Las Tinajas & Charco Frio Waterfalls Guided Adventure

Guided

Duration: 3.5 hours

Fajardo

Features

Kid Friendly

Locally Owned

Beginner Friendly

Free Cancellation

Instant Book

$50 Single Passenger

Description

Explore Rainforest Hikes, Waterfalls, and Natural Water Slides!

Step off the beaten path and dive into an adventurous hike along the rivers of Puerto Rico’s Rio Grande area. This tour takes you to two incredible natural spots—Charco Frio and Las Tinajas—so you can explore waterfalls, rock formations, and river pools far from the crowds. While not part of the official El Yunque National Forest, these sites offer a genuine rainforest experience with trails that wind through tropical trees, over roots, and along riversides, giving you a sense of discovery at every turn.

Your adventure begins with a short hike through shaded trails, leading to Charco Frio, where you can take in the scenery, swing from ropes, or take a refreshing dip in the river. The hike continues to Las Tinajas, where natural water slides offer a playful way to move through the sparkling pools. Every step of the way, the sounds of flowing water, chirping birds, and the gentle rustle of leaves create a peaceful, immersive backdrop to your outdoor adventure.

This tour balances exploration and excitement with a pace that allows you to enjoy the journey. It’s perfect for anyone who loves hiking, riverside adventures, and discovering hidden corners of Puerto Rico’s natural beauty. With every waterfall you encounter and every pool you swim in, you’ll leave with memories of an authentic outdoor experience that feels both exhilarating and rejuvenating.

*This tour does NOT enter the official El Yunque National Forest.*

Duration of Adventure

3.5 Hours

Location / Where to Meet

Check in/ Departure Address: Del Este Shopping Center Parking Lot, PRI-3, Fajardo, 00738, Puerto Rico
Please park near the Old Kmart Area!
This is a self-driving tour. First, we’ll all gather in the parking lot to complete waivers and cover all safety instructions. Then you’ll drive yourself to the next location, where you’ll meet the guide to continue the adventure together.
At the secondary location there is a parking lot for a cash fee (around $5 to $10).

Ages & Requirements

A minimum age of 5 years old and maximum age is 70 years old is required to go on the tour. All children under 18 years old must be accompanied by a participating adult.
There is a minimum of 4 people required for the tour to run and a maximum of 24.

What’s Included

Guided Hiking Tour
Local Tour Guide
Safety Equipment (Helmet & Life Jacket)
Bottle of Water
Photos

Not Included

Gratuity - Never expected but if you have a great experience, please consider gifting 10-25% to your guides!
Cost of Lunch & Snacks
Parking Fee in Cash
Transportation – This is a self-driving tour, you will have to provide your own transportation to each location. Uber and taxis are not available in this region.

What to Bring / Wear

Swimsuit (Already On Under Clothing) & Towels
Reusable Water Bottle Filled w/ Water
Sturdy Hiking Shoes, Sneakers, or Water Shoes (NO Open-Toed Shoes or Flip Flops) - Broken in/Used before with closed toes and grippy tread!
Hiking Socks & Gaiters - Comfortable socks to prevent blisters and small shoe gaiters are helpful to keep rocks and sand from getting into the shoe and causing blisters or cuts!
Comfortable Clothing / Change of Clothing (No Jeans) - Make sure the clothing is moisture-wicking, lightweight, and fast drying!
Sun & Insect Protection - Rimmed hat, sunglasses, neck covering (may attach to hat), and UV deflecting long sleeve shirts can all help to combat the harmful and strong sun rays! Don’t forget some insect repellent or mosquito head coverings!
Required Paperwork & ID Cards- Signed medical form if required, waivers, license, etc.
Restroom Essentials - Extra toilet paper and hand sanitizer is a good idea!
Trekking Poles - These can help on uneven ground or strenuous hikes!
Cameras & Binoculars - Catch amazing pictures of the scenery and binoculars to spot wildlife from far away! If you are river trekking or swimming, ensure you have a waterproof camera with a floating handle in case it gets dropped!
Dry Bags - Recommended anywhere you might get rained on to protect valuables like your phone and cameras.
Snacks - Please always consider bringing your own, especially if you have a food allergy, stomach issues to certain foods, or are particular about your food preferences!
Please remove any jewelry, watches, or anything that can get damaged by water, dirt, or anything you don’t want to lose.

ADVENTURE PROVIDED BY East Coast Water Taxi inc

FAQs

What is special about Charco Frío?

Charco Frío is a local favorite for its clear, refreshing river pools and natural setting that feels like a hidden jungle playground. After a short hike through shaded trails, you’ll arrive at a wide swimming hole surrounded by smooth rocks and greenery. The highlight for many visitors is the rope swing hanging over the water, perfect for those who want to make a splash. There are also spots where you can safely jump into the pool from the rocks, or you can simply relax and enjoy the cool water. It’s a scenic, fun, and easily accessible spot that captures the adventurous spirit of Puerto Rico’s rivers.

What is special about Las Tinajas?

Las Tinajas is best known for its natural rock slides and tiered pools, creating a unique and playful water experience. As you continue upstream from Charco Frío, you’ll reach this section of the river where smooth rock formations have been shaped by flowing water over time. Visitors can slide down the rocks into the pools below, wade in the calm sections, or explore the surrounding boulders and mini waterfalls. The setting feels wild and untouched, making it a memorable place to cool off and enjoy Puerto Rico’s outdoors in a way that’s both exciting and laid-back.

Does this tour enter the official El Yunque National Forest?

No, this tour does not enter the official boundaries of El Yunque National Forest. Instead, it takes place in nearby river areas in the municipality of Río Grande, just outside the forest’s protected zone. While it’s not part of the national park, the trails and scenery offer a similar rainforest environment with waterfalls, swimming holes, and tropical vegetation. This location allows visitors to experience Puerto Rico’s natural beauty without the crowds or the need for an official forest entry reservation.

Cancellation Policy

Due to the unique nature, and small size of our groups, we are forced to remain quite firm about our cancellation policies. Consider that on a given day you have a reservation with us, we are there, onsite, waiting and ready to serve you. Regardless of the cancellation reasons, our time and fixed cost is already invested; we may even have turned down other customers by holding your space. It's easy to see why we must remain so firm regarding our cancellation policies.

WEATHER RELATED CANCELLATIONS

Participants must be ready to get wet in all of our trips. Please keep in mind that we are an eco adventure operator and we do go out in the event of rain, as long as it does not put our guests, guides or the excursion in general in any danger. We are all about you having fun. If we know that there is no way that a particular day would be fun because of bad weather, you can count on that as soon as we are sure, we will cancel any trips for that day. This being said, we must clarify that WEATHER IN THE CARRIBBEAN IS HIGHLY UNPREDICTABLE even with all the radars we use. Many times we will not be able to cancel an excursion until the last minute at the time of check in.

If you ever have any questions regarding weather cancellations on the day of your excursion make sure to contact us directly.

TRIPS ARE SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS

One of the things that we enjoy the most about our trips is that every day in the water is a different experience. According to the specific weather conditions for any given day, a trip may vary slightly from our advertised offerings. Everyday our captain will select the route that he believe will be the most fun and enjoyable for the whole group. For that reason, we encourage you to choose your trips based on the rough descriptions provided on our website and simply trust us to provide you with a great experience.

Availability

January 2026

SuMoTuWeThFrSa

Reviews

Location

Address

Carr. Cabezas de San Juan

Fajardo, Puerto Rico, 00738

ASK THE LOCAL EXPERT

Check Availability

✔️Best price guarantee - book direct with the outfitter

✔️Trusted local outfitters, vetted for quality

✔️Free cancellation on most adventures

Improve this listing

Adventure

Discover 5,000+ handpicked human powered adventures.

Connect

Book directly with vetted local experts.

Average 4.8 ⭐️ across 185,000 reviews.

Protect

Every booking contributes to conservation.

Proud member of The Conservation Alliance and Leave No Trace.