Trek to Gozalandia Waterfall in San Sebastian
Posted on Jan 7th, 2010 by Gwenn
Waterfalls (cascadas or saltos, in Spanish) are one of those natural beauties Ray and I try to find as we travel around Puerto Rico. We know there are loads of them in Puerto Rico, but very few of them are very well known and easy to find.
Gozalandia or Las Cataratas Waterfall in San Sebastian is sometimes called the secret waterfall even though it is actually on a couple of the official Puerto Rico tourism maps. I guess it is not that secret after all!
But, actually finding it is not that easy and you have to be a little adventurous. With the help of some people on the TripAdvisor.com Puerto Rico forum who provided the initial directions, we set off to find this secret treasure!
The Waterfall
Located in the town of San Sebastian, this waterfall is really cool. Not only is the waterfall pretty tall (about 50 feet, I would guess), it was also kind of wide (about 20-30 feet). There was a pool at the bottom of the falls for swimming that was deep and clean. This beauty has even been in a few movies!
The pool is deep enough that, if you wanted, you could jump off of the rocks into the water. There is also a small underwater "cave" on the right of the waterfall that you can swim into. It has a good-sized air pocket above it where you can surface and breathe. There is room for a couple people there. Pretty cool. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the time to play and explore as just minutes after we got to the falls, it started to downpour.
A word to the wise — leave any stream or river during rain storms. Flash floods happen often and are very dangerous. So, once the pouring rain started we knew that we had to leave right away. But we will be back to play!
Getting There
Now, here is the catch with this waterfall — you have to cross private property to get to it. Of course, everyone says it is OK to go, but I don’t know who actually owns the land and so we never asked the owner. I hope he doesn’t mind!
You do have to go under/over a locked chain holding a gate mostly closed. But if you have the nerve to go, you follow a muddy, narrow foot-path through a cow field. I was a little leery of the bulls in the field at first, but it turned out they were more scared of me and quickly moved away from us.
Keep following the path downhill, and you will come to a new man-made pond with pavilion around it. I don’t know for sure, but I bet the new development down the road Las Cascadas is developing the area.
Anyway, keep walking down the path (at this point much wider) into the forest — you will hear the river and falls. Then search for a path that will lead you below the falls (it was to the left). The path is well-used and even has some safety poles and ropes to help you get down the slippery slope to the falls. This whole trip takes maybe 10-15 slippery minutes on the way down.
On the way up — as I said it was pouring rain — the trail became a 4-inch deep stream of fast-running, manure water. When we made it back to the car, we were soaking wet and muddy, but it was worth it!
Details
Once you’re on Route 111 in San Sebastian, turn north onto Route 446. Take this a short way until you see a large bridge on the right. Turn right, go across bridge and drive up the road about 0.8 miles. You will see a house on the right side of road that has a large "metal hanger7quot; building. Right around that area, you will notice places on the sides where others have parked. Park on one of these "parking areas" on the side of the road. You will see a fence with a small opening that has been locked closed with a chain. It is easy to go under/over the chain.
If you have a GPS unit handy, punch in these coordinates for where to park (18.357878, -66.984004) and these coordinates for the falls themselves (18.362875, -66.984243).
You can locate Gozalandia Falls on our Interactive Island Map
I love this waterfall. It is so different from your typical waterfall. I always comment that it reminds me of an ancient Indian Tribal Chief’s face! It is quite a trek to get there, not a bad walk, but tricky on slippery rocks and mud. But oh so worth it…just don’t trip! I am hoping that they are making the area easier to travel, it looked last year that they may be making some attempts to make the walk a little easier.
Comment by Lee Foxwell on January 7th, 2010 at 10:29 pmThe movie he’s talking about is “A Perfect Getaway” with Steve Zahn and Milla Jojovich! Watch out though, they say its in hawaii!
To me, it’s the best waterfall in puerto rico! Go on the weekends to really see what Gozalandia is about–aka when there are other people around. You will see you can actually climb into the waterfall and jump out of it. I’d recommend watching the crazy locals go off the top first to calm your nerves! It’s dangerous and they’ve had people die there, so be careful because that air lift ain’t comin for a while. I don’t even think my cell worked down there!
Like the other waterfalls, the rainfall affects the size of the waterfall…so if it rains for a few days then the waterfall is going to be nuts ( like you see above) or if its pretty dry the waterfall is pretty weak and very easy to hop out of! Be careful!
Also guys, there is a rope swing to the left. Quick tip: you have to hold onto the rope, swing yourself to the large rock wall on the left and kick off it to get a good swing where you will clear the rocks and go into the deep
HAVE FUN and clean up after yourself!
Comment by Nate on January 7th, 2010 at 10:46 pmThis is one of the best ways to experience the Real Puerto Rico. I have been to this waterfall a few times and the last trip there, they were actually setting up for “The Perfect Getaway”. Thus, I traveled up the river to another waterfall which I like too. Both are on the same gentlemans property. I met him my first time there. A little out of my element I took the wrong path and he drove up on a 4 wheeler and chatted with me. I apologized for being on his property and he gave me a very nice invitation to see the waterfall. He gave me directions and offered to carry me over there on his 4 wheeler. It is a beautifule place and the other fall is great too. I don’t remember the rope being on the lower fall but I know there is one on the upper fall. There is also an underwater cave on the right side in the water looking at the fall. It depends on the water level as to whether or not you can see the enterance. Looking at the picture above, just to the right of the water there is a dark area, this is wher the cave is. You will have to work to get there because after you walk a little bit you have to either jump the fall or climb down the side. Great exercise but dangerous. Make sure you get your footing because it is slippery. It is a bit confusing to find but worth the work. Go early to avoid getting lost.
Everytime I have been there have been locals that are most helpful and fun to watch. It is really a great slice of the natural Puerto Rico that is not on the tourist maps! (well most of them anyway)
This is private property so please be respectful to the owner and to nature. Please clean up after yourself! I am actually leaving in 2 days to visit again and look forward to seeing my faithful waterfall companion. When you go through the fence above (there is another way with a wide white paved road too) you will feel lost but look for the clearing and listen for the fall, you will hear it and the locals playing.
Comment by Denise on January 19th, 2010 at 2:28 pm