El Nicho Waterfall, Cuba: A Must-Visit Hidden Gem in Nature
El Nicho Waterfall in Cuba is a stunning natural wonder located in the heart of the Cuban countryside. Known for its crystal-clear pools and lush surrounding landscape, this hidden gem attracts nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. The breathtaking beauty of El Nicho Waterfall makes it one of the top destinations for travelers exploring Cuba’s outdoors.
Whether you're hiking through the surrounding forests or relaxing by the water, El Nicho offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. It’s a must-visit location for those seeking an authentic Cuban experience, and one of our favorite places we visited in Cuba.
In this guide we're going to share all of the details for how to get to El Nicho, what to expect, and tips for making the most of your experience.
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El Nicho Waterfall, Cuba: A Brief Intro
Looking to leave the busier cities for a tranquil escape? Well, el Nicho Waterfall is one of our favorite places in Cuba, and is perfect place for a day trip, or for a stop while traveling between some of the most popular cities in central Cuba.
What City Are El Nicho Waterfalls in?
El Nicho is located inside the Gran Parque Natural Topes de Collantes. It is situated between Cien Fuegos and Trinidad, with the closest town being Cumanauygua.
How to Get to El Nicho Waterfall, Cuba
When we were first looking up how to get to El Nicho Waterfall, we couldn't find up-to-date info, and the only option looked like a taxi.
Well after a ton of research and exploring options from both Trinidad and Cien Fuegos, we have found out all of the different ways to get there:
- Rent a car (the most expensive but most comfortable option)
- Rent a scooter (the least recommended option)
- Hire a local driver (the easiest option)
- Take the bus (the least expensive but riskiest option)
Renting a Car in Cuba
While we are big advocates for renting cars while traveling, renting a car in Cuba is absurdly expensive - we're talking $150-200/day!
If you are in a group of 4 or 5, then this could be worth it, but if you're any less than it's much easier and cheaper to just hire a driver.
The pro about having a car is that you can have the most flexibility in your schedule, and stop whenever you'd like.
Renting a Scooter in Cuba
Renting a scooter is a great and affordable way to be able to explore on your own, and is what we did in Varadero and Trinidad.
That being said, both times we got scooters they kept breaking down, and driving for a few hours in the mountains with a scooter could potentially leave you stranded.
It also wasn't recommended to go by scooter as the area has a lot of hills, and scooters don't typically have the strength to go up and down like this. While going with a scooter isn't IMPOSSIBLE, it certainly isn't our recommendation.
Hiring a Local Driver to Get to El Nicho Waterfall in Cuba
The most popular way to get to El Nicho Waterfall is by hiring a local driver. You can either:
- Visit on a day trip from Trinidad
- Visit on a day trip from Cien Fuegos
- Stop at El Nicho Waterfall while traveling from Cien Fuegos to Trinidad (or vice versa)
We visited El Nicho Waterfall on a day trip from Cien Fuegos, as we had already been to Trinidad. However, if we were to do it again, we'd hire a driver to stop at El Nicho between Trinidad and Cien Fuegos. It eliminates having to take the bus between the two, saving you a ton of time and it still, gives you flexibility.
The drive to El Nicho Waterfall is super scenic.
Alternatively, you can take a "colectivo" (old car, shared with other people) for $20 a person, from Cienfuegos to Trinidad, making a stop in El Nicho. The only thing is that it depends on the driver and the whole group for how long you'll be able to stay there. This however is a great and affordable way to visit El Nicho Waterfall, Cuba!
If you're looking to hire your own driver, taxis typically go for $50, but we did get one for $30 from the hostel by negotiating. This was for a round trip ride from Cien Fuegos, and we got to decide how long we wanted to stay at El Nicho. To go from Cien Fuegos to El Nicho and then Trinidad would have costed us closer to $60-70, but is a rate you'll have to negotiate.
Taxis always quote in USD, and will not accept local currency! Make sure to always keep dollars on you while traveling around.
Having your own driver means you can also ask them to stop.
Taking Public Transportation to El Nicho Waterfall
This is an option that we are not totally confident about, but if you're on a tight budget it is worth a try.
There are buses that go from Cien Fuegos to El Nicho via Cumanaygua that are just 10 CUP! They leave at 5:10 and 5:20 am, and come back two hours later. Then there are buses that go to Cien Fuegos from Cumanaygua at 5 am and 7 pm.
Now, the tricky part is that these are local buses, and tourists typically aren't allowed to use them. You can certainly shoot your shot though!
Below you can see the timetables and information we got from the bus station.
Feeling confused? You're not alone. We'd truly only recommend trying this option if you are fluent in Spanish, on a very tight budget, and have time to play with being a bit adventurous.
El Nicho Waterfall, Cuba: What to Expect
Now that you know the different options for getting to El Nicho Waterfall in Cuba, let's get to the fun stuff! Here is what you can expect.
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🛣 The Journey to El Nicho Waterfall, Cuba
The drive from Cien Fuegos to El Nicho Waterfall was simply stunning! You'll be driving through lush greenery paired with beautiful hills and mountains. The road most of the way is dirt, so parts can be rough, but with the gorgeous scenery it truly is a pleasant ride.
Getting Into El Nicho Waterfall
Our driver pulled in and we went over to purchase our tickets. The prices are wildly different for Cubans and foreigners, and tourists have to pay their ticket in cash.
There is then a short trail that leads to the restaurant on site, and a simple flat trail that then leads to the first set of waterfalls.
Enjoying El Nicho Waterfall
The first set of waterfalls was pretty busy, and is the more picturesque area. You can enjoy various pools and viewpoints, as well as some smaller pools that are through the trees below it.
Continue to the right of this area, and you'll walk just a few more minutes to find the second set of falls. This is a larger pool with smaller cascades, and small caves you can hang out in. This is where you'll see people spending more time with their families, as it's the perfect area to relax and cool off.
You can also see smaller pools by navigating through the trees, if you'd like your own little spot.
Mirador Hanabanilla
Just up a small trail after the waterfalls you can also go and enjoy a nice viewpoint, Mirador Hanabanilla.
The walk there just takes a few minutes, and has panoramic views over the surrounding landscapes.
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Amenities at El Nicho Waterfall, Cuba
We were actually quite impressed with the infrastructure of El Nicho Waterfall, as it is pretty well set up for tourism.
Bathrooms at El Nicho
Right near the entrance you'll find showers to rinse off at, as well as toilets. Please remember to use the water sparingly, since Cuba has limited water supply.
We also recommend having your own toilet paper and soap, as both are very hard to come by in bathrooms around Cuba.
Food at El Nicho Waterfall
Just a short walk from the entrance you'll find a restaurant. It has plenty of covered seating, and they start serving at 11 AM.
The menu includes typical plates like Ropa Vieja, stewed chicken, grilled fish, pork casserole, lamb stew, and fried pork. All dishes come with fruit, bread, rice, and vegetables.
Dishes range in price from 1,500-1,800 CUP, and you'll have to pay in cash as a tourist.
El Nicho Waterfall, Cuba: Price & Timetable
El Nicho Waterfall is open from 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
Cubans pay a different price than foreigners. Tourists must pay $10 USD in dollars cash.
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Rules at El Nicho Waterfall, Cuba
Overall, things are very relaxed at El Nicho Waterfall, Cuba. The most important thing is to conserve nature and treat the area well.
Here are some of the main rules you'll want to know:
No speakers or loud music
Avoid walking on any green areas or destroying nature.
Try to limit the use of water
No bonfires
Only smoking in designated areas
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Other Things to Keep in Mind for Visiting El Nicho Waterfall, Cuba
Now you know almost everything you need to know for visiting El Nicho Waterfall in Cuba! But don't go just yet - we have a few more things to share with you.
Weather at El Nicho Waterfall, Cuba
Cuba has tropical weather, with hot temperatures year-round. The rainy season goes from June and the hurricane season hits strongest in August, finishing in late October. November- March are the driest months with the most pleasant temperatures.
The Best Time to Visit El Nicho Waterfall, Cuba
The best time to visit El Nicho Waterfall, Cuba is during the dry season. This is when you'll be able to experience clear skies and plenty of sun to enjoy the falls at their best.
The waterfalls will be at their fullest after the rainy season, so we'd recommend November through the winter.
If you'd like to have El Nicho with less crowds and a more relaxing setting, we'd recommend going early in the morning before everyone else arrives. We visited in the late morning, and there was an entire school visiting.
When we arrived in the late morning there was a big school trip.
How to Prepare for El Nicho Waterfall, Cuba
Here are a few of the things we'd recommend bringing with you to El Nicho Waterfall:
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Insulated Water Bottle (to hold the temperature)
- Flip Flops (we personally always get Havaiana flip flops, as they are comfy and long lasting)
- Water Shoes (they have a bit more traction for walking around the waterfalls)
- Sneakers to comfortably walk the trails (it's not super necessary, but up to preference)
- Small Bag or Backpack - take a look at these backpacks for travelers!
- Power Bank (we use Anker power banks, as they are the best in the market and last super long)
- Beach Towel
- Bathing Suit
- Camera - (we use the Sony A7Riii)
- Action Camera (we use the GoPro for underwater shots, and the Insta 360 with the extra long selfie stick for drone-like shots)
- Waterproof Phone Pouch (we use the Case Mate Phone Pouch)
- Cash (you can't use a credit card if you are from the US)
You may want to have sneakers or comfortable shoes for the trails.
How Much Time Do You Need at El Nicho Waterfall?
El Nicho Waterfall can be seen in little time, but it truly is such a beautiful and relaxing place to visit, that we'd recommend a minimum of two hours. If you'd like to have lunch there, then we'd opt for spending 3-4 hours.