Visitors to the Salto Grande waterfall in Chile have an opportunity to get up close and personal with one of the great waterfalls in the world. Located in the Torres del Paine National Park of southern Chile, the waterfall has become a favorite Waterfall of South America attraction to hikers and people interested in the beauty of moving water.

The waterfall occurs on the Paine River as it drains into Pehoe Lake. This river forms in the Magallanes Region and flows towards Dickson Lake before proceeding to Nordenskjold Lake and finally into Pehoe Lake. The river course between Nordenskjold Lake and Pehoe Lake contains the Salto Grande waterfall.

The waterfall has a vertical drop of about 50 feet but includes a large volume of water moving with a rapid current. This means the waterfall has an impressive roar as well as an intense visual attraction that is magnified by the accessibility of the area. The road network within Torres del Paine National Park include the Salto Grande area. A parking lot connects to hiking trails that lead to the waterfall as well as the scenic areas around Pehoe Lake. This affords some amazing scenic views of Salto Grande waterfall from a distance with the impressive Andes Mountains as a backdrop. A second smaller waterfall, named Salto Chico occurs as Lake Pehoe drains into Del Toro Lake.

Waterfalls are not the only attraction within Torres del Paine National Park. The area is noted as the home a glacier, numerous rivers and lakes and the Chilean Patagonia. The park includes a wide variety of bird species and is home to a number of predatory varieties as well as waterfowl and songbirds.

The park is also home to what is locally known as the guanaco. This is a wild species similar to the domestic llama. The park is also home to predatory mammal species including large cats known as pumas.

Torres del Paine National Park is one of the best hiking and trekking destinations in South America. The park offers refugios or camping refuges along the trails and paths. Some of these offer meals and hot showers along with lodging while others are camping areas. The best season to visit Salto Grande and the other attractions of Torres del Paine National Park occurs during the southern hemisphere summer months of December through February.

Sapo Falls, translates to Frog Falls in English, is an impressive waterfall on the Venezuela’s Carrao River. The falls is located as the river flows into a large lagoon offering great viewing and swimming options. Salto El Sapito, or Little Frog Falls, is located nearby giving waterfall and hiking enthusiasts two reasons to visit the area.

One of the attractions this Waterfall of South America,  Sapo Falls is the hiking trails near and around the area. The trail actually allows hikers to pass under and behind the plunging water to access scenic areas on the other side of the falls. This trail also allows access to Sapito Falls which flows into the same lagoon but is more difficult to see because it is hidden by vegetation.

While the views from under the falls are impressive, the distant views from the beaches and even while wading in the lagoons is also worth seeing. The entire area offers great remote beach scenes as well as beautiful waterfalls.

Water volume is important to making a great waterfall. The highest flows over Sapo Falls occur during the wet months of May through November. The wet season also can make travel to the region more difficult although the waterfalls are always worth the effort.

The area is also noted its scenic geology. Visitors can view three plateaus in the distance. These are known as the three tepuys of Canaima and are named Zamuro for vulture, Cerbastana for blowpipe and Venado for deer. Some hiking enthusiasts include trips into the backcountry of these areas as part of their excursion to the area.

Sapo and Sapito Falls are not the only waterfalls on the Carrao River. This river is best known for Angel Falls. Angel Falls is the tallest waterfall in the world. Many waterfall enthusiasts include a trip to Sapo Falls as part of a larger excursion that includes Angel Falls.

The waterfalls are located at the north end of Canaima National Park in eastern Venezuela. The park borders the countries of Brazil and Guyana. The park is known for its rivers, lagoons or lakes and its mountains. Mount Roraima stands about 9,300 feet or 2,800 meters tall but is considered easy to climb.

Visitors to the park and its waterfalls often encounter iguanas and parrots adding to the regions tropical rainforest allure.

 Peru is home to many natural wonders, but none compare to the spectacular sights at Catarata De Chinata. As you stand at the bottom of one of the world’s greatest natural masterpieces, you’ll see water plunging out of the sky from 580 meters in the air. If you choose to stand close enough to the waterfall, you’ll feel a cooling mist that is quite refreshing on a hot day in Peru. What makes this waterfall unique is the fact that the water doesn’t come straight down from one edge to the bottom. Catarata De Chinata is an awe-inspiring spectacle for everyone to behold.

Catarata De Chinata has water that falls in layers. The water drops for a bit, and then it levels off on a small valley. The water falls again, and once again levels off at a small valley. The rest of the water finally falls toward the jungle below. A quick hike up the waterfall from the village of Cuispes offers tourists the best views of the majestic waterfall. You only have to walk for about 45 minutes to reach the point where you can take the clearest pictures of the water cascading down toward the ground below.

Visitors who enjoy Catarata De Chinata will also find amazement in another nearby waterfall. Catarata de Yumbilla, located a short distance away, is another majestic waterfall that has falling water in levels. Tourists who come to this area to see waterfalls never leave disappointed. The local culture in Peru embraces the waterfalls as part of their lives, and they welcome tourists to appreciate the stunning beauty found within each waterfall. This area of Peru is worth exploring due to the variety of different geological processes going on here. If you enjoy seeing the natural earth in all its glory, then this Waterfall of South America is the place for you.

The Amazon forest, where the falls are located, is a splendor in every sense of the word. After you explore the waterfalls, you can make your way through Peru’s portion of the breathtaking jungles. People who visit this section of the Amazon gladly report that they enjoy their experiences. In addition to the waterfalls, you also see exotic plants, animals, and ecosystems all working together. Peru travelers often remark that they would visit again if they were granted the opportunity. Peru’s waterfalls provide a unique backdrop to the wonders of nature.

The Gocta Catarata, located in Peru, is one of the tallest waterfalls in the world. It is also one of the most recently discovered Waterfalls of South America and publicized. The waterfall has been well known by local residents of the region and was visible from the native village of Gocta but was not documented by the world’s geographers. According to legend, the locals did not talk of the waterfall because of fear of angering a mermaid that lived within the waters.

In 2005, a group lead by Stefan Ziemendorff officially documented the existence of the waterfall in the remote regions of the Chachapoyas province. The waterfall was then mapped and attempts were made to document its dimensions. The process of documenting the height of the waterfall is incomplete and there are still controversies associated with where this waterfall ranks among the tallest waterfalls of the world.

Gocta Catarata falls in two segments. Ziemendorff measured the total height of the waterfall at about 2,500 feet or 770 meters. Those measurements would rank Gocta as the third tallest waterfall but have been disputed.

Because of the remote location of the waterfall, visitation is limited to dedicated backcountry travelers. The Peruvian Government is attempting to improve the conditions and exploit the waterfall as a tourist destination. This includes lodging and trails within sight of the Gocta Catarata.

Even the best lodgings in the area are at altitudes exceeding 7,500 feet or 2,200 meters. These locations are still below the base of the waterfall and involve an uphill hike to the actual waterfall location. The high altitude means thinner atmosphere and can cause hikers to tire quickly. The high altitude also means that the weather can be unpredictable and high clouds can conceal parts of the waterfall even when viewed from the base of the falls.

The province of Chachapoyas has a population of about 50,000 people scattered over 3,300 square kilometers or 1,300 square miles. The region is known for its local populations of indigenous people who maintain cultures that are representative of the local civilizations prior to the arrival of European populations in the 1500s.

The region supports a small tourist industry that does include Gocta Catarata. However, the economy of the province is principally based on agriculture.

Salto Hacha is by no means the most famous waterfall in Venezuela. Generally overshadowed by nearby Angel Falls, the world’s largest waterfall, Salto Hacha often first appears to visitors as a side stop on an itinerary headed toward the big show. Despite its more humble reputation, Salto Hacha is a unique and unforgettable location with much to offer those adventurous enough to seek it and making the falls one of the more popular Waterfalls of South America.

Located in the world famous Canaima National Park Lagoon, inside of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Canaima National Park, Salto Hacha is part of a large natural reserve with unique flora, animal life and one-of-a-kind rock formations. While visiting Salto Hacha, visitors may be lucky enough to spot monkeys, giant anteaters, three-toed sloths, jagurs and poison arrow frogs in addition to hundreds of species of orchids and other exotic fauna.

Tourists visiting Salto Hacha are allowed to climb behind the waterfall’s curtain and get a truly insider view of one of the world’s most incredible locations. The trails that go behind the falls are slippery and it is recommended that visitors bring shoes appropriate for climbing on wet terrain.

Salto Hacha also boasts a nearby beach that tourists can visit after their climb. The over-presence of quartz in the Canaima National Park Lagoon gives the water and sand a unique ambiance. Although the water remains clear, it takes on a unique rusty or tea-like appearance, while the sand appears red and even pink in spots. The Lagoon is known for gentle waters and tourists can swim peacefully surrounded by breathtaking views of some of the world’s most famous waterfalls.

Salto Hacha should not be approached independently. With remote, tough terrain and strict government regulation to protect the fragile eco system, travelers will need to acquire a guide. It is not difficult to find tour companies operating out of Caracas or Ciudad Bolívar with prices varying throughout the seasons. Prices from Ciudad Bolívar tend to be more competitive.

All tourists flying to Canaima National Park must be able to prove that they have received a recent Yellow Fever vaccination. Those who cannot provide proof will be required to receive a vaccination at the airport. The climate in Canaima National Park is tropical and usually rainy with a dry season lasting from December to April. Toward the end of the dry season, Salto Hacha and the other waterfalls may slow to just a trickle.

Dividing the Iguazu River into the upper and lower Iguazu, Iguazu Falls is a gorgeous and highly impressive group of over 200 waterfalls. Much taller and wider than Niagara Falls, Iguazu Falls is often compared to Africa’s tremendous Victoria Falls. Fantastic vistas and beautiful flora and fauna await visitors to the area, and adventures abound.

Iguazu Falls is located partially in Brazil and partially in Argentina and the Falls are shared by the Iguazu National Park in Argentina and the Iguacu National Park in Brazil. The area is highly protected as a natural jungle ecosystem and remains a pristine area full of beautiful plants, trees, and rainforest animals. Iguazu Falls enjoys a subtropical climate with warm temperatures year-round. Perhaps the best time to visit is in the fall and spring when temperatures and humidity are ideal.

“Iguazu” derives from Guarani words for “water” and “big”. Iguazu Falls is located where the Iguazu River falls over the edge of the Parana Plateau. The Falls are made up of hundreds of falls, but perhaps the best known is Devil’s Throat, which is U-shaped, 82 meters high, and 150 meters wide. The border of Argentina and Brazil actually runs right through Devil’s Throat. Two other notable falls amongst the many at Iguazu Falls are the San Martin Falls and Bossetti Falls.

Access to Iguazu Falls is quite simple, making the falls one of the most popular Waterfalls of South America. There are two main towns on either side of the falls: Puerto Iguazu in Argentina and Foz do Iguacu in Brazil. Both countries protect the ecological area rigidly, but they also provide ample ways to enjoy the beauty of the falls. From the Brazilian side, there is a walkway along the canyon that leads down to the bottom of Devil’s Throat. There are also other hiking trails, helicopter rides offering aerial views, and a new transportation system consisting of double-decker buses that provide spectacular viewing opportunities. On the Argentine side, visitors can access the falls by way of a ride through the forest on the Rainforest Ecological Train, which brings visitors to the entrance of Devil’s Throat and other trails. There are also boats available that actually go under the falls.

Waterfall enthusiasts consider Kaieteur Falls of Guyana, South America, one of the top scenic Waterfalls of South America. The fall features a high volume of water falling more than 250 meters or 800 feet. The great quantity of water, coupled with the distance the water falls, may make the Kaieteur Falls one of the most physically powerful natural phenomenon in the world.

The fall occurs on the Potaro River as it drains a range of mountains in northern Guyana. The Kaieteur is the largest of about nine waterfalls along the course of the river. The river is also noted for its indigenous people as well as the gold and diamonds mined from the riverbed and surrounding area.

The waterfall was unknown to European mapmakers until the 1870s when geologists exploring the area for mineral wealth came across the falls. Over a number of years, the location was mapped and the height and volume of the falls were estimated. Traditionally, the falls name is associated with a native legend describing a chief known as Kai who sacrificed his life by going over the falls in an effort to save his people from the wrath of the spirits.

The waterfall is the centerpiece of Kaieteur National Park and a major attraction in the area. Officials established the park in 1929 which is administered by a commission. The park’s stated purpose also includes preserving the wildlife and jungle plant life native to the region.

International travelers planning to visit Kaieteur Falls can arrange a flight to nearby Kaieteur International Airport. This airport often serves as jump off point for expeditions to the waterfall and the park. The airport’s elevation of about 1,500 feet or 450 meters along with a runway length of just 2,000 feet or 600 meters limits the airport to serving smaller aircraft which shuttle people to and from the larger airports of the region.

From the airport or the nearby roads, travelers can walk to the location of the falls. This is about a three mile or six kilometer trail. The power of the waterfall and its close proximity to travel connections makes Kaieteur Falls a popular destination for adventure travelers.