Charco Prieto

 4.5/5

Getting there: From San Juan, drive 45 minutes south to a remote neighborhood in the country of Bayamón. Park around here. If you use the pin for the actual waterfall location, it will take you to the wrong spot. You’ll see a Puerto Rican flag that marks the trailhead that turns around a fence. The hike will take around 20-30 min each way. Prepare to get wet as there is a river crossing right at the start that is unavoidable (depending on the season). Before you get to the waterfall, you’ll come to a pool that you either swim across or hike around on the left side. You’ll hike over a small waterfall

Things to do: Hike – The hike to the waterfall is quite nice and the forest you hike through is full of beautiful plant life. Swim – There are two large pools, one at the foot of the waterfall and the other on the other side of a rocky section. Climb waterfall – You can slowly and carefully climb the rocks up to the waterfall and walk along it to the far left side if there isn’t too much water coming down. The rocks are extremely slippery so you need to go very slowly.

Heads up: If you decide to climb the waterfall take it very, very slow. Keep an eye out for flash floods. If the water turns brown and gets stronger, leave. The trail zigzags through the river.

Pros

One of the most scenic waterfalls in Puerto Rico.
Close to San Juan.

Cons

The hike may be a con for some. There is a section where you’ll need to scramble over rocks and climb a rather sketchy section up to the base of the waterfall.