Cascada de San Rafael
Napo
San Rafael Falls, known locally as Cascada de San Rafael, was a spectacular natural waterfall located on the Coca River at the eastern boundary of Cayambe Coca National Park in Ecuador. Towering at 131 meters (430 feet), it was the tallest and most powerful waterfall in the country, drawing approximately 30,000 visitors annually before its collapse. The waterfall was formed thousands of years ago by volcanic debris and lava flows from the nearby El Reventador volcano, which created a basaltic lava dam over the Coca River. This geological formation resulted in a dramatic overhanging precipice where water plunged into a deep pool below. The falls were accessible via a scenic thirty-minute hike from Hostería El Reventador, offering visitors breathtaking views from the Mirador viewpoint. In February 2020, the waterfall collapsed into a massive sinkhole caused by the erosion of underlying loose materials beneath the basalt lip, effectively ending the waterfall's existence. A natural bridge formed briefly at the site, which may have been the world's longest natural bridge, but it too collapsed within a year, leaving an open ravine. This collapse significantly altered the river's course and surrounding landscape, threatening infrastructure such as bridges, oil pipelines, and the Coca Codo Sinclair Dam upstream. The dam, Ecuador's largest hydroelectric project, was completed in 2016 and has been linked to accelerated erosion that may have contributed to the falls' collapse. Despite its loss, San Rafael Falls remains an iconic symbol of Ecuador's natural heritage and geological dynamism.
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Tip: The best time to visit the site was before February 2020 when the waterfall was intact. Visitors should check current accessibility conditions due to ongoing erosion and infrastructure risks. Prior booking at nearby Hostería El Reventador is recommended for guided hikes to the former viewpoint. While the waterfall no longer exists, the surrounding Cayambe Coca National Park offers rich biodiversity and scenic trails worth exploring. Visitors are advised to stay updated on safety advisories related to riverbank erosion and infrastructure stability. Discounts or combined tickets may be available for tours including the national park and local accommodations.
Interesting facts
- •San Rafael Falls was the tallest waterfall in Ecuador at 131 meters (430 feet).
- •After the waterfall's collapse in 2020, a natural bridge formed that may have been the longest in the world, surpassing China's Xianren Bridge.
- •The waterfall was formed by volcanic debris and a basaltic lava dam created by the nearby El Reventador volcano about 19,000 years ago.
- •The collapse of the waterfall has caused significant erosion upstream, threatening infrastructure including the Coca Codo Sinclair Dam.
- •Before collapsing, the falls attracted about 30,000 visitors annually and were accessible by a 30-minute hike from Hostería El Reventador.
History
San Rafael Falls formed thousands of years ago from volcanic activity and debris flows associated with El Reventador volcano.
About 19,000 years ago, a massive debris flow and a thick basaltic lava flow blocked the Coca River, creating a natural dam over which the river spilled, forming the waterfall.
The waterfall's plunge pool and overhanging basalt lip developed over millennia, stabilizing the falls for thousands of years.
In 1987, an earthquake triggered debris flows that reached the falls, demonstrating the area's tectonic activity.
Construction of the Coca Codo Sinclair Dam upstream began in 2010 and was completed in 2016, altering river dynamics.
In February 2020, the waterfall collapsed due to a sinkhole formation behind the basalt lip, followed by the collapse of a natural bridge formed at the site about a year later, fundamentally changing the river landscape.
Contact
Phone: 098 053 5854
