Cascada de las Ánimas is a 3,600-hectare private nature sanctuary in San Alfonso, in the Cajón del Maipo canyon, about 60 kilometers from Santiago. It was declared a nature sanctuary in 1995 (Supreme Decree No. 480 of the Ministry of Education) and ranges from 1,030 to 3,240 meters above sea level. High season starts today, November 1: entry costs CLP 25,000 per adult and CLP 18,000 per child, according to the sanctuary's fee table. Besides the waterfall hike, it offers rafting on the Maipo River, horseback rides, zip lines, camping and lodging.
*Updated on November 1, 2026.* Prices and schedules as published on the sanctuary's website, checked today. It is private land: all activities are booked with the sanctuary and prices may change without notice.
Cascada de las Ánimas key facts
| Fact | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Camino al Volcán 31087, San Alfonso, San José de Maipo district | Cascada de las Ánimas |
| Distance from Santiago | About 60 km | Cascada de las Ánimas |
| Area | 3,600 ha | Cascada de las Ánimas |
| Protection | Nature Sanctuary since 1995 (Supreme Decree 480, Ministry of Education) | Cascada de las Ánimas |
| Altitude | 1,030 to 3,240 m above sea level | Cascada de las Ánimas |
| High season | November to March | Sanctuary fees |
| Contact | +56 9 9870 3912 / info@cascadadelasanimas.cl | Cascada de las Ánimas |
Source: Cascada de las Ánimas Nature Sanctuary, which describes itself as a family conservation initiative. The site is one of the priority areas for biodiversity conservation in the Santiago Metropolitan Region; its wildlife includes foxes, condors, lizards and toads, and its flora includes quillay trees.
Cascada de las Ánimas prices in 2026
| Entry | High season (November to March) | Low season (April to October) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | CLP 25,000 | CLP 12,000 |
| Child | CLP 18,000 | CLP 8,000 |
Source: Cascada de las Ánimas fees, checked on November 1, 2026. The table does not state the age limit for the child rate. Nor does it say whether entry is added to each activity or included in it, so ask when you book. Overnight guests get 10% off most activities.
| Activity | Price per person | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Waterfall hike | CLP 12,000 adult / CLP 8,000 child (3 to 12) | 2 km round trip, guided; departures at 10:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 17:00 |
| Meseta hike | From CLP 30,000 (fee table) or CLP 60,000 (listing) | Minimum 2 people; high area with condor views |
| Pangal hike | From CLP 40,000 (fee table) or CLP 80,000 (listing) | Minimum 2 people; toward Cerro La Campana |
| Horseback ride Guayacán / Meseta / Pangal | CLP 40,000 / 55,000 / 100,000 | Daily |
| Canopy / zip line / high ropes | CLP 30,000 / 20,000 / 45,000 | 10% off for guests |
| English-speaking guide or box lunch | CLP 5,000 / 19,450 | Extras |
Source: the sanctuary's fee table and hiking listings. For the Meseta and Pangal hikes, the general table and each product listing show different prices (the listing may be per minimum group); confirm before paying.
The Cascada de las Ánimas waterfall hike
It is the shortest and most popular activity: a guided 2-kilometer round trip, rated medium-to-hard, ending with a climb of about 200 meters from the lookout to the falls. There is a drinking-water point along the way and pets are not allowed. The sanctuary asks visitors to arrive 15 minutes before their booked time.
One important detail: the hike listing warns that "from November to March the waterfall may have no water, since it is a rain-fed waterfall", and recent years have been dry. 2026 has been different: October was Santiago's wettest month since 1866, as we reported here, which improves the chances of seeing it with water at the start of summer. Still, ask when you book.
Do you run cabins, a restaurant or tours in Cajón del Maipo? Reach travelers planning getaways from Santiago, in four languages.
See advertising optionsMaipo River rafting at Cascada de las Ánimas
| Upper Maipo rafting | Details |
|---|---|
| Section | San Alfonso to San José de Maipo, 9.4 km with 34 rapids (8 of class IV or higher) |
| Difficulty | Class IV from November to February (snowmelt) and class III the rest of the year |
| Departures and price | 11:00 and 15:00 at CLP 35,000; 17:30 at CLP 30,000 (high season only) |
| Duration | 2 to 3 hours in total, with 45 to 60 minutes on the water |
| Age and weight | Children from age 12 depending on season and flow; up to 120 kg |
| Included | Full gear (wetsuit, helmet, life jacket), guide, insurance, internal transport and showers |
Sources: the sanctuary's rafting page and fee table. Cancellations 48 hours in advance get a full refund; if the weather is dangerous, the money is refunded or the trip is rescheduled. During the snowmelt season the river rises and being able to swim becomes necessary.
How to get to Cascada de las Ánimas and where to stay
By car, leave Santiago along Vicuña Mackenna toward Puente Alto and follow the Camino al Volcán road (G-25) through Las Vertientes, El Canelo, El Manzano and San José de Maipo to San Alfonso. The entrance is on the right, signposted, according to En Cancha. By public transport, route 72 buses go up the Cajón del Maipo; check the sign to make sure the bus continues to San Alfonso or beyond.
| Lodging or camping | Published price | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Camping, November to March, weeknight | CLP 25,000 adult / CLP 20,000 child | Full weekend (Friday to Sunday): CLP 60,000 / 40,000 |
| Double room | From CLP 67,200 | — |
| Small cabin (3 people) | From CLP 117,600 | Cabin for 8: from CLP 222,600 |
| Suite Premium Cascada Lodge (2 people) | From CLP 110,000 | Breakfast included |
Source: Cascada de las Ánimas fees, checked on November 1, 2026. For more stops, see things to do in Cajón del Maipo, the guide to Embalse El Yeso, further up the same road, and our list of hot springs in Chile.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to enter Cascada de las Ánimas?
In high season (November to March), CLP 25,000 per adult and CLP 18,000 per child; in low season, CLP 12,000 and CLP 8,000, according to the sanctuary.
How long is the waterfall hike?
It is a 2-kilometer guided round trip, rated medium-to-hard. Departures are at 10:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 17:00.
Does the waterfall have water in summer?
It depends on the rain: the sanctuary warns it may run dry between November and March. After a very rainy October, 2026 looks better, but it is worth asking.
What is the minimum age for rafting?
12 years old, depending on the season and the river flow.
