Puerto Rico: Don Chencho Waterfalls Day Trip & Local Food

4.89

(9 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

“Nobody ever comes here,” our guide said, and honestly, he wasn’t kidding. The trail to Don Chencho Waterfalls felt like someone’s secret shortcut — muddy in spots (watch your step), but you could smell wet leaves and hear nothing but birds. We’d left San Juan early and by the time we reached the center of Puerto Rico, it was just us, some distant roosters, and the sound of water somewhere ahead. I kept thinking: this isn’t El Yunque, there’s no crowds or lines or selfie sticks. Just us and that green silence.

Walking down to the natural swimming pool took maybe twenty minutes? Hard to say — we stopped a lot because our guide kept pointing out weird fruits and telling stories about his family growing up nearby. He switched between English and Spanish so easily that even when I zoned out (sorry), I still caught most of it. The waterfall itself isn’t huge but it’s got this clear blue water that makes you want to jump right in. Which we did — cold shock at first, then perfect once you’re in. My friend tried to climb a rock for a photo and slipped; everyone laughed except her (she was fine). I can still feel how smooth those stones were under my feet.

After swimming we headed back up for snacks — nothing fancy, just local pastries from a bakery on the way. Warm bread with guava paste is my new favorite thing. By late afternoon we ended up at Mimi’s BBQ, which looked like any roadside spot but smelled so good I forgot how hungry I was until food landed on the table. No tourists around, just people chatting in Spanish over plates of rice and pork. Our guide ordered something for himself that he said only locals get; I didn’t have the nerve to try it this time.