Yelapa has two waterfalls you can reach on foot: Cola de Caballo (Horse Tail), about 15 minutes uphill through town, and a second fall upriver, about a 90-minute jungle hike away, with river crossings. Both have pools for a swim, and you can ride a horse to either one if you'd rather not walk.
Here's how each walk goes, what to bring, and when the river makes the longer hike easy or hard.
Which Yelapa waterfall should you visit?
| Cola de Caballo (town fall) | Upriver fall (jungle hike) | |
|---|---|---|
| Time one way | About 15 minutes | About 90 minutes |
| Trail | Village lanes, uphill, signed | Cobblestone, sand, rocky trail, river crossings |
| Crowds | Busy in peak season and on cruise-ship days | Usually quiet |
| Best for | A quick swim, families, day visitors | Overnight guests with a free morning |
On a day trip, the town fall fits easily around lunch. If you're staying over, the upriver hike makes a lovely morning, and you may have the pool to yourself.
How long is the walk to the Yelapa waterfall in town?
Cola de Caballo, mapped as Cascada de Yelapa on OpenStreetMap, sits about 15 minutes uphill from the beach through the village. Signs reading "Cascada" or "Waterfall" point the way along the lanes. The walk is short with an uphill stretch, and you'll share the path with horses, so watch your step.
A small bar near the pool sells cold drinks and snacks, so bring a few pesos. The fall is fullest during and after the rainy season, and it's at its best in winter and spring. By the end of the dry season, around May, recent visitors have found it down to a trickle, with a pool good for a cool dip more than a real swim.
The pool gets busy in peak season and on cruise-ship days. Go early in the morning for a quieter visit.
How long is the hike to the upper waterfall in Yelapa?
Plan on about 90 minutes each way, or roughly 8 kilometers (5 miles) round trip, and give yourself at least three hours with time at the pool. It's often called the upper falls or the upriver waterfall (the go2yelapa walking map calls it the upper waterfall), and some visitors call it Cathedral Falls. It sits up the Río Tuito valley, the river that reaches the sea at Yelapa's cove.
Where does the trail start?
Start on the west side of the river and follow the lane upstream past the pedestrian suspension bridge, keeping the bridge on your left. Our Yelapa map guide shows how the beach, town, and river fit together.
What is the trail like?
- First stretch: cobblestone, then sand, then a rocky dirt path past homes and a couple of stables.
- River crossings: you wade the river several times. The first crossing comes after about 40 minutes, next to a small concrete building, where the trail seems to disappear into the water.
- After the second crossing: the trail is well marked, with one or two easy-to-miss turns where an offline map helps.
- The fence: the path follows a fence to a gate that doesn't open. Look for the narrow gap and squeeze through. One recent hiker who missed it walked on to a sandy river spot and added about 45 minutes.
- The finish: a scramble over large boulders, then stone steps down to the pool. It isn't technical, but it helps to have steady feet.
AllTrails rates the full route to both falls as moderate, with about 211 meters (690 feet) of climbing. Download an offline map first, since cell service along the river is weak.
Can you swim at the upper waterfall?
Yes. Depending on water levels, you can often wade right up to the falling water, and there are natural rock seats along the base. Check the depth before you jump from any rock, since much of the pool is shallow. The water is cool, so midday sun makes the swim more comfortable.
When is the best time to hike to the Yelapa waterfalls?
The dry months are the easiest time for the upriver hike, when the crossings are shallow and calm. In the rainy season, June to October, the river runs higher and faster. Some visitors in July to October have found the crossings too strong to pass, so ask locally before you set out, and turn back if a crossing is deep, fast, or rising. See our month-by-month guide for more.
What should you bring to the Yelapa waterfalls?
- Swimsuit and a small towel
- Hiking sandals with straps (flip-flops slip off in the river, and hiking boots stay wet)
- Water and snacks
- Insect repellent and sunscreen
- An offline map on your phone
- A bag to carry your trash back out
- A few pesos for a drink at the town fall
Can you ride a horse to the Yelapa waterfalls?
Yes, horses are available for both falls. On the upriver route, riders finish the last stretch on foot from the gate. Our horseback and mule rides guide covers how to arrange a ride and how to pick a well-cared-for animal.
FAQ
Is there an entry fee for the Yelapa waterfalls?
Recent visitor guides don't list an entry fee for either fall. Bring a few pesos for a drink at the bar by the town fall.
Do you need a guide for the upriver waterfall?
Most hikers go on their own, since the trail is well marked after the second river crossing. An offline map helps at the turns and the fence.
Is the Yelapa waterfall hike good for kids?
The town fall is a short walk that suits most families. The upriver hike suits older kids who are comfortable wading and scrambling over rocks.
Does the Yelapa waterfall dry up?
The town fall can slow to a trickle late in the dry season, around May. It flows strongest in and just after the rainy season.
Checked October 14, 2026. Details change, so confirm with the sources below before you go.
Sources
- Earth Vagabonds, how to get to the upriver waterfall in Yelapa
- Uprooted Traveler, Yelapa waterfalls guide
- Roam and Thrive, chasing Yelapa waterfalls
- AllTrails, Two Yelapa Waterfalls trail page
- Where in the World Is Nina, Yelapa waterfalls near Puerto Vallarta
- Take Me to Puerto Vallarta, Yelapa waterfalls
- HoneyTrek, Puerto Vallarta's secret hideaway, Yelapa
- go2yelapa, Yelapa walking map with the Río Tuito basin
More in our Yelapa visitor guide. For more ideas, see things to do in Yelapa.
Plan your stay
Staying overnight gives you time for the upriver hike in the cool of the morning and a swim at the town fall before the day crowds arrive. Casa Gratitud is our home on the hillside above the bay, open October through April. See yelapacasagratitud.com or check rates and availability.