Waterfall Tours in South America: 15 That Fill a Day Properly

1.Shore Excursion: Petrohue Waterfalls, Frutillar & Puerto Varas

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 554 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $85Our pick

Travel from Puerto Montt to Petrohué Falls, Puerto Varas, and Frutillar in about six hours. Expect Osorno Volcano views, an easy falls walk, German-Chilean towns, homemade empanadas, wine, and pisco sour. Guides such as Emily, Ignacio, Erik, and Cony are praised for clear English and careful cruise timing.

“Enjoyable trip to Osorno and the national park. the guide Emily and the driver were friendly and helpful. Even though it was rainy in Fruitillar they made every effort that we had a lovely day. Highly recommend to anyone who visits.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Tijuca Forest Small Group Hike to Caves and Waterfalls

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 536 reviews · 6 hours · from $69

Spend six hours exploring Tijuca Forest on a 6.2-kilometer hike with a bilingual guide such as Vini, Riccardo, Tito, or Renata. Expect waterfalls, a gneiss cave, a suspension bridge, coffee plantation ruins, an old chapel, and a chance to cool off beneath Baronesa Cascade. Pickup is available from selected South Zone hotels.

“Vinnie was an absolutely fantastic guide who not only sensitively led our small group on the hike, but gave us so much info on the polito-social and cultural life of Brazil and Rio. He filled us in on its history, flora and fauna, geology and geography. His knowledge was seemingly limitless and he enthusiastically shared his passion for this unique environment. In fact, he has ruined us for all future guides as he was totally brilliant. The whole trip was more than we imagined. Thank you to Vinnie and our wonderful and kind driver.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Jungle Waterfalls and Cachaça Distillery Jeep Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 491 reviews · 6 hours · from $37

Ride a 4x4 from central Paraty into Serra da Bocaina National Park for Pedra Branca, Tobogã, and Poço do Tarzan. You’ll swim, watch the famous rock slide, stop for a regional lunch, and taste cachaça at Engenho D’Ouro. English and Portuguese guides include friendly standouts such as Everton and Gilberto.

“Wonderful adventure into the jungle. Guides were great and thr activities were lots of fun!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Iguassu Waterfalls: 1 Day Tour Brazil and Argentina’s sides

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 353 reviews · 9 hours · from $48

Spend nine hours crossing between Brazil and Argentina with a small group of up to 14. Guides such as Bruno, Diego, and Andre lead the 4 km Argentine trail and 1 km Brazilian panorama walk, explain the Atlantic rain forest, and help with border procedures. Add the Macuco Safari boat ride if time and park conditions allow.

“Amazing day. Great guide in Bruno who went above and beyond. Spoke English Spanish and of course Portuguese perfectly. He gave us all a clear understanding of what we saw. Really happy we chose this tour, he even helped us add on an extra that we wanted to do and helped us sort transportation. Excellent knowledge and service. Thank you Bruno!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Presidente Figueiredo Waterfalls Daytrip

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 149 reviews · 12 hours · from $90

Leave Manaus for Presidente Figueiredo with hotel pickup, a bilingual guide, and lunch included. Walk forest trails to two waterfalls, enter Gruta do Refugio with its stream and wildlife, and swim in cool natural pools. Guides such as Miguel and Diego have led past departures. Expect a rewarding but active day, with about two hours of walking in some versions of the route.

“The hik was pure primeval beauty; I saw so many beautiful flowers, trees, and fungi. The stunning waterfalls were also warm, pleasant and fun to splash about in. Our guides were kind and knowledgable.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Amazing Waterfalls of the Amazon – Presidente Figueiredo

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 141 reviews · 6 hours (approx.)

Leave Manaus for Presidente Figueiredo, the Amazon’s waterfall country, on a small-group outing led by a local guide such as Miguel. Expect forest paths, caves, natural pools, and time to swim at Cachoeira de Iracema and Cachoeira do Santuario. Pickup and return transport are included, but the six-hour estimate can stretch to 10 or 11 hours.

“El tour tiene cosas buenas y malas. En lo malo, la coordinación es muy mala, me dijeron que me recogerían a las 8:30, después a las 8:00, después a las 7:30 y al final yo tuve que caminar y esperarlos a un par de cuadras. El grupo es mucho más grande de lo que se indica en la descripción (éramos como 15 personas y la descripción dice máximo 8). El tour demora casi todo el día y no solo 6 horas como indica la descripción (salimos pasado las 8 y regresamos aprox a las 17:30). El guía traduce poco a español o inglés, solo lo más relevante, el resto es…”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Adventure Day in Arequipa: Pillones Waterfall + Rock Forest

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 120 reviews · 11 hours · from $27Best value

Spend a full day beyond Arequipa with guides such as Cristina, Mario, Roberto, or Sophia. Visit Pillones Waterfall, Puruña Stone Forest, Pampa Cañahuas, and Salinas National Reserve, with stops for vicuñas, volcano views, photos, and a short hike above 4,000 meters. The small van, long road time, and extra entrance fee are worth considering.

“Nice activity and the guide Mario was super helpful. Remember to bring solar cream. They tell you to buy anti mosquito but is useless. They stop on the way to a shop which is affiliated to the tour and prices are pumped like crazy. Apart from that, i really enjoyed it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Minca Coffee, Cocoa, & Waterfall Full-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 102 reviews · from $78

Travel from Santa Marta to Minca for a guided day of mountain walking, Colombian coffee, cocoa, river pools, and lunch at a bamboo restaurant. English and Spanish guides such as Tony, Gustavo, and Sadam explain local nature and food production. Expect steep sections, bugs, a one-hour drive, and about nine hours away from the coast.

“great experience. next time I'd try and spend longer in minca. our guide was lovely and informative. highly recommend”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Tijuca Forest & Horto Waterfalls Circuit Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 99 reviews · from $56

Follow a bilingual guide through Horto’s forest trails to Jequitibá Waterfall and Cachoeira do Chuveiro, where you can bathe beneath the falls. Expect a four-hour hike with roots, rocks, and some climbing. Guides may include Marius, Pedro, Pietro, Thales, or Didi Star. Transport from supported Rio hotels is optional.

“Pietro was an amazing guide. He knows all the great falls as he has been raised around this beautiful Forest which has all kinds of animals. We got to see 2 types of Monkey’s, I recall the name of the bigger one which is all black its called a “Prego” meaning a nail. Loads of Jackfruit which isn’t originally from Brazil. The Portuguese brought in lots of animals, plants, trees etc from Africa. I was very impressed as I had no idea and the Horto exists thanks to Dom Pedro Portuguese King with the influence of his wife Queen Isabel who convinced him Rio needed a forest if it would…”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Full-Day Mindo Cloud Forest Tour Birdwatching Waterfalls and Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 84 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $189Top rated

Travel from Quito to Mindo with a private guide such as Kathy or Pato for birdwatching at San Tadeo, hand-fed hummingbirds, a butterfly farm, Pululahua crater views, a waterfall hike, and artisan chocolate tasting. The 10-hour trip includes transport, admission fees, and flexible pacing, but lunch is extra.

“I really enjoyed the hummingbirds and the butterflies. The hike to the waterfall was also nice. My guide Kathy was so knowledgeable.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Small Group Hike to Saco Bravo Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · from $81

Join a small group of up to seven for an 8.4-kilometer hike from Ponta Negra to Cachoeira do Saco Bravo. Guide Eugênia leads the forest trail, with boat transport included between Laranjeiras and the trailhead. Expect streams, steep sections, a sea-facing natural pool, and a full day outdoors.

“This is a really authentic and stunning hike through the Mata Atlantica. Our guide Eugenia was knowledgeable and friendly.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.San Cipriano Rainforest – River, Waterfalls and Adventure Day

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 73 reviews · 10 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $259

Travel from Cali to San Cipriano with a local guide, ride the region’s unusual brujita rail cart, hike through Pacific rainforest, swim at waterfalls and natural pools, then float the river by tube. Breakfast, lunch, equipment, entrance fees, insurance, and hotel transfers are included. Groups are limited to seven.

“The brujitas train ride is unique and very exciting. The waterfall after the hike for swimming is very refreshing and relaxing. The tubing on the river was fun and very well managed by team. The tour guide Marcella was excellent.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Trekking History and Indigenous Heritage in Minca + Cacao & Coffee + Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 63 reviews · from $41

Meet your bilingual guide in Minca’s Central Park for a medium-level trek through trails tied to Tayrona heritage. Visit an Arhuaco family farm to learn about cacao, coffee, cultivation, and Indigenous traditions, then relax at a natural waterfall. Guides may include Jorge, Andres, or Santiago. The 4.5-hour outing is in English or Spanish.

“Jorge is knowledgeable, social and happy to answer any questions. The tour was informative and fun. A great start to your stay in Minca.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Cali River Waterfall and Great River Pools Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 55 reviews · 3 hours · from $50

Join Mateo of Tour Cali for a three-hour walk beside the upper Cali River, with hotel pickup, bird and plant spotting, river crossings, and time to swim at Charco El Recodo, Charco Azul, Paris, or Cali Waterfall. The route is gentle, though your feet may get wet.

“The best experience we had in Cali! We both love nature and selected Mateo based on his reviews and he did not disappoint- it’s apparent that his number one goal is for you to enjoy your experience and second is to teach you about all the beauty Cali has to offer - and he over delivered on both - we learned so much and had an incredible afternoon with Mateo! Thank you again !”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Iguassu Falls Combo Tour: Visit to the Brazilian side and Waterfall Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 50 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $219

From Foz do Iguaçu, Gray Line Brazil takes you through Iguaçu National Park by hotel pickup, open-top jungle wagon, short forest walk, and waterfall boat. You may see orchids and bromeliads, walk to Macuco Falls, and ride toward the Three Musketeers and Devil’s Throat. Guides such as Flavia, Natasha, Gerardo, and Ivete have led some departures.

“I had a blast on this tour, soooooo much fun it was! Nothing like being on the headed to the falls to get splashed! Iguassu is a special place and this tour is so worth it!”

Check availability →Read our full review