THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Leave Playa Negra behind and walk into Kekoldi territory to reach a 45‑meter waterfall and remote plunge pool. This 10 km jungle hike offers cultural encounters, old cacao groves, and a muddy but rewarding descent to swim beneath a towering fall.
Leave Playa Negra behind and walk into Kekoldi territory to reach a 45‑meter waterfall and remote plunge pool. This 10 km jungle hike offers cultural encounters, old cacao groves, and a muddy but rewarding descent to swim beneath a towering fall.
Humidity presses close as the trail leaves Playa Negra and slides into a living wall of green. Palm fronds brush your shoulders, tree roots fold across the track like old ropes, and the surf’s roar thins to a memory behind you. Guides point out an old cacao farm and three humble Kekoldi houses before the forest swallows the path and the air cools.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Caribe Sur · Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Limón
Humidity presses close as the trail leaves Playa Negra and slides into a living wall of green. Palm fronds brush your shoulders, tree roots fold across the track like old ropes, and the surf’s roar thins to a memory behind you. Guides point out an old cacao farm and three humble Kekoldi houses before the forest swallows the path and the air cools.
This section of Limón sits on Caribbean lowland soils where rivers have carved steep channels through volcanic ash and alluvial deposits. The Kekoldi indigenous community has lived here for generations; visitors pass through their territory and can learn about subsistence cacao and traditional ways of life. Giant trees—some reported at over 250 years old—anchor the canopy while understory plants with medicinal uses grow in the shade. The Kekoldi River drops to form an imposing 45-meter waterfall, its curtain of water pulling at the light and daring you to swim in the plunge pool.
Expect 10 km of uneven jungle trail with muddy stretches, root ladders and a steep descent to the river; total time on-trail is typically 4–5 hours. Wear grippy shoes, bring at least 1.5–2 liters of water, and pack a rain jacket—rain or shine the trail gets slick. Respect the Kekoldi territory: follow your guide, avoid photographing private homes without permission, and take out what you bring in. The hike rewards persistence with a remote swimming hole, thick forest ambiance, and a close-up look at Caribbean Costa Rica’s cultural and ecological richness.
The full route is about 10 km round-trip with uneven terrain and a steep descent to the river; expect 4–5 hours and a challenging effort for some.
Yes, the plunge pool is suitable for swimming when conditions are calm—follow your guide’s assessment of water safety.
Not recommended for infants without careful consideration or for pregnant travelers; the trail is physically demanding and has steep, slippery sections.
The tour operates in Kekoldi territory and access is organized by local guides—fees are typically included with the tour booking and managed by your guide.
Caribe Sur operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
Humidity presses close as the trail leaves Playa Negra and slides into a living wall of green. Palm fronds brush your shoulders, tree roots fold across the track like old ropes, and the surf’s roar thins to a memory behind you. Guides point out an old cacao farm and three humble Kekoldi houses before the forest swallows the path and the air cools.
Humidity presses close as the trail leaves Playa Negra and slides into a living wall of green. Palm fronds brush your shoulders, tree roots fold across the track like old ropes, and the surf’s roar thins to a memory behind you. Guides point out an old cacao farm and three humble Kekoldi houses before the forest swallows the path and the air cools.
This section of Limón sits on Caribbean lowland soils where rivers have carved steep channels through volcanic ash and alluvial deposits. The Kekoldi indigenous community has lived here for generations; visitors pass through their territory and can learn about subsistence cacao and traditional ways of life. Giant trees—some reported at over 250 years old—anchor the canopy while understory plants with medicinal uses grow in the shade. The Kekoldi River drops to form an imposing 45-meter waterfall, its curtain of water pulling at the light and daring you to swim in the plunge pool.
Expect 10 km of uneven jungle trail with muddy stretches, root ladders and a steep descent to the river; total time on-trail is typically 4–5 hours. Wear grippy shoes, bring at least 1.5–2 liters of water, and pack a rain jacket—rain or shine the trail gets slick. Respect the Kekoldi territory: follow your guide, avoid photographing private homes without permission, and take out what you bring in. The hike rewards persistence with a remote swimming hole, thick forest ambiance, and a close-up look at Caribbean Costa Rica’s cultural and ecological richness.