If you do the full 12 km walk (there and back) from San Mateo Río Hondo, it’s mostly on a dirt road through hills and forest, transitioning to a narrower trail near the falls. The dense forest will provide long stretches of shade, though the change in elevation makes this route moderately difficult, especially in the heat of the unshaded parts. The other option is to take a taxi or tuk-tuk most of the way, past Quesadillas Doña Maria, and walk only the last trail to the falls.