Lonely Planet Central AmericaLonely Planet
Guidebook
Lonely Planet Central America
Lonely Planet · 2025
Region-wide guide with Honduras coverage, including San Pedro Sula and Lago de Yojoa, the base for Pulhapanzak.
Honduras · Central America
Pulhapanzak Falls
A broad curtain on the Río Lindo drops into a jungle canyon that guides lead visitors behind and even partway down via a canyoning route through slick volcanic rock. Mayan artifacts found nearby suggest the site held ceremonial importance long before it became a weekend swimming spot.
Honduras's most-visited natural attraction Essentials guide
Checked September 2026 by David Bussell
Pulhapanzak Falls drops 43 metres (141 ft) on the Río Lindo. It is a plunge-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is San Buenaventura, with SAP the closest airport. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
Pulhapanzak Falls is number 6 on our list of the most adventurous waterfalls. As a plunge waterfall, water leaves the rock entirely and falls free through the air.
What you can do here
CanyoningCheck operators and availability
SwimmingCheck operators and availability
Zip linesCheck operators and availability
Planning one of these? Check your travel insurance covers adventure activities — SafetyWing is one option.
Also good forHikingPhotography
When to go
Dry season (Nov-Apr) is safest for the behind-the-falls scramble; wet season swells it dangerously.
Entry: Park entry ~$3-4 USD
Getting there
- Base town San Buenaventura
- Airport SAP
- Country Honduras
- Region Central America, Mexico & Central America, North America
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Pulhapanzak Falls
Honduras
Height43 mWidth—
Most similar
Burgess Falls
United States
Height41 mWidth—
Also a plunge waterfall, of similar height and in the United States
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
41 m
43 m
108 m
330 m
979 m
Burgess FallsPulhapanzak FallsVictoria FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Angel Falls is 23× taller than Pulhapanzak Falls. Victoria Falls is 2.5× taller. We don't have a reliable crest width for Pulhapanzak Falls yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Videos from Pulhapanzak Falls
15:33
4:21
4:29
Chosen from YouTube; videos belong to their creators and play from YouTube's privacy-enhanced player.
Books worth packing
On the map
14.9333, -88.0167
Quick answers
Where is Pulhapanzak Falls?
Pulhapanzak Falls is in Honduras (Central America). The nearest base is San Buenaventura and the closest airport is SAP. Its coordinates are 14.9333, -88.0167.
How tall is Pulhapanzak Falls?
Pulhapanzak Falls drops 43 metres (141 feet). It is a plunge-type waterfall on the Río Lindo.
When is the best time to visit Pulhapanzak Falls?
Peak flow is January to March and November to December. Dry season (Nov-Apr) is safest for the behind-the-falls scramble; wet season swells it dangerously.
What can you do at Pulhapanzak Falls?
Beyond the viewpoints: canyoning, swimming, zip lines, hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail.
Can you swim at Pulhapanzak Falls?
Yes — swimming is a normal part of a visit to Pulhapanzak Falls, in the pools away from the falling water. Only swim where it is permitted on the day, stay clear of the base of the falls where currents recirculate, and skip it after heavy rain.
How do you get to Pulhapanzak Falls?
The usual base is San Buenaventura, and the closest airport is SAP. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there. Park entry ~$3-4 USD.
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