The main fall
Over moss.
kuhnmi — CC BY 2.0 · Guillaume Baviere from Uppsala, Sweden — CC BY 2.0 · Guillaume Baviere from Uppsala, Sweden — CC BY 2.0
El Nicho is a group of waterfalls and natural pools in the Escambray mountains of central Cuba. White water spills over rocks covered in moss and ferns into green-turquoise pools, with thick forest and palms all around. El Nicho is not a single waterfall but a chain of cascades, small rapids and pools on the mountain Hanabanilla River. The largest, the El Nicho fall, is about 15 m high. It lies within the large Topes de Collantes natural park. Visitors cross the river on a wooden bridge to reach the falls. You walk the «Kingdom of the Waters» trail, a little over 1 km long, past the falls, pools and viewpoints, swim in the calm pools. The site is about 37 km in a straight line east of Cienfuegos, and the mountain road there is long and winding, so you come by car or on an organised trip from Cienfuegos or Trinidad. The rocks are slippery, so wear proper shoes. The UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to Cuba because of fuel, power and water shortages, so read the current advice before you plan.
Over moss.
For swimming.
Over the river.
Escambray mountains, Topes de Collantes natural park, Cienfuegos Province
Yes, in the calm pools.
By car or tour from Cienfuegos or Trinidad.