Pack a swimsuit when you visit this favorite natural attraction
Most everyone who visits the central-Cuban cities of Trinidad and Cienfuegos finds their way to El Nicho Falls. Located in the Escambray Mountains, this site is one of Cuba’s most popular natural attractions, drawing locals and visitor alike with the promise of beautiful views, natural beauty and the chance to cool off in sparkling pools of water.
The Parque El Nicho is a small and scenic national park hidden within a wildlife refuge. The cascades known as El Nicho are actually a trio of waterfalls that spill into natural ponds. The Hanabanilla River feeds the waterfalls as it meanders through lush vegetation before it begins to cascade over rocks and ravines into a series of cool, crystal-clear pools.
An easy 10-minute walk takes you to the first set of falls, while an additional half-hour reveals additional cascades, along with beautiful views of the mountains and valleys of central Cuba. Additional marked and unmarked trails within the park also lead to caves and forests that showcase the island’s exotic flora and fauna, including Cuba’s national bird, the tocororo. These birds thrive in the mountains, and are easy to identify with their plumage of purple, red, black and white.
The park is located just outside of Cienfuegos, the trip can take over an hour with the often rough and winding country roads that pass traditional villages, plantations and fields of sugarcane. If driving a rental car, you’ll want to leave plenty of time to take in the scenery and possibly stop off at a coffee, mango or banana plantation. If driving isn’t in your plans than join one of the several excursions that leave from Cienfuegos. You can also take a local bus right to the entrance of the park.
