Catarata de Chinata

Catarata de Chinata is an impressive 580m waterfall plunging in three visible tiers then cascading further into the jungle. In theory, we should've been able to get a pretty clean direct view of the waterfall after a relatively short 30- to 45-minute uphill hike from the village of Cuispes. However, as you can tell from the subpar photos on this page, the weather didn't cooperate with us when we did make it up to the mirador of the falls.

Instead, we had to settle for cloud-obscured partial views up close and very distant views with the help of a telephoto lens from the road (near Pedro Ruiz).

Like the hike for Catarata de Yumbilla, we had to follow a guide to get up to the mirador. However, we happened to be hiking during an afternoon thundershower so the trail was very slippery and muddy (I even took a spill at one point that might have been the last straw that broke my ailing camera).

We also noticed that this waterfall was visible behind a military base in the town of Pedro Ruiz, but we weren't able to get a good view from the front side of the base (as we couldn't go any further into the complex).

Directions: This waterfall shares the same start as that of Catarata de Yumbilla. See that page for more details and logistics.

[Back to top]

Chinata as seen from the village center of Cuispes

The upper part of the falls, which was not blocked by clouds - yet!

The lower part of the falls, which was not blocked by clouds in this photo

The lower part of the falls after a flash flood added fuel to its drop

Admitting defeat and heading back down

[Back to top]

View Larger Map

TRIP REPORTS

• April 23, 2008

GUIDEBOOKS / OTHER RESOURCES

NEARBY WATERFALLS

• Catarata de Yumbilla

Have You Been To This Waterfall?

Share your experience!

Click here to see visitor comments for this waterfall

Click here to see visitor comments for other waterfalls that we've visited in this region

Click here to go to the Comments Main Page