Morones has both natural and man-made waterfalls worth admiring.
Considered one of Utuado’s best attractions, getting to Charco Los Morones requires good driving and river-trekking skills, which is why it’s only recommended for fit adults.
You’ll have to drive through the mountainous town of Utuado, and later, you’ll have to trek upriver to see the waterfalls.
You can also hike downhill on a trail that starts at the 49.8 km marker, but keep in mind it’s muddy, steep, and slippery. Don’t miss out on the petroglyphs on the river’s rocks!
FAQs About Puerto Rico Waterfalls
How many waterfalls does Puerto Rico have?
There are around 60 main waterfalls travelers can visit in Puerto Rico, but in reality, it’s estimated the archipelago sports over five hundred waterfalls of different types and sizes around the island.
What is the largest waterfall in Puerto Rico?
The highest waterfall with a vertical fall in Puerto Rico is El Salto del Angel, also called Sana Muertos Waterfall in Morovis. This waterfall has a fall of approximately 200 feet and it’s located on private property, so visitors need permission to access it.
What are the closest waterfalls to San Juan?
The closest waterfalls to San Juan include Charco Prieto in Bayamón, Las Paylas in Luquillo, and Los Pilones Waterfall in Canóvanas.
What are the best waterfalls to visit with kids in Puerto Rico?
The best waterfalls in Puerto Rico to visit with kids include Gazalandia and Salto Collazo in San Sebastián, Juan Diego Falls in El Yunque, and Las Paylas in Luquillo.
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Those were the best waterfalls in Puerto Rico. Which one will you be visiting? Before you go, don’t miss my guide to the other top things you can do in Puerto Rico.
Enjoy chasing waterfalls in Puerto Rico!
