💧 Cascada de San Ramón (Nicaragua): My Honest Review & Tips

Cascada de San Ramón is a 164-foot-tall waterfall in the tropical forest of Maderas Volcano in Ometepe, Nicaragua. Using a clear rating system, I share my honest review of hiking to it, along with firsthand tips.

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🍀 Lukiih’s Verdict

I recommend hiking to San Ramón Waterfall when visiting Ometepe, Nicaragua.

• The tall, serene waterfall is only accessible through a medium-difficult hike, making it a rewarding experience.
• The experience is very affordable with just a small entrance fee.
• Moderate preparation is required, as getting to the start of the trailhead requires some experience driving a scooter.

Planning a trip? Here’s what to know about Nicaragua.

🏆 Where Does It Rank?

Cascada de San Ramón ranks as the #4 experience I had in Nicaragua. Here’s how it compares to other things I did on my trip:

	Experience	Location	Overall Rating
1	🌊 Laguna de Apoyo Day Trip	Granada	7.7
2	🏖️ Playa Mango	Ometepe	6.7
3	🏍️ Ometepe Scooter	Ometepe	6.3
4	💧 Cascada de San Ramón	Ometepe	6.1
5	⛪ Church of La Merced	Granada	5.9
6	🏊‍♂️ Ojo de Agua	Ometepe	5.7
7	🏄‍♀️ Playa Maderas Surfing	San Jual del Sur	5.7
8	🌋 Concepción Volcano Hike	Ometepe	5.6
9	🏖️ Playa Santo Domingo	Ometepe	5.6
10	🛶 Islets of Granada	Granada	5.5
11	🏄‍♀️ Playa Remanso Surfing	San Jual del Sur	5.4

My Nicaragua itinerary features the above experiences.

✈️ About My Trip

For context on my review, here’s what to know about my trip:

• I finance my trips and don’t receive sponsorship; this review reflects my honest opinions.
• I visited Cascada de San Ramón in late 2024.
• My Nicaragua trip was in October when it was transitioning from the low, rainy season to the high, dry season.

• The waterfall is decently memorable because of the gentle way the water falls down the side of the rocks. Standing beneath the fall feels like a nice rain shower.

• The hike and waterfall are not particularly rare. I estimate that there are about 100 other comparable experiences where you hike through lush rainforest to reach a tall waterfall.

• During the rainy season, the waterfall is fuller, so there’s a small refreshing swimming pool at the bottom.
• The hike is challenging enough that the waterfall feels like a good reward. The hike also makes it so that it isn’t always crowded. I had the waterfall to myself for over 30 minutes.

• If you’re lucky, you’ll see wildlife during the hike. I saw six howler monkeys, including a few baby ones, when I visited it.

• The hike itself doesn’t have great views, and it’s not that interesting of a hike until the end when you’re approaching the waterfall.

Cascada de San Ramón has an entrance fee of 100 Córdoba (a bit less than $3), so it’s a very cheap activity.

If you prefer a hassle-free experience with less planning, consider visiting Cascada de San Ramón with a guide who provides a picnic by the waterfall.

See my Nicaragua trip expenses.

• The hike is considered medium difficult and is almost 4 miles long. It starts reasonably easy, but the last 0.5 miles is more challenging, with some rock scrambles and narrow dirt paths.
  • If you have motorbiking experience, you can drive up the volcano for the first 1.2 miles to shorten the hike.
• Cascada de San Ramón is located a little over an hour from Moyogalpa and 30 minutes from Balgue. When approaching the trailhead, there will be a 10-15 minute long off-roading portion that is best done if you have some scooter experience.
• No reservation is required; you pay the entry fee at the entrance. Bring sufficient water and a swimsuit if you plan to enter the waterfall. I also recommend hiking shoes for the last part of the hike.

For more detailed tips on my experience, check out my trip planner below.