Cali River Waterfall Tour: Swim natural pools, skip the crowds

Swimming in natural pools, exploring the main waterfall, hiking to a hidden cascade

The Cali River Waterfall Tour is a half-day guided experience from Cali where you swim in natural pools, walk easy trails, and optionally hike to a second waterfall that locals know and tourists usually skip. A local guide leads the small group. Hotel pickup and entrance are included. The tour runs even with just one traveler, and the itinerary balances water time, exploration, and rest rather than rushing through stops.

Step-by-step itinerary

Cali river waterfall tour and swimming

• 8:00am pickup at lodging
• Drive to river (25-50 minutes)
• Explore river and swim
• Optional hike to second waterfall
• Eat food by the river
• 11:00am head back to city
• 12:00 noon arrive at lodging

The experience

You get picked up at your hotel, hostel, or Airbnb between 8am and 9am, then drive 20 to 50 minutes west or 11 to 25 minutes south depending on where you're staying in Cali. The river itself is where locals come to swim and unwind, not a packaged attraction, so the pace is yours. You can wade in the chilly water, explore the main waterfall, rest on the rocks, or take the short trail to a second hidden waterfall if you want to go further. The guide is there to lead and keep you safe, but the day is built around what you want to do, not a script.

Swimming happens in natural pools where the water runs clear and cold. You'll have time to eat if you bring snacks, dry off, and simply be in the space without being herded to the next photo stop. The whole experience (pickup, drive, river time, and return) fits into a morning, with you back at your lodging by noon. Solo travelers, couples, and families all find their rhythm here because there's no minimum group size and no fixed itinerary that forces everyone through the same motions.

The tour includes private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, the entrance fee, and parking. Bring your own snacks and bottled water if you want them. The guide will handle the rest. If you're traveling with infants or small children, they can ride in a stroller, and the vehicle is wheelchair accessible. The tour suits all fitness levels because you choose how much or how little to walk and swim.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• hotel or lodging pickup.
• entrance fee to the river.
• parking fees.
• local guide in English or Spanish.

Options for this experience

2 options

Four-hour Cali River Waterfall TourGuide in English or Spanish · 08:00 and 14:00Pickup is included

Sundays/Holidays (6-8 hours)Guide in English or Spanish · 08:00 and 14:00Duration: 7 hours. Because many locals travel down to the river on Sundays and holidays, transportation can take two or three times as long. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 14:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (13 to 65 years) · Youth (8 to 12 years) · Child (5 to 7 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Cali Cultural Tours

Is this one for you?Pick the weekday morning tour if you want swimming and waterfall exploration without sacrificing your whole day. Choose the weekend option if you prefer more time to hike to a second waterfall at your own pace.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (8 to 12 years); Child (5 to 7 years); Infant (under 5).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How far is the waterfall from central Cali?

The river is 20 kilometers (about 50 minutes driving) from the west side of Cali or 11 kilometers (about 25 minutes) from the south, depending on your hotel location. Pickup is included, so the drive is part of your tour time.

Can I visit the hidden waterfall, or is it optional?

The hidden second waterfall is optional. Your guide will show you the main waterfall and the natural pools, and you can choose to hike the short trail to the second one if you want to explore further. The tour adapts to what you feel like doing that day.

What's included in the tour price?

Hotel pickup, private transportation, entrance to the river, and parking are all included. Bring your own snacks and bottled water if you want them during the day.

Does the tour run if I'm traveling alone?

Yes. There's no minimum group size, so the tour runs even if you're the only person booking. You'll have a local guide and private transportation regardless of how many travelers show up.

How much time do I actually spend at the waterfall?

You arrive around 9am and head back to the city around 11am, giving you roughly two hours at the river for swimming, exploring, and resting. The full tour, including pickup and return, takes about four hours total.