09 Feb Waterfalls near Coronado
Three of Many Waterfalls Near Coronado
One of the benefits of living in Coronado is the close proximity to the mountains and the many natural water features found nearby, from the stunning Los Cajones de Chame (Drawers of Chame), a deep river with cliff-jumping off steep canyon walls, to the easily accessible magnificent El Chorro de Macho in El Valle.
Finding information online about these various hikes can be a bit tricky. And information is critical when you’re basing a decision on a hike to match your skill level, ease of access, trail conditions and personal safety.
The following three locations offered different experiences in the above-mentioned categories.
Los Cajones de Chame
Carved out by the Chame River over years of erosion, steep canyons formed narrow walls towering above the river; turbulent in some areas, drifting calmly in others and filling natural swimming holes perfect for cooling off on a hot day.
For the truly adventuresome, there are spots to jump from the cliffs. For the rest of us, we can picnic, walk along the river path and of course, refresh in the water. Some people float down with the current on inner tubes, and others swim the length of the river, getting an up-close look at the sedimentary rock walls.
In the rainy season the water may be brown from the mud run-off and in the dry season, beautiful blue-green water invites you to take a dip and relax for a while.
The road to access the river is a steep dirt and rocky road so if you have four-wheel drive, you won’t have a problem. If you park at the top, a truck will drive you down to the entrance by the riverbanks. Fees to park and get a ride or to drive down yourself vary and range from $3-$5 dollars. There’s someone at the road entrance to collect your money. Make sure you tell them you want to park and get a ride; I didn’t even know that was an option and probably shouldn’t have taken my CRV.
While the road is steep and winding, once you get down to the river, there’s no walking necessary to see the beautiful rock formations and river. This would be an appropriate outing for someone who has difficulty walking distances but has the spirit of adventure. Bring a few chairs and a BBQ grill and you can spend a lovely afternoon in nature.
Filipina Waterfalls
Turning off the Paseo Turin road before you get to the back entrance of Altos Del Maria, the sign for Filipina directs you to the right, down the dirt road that winds around a small community, through fincas and open spaces and finally, to the bottom of a hill near a church and a school. There’s also a sign indicating you have indeed arrived at the right place.
You pay $2 to enter because it’s on private property, and if you haven’t been there before, one of the adults on the property will lead you toward the direction of the waterfalls. On this hike, it might be advisable to hire a guide, as the terrain is quite steep and slippery in some places requiring you to use ropes to help you up and down the craggy rockface.
But this hike is worth a few scrapes and bruises. There are about five waterfalls, natural pools and plenty of trees for shade. The first waterfall, while beautiful, didn’t appear to be so easily accessible so I continued up the road to the second waterfall which was jaw-droppingly stunning.
The little dirt path getting to this beauty shouldn’t have been dangerous, but I did trip, landing on my knees. I highly recommend a walking stick and some type of protective gear for your camera device, whether you use a phone or DSLR.
The rugged climb up slippery and jagged rocks covered with wet leaves is not easy, but quite exhilarating and rewarding. The last waterfall I made it up to has a flat area to sit and rest for the trek back down.
El Chorro de Macho
El Chorro de Macho
This is the easiest of the waterfall hikes as far as driving accessibility and waterfall viewing. You take a paved road through the extinct volcano crater town of El Valle to the Canopy Lodge and park either in the designated spots or alongside the road. While the lodge offers a full zip-line excursion, for just $5 you get a walking stick and entrance to the paths, suspension bridges and access to the natural swimming pool after viewing the majestic El Chorro de Macho waterfall.
The hotel is known to bird enthusiasts who travel specifically to the destination to see over 350 species of birds in the area, so you’re sure to see a few on this easy loop trail if you take your time and sit on one of the many benches available to sit an appreciate the natural beauty around you.
The highlight of the afternoon for me was swimming in the pool of natural river water, collected into a large basin for people to enjoy. While the water was cool, I’m a self-proclaimed cold-water wimp and I found it to be delightfully refreshing.
The nice thing about this hike is that you’re in El Valle within minutes for lunch, shopping at the craft and produce market or enjoying a cold beer and yuca fries.
How to find a hiking guide
Join the community social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and use the search feature for ‘hiking guide’. Ask for recommendations in the groups or join a group hike.
Are you interested in exploring El Valle with your friends or family members? Contact us for recommended guides to schedule a private excursion.