See the Caribbean’s most amazing waterfalls
From murmuring rivulets sliding across rocky terraces to crashing cataracts that plunge from the heights into deep, rock-lined pools below, the Caribbean has a waterfall to satisfy every appetite.
La Mina Falls | Puerto Rico
The only tropical rainforest in the U.S. national park systems is El Yunque, about an hour east of San Juan. The island was formed by volcanoes (now extinct) and its eastern end has high, sharp ridges that catch the tradewinds, wringing out an average 120 inches of rain annually — an estimated 160 billion gallons of water. That’s got to find its way to the ocean and it does so in spectacular fashion. At La Mina Falls, it takes the form of a giant flume that jets across a rocky outcropping before falling about 40 feet into a large pool at the base.
You can reach La Mina via either of two hiking trails. Neither is very long — a bit over a half-mile with a 500-foot change in elevation — and not terribly steep, but the rocks along the way can be mighty slippery and the La Mina Trail has about 70 concrete steps you have to navigate. The La Mina Trail starts right behind the Palo Colorado Visitor Center while Big Tree Trail starts from a parking lot about a mile away from Palo Colorado. Both trails are actually above the falls, so you’re hiking downhill on the way to the falls and uphill on the way back. La Mina Trail follows the river, crossing and recrossing on small bridges. When you get to the falls, you can swim in the pool, but it tends to get crowded in the afternoons, so try an early-morning visit if you can manage it. Wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for a little effort. Earlier in 2014, Big Tree Trail was closed, so check the Forest Service website before you head out for up-to-date information on access. There are several other falls in the park, notably Juan Diego and La Coca if La Mina is overwhelmed. Information: fs.usda.gov
ROMANTICS: Get married in the El Yunque Rainforest
Dunn’s River Falls | Jamaica
This is one of the iconic nature activities in Jamaica. It will be overrun with tourists. You should do it anyway. Dunn’s River is near Ocho Rios and occur where Dunn’s River empties into the Caribbean. It’s one of the few waterfalls in the region that empties directly into the ocean. The falls are near the home of Ian Fleming, the author who created James Bond, and Laughing Waters Beach was featured in the first Bond film, Dr. No and later in the Tom Cruise film Cocktail.
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The falls drop about 180 feet, although the water works its way through a series of stair-step terraces rather than down a cliff face. Most visitors climb up the falls, moving up from terrace to terrace before returning to the bottom for a swim at the beach. Guides are available and, unless you’re part mountain goat, a good idea. The guides form groups into human chains that lock hands while moving up the falls. That way, if you slip, people have you anchored above and below.
Because this is close to the cruise ports, it can be very crowded on days when the ships are in. Take a look online (or ask at your hotel’s tour desk) when ships are not going to be in and go then. Information: visitjamaica.com
Reach Falls | Jamaica
Jamaica, with its wealth of rivers, has more than one notable waterfall. Somerset, Mayfield, YS and especially Reach Falls are also well worth visiting. Reach is about an hour east of Port Antonio in the John Crow Mountains on the far eastern end of the island. The lushness of the area can’t be overstated; there are about two-dozen different varieties of ferns alone.
You can drive a car to the government park above the falls and walk down a concrete staircase to get to them, or you can hire a guide to hike up to the falls from below. If you hike up, you’ll be wading through a series of pools to reach the falls. Once there, you can walk behind the falls and explore the caves as well.
There are food vendors in the parking lot but save that appetite and stop at Boston Beach for some open-air jerk on the way back to your resort. Information: visitjamaica.com
27 Charcos | Dominican Republic
The north coast of the Dominican Republic is an adventure traveler’s paradise. Predictably, there’s an awesomely large and freakishly fun complex of waterfalls here called 27 Charcos, a few miles from Puerto Plata. The mountains face north to the ocean and water collected at the top comes screaming down the sides. This is definitely a guided tour.
The way it’s done is, you gear up at the bottom with a life vest and helmet — correct, a helmet — then work your way up the mountain through a series of pools and waterfalls. You have to climb, but the guides will help pull you up the steep sections. Along the way, the Rio Damajagua is shaded by tropical vegetation, which throws shafts of shadow and light across the water.
At the top, you start back down, but not exactly the way you came up: The guides show you how to use the falls as water slides. You glide over the slippery rocks, shoot out over the falls and drop into pool after pool after pool of clear, cool water. The guided tours, fun as they are, only reach the seventh falls; to go to the very top, you’ll need to hire a guide for a private tour. And bring some stamina and your wild side — you’re going to need them. Information: 27charcos.com
Concord Falls | Grenada
Grenada is high and green, making it a prime candidate for waterfalls — and it doesn’t disappoint. On the east side of the island is a drive-to destination known as Concord Falls. It’s actually a series of three cataracts. The bottom one is most visited and is very close to the road, so it’s possible to view it without much effort.
Actually getting out of the car will reward you richly. There are two more falls higher up and a 45-minute walk through a nutmeg grove brings you to these even larger falls.
Bring sturdy shoes and a swimsuit and be prepared to spend some time here just soaking in the water. Although it’s not necessary to have a guide, they’re cheap and can show you plants and attractions you probably won’t notice on your own. Information: grenadagrenadines.com
Emerald Pool Falls | Dominica
Emerald Pool isn’t the largest falls in the region, but what it lacks in size and volume it makes up for with scenery. The hike to the pool is along a narrow forest path — complete with slippery roots so wear very sensible shoes — that incorporates overlooks with views across the heavily forested valley.
The falls consists of a single cascade of water that jets out from a ledge and drops into a small pool below. The water’s typically no more than knee-deep, but there is a semi-cave behind the waterfall and you can walk behind the cataract.
The hike to the falls is less than a half-hour each way (by two different routes) and not terribly steep; if you can climb stairs you can do it. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can climb the boulders alongside the falls and get a view from above.
The bottom of the pool is pebbles, rather than sand, so be prepared to leave your shoes on to go wading. The falls are a popular cruise-ship excursion so try to plan your visit when a ship isn’t in port or go early in the morning. Information: dominica.dm
Diamond Falls | St. Lucia
St. Lucia got more than its share of scenery and Diamond Falls is a special part of the package. The falls are located in a lush botanical garden banked with ginger, ferns, hibiscus and heliconia. Located in the back of the garden, the falls rise about 50 feet, a single flume that incorporates the outflow of thermal springs. The water contains dissolved minerals, including sulphur, which has painted the rocks around the pool. There are changing rooms on site, so bring a suit so you can swim in the pool at the bottom. You can also enjoy the thermal mineral baths — built in 1784 by the French army — elsewhere in the garden. Information: diamondstlucia.com
Maracas Falls | Trinidad
Contrasted with the heavily touristed cruise-ship excursion stops on other islands, Maracas Falls is a strictly local attraction. That also means it’s a bit hard to find and not well cared for by eco authorities. It is marked and the tourism board has added some signage and tables to help people enjoy the tallest falls in Trinidad Tobago, almost 300 feet high.
The falls are located on the northeast corner of the island — not far from Port of Spain — and your best bet is to hire a local guide as the roads are not well marked. From the trailhead, it’s a moderate 45-minute climb to the base of the waterfall. The pool at the bottom is relatively shallow as the volume of water is modest.
Compared to other falls, this one is more of a spritz than a spout, with water spraying from the high cliff onto the rocks below, but the views from the trail overlooking the ocean and rocky cays offshore are terrific. Information: islandhikers.com
Argyle Falls | Tobago
An easy drive from Scarborough and an easy hike — about 15 minutes along a gentle shaded trail — will bring you to Argyle Falls.
The falls are surrounded by a former coffee and cocoa plantation and the path lined with enormous stands of giant bamboo. The water slides down a series of rocky steps finally cascading into a large and deep swimmable pool at the bottom. The volume of water is tremendous and thunders down the last set of rocks, creating a roaring torrent from above. The pool is rimmed by large boulders and, if you’re adventurous, you can climb the sides of the falls up to the top of the cliff. If you do, bring something more substantial than flip-flops as the rocks are rough and slippery in spots. Information: argylewaterfall.org
SEE MORE: The top five eco-excursions in Tobago
El Nicho Falls | Cuba
Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean and El Nicho is a large complex of falls near Cienfuegos, midway along the south coast. The falls are in a well-planned and well-cared-for national park, with good signage, parking for your car and some facilities.
The falls are big and they’re loud, with gushers of water crashing down into the rock-rimmed pools. The surrounding area is thick and jungly, with steep-sided hills overlooking long valleys.The main fall is a short, 10-minute hike from the closest parking lot that you can do in flip-flops or sandals if you want. Bring everything you need with you — bathing suits, towels, change of clothes and lunch — and be prepared to spend the day.
There’s a small entrance fee that must be paid in CUC (the currency the government issues to tourists, exchange rate fixed at 1 CUC to $1 USD) and tour guides are available but not really needed. A little Spanish will help you decode the abundant and helpful signage, but most of it you can figure out from the pictures. Information: itsabouttravelling.com
Click through the carousel below to see photos of the waterfalls:
Steve Blount is the former editor of Caribbean Travel Life, Florida Travel Life and Adventure Travel magazines.
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