La Florida: Hidden Waterfall Cave

Cueva Cascada Escondida is located in the Caserío La Florida, in the district of Nueva Cajamarca, in the province of Rioja, in the department of San Martín. For travelers looking for a hotel in La Florida and interested in caves and waterfalls, it is a specific natural attraction to consider when choosing where to stay. The cave is on the banks of the Río Yuracyacu; there is a waterfall inside it. Three distinctions are useful for planning: the river and the Cascada Escondida are two separate places to swim, access by road and the walking trail are separate sections, and cave exploration requires appropriate equipment.

Karst Cave with Waterfall

Cueva Cascada Escondida is a karst cave on the banks of the Río Yuracyacu. Karst is a type of landscape shaped by the dissolution of certain rocks. The Cascada Escondida is a 15-meter-high waterfall located about 190 meters inside the cave. Its location differs from the cave’s relationship to the river: the Río Yuracyacu is on the banks, while the waterfall is inside the cave. The distance of about 190 meters describes the waterfall’s position inside the cave, not the 100-meter walking trail from the site entrance to the cave. Travelers who consider both cave formations and waterfalls when choosing a destination will find both here, with their locations clearly distinguished.

Cave Exploration

The regional tourism authority approved Cueva Cascada Escondida for caving, or cave exploration, as an adventure tourism activity in a resolution dated December 3, 2024. Ropes and anchors strategically installed for visitor safety are used to descend to and ascend from the Cascada Escondida. The site manager provides boots, a helmet, lighting, and gloves for cave exploration, and accompanies visitors during the tour. Before you travel, confirm that equipment and an escort will be available during your visit; safety equipment and trail conditions may be updated by the operator.

Swimming Options at the Waterfall and River

You can cool off with a swim at the Cascada Escondida. In addition, one tour operator describes swimming in the Río Yuracyacu beside the cave entrance after visiting the cave and waterfall. These options are in different places: one at the waterfall, the other in the river beside the entrance. Check local conditions before entering the water.

Access by Road and Walking Trail

The journey has two sections. From the Caserío La Florida to the site entrance, it is 300 meters along an unpaved road; this section can be covered by private car. From the site entrance, a 100-meter walking trail leads to Cueva Cascada Escondida. The distances have different starting points and modes of transport: the road distance ends at the site, while the walking distance starts there. Check road and trail conditions before your visit, as they may change.

Explore more destinations: Cuñumbuque, Tarapoto, Lamas, Leimebamba, Moyobamba, Chazuta, Puerto Franco

Return to the regional travel guide: San Martín.