Santa Fe Waterfalls

Set of three smaller falls set in rainforest in Santa Fe National Park near the community of Alto de Piedra.  The falls range from 10-15m high.  A loop footpath connects all three falls.

Ease of access to trailhead: Easy. The trailhead is located on the paved road Santa Fe-Calovebora. A taxi from Santa Fe is $5-6 one way.

Hiking Time: 20 minutes one way to the first fall, 1.5 hours to hike all three falls.

Trail Length: 1km

Trail Difficulty: Easy-Moderate to visit just the first or third fall, Moderate for loop., The trail is a small, steep footpath, uneven in places.  Children in carriers are only advised to the first waterfall, and only for the intrepid parent as the path is narrow and both hands and feet are needed for balance. The connection between the first waterfall and the second waterfall follows the edge of a steep cliff. During the wet season, this can be very dangerous. People with movement limitations (bad knees/bad back/balance issues), be aware that there is a steep and slippery downhill and uphill.

A powerful, impressive fall, reaching 35m, on the border of Santa Fe National Park near the community of El Pantano.  A footpath connects the village, to farmland to the falls.

Ease of access to trailhead: Easy-Moderate. The trailhead is located on the gravel road in El Pantano. A taxi from Santa Fe is $5-6 one way.  If you do not have a 4×4 car, you can get within 1km of the trailhead on paved roads and park. Some walk the entire distance from the village to the trailhead, adding an additional 10km on the trip.  Be aware that it is very hilly and there are areas with little shade.

Hiking Time: 1.5 hours round trip

Trail Length: 2.5km round trip

Trail Difficulty: Easy-Moderate. The trail gets very muddy and slippery, but it is short and no steep drop offs. The rocks near the falls are extremely slippery year round. The trail goes through a pasture, and some have difficulty following the route through the pasture.  This is not an easy trail to do with young children or for people with mobility constraints or balance issues.

Warnings and past issues: There has been one recent death of a local teen at the falls, who slipped and was pushed under by the strong force of the falls. Another tourist went by herself, got turned around, ended up in a different town, and was attacked at night.  Several people have gone and slipped on the rocks, some being seriously injured. Some with medical issues have hiked in, but have needed help to get out.

Beautiful waterfall, 10m tall, 20m wide on the side of the road, right before the community of Guabal.  On the same stream, there are three waterfalls.  Go with care to see the other two, the second and third fall (Golondrinas), are on private land.

Ease of access to trailhead: Easy. The waterfall is located on the paved road Santa Fe-Calovebora. To get to the waterfall, park after the bridge to the side of the road and walk down to falls, or walk on bridge for elevated views. Be careful! Slippery rocks.

Some of the most beautiful falls in Santa Fe are in backcountry of Santa Fe National Park.

Minimizing impact on the park is essential and ensuring guest safety.  Trips to these locations are limited in group size, difficult and beautiful.

Guides are needed for any backcountry trip.

Impressive 25m waterfall in Santa Fe National Park, about 2km after the ranger station.  A steep (loma grande means the big hill) footpath connects a gravel parking area to waterfall.

Ease of access to trailhead: Easy. The trailhead is located on the paved road Santa Fe-Calovebora. However, you must go down a steep gravel road for about 300m to the trailhead. Smaller cars are not advised.

Hiking Time: 45 minutes one way to the falls

Trail Length: 1.5km round trip

Trail Difficulty: Moderate, you will be using your entire body, arms and feet for climbing and stability.  It is, however, a relatively short path. The trail is a small, steep footpath, uneven in places and it is on the side of  a steep cliff. Landslides and downed trees are common as are venomous snakes, including the fer-d-lance.  Young children should not do this hike. Parents with children in carriers should not do this hike.People with movement limitations (bad knees/bad back/balance issues), be aware that there is a steep and slippery downhill and uphill.

Is a guide recommended? I recommend a trailguide for most visitors to these falls because of the changing conditions of the trail and the potentially deadly consequences of a foot placed wrong.

Arguably the district’s highest waterfall, cascading over 100m in the lowland farmlands of Santa Fe.

Ease of access to trailhead: Easy if you have a 4×4. Difficult if you do not

Trail Length: 500m from trailhead to bottom of falls

Trail Difficulty: Easy but steep

Series of smaller waterfalls in the farmlands of Santa Fe. Private Land ($ entry)

Ease of access to trailhead: Difficult. The trailhead is located in a town called El Salto, accessible only on foot or horse most times of the year down roads with little shade.  It is a three hour walk from Santa Fe to El Salto, one way.

Trail Length: short once you reach El Salto, but the walk to El Salto is about 7km round trip.

Is a guide recommended? Yes.  Since the falls are on private land, a local guide is provided with entry

Beautiful large waterfall, located on an indigenous farm. Agriculture and forest landscape. Entry charged.

Ease of access to trailhead: Easy. The trailhead is located on the paved road Santa Fe-Calovebora. Park where it says “Asociacion Las Golondrinas”. Follow footpath for 10 minutes to small group of houses. Pay fee there.

Some access the falls by ascending the river without paying a fee, instead parking and having the young son of the parking lot owner guide up river. Be aware that the land on each side of the river is privately owned by associations of Indigenous farmers, and while the river itself is a public access area, the land is not, so you will not win friends.

Hiking Time: 45 minutes one way

Trail Length: 2km round trip

Trail Difficulty: Moderate. This is a relatively short hike, but it is steep.