🌿 Tamanique Waterfalls

Waterfalls, Heights & Watermelon – A Family Adventure to Tamanique

When you're staying in a gorgeous villa with a private pool, mango trees, and a jungle soundtrack in El Zonte, it’s easy to get very comfortable. And we did. But after a few lazy days in paradise, we decided to swap sun-lounging for something a little more adventurous. We were in El Salvador, after all—and it felt only right to explore a bit more of the local nature.

🥾 The Hike Begins: Convincing Tilly (and Ourselves)

We found a nearby hike to Tamanique Waterfalls, just 45 minutes away by Uber from El Zonte. After a bit of gentle bribery and promises of jungle magic, we convinced Tilly to leave the villa pool behind for the morning. Honestly, none of us were totally ready for what was coming…

The hike was steep—probably one of the steepest I’ve ever done—but the views, the waterfalls, and the jungle air made it all worth it. And hats off to Tilly—she powered through like a champ in the heat (with a little help from plenty of water and snack breaks).

👣 Why a Tour Guide is a Must

We arrived early, which turned out to be a brilliant move—cooler temps and fewer crowds. We met our local tour guide, who was fantastic and really made the experience smooth and safe. Honestly, we highly recommend getting a guide. The trails aren’t well-marked, and it’s not exactly a gentle family stroll—slippery paths, steep drops, and the kind of terrain where you’re grateful to have someone who knows where to step (and where not to).

There are usually four waterfalls in the area, but we only visited three. Sadly, we found out later that someone had a fatal accident at the fourth waterfall just two weeks prior after jumping and hitting their head. It definitely made us pause and reflect.

The steep walk down with the guide!

💦 The (Slightly Scary) Plunge

That said, our guide was super responsible. He pointed out the safest jumping spots, made sure the pools were clear, and showed us how to climb safely if we wanted to go for it.

Now, full disclosure: I’m not a big fan of heights. But something about the heat, the energy, and the sheer beauty of the place pushed me to go for it. I climbed up a waterfall (yep, slippery, steep, and mildly terrifying) and suddenly realised there was no safe way back down. So... I took the plunge!

And you know what? I loved it. It was one of those "feel the fear and do it anyway" moments—exhilarating, refreshing, and something I’ll never forget.

🐟 Jungle Pools, Snorkels & Good Conversations

Each pool was like nature’s own plunge bath—cool, clear, and shaded by towering jungle. We spent about an hour at each one, swimming, exploring, and even putting our snorkelling masks to good use! Yep, there were tiny fish swimming around in the pools, which made it all the more magical for us.

We also met some fellow travellers along the way and quickly got into deep chats about the world, travel, and lifestyle changes. When we told them we were technically homeless—on a mission to find a better life—they were instantly invested. It felt good to connect with like-minded souls.

🍉 Watermelon Wins & Pickup Truck Rides

The hike back up? Brutal. Not gonna sugar-coat it. The heat had ramped up, our legs were jelly, and we were dreaming of the villa pool. But just as morale was dipping, we came across a local fruit stall selling fresh watermelon slices. I can’t explain how glorious that watermelon was—it was our own little non-alcoholic celebration, and it hit the spot like nothing else.

Then came the cherry on top of an already epic day: we hitched a ride back down to the coast in the back of a rugged pickup truck with two other travellers. Bouncing along dusty roads, wind in our hair, laughing and slightly sunburnt—it was the perfect end to a perfect day.

🌿 Final Thoughts: Worth Every Step

Tamanique Waterfalls might not be the easiest day out, but it was absolutely worth it. From the breathtaking jungle surroundings to the soul-shaking jumps and unexpected moments of connection, it’s a family adventure we’ll talk about for years to come.

If you're in El Salvador with kids, and everyone’s up for a bit of a physical challenge, do it. Just go early, bring lots of water, book a guide, and don’t forget your snorkel masks—because nature here has surprises at every turn.

Heads Up: The video below shows what we got up to here, there is a slight glitch with the audio part way but it does come back I promise (all part of our learning journey, being new to editing…. we are definitely getting better as we go 😂)

🎒 Top Tips: What to Bring to Tamanique Waterfalls

If you’re planning a day trip to Tamanique with the family, here’s what we definitely recommend packing to keep things fun, safe, and stress-free:

• 👙 Swimwear (already on!) – Trust us, you’ll be in and out of the water all day.

• 🧢 Sun hats – That jungle heat hits hard, even in the shade.

• 🧴 Plenty of sunscreen – Reapply often, especially if you're swimming or sweating.

• 🥽 Goggles/snorkel masks – Great for spotting little fish in the natural pools.

• 👟 Good walking shoes – Especially ones that can handle slippery rocks and steep trails.

• 💵 Some cash – For local snacks, fresh fruit, drinks along the way, and of course, a tip for your tour guide.

• 📱 Phone or camera – So many incredible photo ops (especially if someone in your family jumps off a waterfall!).

• 💛 An open mind – For conquering fears, laughing at the unexpected, and making unforgettable memories.

• 😄 And don’t forget a smile – It’s contagious and goes a long way, especially in El Salvador!

• Would not recommend for young children or people that struggle with mobility as its a tough hike!