El Imposible: Hidden Waterfalls Hike & Cliff Jumps Day Trip

Secret cascades, wild trails and cliff jumps in El Imposible

You’ll trek through wild forest trails in El Imposible with a local guide, learning about plants and jumping into hidden waterfalls along the way. Cool off in natural pools, share lunch with new friends overlooking distant volcanoes, and feel the thrill of cliff jumps—all with pickup included. Expect mud on your shoes and a story you’ll want to tell again.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation from your hotel or meeting point, all entry fees and taxes covered by your guide Miguel (or whoever’s leading), a simple but delicious lunch with tropical fruit and guacamole plus drinks at the end—and plenty of stories about local plants as you go from one hidden waterfall to another before heading back to Ataco.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hidden Waterfalls Eco Tour Experience

• Pick up from hotel or meeting point
• Drive through mountains and local communities
• Briefing and start downhill hike
• Learn about medicinal and edible plants
• Enjoy waterfall jumps and natural rockslides
• Stop for lunch at scenic viewpoint
• Visit Cascada El Perol waterfall
• Swim and cliff jump at waterfall
• Hike uphill to starting point
• Return transport to Ataco

The Experience

You know that feeling when you’re not sure if your shoes will dry by tomorrow? That’s how it started for me, stepping out of the van in El Imposible with a bit of morning mist still clinging to my backpack. Our guide—Miguel, machete in hand—grinned like he’d been waiting all week for this. He pointed at some plant with these shiny leaves and said something about “curar el dolor”—I think it was for headaches? I tried chewing one later (not sure I was supposed to), tasted kind of bitter but not terrible.

The hike down was steeper than I expected—roots everywhere, birds yelling at each other overhead. Miguel kept stopping to show us weird seeds or let us smell crushed leaves (one smelled exactly like lime). At some point we heard water before we saw it. The first waterfall wasn’t huge but the sound just filled everything. I hesitated at the jump—three meters looks taller when you’re up there—but everyone else went so I just… did it. Cold shock, then laughter. My heart wouldn’t slow down for ages after that.

Lunch was this pile of corn tortillas and guacamole under a tree, legs dangling over a rock ledge. Someone had brought mangoes too, sticky sweet juice running down my arm while we watched clouds drift past the volcanoes way off in Guatemala. There’s this last waterfall—El Perol—they say it’s 40 meters but honestly it feels even bigger when you’re standing under it getting soaked. We swam until our fingers pruned up and nobody talked much on the hike back except for Miguel whistling some tune I didn’t recognize. Still think about that silence sometimes, how full it felt.

Top questions

How long is the Hidden Waterfalls tour in El Imposible?

The tour lasts most of the day, including about 45-60 minutes hiking downhill to the waterfalls and an hour uphill return.

Is hotel pickup included in this day trip?

Yes, hotel pickup or meeting point transfer is included in your booking.

Are meals provided during the tour?

Yes, lunch is included—expect fresh tropical fruit, corn tortillas, guacamole, plus beer or soda after the hike.

Can I skip the waterfall jumps if I'm not comfortable?

Yes, you can walk around instead of jumping if you prefer—it’s totally optional.

How difficult is the hike to the waterfalls?

The hike is moderately challenging with steep sections; good physical fitness is recommended.

Will there be other people at the waterfalls?

No—the area visited sees very few foreigners and you'll likely have it all to yourself.

What's special about Cascada El Perol?

Cascada El Perol is around 40 meters tall with space to swim and relax; it's usually saved for last on this tour.