sAgua Azul waterfalls in Mexico are surely an unforgettable sight for all tourists who visit them. I remember that, when I was planning my roadtrip to Mexico, one of my biggest dream was to go and see these waterfalls.
I can happily say that my dream has now become true!
If you are traveling to mexico you may be interested in this article about the 15 best Mexico travel tips.
Going to the Agua Azul waterfalls in Chiapas, Mexico
Agua Azul literally means “blue water”, which is a clear reference to the stunning bluish hues the water has, especially when hit by the sun. A real breathtaking sight!
The waterfalls are located in Chiapas, just 70km away from Palenque, on the road which leads to the gorgeous San Cristobal de Las Casas. The journey by car takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes.
This road, however, is packed with topes and corners (read: the 15 things to remember before travelling to Mexico), so it won’t be an easy and smooth drive. But, trust me, the Agua Azul waterfalls are well worth the effort.
Right before arriving to destination, once you get out of the main road, you’ll find two tall booths where you’ll have to pay a small tax.
Do not worry, the money you pay are going to be used for the road maintenance. The prices I paid back in August 2016 were 20 pesos at the first booth and 40 pesos at the second one (for a total of 60 pesos).
Once you’ve paid your tax, you can then park your car in a large car park not too far from the second booth and start walking towards the waterfalls.
The area you’ll find yourself in, needless to say, it’s crammed with tourists and local people. Here the inhabitants make their own living thanks to the huge crowds the waterfall attracts. Just outside the car park, you’ll see many stands full with handcrafted products that are sold at a very cheap price, above all if we compare them to the prices in the Riviera Maya.
Many are the restaurants serving typical Mexican food as well. My suggestion is trying a corn with salt and lime. You’ll go crazy for its incredible taste.
From the car park there is a very long path that runs along the Agua Azul waterfalls. These waterfalls are very suggestive: they consist of many cataracts following one after another, creating a stunning sequence of waterfalls. The most impressive spot, I’d say, can be found near the car park, where the larger cataracts are as high as 6 meters.
The more you’ll get close to the highest point, more you’ll notice the inhabitants of the area in close contact with what we could describe as being “their” nature. Little children and young teenagers jump into the water by swinging with long lianes, indifferent to the many tourists looking at this gorgeous display of young and innocent happiness.
Suggestion: try to get to the very top of the Agua Azul waterfall. The path here is much more leveled and, on your right, you’ll see an area of small water puddles were you can swim in perfect peace.
So, remember to take a swimming costume with you and dive in the spectacular crystalline waters — such an unforgettable experience!
The Misol Há waterfalls
Another gorgeous spot where to come at close contact with nature are undoubtedly the Misol-Há waterfalls. These waterfalls are located in Salto de Agua. The’re just 20 kilometers away from Palenque, on the road that leads towards San Cristóbal de las Casas. They can be reached in a few minutes by car, or, alternatively, by taking a colectivo.
If you’re going to be driving, it’s important to know that you are required to pay two different tolls here, just as it happens for the Agua Azul waterfalls. Good thing, the prices are cheaper: the first payment is approximately 10 pesos per person, 20 pesos for the second toll.
Misol-Há consists of one single waterfall as high as 35 meters which falls into a single circular pool with tropical vegetation. The powerful sound the water makes when hitting the circular pool and its embracing nature, makes it impossible not to remain speechless in front of such a gorgeous sight.
To get to the Misol-Há waterfalls there are two paths which can be followed.
The first consists of a few stone steps which will lead you from the car park to the circular pool where the water powerfully dives in.
The second path is definitely more suggestive. Instead of taking the stone steps on your right, enter the humid path on your left. This trail will take you straight “behind the curtain” of the Misol-Há waterfall. You’ll be able to admire it from a totally different angle. At the end of the path there is also a small cave where tourists enter only after having paid a few pesos. I cannot tell you either its cost or what it contains, as I didn’t go that far.
Careful: the path is very humid so many of the rocks you’ll put your feet on, may be slippery.
