Bassin Zim

Bassin Zim is a set of falls on the Samana river outside Hinche, where the water comes down over travertine ledges into a series of pools whose colour runs from turquoise to deep blue depending on the light and the season. Above the falls are caves in the limestone with Taíno-era markings and, in one, a chamber that has long been used for offerings. The site is a place of vodou pilgrimage as well as a swimming spot, and both uses are ordinary here.

What you actually see

• The terraced falls - water stepping down travertine ledges in several stages.
• The pools - blue-green basins below each step, the largest of them swimmable.
• The caves - limestone chambers above the falls, with markings and offerings inside.
• The pilgrimage - the site's religious use, which is continuous rather than seasonal.

When to go

November to March is drier and the water is clearest. The falls carry more water from May onwards but run muddy after rain. Pilgrimage days bring numbers and are the strongest version of the place, if you are comfortable being an outsider at one.

Honest expectations

The track from Hinche is rough and slow. The caves are dark, slippery and entered with a local guide and a torch. This is an active religious site: photographing ceremonies without asking is not acceptable, and there is a real difference between visiting and intruding.

Nearby

Hinche is the town, and Lake Peligre is south towards Mirebalais.