Huasteca Potosina, Mexico Travel Planning

Along the eastern border of San Luis Potosí in central Mexico, there is a wonderland of waterfalls, swimming holes, and rivers. This region, known as Huasteca Potosina, is a place that typifies the beauty of rural Mexico. Nestled in the heart of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains, it is a spectacular area for exploration and outdoor adventures. Add a luxury hotel into the mix and it makes for the perfect romantic getaway. For custom itineraries and personalized travel planning contact COMO-GO.

The region can only be reached through winding mountain roads that curl past fields bristling with agave plants where the fragrant scent of orange groves hangs on the wind. If you hire a car or drive your own, then you can visit a diverse array of natural wonders and experience some of the best views in Huasteca Potosina all on one road trip.

1. Cascada de Tamul

Cost: 1000 – 1,600 pesos to hire a boat for a guided tour.

Many of the best views in Huasteca Potosina are of waterfalls. The region really is something of a water world. Fresh mountain springs bubble up into rivers before tumbling down the valley through the jungles and into the lowland plains.

Cascada de Tamul is the biggest waterfall in the region and an area you don’t want to miss out on. However, it’s not the easiest place to reach. The area is usually accessed via a guided boat tour.

There’s a self-guided hiking trail that can be reached from El Naranjito but you may find tour guides preventing you from passing, trying instead to flog you their paid itinerary! If you find yourself out of luck there, head around to La Morena where you can either join a tour or hire a whole boat yourself.

2. Puente de Dios – “God’s Bridge”

Cost: 100 pesos per person and 50 pesos for parking.

Puente de Dios is easily one of the best views in Huasteca Potosina. The azure waterhole looks like a jungle oasis. Resembling the cenotes in the Yucatan region of Mexico, this area is a brilliant location for a jungle walk and river swim.

After entering, you follow the boardwalks along the river where you can stop and swim in the crystalline water wherever you fancy. The highlight, however, is the main plunge pool at the end of the trail.

You need to hire a life jacket (30 pesos) to swim in this area which is a smart idea given the strong currents produced by the crashing waterfall that fills the pool. Take a swim, jump from the rocks, or spend the day relaxing in the sun and admiring the jungle around you.

3. Cascadas de Tamasopo

Cost: 100 pesos per person, 50 pesos for parking

In the village of Tamasopo, you have multiple waterfalls and swimming areas. It’s also a charming countryside town lined with colourful flags and cobbled streets. The Cascadas de Tamasopo is a more developed spot than other sites on this list, but it still has some of the best views in Huasteca Potosina.  

The area is similar to a waterpark where you pay for entrance and get stuck in with multiple activities. Again, you must rent a lifejacket for either 30 pesos an hour or 50 pesos for the day. Once you’ve acquired your lifejacket, you can swim in two of the large waterfall basins. There are rope swings, jumping ledges, and obstacle courses to enjoy.

If you’re still in search of more adventure, you can walk along the river to El Trampolín, another natural waterpark. It’s free to visit and has even more rope swings and swimming sections. You can walk across natural wooden bridges and marvel at the magical trees that droop over the water with long strands of moss. Don’t miss out on the best travel tips, contact COMO-GO for travel planning and a detailed travel itinerary.

4. Xilitla

Cost: Free

Xilitla has some of the best views in Huasteca Potosina but for different reasons. It is a mountain town perched high in the jungle accessible only by narrow winding roads. The town itself is built in tiers on the edge of the mountain.

The streets culminate atop a crest in the lovely Plaza Principal Xilitla. Some sites in the area include the Ex Convento San Agustin, the oldest colonial building in the state founded by missionaries in the 16th century.

Another highlight is the home of surrealist artist Sir Edward James. This extraordinary house and garden is perched on a hillside outside of town and can be visited by a tour booked either online or at a tourist centre in Xilitla. 

5. Cascades de Micos 

Cost: 50-100 pesos per person for entrance and 50 pesos for parking

Similar to the Cascades de Tamasopo, this is an area for activities such as river swimming and waterfall jumping. You can walk upriver then make your way downstream by hopping into different plunge pools and gliding from place to place.

Cascades de Micos is slightly less developed than Tamosopo, so if you’re looking for a wilder experience this is it. As with many other locations in Huasteca Potosina, you need to hire a lifejacket for 30 pesos to swim. You can also get rock shoes and a helmet for added safety.

From the small settlement of Platanito, it’s possible to join a guided tour that will take you to the best swimming spots. If you’ve still got a thirst for adventure, you can continue north to the Cascadas de Minas Viejas, another mesmeric waterfall with an aquamarine swimming hole and fewer crowds. 

Final Tips

This is a mere sample of the best views in Huasteca Potosina. The area is filled with a rich array of hidden gems and off the beaten track nature spots just waiting to be discovered. Seeing the whole region could take weeks, but perhaps that’s all part of the fun.

You can base yourself in the large town of Ciudad Valles and make day trips to the sites. Alternatively, there are campsites and hotels in many of the small villages throughout Huasteca Potosina. To get the most out of your trip contact COMO-GO for all your travel planning needs.