15 Amazing Waterfalls In Mexico To Add To Your Bucket List

Did you know that there are several amazing waterfalls in Mexico? That’s right! Mexico is not the only beach, tequila, and tacos. It’s an incredibly rich country, with awe-inspiring natural wonders, scattered all around an immense and diverse territory.

I have been living in Mexico for 10 years now I am proud to call it home, well, my second home. There is so much to love about Mexico, from the richest food in the world to the crumbling pre-hispanic sites, breathtaking beaches, and profound cultural heritage, among others.

From the mountain of the Sierra Gorda to the desert of Chihuahua, the breathtaking Pacific coast, there is also so much to see and do.

But waterfalls have always fascinated me and make a great scenery for my photography. So when I left Cancun to travel around Mexico for a year, I made it my goal to visit as many natural wonders of Mexico as possible, including waterfalls.

So in this post, I will share all the best waterfalls in Mexico that I have been exploring and how to visit them. If you know more please be my guest and let me know. I will be happy to add it to the list.

11 Amazing Waterfalls In Mexico

1. The Huasteca potosina – San Luis Potosī

The Huasteca Potosina is a region in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi that is characterized by its incredible network of rivers and waterfalls. You need at least four full days to see everything as there are so many natural wonders to explore. I talked about it in my full guide to the Huasteca Potosina if you want to learn more.

In this post, I only mention the three most beautiful waterfalls in the Huasteca Potosina

• Tamul
• Tamasopo
• El Salto del Meco

But let’s see them one by one.

2. Tamul

Tamul is the most scenic and adventurous of the waterfalls in the Huasteca Potosina. It’s a tour that will take you around for 2 hours—located at about a 2-hour drive from Ciudad Valles, the closest city that you can use as a base to visit the entire region.

When you arrive at the site you must join a boat tour to get to the waterfall. The fun part is that you have to row! But if you can’t, worry not! Nobody will complain and the guide will do it for you.

You should have water shoes with you because at a certain point you will have to walk along the river for a bit. And on the way back you will stop by a cave where you will have to walk again.

If you don’t have your shoes no worries you can buy them there for a few dollars. If you want something fancier you can find them on Amazon. Also, a dry bag to protect phones and money from the water can be useful.

It’s a great tour where you can watch the spectacular waterfall but also swim back in the floating river, swim in the cave, and enjoy a pleasant trip with new friends that you will meet on the boat.

If you don’t have a car, it’s advisable to hire a taxi in Ciudad Vieja to take you there and wait for you because public transportation doesn’t get there.

3. Tamasopo

Tamasopo waterfalls and parks are at a 2-hour bus from Ciudad Valle. In this case, the bus will drop you off right there by the gate. It makes a tranquil day by these amazing waterfalls and lakes where you can swim, jump and do all kinds of shenanigans.

The surrounding area is a manicured garden with bathrooms changing rooms and restaurants.

Bonus Info – From Tamasopo you can hail a taxi and ask him to take you to Puente de Dios another amazing set of small waterfalls for more adventures. 30 minutes walk from the waterfall to a small village, there is the bus station to get back to Ciudad Valles. Read more in my Huasteca guide.

4. El Salto del Meco

North of Ciudad Valle, opposite from the previously mentioned waterfalls, very hidden within a maze of villages and woods, you will find this spectacular waterfall. Make sure you get there in the wet season, maybe the colors are not so blue but you will be sure to find the fall. When it’s dry there is no water to…fall. (see picture above).

To get there you will need to hire a taxi unless you have your car. No public transportation gets there.

The best waterfalls in Chihuahua

The Copper Canyon is one of the most incredible natural wonders of Mexico that stole my heart. I have traveled around the entire region for about three weeks by train and then stayed in Creel for a while exploring the area.

I felt it was not enough to see it all.

It’s a playground for outdoorsy and nature lovers with so many things to do and places to visit. This reminds me that I still have to write a post about it. In the meantime let me tell you about the best waterfalls that you can visit from Creel, Cusarare, and Basaseachic.

5. Cusarare

You can reach Cusarare falls from Creel, the quaint Pueblo Magico in the heart of the Copper Canyon. The Cusarare fall is located in a park only 30 km from Creel. But there is no public transportation so the best way to get there is either by renting a car, joining a tour or hiring a taxi. Anything is doable from Creel itself.

Once you enter the park you can enjoy a nice easy walk across boulders and along the river, for about 30 to 40 minutes until you find vendors, which means you are close to the falls.

The fun part is that you will get on top of the fall first where you have a spectacular view of the whole site and from there you can hike down to the bottom and walk right up to the water. So much fun. You can see both images here.

6. Basaseachic Falls

Basaseachic Falls is located within the Basaseachi National Park is in the western side of the state of Chihuahua in the heart of the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range.

The park is named after Basaseachic Falls – Cascada de Basaseachic – which is considered the tallest waterfall in Mexico with a height of 246 m (853 ft).

How to get to Basaseachic Falls? I have to be honest I didn’t make it there because I was traveling with a friend and we have tried to go on our own from Creel on the way to Chihuahua Capital City.

We got off the bus at an intersection where we were supposed to hop on another bus, which never came, or it came but never stopped. We also tried hitchhiking but with no success.

So we gave up and went straight to the capital. If we had known it before we would have joined an organized tour from Creel. So that’s what I recommend you should do.

In Creel, you will find local travel agencies selling daily tours, and sometimes it’s more convenient joining one of those even if you are a fan of DIY trips.

I know it’s much better to go on your own. But there are simply not enough bus connections in the area. My friend and I had to hitchhike the majority of the time and to be honest I wouldn’t have done that by myself.

The safest way whether you are on your own or with somebody is to join local tours (unless you have your car) so that you won’t have to worry about finding transportation to get back.

Jalisco waterfalls

7. Quimixto – Jalisco

If you are staying for a few days in Puerto Vallarta, you should include Quimixto in your Puerto Vallarta things-to-do list.

The pretty little village is home to one of the best-secluded beaches north of Puerto Vallarta.

The fun fact about it is that to reach Quimixto, and the nearby bays you need to get to Boca de Tomatlan by bus and from there take a boat. There is no road access to Quimixto.

Although it is popular among tourists and locals, the beach appears still untouched and pristine, with a hidden eco-hotel and a delicious restaurant where you can rent a sunbed if you want or just enjoy a lovely lunch on the beach.

But before that, you will need to hike to the waterfall. It’s a simple hike and although the waterfall is not so spectacular as many others on this list, it’s still a pretty view, worth the hike.

8. Yelapa Waterfalls – Jalisco

Yelapa is another small village that is reachable only by boat from Boca de Tomatlan which is at only 30 minutes bus from Puerto Vallarta.

Yelapa is a much more popular site compared to Quimixto but not one of my favorite, to be honest. If I had to choose between the two, Quimixto is the winner without any doubt.

However, if you have time you can go and explore. It has its charm as well.

Also in Yelapa, you can find a cute little waterfall 30 minutes hike from the beach.

You will have to walk through town from which you will enjoy amazing views of the bays, before reaching the tiny waterfall.

A pleasant walk and very safe even if you travel by yourself.

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Waterfall of Mexico – Chiapas

Chiapas is probably the greenest state, so rich in amazing natural wonders, and where I believe you can find the highest number of waterfalls in Mexico.

Among the places you must visit in Chiapas El Chiflon Waterfall should be your number one priority.

9. El Chiflon

Usually, travelers love to be based in the pretty San Cristobal de Las Casas and take trips from there.

However, it is quite difficult to get to all the most beautiful places on your own unless you have a lot of time on your hands or a car rental (which you must rent from Tuxtla Gutierrez as there is no car rental in San Cristobal).

The good news is that there are a lot of local tours that are super cheap and very well organized.

I visited El Chiflon on a tour that combined the waterfall with the visit to Montebello lagoon and although a little tight it was excellent and I had enough time to take all the pictures I wanted of the spectacular waterfalls.

El Chiflon waterfall is a fall of a total of 120 mt formed by a series of waterfalls named El Suspiro, Angel Wing, and Velo de Novia (Veil of Bride), the latter with the most impressive fall of 70 meters.

The best way to enjoy the views is by hiking straight to the Velo de Novia, which you can admire from so close that you will get soaked. But it’s worth it.

Then you can take your time on the way back to admire the other small waterfalls in the San Vincente river.

It’s an amazing full-day trip immersed in nature. I believe this is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Mexico

10. Agua Azul – Chiapas

Another incredible waterfall in Mexico that you must include in your itinerary is Agua Azul in Chiapas. Located between San Cristobal and Palenque Agua Azul is a very popular tourist destination but worth visiting.

From Palenque, you can book your shuttle in local travel agencies because it’s hard to get there by local busses.

Some tours include a visit to both waterfalls Agua Azul and Misol-ha as part of the transfer from Palenque to San Cristobal or vice-versa. I did that and it’s exhausting so I wouldn’t recommend it.

The waterfall is huge and just like, El Chiflon, is formed by a series of waterfalls rolling down the hills forming pools and fascinating cascades of water. You can walk along the falls and watch them from different angles.

Make sure though, you plan your visit during the dry season to see the water blue (Azul). I went twice and in both cases, it rained for all the previous weeks and the water was brown. Still interesting to see but less appealing than seeing the blue pools.

11. Misol-ha – Chiapas

Located at only 45 minutes drive from Palenque, Misol-ha is another beautiful fall, where the water cascade directly into a pool, where you can swim if you dare.

It’s surrounded by beautiful tropical vegetation for the perfect picture if you don’t mind people around.

Since it’s so popular and not very big, it gets crowded.

12. Roberto Barrios

If you are in Palenque, stay an extra day and book a tour to Roberto Barrios. The local travel agencies provide the shuttle to take you there and back to your hotel because there is no public service. It’s cheap, safe, and convenient. They call it a tour, but it’s a shuttle service.

The waterfalls are spectacular, nestled in a lush forest, you will be able to walk on water.

The falls form a few pools and you can walk from one to another and swim in the bigger ones.

Or you can just chill and relax at the soothing sound of the water.

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Waterfall in Hidalgo

13. Las Grutas de Tolantongo Waterfalls –

I found Las Grutas de Tolantongo one of the most overrated places in Mexico and yet, it is worth mentioning because I am sure you have seen spectacular pictures of graceful models into those emerald green natural pools.

I have tried to reproduce the same kind of picture when I went, but, well I wasn’t successful.

Regardless, the overall scenery is breathtaking, I have to admit. However, the only natural thing about the place is the water.

The pool, of course, is man-made and they are in the process of building more and more.

Besides the most Instagrammed part of the park, in the pool area, you can also check out the waterfalls and the river where you can just chill while you let the current give you a natural massage.

Check out my entire article on the Grutas de Tolantongo and learn how to get there and what to do, where I also explain why I didn’t like the place.

Waterfalls in Guerrero Mexico

14. Pozas Azules

For sure off the beaten path, Las Pozas Azules are spectacular green waterfalls located at only a 40-minute drive from Taxco Guerrero.

If you don’t know anything about Taxco, you should. In my opinion, it’s one of the most beautiful among the Pueblos Magicos, full of history and charm, but also surrounded by incredible natural beauties.

And while you are there you should spend at least 4 days and include a visit to the Pozas Azules and the Grutas de Cacahuamilpa, some of the most incredible natural wonders of Mexico.

How to visit Las Pozas Azules- get on a colectivo(minibus) on the main road in Taxco and tell the driver you want to go to the Pozas Azules. The bus will drop you off right at the entrance and that’s where you can find the one that will take you back to Taxco. Busses run until 7 pm

After a 10 minute walk in a refreshing tropical forest, you will see two beautiful green pools forming several cascades.

There are 16 pools in total but only 8 are accessible. At the time I went, though, only 2 pools were open to the public but if you hire a local guide, he can take you to see the other.

That’s what I did. This way I could have all the pools to myself. It’s just a short hike to get to the other falls and all worth it.

When you are ready there are busses to take you back to Taxco every 30 minutes until 7 pm, right at the entrance of the park.

15. Cola de Caballo ( Cacalotenango)

On the way back from the Pozas Azules to Taxco, you can ask the driver to drop you off at the entrance of the hike to the waterfall Cola de Caballo. In my case, he also called the guide for us.

On the bus, I met another tourist who was happy to join me in this adventure.

I loved those improvisations when I travel. As soon as we got off the bus a local guy who was living nearby reached us and for a few dollars showed us the way to the spectacular waterfall.

It was just an hour walk to reach this amazing 180 mt tall waterfall and the trail was just as beautiful, as we walked through the forest with stunning views over the valley and past an old church where, the guide said, during the holy week, locals walk to celebrate the holy mass.

Worth it.

Waterfalls in Sierra Gorda – Queretaro

16. Puente de Dios

The Sierra Gorda in Queretaro is one of my favorite places in Mexico. There is such incredible biodiversity in such a small territory, which is also incredibly rich in culture with old Franciscan missions scattered around the hills and valleys.

Among all the things to see in the Sierra Gorda, there are spectacular waterfalls.

My favorite is the Puente de Dios, not much for the waterfall in itself but for the incredible hike you have to take to get there. It’s an easy hike, I walk I would say, along an impressive canyon hopping on both sides of a stream of water.

It’s a very secluded place with not much tourism, which makes it even more incredible.

Read my guide to the Sierra Gorda to learn more about getting there and other practical tips.

Waterfalls in Oaxaca

17. Hierve el Agua

Hierve El Agua is not exactly a real waterfall. It’s a petrified waterfall made of limestone that creates an amazing natural monument nestled over the mountain around Oaxaca City.

Underneath the massive waterfall-shaped rock you will find a couple of natural pools with icy water where I suggest you should swim despite the very low temperature.

Looking at your surroundings from that perspective is indeed an incredible experience.

You can also take a small hike around the waterfall and see it from a different perspective.

I suggest you should go on your own very early in the morning so that you can enjoy the place all for yourself. From 10 am it starts getting crowded and it’s impossible to capture the incredibly mystic atmosphere.

Hierve el Agua is indeed one of the most amazing places to visit in Mexico

The Best Waterfalls in Mexico: final thoughts

These are all the spectacular waterfalls I have seen in Mexico. I will update the post as I will see more. Make sure you check them out as well.