Looking to escape the city and spend a day in nature? The waterfalls of San Mateo are a must-visit! They are only a 3,5 hours drive from Guayaquil, Ambato, or Riobamba. There are a total of 7 waterfalls of pure and crystalline natural water.
The waterfalls of San Mateo are a beautiful place away from the noise and polluted air of big cities such as Guayaquil.
How to Get There?
The waterfalls are located in the center of Ecuador, in the province of Bolivar. To arrive at the waterfalls, you will need to navigate to Navales. Once you arrive at the center of this town, go right to the UPC towards the mountain. Follow the road for five kilometers to the end until you arrive at the entrance. The road to the falls is a (narrow) dirt road and occasionally steep, but the road is doable with any car.
If you are traveling by bus, you can take the bus to Navales. Once you arrive, you can take a taxi to the waterfalls.
If you need any help with transportation from Guayaquil, you can contact me at travelinecuador22@gmail.com.
Activities at Waterfalls of San Mateo
You can walk all the way up the falls. There are several places where you can take a rest. You can also enter the water. The water is cold but lovely once you are in it. It is not unwise to wear shoes that can withstand water. You can only go further up in some places if you walk through the water and over stones. Because it is surrounded by greenery, you will also be bothered by mosquitoes and other insects. So it is not unwise to bring repellent with you.
At the start, there is a restaurant where they sell different food such as chicken, pork or fish. A meal will cost you around $5 per person. There is also a small store where you can eat and buy water, soft drinks, and snacks. There is also the possibility of staying overnight! The price for a night is $20 per person per night. You can make reservations by calling: +593 99 148 9482. They also have an Instagram and Facebook where you can contact them: @cascadassanmateo
Opening Hours
The waterfalls are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays the opening hours are from 8:00 am until 6:30 pm. The entrance fee is $3,00 for adults and $1,00 for children. The place is very well-maintained and clean.
