San Rafael Waterfall (disappeared), Southeast Oriente Travel Guide

4.7 (138)

Ecuador's tallest waterfall vanished in 2020 due to a sinkhole, forever changing the Coca River landscape and a once-iconic attraction.

Home
Travel Guides
Ecuador
Southeast Oriente
San Rafael Waterfall (disappeared)

Once Ecuador's tallest and most powerful waterfall, the San Rafael Waterfall on the Coca River was a major tourist attraction, plummeting 131 meters (430 feet). However, in February 2020, a sinkhole upstream diverted the river, causing the falls to disappear and significantly altering the surrounding landscape.

A brief summary to San Rafael Waterfall (disappeared)

VCX9+28J, San Rafael, EC
Click to display

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring San Rafael Waterfall (disappeared).

While the waterfall is gone, the area still offers beautiful scenery and opportunities for hiking.
Check local news for updates on trail conditions and park access, as the area is still undergoing geological changes.
Consider visiting other nearby attractions in the Cayambe Coca National Park.

Do you manage this location?

Take control to get all the benefits, like improved information, better appearance, and stronger visibility across AI-powered discovery. Learn more

Activate your presence

Other nearby places you may find interesting

The closest places of the same kind, if this one is not quite what you had in mind.

Lagunas de Ozogoche

El Pailón del Diablo

Middle of the World City

Treehouse

La Casa del Arbol

Explore San Rafael Waterfall (disappeared) on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near San Rafael Waterfall (disappeared), mapped for you.

Getting There

Public Transport

While the San Rafael Waterfall no longer exists, reaching the general area involves a bus journey. From Quito, take a bus to Lago Agrio and ask the driver to stop near the Río Reventador bridge. This is the closest access point to where the falls were once located. From there, inquire about current access to trails, as conditions may have changed since the waterfall's disappearance. Bus fare from Quito to this area ranges from $4 to $9.

Discover more about San Rafael Waterfall (disappeared)

The San Rafael Waterfall, formerly known as the Cascada San Rafael, was situated on the Coca River, nestled between the Sucumbíos and Napo provinces in Ecuador. It marked the eastern boundary of the Cayambe Coca National Park, residing in the Andean foothills approximately 170 kilometers (110 miles) east of Quito. Prior to its disappearance, the waterfall was a breathtaking sight, drawing tens of thousands of visitors each year. The water plunged 131 meters (430 feet), making it Ecuador's tallest waterfall, surrounded by lush vegetation and rare butterflies.However, on February 2, 2020, the waterfall's course was dramatically altered. A massive sinkhole appeared upstream, diverting the Coca River and causing the once-powerful cascade to cease flowing over its original cliff. The water now falls in multiple sections with a less steep slope, which is not visible from the original viewing stations.The disappearance of the San Rafael Waterfall has had a significant impact on the Coca River and the surrounding environment. The river has carved a new canyon upstream, and large volumes of sediment are depositing downstream. Erosion has damaged bridges and oil pipelines, and there are concerns about the stability of the Coca Codo Sinclair Dam, which was built upstream of the falls. The Ministry of Tourism has no plans to restore the waterfall, marking it as a lost natural wonder.