13 Best Waterfalls in Puerto Rico (Written by a Local)
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, and I have the inside scoop on the best and most scenic waterfalls. Checking a few out makes for a great addition to any Puerto Rico itinerary.
Here are the 13 best waterfalls to cool down during your vacation!
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13 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 | 2h from San Juan | Cost: $5 for parking
Located in the west of the island, this waterfall is one of the easiest ones to visit in Puerto Rico. Gozalandia Falls is popular among locals for its easy access so it can get crowded. The 60-feet waterfall has a deep pond at the bottom and a submerged cave you can swim in. There’s a paid parking lot and you can visit from 9 am to 6 pm.
👉 Want More Puerto Rico Activities? Check out my list of all the best stuff to do on the island.
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 | Cost: $2 for parking
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 hidden gem, 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.
👉 Local Tip: Walking through the different trails of El Yunque can be challenging if you’re alone, which is why accidents are not uncommon on the trails. Instead of going alone, you can browse Viator’s Top El Yunque Tours, to find a guided tour that walks you safely all around the rainforest.
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 | Cost: $2 for parking
Located in El Yunque National Forest, La Mina Falls is the most popular one of 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: Up to fall 2021, La Mina Trail is temporarily closed for repairs, but you can visit other waterfalls like La Coca Falls on El Yunque. You can monitor the USDA Forest Service website to keep updated about the trail news and remember to book your entrance ticket here.
La Coca Falls
An easy waterfall to visit in El Yunque.
🥾 Moderate | 0.03 miles | 📍 Google Maps | Website | 1h from San Juan | Cost: $2 for parking
Also in El Yunque, La Coca Falls is accessible through La Coca Trail, the main road. This waterfall is of easy access and you can see it just within minutes inside El Yunque. While it’s almost impossible not to get closer, the rocks in front of the fall are slippery, so you make sure your shoes have a good grip.
👉 My Favorite Gear: To get to most waterfalls in Puerto Rico you have to hike. Merrell’s hiking water shoes are great for both hiking and swimming, and they dry quickly after getting wet.
La Planta
An old dam in Arecibo, you can stand behind the waterfall at La Planta.
🥾 Moderate | 0.5 miles | 📍 Google Maps | 1h from San Juan | Cost: free
La Planta River was once a hydroelectric plant, but it’s no longer in use. Nowadays, locals like to visit any of the three waterfalls the river has. The second waterfall is a type of dam, with a small hole inside that you can use to stand behind the curtain of water.
📚 Related Reading: Top Attractions to Visit in Puerto Rico
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 | Cost: $3 for parking in the pink house, free along the road
Las Tinajas is a section of Charco Frio. You can try to reach the waterfall from the original trail to Charco Frio, but it’s easier to pay Mr. Basilo, to park and use his property’s trail at the end of the road. You will find a rope swing locals use to jump into the deep ponds.
Salto Curet
A secluded waterfall in Maricao with a 100-foot cascade.
🥾 Difficult | 0.67 miles | 📍 Google Maps | 2h 30m from San Juan | Cost: free
Getting to Salto Curet is hard. Not only do you have to drive on a mountainous road, but you also have to hike for more than 20 minutes to get there. But, this secluded and beautiful waterfall deserves a visit for its 100 feet cascade and the scenery that surrounds it.
🚗 Local Tip: The best way to visit these waterfalls is with a rental car. If you’re worried about the roads, though, be sure to check out my guide to how to drive in Puerto Rico.
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 | Cost: 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: While visiting any type of waterfall around Puerto Rico, make sure to check the weather and any alerts for flash flooding. Always verify if it’s raining up in the mountain and keep your eyes open for signs of floods. Read my complete guide to safety in Puerto Rico to learn other ways to stay safe.
Salto Collazo
A gorgeous Puerto Rican waterfall in San Sebastian can be reached after an easy walk.
🥾 Easy | 0.06 miles approx | 📍 Google Maps | 1h 40m from San Juan | Cost: free
Salto Collazo is another one of the Puerto Rico waterfalls you can’t miss. This waterfall is right next to 111 Road in San Sebastián. You can get to it by parking on the main road and venturing beside the bridge down to the waterfall. Down the river, you can find a second waterfall, but the trail is more complicated and less clean.
👉 Need Somewhere to Stay? Check out my guide to the best areas to stay in Puerto Rico.
Doña Juana Waterfall
An easily-accessible waterfall in Orocovis with a pool.
🥾 Easy | 0.06 miles | 📍 Google Maps | 2h from San Juan | Cost: 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. 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 | Cost: free
Charco Prieto is one of the closest waterfalls to San Juan and the reward you’ll get for completing one of the best hiking trails in Puerto Rico. The trail is relatively accessible, but you will find fallen trees along the way as a result of Hurricane Maria. You can stop at the small waterfalls and pools along the trail to cool down, but don’t miss the chance to get to the final waterfall, one of the most unique waterfalls on the island.
If you have more time in your visit, consider checking out some of the things to do in Bayamon nearby.
👉 Local Tip: Since the hike to Charco Prieto is challenging, you can book a guided tour so you have a local guide take you to and from this amazing waterfall safely.
Las Delicias
An easily-accessible waterfall in Ciales.
🥾 Moderate | 0.16 miles | 📍 Google Maps | 1h 30m from San Juan | Cost: free
Las Delicias Waterfall is inside Los Tres Picachos Forest. 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.
🏞️ Read Next: 16 Best Waterfalls in New Jersey, 15 Best Waterfalls in New York
La Canoa Falls
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 | Cost: free along the road or $5 for parking on private property
You can find La Canoa Falls in the subtropical forest on Naguabo. This waterfall derives from El Hippie River on one of the sides of El Yunque, but you cannot get to it from Rio Grande.
You will find caves, Taino petroglyphs, and a lot of green scenery if you hike beyond the lowest natural pool. If you’re into adrenaline, you can ask the locals for the best cliff jump point.
👉 Need Help With Your Itinerary? Check out my pre-planned 7 day itinerary for Puerto Rico.
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 island 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 sports a fall of approximately 200 feet and it’s located on private property, so visitors need permission to access it.
👉 Read Next: 11 Best Puerto Rico Caves
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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!
Vanessa, this is an excellent selection. Despite this, the waterfall pictured is in another township.
It can be noted that saying Las Tinajas is in Fajardo and be slighty missleading as it sits on the border of Ceiba too. That’s still further from San Juan. Most folks will park their vehicles and access the river on the Ceiba side, which is Basilio’s side; and they’ll trek from there.
I’ve been to Puerto rico in the last 4yrs and never been to waterfalls
Gozalandia it’s $10.00 was there a week ago
I went last year 2021 I went a waterfall on the south of Juana Diaz Pr Beautiful and amazing love my island.
Hi Vanessa thanks so much for sharing all this great info with us. I’m looking for waterfalls and waterways created by waters from inside the earth, that is for instance waterfalls which are not created by a river or another stream of water. Maybe la tinajas? How could I find out or get the info. Thanks for your help. And have you visited Jamaica?