The Waterfalls of El Nicho

Cienfuegos – El Nicho (1:30hrs)
El Nicho – Trinidad (1:30 hrs)

Most classic tours in Cuba link Cienfuegos directly to Trinidad. However, if like us, you are travelling in Cuba with children, a day trip to the El Nicho waterfalls between the two colonial towns is well worth the detour. Approximately one and a half hours from Cienfuegos (and the same again to Trinidad), El Nicho is one of the few places that allows tourists access to the mountain range of the Sierra del Escambray in central Cuba.

A well-trodden trail leads the way from the car park and up a steep hill. After a short climb, you reach a series of impressive waterfalls and natural pools. Along with a number of other tourists (it starts getting busy from 10:30am onwards) we took an invigorating dip in one of the natural pools. The water was unexpectedly nippy but my eight-year old and I managed to swim across to the waterfall where we scrambled up the rocks and experienced a rain shower like no other!

Other than the restaurant next to the car park there are no facilities at El Nicho. Swimmers can use a tiny dark cave next to the pool to get changed in but the majority manage behind a towel. Remember, bring towels and warm jumpers for the children as our two needed some warming up on getting out. And snacks!

Near the top of the trail is a mirador with spectacular views of the valley. The circuit takes less than 30 minutes to walk but I expect we spent a good hour and a half there. We didn’t eat at the restaurant as it was packed with tourists and we weren’t sure how long it would take to be served. Instead we dug into our bag of car snacks and waited until we reached Trinidad.

You May Also Enjoy the Following Posts:

To view all our blog posts in the Cuba with Kids series see our Family Guide to Cuba. 

Travelling in Cuba with Children

Cuba with Kids: Where to Go  (A 10-day Itinerary)

Ernest Hemingway’s Home in Havana 

Cuba with Kids: Staying in a Casa Particular

Cuba with Kids: Havana Highlights

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