We got information on the waterfall from the employees at the Hacienda Merdia. The park for the waterfall has a $2 or $3 entrance fee. They don’t have much change, so don’t bring large bills. The trail is 3km long and difficult, even for the experienced hiker. It takes 1 to 2 hours to walk to the waterfall, depending on how fast you walk. The first kilometer is fairly flat and on a road. During the second kilometer, the path gets smaller and steeper. By the third kilometer, the path is wide enough for one person, very steep, and very rocky. There is also nowhere to buy drinks, so either come prepared or drink water from the river.
Kayaks cost $8 for the duration of your stay. If boating to the waterfall, it is about a 2-hour trip one way to the entrance of the park. To get there, simply rent a kayak from Hacienda Merida, paddle out past the dock, and go left. It’s best to follow the shore line all the way to the entrance. The further out you paddle, the more difficult it becomes due to the wind and water currents. You will know when you are at the entrance of the park when you see two docks side by side. One is a large fishing dock while the other is a smaller dock with a diving board on it. Once you get to the docks, you can just pull your boat up out of the water and leave it on the shore. It’s safe to just leave it lying there. Then you just cross the street, pay the entrance fee, and start up the mountain.
It’s a good idea to eat breakfast before you leave because the hike takes a lot of energy out of you. I suggest the $3 buffet breakfast. I would also suggest buying a lunch from the Hacienda Merdia before you go to take to the top of the waterfall. There is much to do at the waterfall, so it’s nice to have a little picnic up there. The pool from the waterfall is very small and only about 2 feet deep, so you can’t swim. All you can really do at the top is walk, stand under the water, and take pictures. Make sure you keep your cameras in a plastic or waterproof bag because the mist will have them soaked in a matter of minutes. All in all, it’s a great way to spend half the day!