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Cuba🇨🇺 | national parksEl NichoEscambray waterfalls, turquoise pools, tree ferns, trogon trails | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in El Nicho
👀 For curious travelersnational park ranked #19
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 23, 2026

El Nicho is walkable on your own, so you can skip the pricey tour buses that cram it into a rushed morning. It sits in the Escambray mountains of central Cuba, in the Cienfuegos province, inland from the south coast. The cascading pools, forest trails and birdlife are worth the trip, but the road is rough and the crowds arrive by 11. I paid US$2 for a thick guava juice at the stand by the entrance and drank it slowly while the first tour groups were still parking. Go early, since pools empty out by afternoon.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #19 national park in CubaWhat sets this place apart

El Nicho suits independent travelers because the park is small enough to explore without a guide. The series of turquoise pools and waterfalls are reached by a short, clear path that you can walk at your own pace, and swimming is allowed in the lower pools. The surrounding Topes de Collantes and Escambray mountains add forest walks, coffee country and cool air if you want more days on foot. Tour groups come in waves, so going on your own lets you time the pools for quiet moments, linger at viewpoints and leave when you choose.

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

  1. Lower Waterfall Pools: The turquoise basins just beyond the entrance are the park's signature, with clear water you can swim in below small cascades.
  2. Upper Waterfalls Trail: A path climbs beside the stream to higher falls, where you will often have a pool nearly to yourself.
  3. Cave Pool and Cliff Jumps: Rocky ledges around the middle pools give a shaded spot for a dip away from the main swimming area.
  4. Forest Birdwatching: The woods hold the Cuban trogon, Cuba's national bird, and the tiny Cuban tody, both colorful and easiest to spot in the early hours.
  5. Tree Ferns and Mountain Forest: The trail runs under dense canopy with ferns, orchids and bromeliads, a very different scene from the coast.
  6. Riverside Picnic Spots: Flat stones along the water make comfortable places to eat what you brought.
El Nicho … read more 👉
  1. Lower Waterfall Pools: The turquoise basins just beyond the entrance are the park's signature, with clear water you can swim in below small cascades.
  2. Upper Waterfalls Trail: A path climbs beside the stream to higher falls, where you will often have a pool nearly to yourself.
  3. Cave Pool and Cliff Jumps: Rocky ledges around the middle pools give a shaded spot for a dip away from the main swimming area.
  4. Forest Birdwatching: The woods hold the Cuban trogon, Cuba's national bird, and the tiny Cuban tody, both colorful and easiest to spot in the early hours.
  5. Tree Ferns and Mountain Forest: The trail runs under dense canopy with ferns, orchids and bromeliads, a very different scene from the coast.
  6. Riverside Picnic Spots: Flat stones along the water make comfortable places to eat what you brought.
El Nicho is best started with the lower pools at opening, because the water is clear and the tour groups have not yet arrived.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?When to go for the best experience

The dry months of November to April are the easiest window for El Nicho, with daytime highs of 26 to 30°C (79 to 86°F) and firmer trails.
  • Dry Season (Nov to Apr): Pools stay clearer, mud is limited, and daylight runs about 11 to 12 hours. Cuban and foreign tour groups peak around December, Easter and January.
  • Wet Season (May to Oct): Expect 28 to 33°C (82 to 91°F), afternoon downpours, slippery rock and brown water after storms. Hurricane risk peaks August to October.
Arrive by 9 a.m. to beat the tour buses and swim in quiet pools.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: below average for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

No lodging exists inside El Nicho, so most backpackers sleep in Cienfuegos or Trinidad and come for the day. Cienfuegos, about 1.5 hours away by road, has the widest choice of casas particulares, with rooms at US$25 to 40 a night, many near the Paseo del Prado. Trinidad is roughly 2 hours away and has more rooms at US$25 to 45, plus easier tour bookings. A few simple rooms and cabins sit near the park in Cumanayagua, and a rustic lodge at nearby Hanabanilla lake offers basic rooms at about US$30 to 50. Book ahead in December to April.
Best hostels in Cuba


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👛 Costs (as of 23 October 2026)What things cost and how to budget

El Nicho costs roughly US$48 to 90 a day for a backpacker based in Cienfuegos, with the park itself being the smallest expense.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feeUS$5 to 10Paid at the gate, usually in cash.
AccommodationUS$25 to 40Casa particular room in Cienfuegos, high season.
Local transportUS$10 to 25Shared taxi seat or a day-trip car split between travelers.
Food and suppliesUS$8 to 15Simple lunch at the park restaurant, plus water.
Total Daily BudgetUS$48 to 90Per person, per day, in high season.


source: cubatravel.cu
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsHiking El Nicho national park: highlights and difficulty

El Nicho has a compact network of walks rather than long backcountry routes, and all of them are easy to follow without a guide. Terrain is damp, rocky and sometimes slippery, so wear shoes with grip.
  • Lower pools walk: A short, mostly flat stroll of 15 to 30 minutes from the entrance to the first swimming basins, easy and suitable for children.
  • Upper falls path: A climb of about an hour round trip along stone steps and forest trail, moderate because of the slick rock and stairs, passing smaller cascades and viewpoints.
  • Birding walk: A slow loop through the trees in the early hours, easy, with a good
… read more 👉
El Nicho has a compact network of walks rather than long backcountry routes, and all of them are easy to follow without a guide. Terrain is damp, rocky and sometimes slippery, so wear shoes with grip.
  • Lower pools walk: A short, mostly flat stroll of 15 to 30 minutes from the entrance to the first swimming basins, easy and suitable for children.
  • Upper falls path: A climb of about an hour round trip along stone steps and forest trail, moderate because of the slick rock and stairs, passing smaller cascades and viewpoints.
  • Birding walk: A slow loop through the trees in the early hours, easy, with a good chance of seeing trogons and todies.
  • Wildlife: Birds are the main draw, along with lizards and butterflies; large mammals are not part of the experience.
El Nicho is reached by road from Cienfuegos or Trinidad, and there is no regular public bus, so most independent travelers share a taxi or rent a car. The last stretch is rough. Entrance is charged in a small fee, and a guide is optional. Crowds build from late morning, so arrive when the gate opens.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetySafety Tips and Common Scams in El Nicho

The main hazard at El Nicho is slippery footing, not wildlife. Trails are short, marked and well maintained, but limestone and wet roots get greasy, so wear shoes with grip rather than flip-flops. Pools are cold and the current rises after heavy rain, so swim only in the signed areas and skip jumping from ledges. Bring water, insect repellent and a rain layer, since showers arrive quickly in the Escambray hills. Carry cash, because card payments are unreliable, and keep valuables out of sight on the trailhead.
Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

One full day is enough for El Nicho, since the waterfall trails and pools take about 3 to 5 hours. Add a second day if you want to combine it with Hanabanilla lake or a Cienfuegos stay. Most people spend a morning hiking and swimming, then return by mid-afternoon.
Yes, but El Nicho is easiest with a hired car or taxi, because no regular public bus reaches the gate. From Cienfuegos, expect about 1.5 hours by road and a taxi cost of US$40 to 70 return, shared among passengers. Tours from Trinidad or Cienfuegos cost around US$25 to 45 per person.
Yes, El Nicho charges an entrance fee of roughly US$5 to 10, usually paid in cash at the gate. No special permit is needed for the short marked trails. Guided longer hikes in the Escambray hills may cost extra, around US$5 to 15.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Cuban national parks near El Nicho

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

El Nicho is best for swimmers, birdwatchers and travelers who like short, easy walks ending in cold water. If you want long treks, pair it with Topes de Collantes. I would arrive at opening and bring a towel and water shoes.

✈️ When did I visit Cuba?
As part of my 1.5 year travel around the world trip, I visited Cuba for 6 weeks in February, March 2016, being extremely lucky that that coincided with the free concert of The Rolling Stones.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Cuba, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

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