Visiting Huasteca Potosina in Mexico: The ULTIMATE Guide for First-Timers
Want to visit Huasteca Potosina in San Luis Potosi Mexico?
You’re in the right place because I have visited La Huasteca Potosina — and I’m here to help you do the same!
In this article, I’m going to give you ALL the details you need for planning a Huasteca Potosina Mexico trip.
Consider this your Ultimate Guide to La Huasteca Potosina, as this article covers everything you need to know to plan a trip to La Huasteca Mexico.
From how to get to La Huasteca Potosina, the best Huasteca Potosina waterfalls, where to stay in La Huasteca Potosina, weather in Huasteca Potosina, and much more — it’s all here, so let’s get to it!
What is La Huasteca Mexico?
La Huasteca is a geographical and cultural region that spans 20 municipalities and seven states in Mexico.
It goes from Queretaro state and San Luis Potosi state in the west, to Tamaulipas state and Veracruz state on the east. It ends at the Gulf of Mexico.
This area was home to the Huastec people.
⚠️ Note: You may see the Huasteca people referred to by other names like Huastacas, Huastecos, Huastacs, Huaxtec, Wastek, Téenek or Te’ Inik (meaning “people from here”).
This Huastec Civilization had its height of influence during the Mesoamerican Period, though there are many who identify as Huastacs still alive today, and living in La Huasteca.
What is La Huasteca Potosina?
La Huasteca spans seven Mexico states, and one of them is San Luis Potosi.
Here, you’ll find La Huasteca Potosina — the area of the Huasteca within San Luis Potosi state.
La Huasteca Potosina is the most-visited region in La Huasteca, but there are others.
These include La Huasteca Poblana (Huasteca Puebla in Puebla State), and La Huasteca Hidalguense (Huasteca Hidalgo in Hidalgo State).
The La Huasteca Region is also one of the best places to visit in Mexico for those seeking an off the beaten track trip out in nature.
Famed for waterfalls and lush nature in a jungle-like atmosphere, it’s truly one of the most beautiful places in Mexico.
Where is La Huasteca Potosina located?
La Huasteca Potosina is located in the state of San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
La Huasteca Potosina Map
The Huasteca itself is located in the southeastern part of this state.
The map should offer a visual aid, but what you need to know is La Huasteca is in the northeastern part of Mexico.
The central city in La Huasteca, which is called Ciudad Valles, is located about 368 miles (592 km) from Downtown Mexico City.
San Luis Potosi Mexico
Before I talk about the state, please know that San Luis Potosi City is the capital of San Luis Potosi state.
Oftentimes when people say “San Luis Potosi,” they’re actually talking about the city, not the state, so make sure to clarify.
The state of San Luis Potosi is somewhat off the main tourist trail in Mexico for international travelers, though it does get quite a bit of national tourism.
My husband and I stayed in San Luis Potosi City for three weeks, and were pleasantly surprised.
It has a nice colonial downtown with great architecture, beautiful churches and restaurants featuring regional cuisine.
However, there wasn’t much to see or do after about a week, so if you want to check out San Luis Potosi City en route to La Huasteca, 2-3 days would likely be enough.
If you’re staying longer, you can take a day trip to Real de Catorce, a Mexico ghost town.
🎥 Fun Facts: They filmed parts of the 2001 film The Mexican here, which stars Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt and James Gandolfini.
How to Get to La Huasteca Potosina
Wondering, How do I get to La Huasteca Potosina? You’re not alone!
As this is one of those off the beaten path Mexico hidden gems — getting there takes a bit of preparation on your part.
What is the closest airport to Huasteca Potosina?
The closest Huasteca Potosina airport is actually Tampico International Airport (code: TAM). It is located in the city of Tampico, which is in Tamaulipas state.
In full disclosure, Tamaulipas isn’t known as one of the safest places in Mexico, which is why many don’t usually come from this airport.
Other airports near Huasteca Potosina include Queretaro International Airport (code: QRO) in Queretaro state, and San Luis Potosi International Airport (code: SLP).
Of the airports just listed, I recommend you fly into SLP Airport.
From there, you can rent a car and drive to the Huasteca Potosina on a road trip without crossing state lines, which some rental car companies don’t allow.
The drive will take you about four hours, which is also about how long it takes from Queretaro (located south of Huasteca).
However, the drive from Tampico is only about three hours.
In my opinion, flying into San Luis Potosi Airport and then driving is the easiest way to get to Huasteca Potosina.
However, as a remote area, there really aren’t any fast or easy ways to get there — though the trek is worth it!
Should I book La Huasteca Potosina tours?
You don’t have to, but if 1) this will be your first time in Mexico, 2) you’re not comfortable driving in Mexico, 3) your Spanish isn’t great, or D) All of the above — then yes, you’ll want to book a tour.
While I found a few tours that depart from San Luis Potosi City, like this Two-Day Huasteca Potosina Tour, the majority of the tours depart from Ciudad Valles — the largest city closest to La Huasteca Potosina.
Your options range from this day trip to Tamul Waterfall, one of the top Huasteca Potosina attractions, to multi-day tours like this one that cover all the Huasteca Potosina highlights.
Can you visit La Huasteca Potosina on your own?
Yes — You can visit on your own, or with one of these best Huasteca Potosina tours.
While they obviously cost more, tours make visiting La Huasteca Potosina safe, convenient and hassle-free for you.
In short: If you have the budget, group tours are a great option because all you have to do is show up and enjoy.
Can I drive to La Huasteca Potosina?
Yes — In fact, I did drive to Huasteca Potosina from San Luis Potosi City when I visited.
The drive takes about four hours in normal traffic, but this can increase on weekends and holidays.
Mexico City to La Huasteca Potosina
You can drive from Mexico City to Huasteca Potosina.
However, this is a 10 hour drive in normal traffic with no stops, so it can be intimidating.
I’d recommend breaking it up over two days, as this drive often ends up being closer to 12-14 hours with stops and traffic.
In my opinion, there’s nowhere great to stop right at the 5-hour halfway mark, so you might consider staying in Pachuca, Hidalgo.
This is the only big city you’ll pass through on the drive from Mexico City to Ciudad Valles (or anywhere in Huasteca Potosina).
Can you take a bus from Mexico City to Huasteca Potosina?
There are no direct buses, so you’d need to first take a bus to San Luis Potosi City.
Then you’ll take a second bus ride to Ciudad Valles. In total, this trip could take a full day.
You can also fly to San Luis Potosi City from Mexico City Airport, rent a car in San Luis Potosi, and then drive to Ciudad Valles (or wherever you’re planning to stay in Huasteca Potosina).
The flight from Mexico City to San Luis Potosi City takes about 1.5 hours.
San Luis Potosi to La Huasteca Potosina
When I visited, my husband and I rented a car and drove on the San Luis Potosi City to Huasteca Potosina route.
It was an easy drive, and the next time we visit, I assume we’d do this again.
We took the bus from Mexico City to San Luis Potosí City, then rented the car there, and drove to La Huasteca Potosina.
The car rental company we used was Discover Cars, and you can check their rates and availability here.
The car rental and drive were both pretty straightforward. However, I will say that I don’t how anyone visits the Huasteca without a car.
If you’re not coming by rental car, make sure you’re staying in Ciudad Valles and booking these Huasteca Potosina tours.
If not, it’s very difficult to get around — and in fact, you won’t be able to even get to many places via public transport.
While there are local cabs, you usually need to hire your taxi driver at a day rate, and that can add up quickly.
Best San Luis Potosi to Huasteca Potosina Tours
I wasn’t able to find a ton of tours to Huasteca Potosina from San Luis Potosi City because it’s about an 8 hour round trip drive, which is a lot for one day.
However I did manage to find these two tours:
San Luis Potosi to Ciudad Valles Bus
There are two bus companies that offer this trip, Oriente and Futura.
Tickets average about $40 USD per person each way ($80 USD round trip), and the bus stop is conveniently located in Downtown Ciudad Valles.
The one negative to the bus is that most of them depart during the hours of 1am-4am.
This is similar for your way back on the Ciudad Valles to San Luis Potosi City bus, with most departures occurring between 8pm-1am.
I recommend booking your tickets via BusBud here if you want to make sure you get a seat, since there are only a few buses per day.
You can also get your tickets in person at the bus station in San Luis Potosi City.
Ciudad Valles to La Huasteca Potosina
Ciudad Valles (City of the Valleys) is the closest city to the Huasteca Potosina attractions.
If you’re seeking comfortable accommodations with conveniently-located amenities (ie. banks, grocery stores, restaurants) — this is the place to stay.
If you have a rental car, you can get to any of the La Huasteca Potosina sites in 30 minutes to 2 hours.
When I visited, we drove everywhere, and found the roads around Ciudad Valles to be safe and well-maintained.
⚠️ Note: There are some places you have to drive on a dirt road to access, like Cascadas Minas Viejas Waterfalls.
For this reason, I opted for a midsize car instead of a compact car.
Where to Stay in Ciudad Valles
When I visited, we stayed at Doña Adelina House Hotel in Ciudad Valles.
We chose it because it was the highest-rated hotel in downtown. I would absolutely stay here again because the ratings didn’t lie.
The owners of the hotel were super nice, offering us tips on where to go — and more importantly, on where not to go.
In fact, we were planning to visit one small town that they ended up talking us out of.
The hotel itself was clean, with a comfy bed, hot shower, good WiFi, a secure parking lot for our rental car, FREE purified drinking water, and walkability to numerous restaurants (our favorite was La Troje).
Best Huasteca Potosina Tours from Cuidad Valles
Not coming by car? Then you’ll definitely want to stay in Ciudad Valles because all the best tours in Huasteca Potosina depart from here.
Not sure which tours to pick?
Here are my picks for the Top 3 best tours in La Huasteca Potosina:
How many days do I need in La Huasteca Potosina?
I think most travelers will want at least 4 to 7 days to explore what’s known as one of the most unique regions within Mexico.
If you just want to see the top spots, like Tamul Waterfall, Micos Waterfall and Xilitla Surrealist Gardens, you’ll be fine with a 4 days in Huasteca Potosina itinerary.
However, the better question here is — How long can you spend in Huasteca Potosina? because there’s just so much to see and do.
If you want to see all the top spots, like everywhere listed above as well as El Naranjo Waterfall, Puente de Dios Waterfall, Minas Viejas Waterfall and El Sótano de las Golondrinas (Cave of Swallows), you’ll need a full week.
Keep reading for my ULTIMATE 7 Day Huasteca Potosina itinerary.
It will show you the exact route I took, and how I was able to see all the highlights listed above in one week.
Where to Stay in La Huasteca Potosina
Wondering, Where do I stay in La Huasteca Potosina?
You actually have a few options on how to do this if you’re renting a car. If not, you’ll want to stay in Ciudad Valles.
This is a medium-sized city that has everything you’ll need: comfortable hotels, banks with ATMs, restaurants, grocery stores, doctors, etc.
Easiest Option: Stay in Ciudad Valles San Luis Potosi
To make things easier on myself, I stayed in Ciudad Valles — and next time I visit Huasteca Potosina, I will do the same.
Wondering why I’d choose to stay here out of all my options? Here’s why:
Quite simply, I like to end the day at a comfortable hotel with nice amenities (ie. hot water shower, comfortable bed and WiFi), and have restaurant options nearby.
Doña Adelina House Hotel (pictured above) is the Ciudad Valles hotel I stayed at, and highly recommend → You can check rates and availability here.
It had everything I needed for a comfortable stay, and next time I visit Huasteca Potosina, I would stay here again.
They even had off-street parking in a secure lot for those who are renting a car.
For this, you will need to stay in Ciudad Valles because the hotels and hostels in the small towns very likely won’t have any of the things listed.
Is Ciudad Valles safe for visitors?
For the majority of visitors, yes, this is a perfectly safe town.
I felt safe walking around both day and night — and even after living in Mexico since 2018, I’ve never heard anyone describe Ciudad Valles as unsafe.
If you’re a solo traveler, you might want to opt for the popular Hostal Casa Huasteca so you can easily make some travel buddies.
This is known as the best hostel in Ciudad Valles.
Adventurous Option: Small Towns in La Huasteca
1. Tamasopo
If you’re not planning to stay in Ciudad Valles, my next recommendation would be to stay in Tamasopo.
It’s about an hour closer to San Luis Potosí City, so you’re saving some driving time.
With this extra time, Tamasopo makes an ideal home base for shorter trips, as you can easily do a fun 4 or 5 days in Huasteca Potosina itinerary from here.
Staying here means you’re close to the following Huasteca Potosina waterfalls: Tamul, Micos, El Aguacate, El Trampolin, the Hacienda Gomez Waterfalls, and of course, Tamasopo Waterfall Park.
My two recommendations on where to stay in Tamasopo are: Refugio Huasteco Hotel Boutique and Hotel Casa María Tamasopo.
2. El Naranjo
If you only have time to do a 3 days in Huasteca Potosina itinerary, consider staying in the small town of El Naranjo, Mexico (The Orange).
From here, you’re near the famous El Naranjo Waterfall, as well as El Meco and Cascadas Minas Viejas.
You’re also not far from Ciudad del Maíz, one of the Mexico pueblos magicos (magic towns).
Also, if you’re flying into Tampico International Airport (code: TAM), this is the closest area in the Huasteca Potosina you can visit.
The drive will take you about 3.5 hours in normal traffic from Tampico to El Naranjo in your rental car.
My recommendation on where to stay in El Naranjo: Bel-Há Eco-Park. It’s a great eco-friendly option if you want to stay closer to Ciudad Valles, but not in it.
3. Xilitla
The town of Xilitla (pronounced he-leet-la or she-leet-la; I’ve heard it said both ways) is the most famous of all San Luis Potosi pueblos magicos.
It’s a charming small town, most famous for the Surrealist Gardens of Edward James — though there are a few other things to do in Xilitla Mexico.
I stayed there for one night, but could have easily stayed another two nights to explore more in the area.
🏨 My recommendation on where to stay in Xilitla
I stayed in Hotel Tapasoli Xilitla — the famous hobbit hotel in Mexico.
While it was a charming hotel, the next time I plan a trip to Huasteca Potosina, I’m going to stay in Downtown Xilitla instead.
If you want to stay downtown, the best hotel in Xilitla is Posada Jardin Huasteca Xilitla → You can check rates and availability here.
Also, for now you can’t book Hotel Tapasoli unless you’re in Mexico. If you are in Mexico, here’s what you need to know:
- To reserve your room, they need you to make a 50% cash deposit at a local Mexican bank or OXXO convenience store.
- When you arrive, you can pay the balance on your credit card, but you can’t reserve the room online.
What’s the best time to visit La Huasteca Potosina?
January to March — If you want nice weather, little to no rain, and smaller crowds, these are the best months.
December is also nice weather-wise.
However, the crowds tend to pick up a lot during Winter Break, Christmas and New Year’s when many people have off work and school.
Huasteca Potosina Weather
With mild temperatures La Huasteca can be a year-round destination, so let’s dive a bit deeper.
There are two seasons in La Huasteca Potosina, the dry and wet season, and they’re both appealing for different reasons (listed below).
Huasteca Potosina in Winter and Spring (Dry Season)
✅ Pros: Most people will tell you to visit Huasteca Potosina in December to March, and I agree because the weather will be pleasant.
In these months, you can expect warm temperatures, with lower humidity.
While you might still get nice weather in November, you also have a higher chance of rain.
In April, it’s still dry, but the temperatures really start heating up and the humidity can be intense.
🚫 Cons: Being in the dry season, the waterfalls usually aren’t as full.
In fact, some waterfalls like Cascada Salto del Agua and Tamul are somewhat nonexistent in the driest portions of the dry season (usually late-March to May).
My experience visiting in December
I visited for a week in early-December, and honestly, we didn’t have the best weather for much of the trip.
It rained all day, everyday for five days straight out of our one-week trip.
However, we were told the heavy rain we had in December was very rare, so I guess it was a fluke 🤷♀️ After all, nature does what it wants — and we still had a nice trip.
The next time I go, it will be late-January to early-February, which is well outside the rainy season.
It’s also the best time to visit Huasteca to avoid the crowds during the busy season.
Huasteca Potosina in Summer and Fall (Rainy Season)
✅ Pros: The rainy season is also the slow season in Huasteca Potosina.
This means you’ll usually get smaller crowds, and you might even have some waterfalls all to yourself.
You might also find a good deal on hotels in Ciudad Valles and lower prices on your rental car in Mexico during this slow travel time.
🚫 Cons: It’s not usually as pretty, and also rainy — and we’re talking heavy rainfall, not misty rain showers.
The weather in Huasteca Potosina in summer is also hot, humid and buggy.
After all, the Huasteca Potosina Biosphere is basically a rainforest, so expect tropical weather conditions.
However, the real reason summer is known as the worst time to visit Huasteca Potosina is because the heavy rains stir up the sediment that normally sits on the floor under the rivers.
This turns the normally-bright blue color of the water to a murky brown.
As the turquoise water here is a main draw, you’ll of course want to see it when it’s nice and bright blue.
⚠️ Pro Tip: Don’t Visit During Semana Santa (Easter Week)
While I tend not to think there’s any set “best time to go to Huasteca Potosina,” there is a definitive worst time to go to Huasteca Potosina: Semana Santa (Holy Week).
The one week you’ll want to avoid if you want to avoid the crowds is Semana Santa. The dates rotate each year, but Semena Stanta takes place the week before Easter.
It is one of the most important Mexican holidays, and one of the busiest travel weeks of the year as crowds get to 5-10X their normal levels.
With everyone off school and work, traveling to most popular Mexico places during Semana Santa is difficult (especially the beaches in Mexico).
However, the big cities in Mexico tend to be empty because everyone’s traveling.
What are the best Huasteca Potosina Waterfalls?
1. Cascada Tamul Waterfall
📍 Location: Google Maps | ⏰ Hours: Open daily, 7am-4pm | 💵 Entrance Fee: $10 pesos ($1 USD) to get in, but the boat tours are about $250 pesos per person ($15 USD)
This awe-inspiring waterfall is known as the “jewel of the Huasteca Potosina,” and the area’s most-visited site.
Cascada Tamul is also one the tallest waterfalls in Mexico, standing at 345-feet-tall (105 m).
How to Visit Tamul Waterfall on a Tour
The only way to visit Tamul by water is on a tour.
You can book this Tamul Waterfall Tour now and pay with your credit card, or book a tour onsite.
For this, you’ll need to pay in pesos, as these tours are cash only — like a lot of places in Huasteca Potosina.
They cost about $250-350 pesos per person ($15-20 USD) to go on a shared boat, or about $2,000-$2,500 pesos for a private boat ($120-150 USD).
If you’re booking your tour in advance (I recommend the one linked above), they handle transportation, lunch, the boat, swimming in the Water Cave, and basically, everything else.
How to Visit Tamul Waterfall on Your Own
If you want to visit Tamul on your own, you’ll first have to drive to the Tamul Waterfalls parking area (📍 near here in La Morena).
Next, you’ll need to choose one of the local companies in the area.
These tour companies are all about the same so you can just take your pick, or shop around to find the best deal.
⚠️ Note: Price haggling isn’t very common in Mexico, so respect the price you’re given.
After you pick a tour company, you’ll get your lifejacket and ore.
Why an ore?, you ask. Because you’ll have to paddle about 1 hour to 1.5 hours to get to the waterfall area.
While the ride there is long, it’s also a beautiful and calm paddle on the turquoise waters of Río Tampaón River — and a great workout 💪
Once you get as close to the waterfall as the boats are allowed to go, each boat gets a turn for everyone to get out and climb the large rock near the falls.
Here, you can admire Tamul Waterfall and/or take photos.
After everyone gets a turn on the rock (which is about 30 minutes per boat), you’ll paddle back to where you got on the boat, and disembark.
The majority of tours will then take you to the Cueva del Agua (Water Cave) for a refreshing swim. After the tour is over, make sure you tip your tour guides.
2. Cascada Puente de Dios Waterfall
📍 Location: Google Maps | ⏰ Hours: Open daily, 8:30am-5pm | 💵 Entrance Fee: $70 pesos ($5 USD) to get in, and $30 pesos for a lifejacket ($1 USD, and these are mandatory)
Tucked away in the jungle, you won’t want to miss Puente de Dios (Bridge of God). This tropical paradise is tucked away deep in the jungle.
Once you reach it, there’s a massive waterfall in the distance, and two large pools you can swim in.
The current in the upper pool is very strong, which is why life vests are mandatory at Puente de Dios.
You can also do waterfall jumps into these natural pools, with jumps from rocky ledges at 10-feet, 20-feet and 30 feet-high (3, 6 and 9 meters).
How to Visit Puente de Dios Waterfall
The easiest way is to book this Puente de Dios and Hacienda Gómez Waterfalls Tour, a small group tour limited to just 10 people. On it, you’ll visit two places in La Huasteca.
This tour departs from Cuidad Valles and includes a tour guide, life jacket (it’s required at Puente de Dios), lunch, all entrance fees, hotel pick-up and drop-off, and roundtrip transport.
You can also go on your own. To do so, just drive to the parking lot (📍 here), pay your admission, then walk down. It’s about 300 steps to get to the waterfall.
Personally, this is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been in Mexico.
Though it’s a bit of a trek to get there, and the stairs coming up aren’t fun, don’t skip the Puente de Dios Huasteca Potosina waterfall.
3. Cascada Micos Waterfall
📍 Location: Map | ⏰ Hours: Open daily, 6am-11pm | 💵 Entrance Fee: $100 pesos ($6 USD), which include your life jacket rental
Micos is a visitor favorite because there’s a lot to do here — a series of cascades you can jump off, rappelling, ziplines, a suspension bridge, the Micos Sky Bike Ride, canoe rides, swimming, restaurants and more.
It’s a must-visit for adventure travelers, but you can also spend a relaxing day at Micos just swimming, going on a canoe ride and eating at the restaurants along the shore near the swimming area.
You can also stay nearby at Selva Teenek Ecopark.
Located in La Escondio Natural Park (which isn’t a national park), you’ll enjoy a stay out in nature with comfy glamping tents and excellent service.
How to Visit Micos Waterfall
Looking for a waterfall jumping tour?
Then you need to book this tour to Cascada de Micos Waterfall, which includes activities like jumps and rappelling, as well as roundtrip transportation, travel guides, and lunch.
If you want to go on your own, drive to the entrance (📍 here), pay your admission, then walk into the park.
From the parking lot, it’s about a 10 minute walk to the swimming area, where you can also book a boat tour or excursions to do other activities.
4. Cascada Salto El Agua Waterfall (El Naranjo)
📍 Location: Map | ⏰ Hours: They aren’t listed anywhere, but figure about 8am-5pm to be safe | 💵 Entrance Fee: FREE
Cascada Salto El Agua (AKA Cascada El Salto) is located in the town of El Naranjo, which is why it’s sometimes referred to simply as El Naranjo.
Depending on when you visit, it might be FULL of water, or more dry — and both are nice.
When I visited in December, it was extremely full and we took a bout tour right up to this massive waterfall.
However, in the summer months, there’s much less water, so you can stand on the rocks in the water near the falls.
How to Visit Salto El Agua/El Naranjo Waterfall
For an up-close experience of some of the The most gorgeous waterfalls in Huasteca Potosina, book this El Salto and El Meco Waterfalls Tour.
It departs from Ciudad Valles, and includes lunch, travel insurance, life vests, and hotel pickup and drop-off so you don’t have to worry about finding a central meeting point in town.
To go on your own, head to the El Naranjo parking area (📍 here).
There are several kiosks with companies selling tours, and they’re all about the same so just take your pick.
Then you’ll board the colorful boats and head to the waterfall. I’ve also seen people go by raft or SUP paddleboard to explore the rivers and waterfalls at El Naranjo.
5. Cascada El Meco Waterfall
📍 Location: Map | ⏰ Hours: They aren’t listed anywhere, but figure about 8am-5pm to be safe | 💵 Entrance Fee: FREE
Essentially, El Meco is the top portion of El Naranjo.
You can’t go for a swim in this part of the waterfall, but you can go to the viewing platform to see it and take photos.
There’s also El Salto del Meco Mirador Restaurant above it so you can dine near the falls.
🫖 Side Note: We ate there, and the food was good but also overpriced for what it was.
How to Visit El Meco Waterfall
The easiest way is to book this El Salto and El Meco Waterfalls Tour so everything’s included.
It departs from Ciudad Valle, with hotel pick-up and roundtrip transportation included in the cost.
To go on your own, drive to the El Meco overlook (📍 next to this restaurant), park your car in the small lot, and walk down about 15 stairs to the lookout point.
You also usually book from the guys who hang out in front of the restaurant.
6. Cascada Minas Viejas Waterfall
📍 Location: Map | ⏰ Hours: Open daily, 7am-6pm | 💵 Entrance Fee: $60 pesos per person ($3.50 USD), and $30 pesos each for a life jacket (mandatory) and parking
This one, along with Puente de Dios, were my two favorite waterfalls in Huasteca Potosina.
Minas Viejas (Old Mines) looks like something out of a fairy tale.
The picturesque pools near the waterfall are perfect for swimming or just eating a picnic next to while admiring their beauty.
For the adventurous, you can also go rappelling at Minas Viejas, which is a 164-feet-tall (50 m).
If you want to rappel, you will need to book this tour in advance because you can’t book that onsite.
How to Visit Minas Viejas Waterfall
You can book this Minas Viejas and Micos Waterfalls Experience to see two different waterfalls on the same day.
Perfect for adrenaline junkies, it includes rappelling and waterfall jumping, as well as lunch and transport from Ciudad Valles.
If you don’t want to go rappelling, opt for this Minas Viejas and Micos Waterfalls Tour instead.
Without the added cost of your rappel guide, this tour is about half the price.
To go on your own, drive to Cascadas de Minas Viejas (📍 here), park your car and pay the admission cost.
You’ll then walk downhill for about 15 minutes till you reach the waterfall.
7. Cascada Tamasopo Waterfall
📍 Location: Map | ⏰ Hours: Open daily, 8am-6pm | 💵 Entrance Fee: $100 pesos per person ($6 USD) which includes a lifejacket (mandatory at all times)
Cascadas de Tamasopo is basically a waterfall water park — which is something I’ve never seen before.
The waterfalls and pools here are natural, but the environment is like a waterpark with ropes courses, play areas, hammocks, restrooms, lockers, shops, and several restaurants (🐟 we ate at Mr. Fish and it was quite good).
If you’re visiting Huasteca Potosina with kids, this is a great option — though adults will love it too.
As you might expect, it gets VERY crowded on weekends, so go during the week to avoid the crowds.
How to Visit Tamasopo Waterfall
As a waterpark, this one is doesn’t require a guided tour, so you can go on your own by just driving to Cascadas de Tamasopo (📍 here).
There’s an onsite parking lot just steps from the entrance.
Nearby, don’t miss the other waterfalls in Tamasopo, like Puente de Dios, La Hacienda Gomez y Sus 7 Cascadas, Paraje los Otates and El Trampolín.
Those last two are some of the best hidden gems in Huasteca Potosina. They aren’t usually crowded, and mostly frequented by locals.
8. Cascada El Aguacate Waterfall
📍 Location: Map | ⏰ Hours: Open daily, 9am-6pm | 💵 Entrance Fee: $50 pesos per person ($3 USD)
Cascada Aguacate (Avocado Waterfall) is the second-tallest waterfall in Huasteca Potosina, and located in the municipality of Tamasopo.
It’s not too far from the other waterfalls nearby, like Puente de Dios and Tamasopo Falls.
It stands at about 246-feet (75 m), and there are a few smaller pools at the base you can wade around in — but it’s usually not deep enough to really swim here.
The facilities at El Aguacate are new, and much nicer than most other waterfalls in Huasteca Potosina (except Tamasopo Waterfalls Park).
It has a snack bar, a bar for drinks, lots of Instagrammable places for photos, restrooms, changing rooms and showers.
How to Visit El Aguacate Waterfall
As one of the least-visited sites, this one is doesn’t have guided tours, so you can go on your own by just driving to El Aguacate Falls (📍 here).
There’s an onsite parking lot just steps from the entrance, and to get to the base of the falls, you’ll have to climb down about 200 stairs.
⚠️ Pro Tips: If you think you’ll need anything in the next hour (like snacks, water or to use the restroom), get it before you climb down.
9. Hacienda Gomez y Sus 7 Cascadas
📍 Location: Map | ⏰ Hours: They aren’t listed anywhere, but figure about 8am-5pm to be safe | 💵 Entrance Fee: $50 pesos per person ($3 USD), and $50 pesos to park
The enchanting Hacienda Gomez has seven cascading waterfalls on the property, creating a picturesque setting for relaxation and exploration.
Visitors can indulge in the serene atmosphere surrounded by lush landscapes, which is ideal for a picnic by the water.
While it does have seven waterfalls, I only saw people swimming in one of the pools.
We were told that one was only for guests of the hacienda and tour groups, and since we visited on our own, we basically just walked around and took in the scenery.
How to Visit Hacienda Gomez Huasteca Potosina
The easiest way is to book this Hacienda Gómez and Puente de Dios Waterfalls Tour.
It departs from Cuidad Valles and includes a tour guide, life jacket (it’s required at Puente de Dios), lunch, all entrance fees, hotel pick up and drop off, and roundtrip transport.
To go on your own, jump in your rental car and head to La Hacienda Gomez (📍 here).
You’ll pay an entrance fee, and then the entire place is open parking, so you can park near the waterfall you want to visit first.
You can also just park at the first spot you see and stroll the grounds.
10. El Trampolín Waterfall
📍 Location: Map | ⏰ Hours: Open daily, 7am-7pm | 💵 Entrance Fee: FREE
El Trampolin is located right next to Hacienda Gomez — however, there is no entrance cost to go here.
It is basically a river next to the road, but you can swim here for free.
There are also some street food stands located just across the street (they’re usually open on weekends only), but little else.
How to Visit El Trampolín Huasteca Potosina
As a lesser-visited site in La Huasteca, this one is doesn’t have guided tours, so you’ll go on your own by driving to El Aguacate Falls (📍 here).
There are a few parking lots along the river you can use.
⚠️ Note: While it’s free to park here, make sure you tip the parking lot attendants about $20 pesos ($1 USD).
These guys make sure nothing happens to your car, so you should make sure to tip them.
5 Things to Do in Huasteca Potosina (That Aren’t Waterfalls)
1. Las Pozas Xilitla (Surrealist Garden of Edward James)
📍 Location: Map | ⏰ Hours: Wednesday-Monday, 9am-6pm | 💵 Entrance Fee: $150 pesos ($9 USD) for the entrance, and an additional $60 pesos per person ($3.50 USD) for your English speaking guide
Besides the waterfalls of La Huasteca, Las Pozas (The Wells) is one of the must-see Huasteca Potosina things to do.
However, in case you haven’t had your fill of waterfalls, there’s also one here called Cascada Los Comales.
What is the Surrealist Garden of Edward James?
First off, this place goes by a lot of names, like Las Posza (it’s official name), the Surrealistic Garden of Edward James, and I’ve also heard it called just Xilitla (the name of the city it’s located in).
Now what is it — Well, it’s basically a magical garden with large-scale art pieces.
Located in what feels like a rainforest, Las Pozas was the dream of a wealthy, eccentric poet and surrealist art enthusiast named Edward James.
Built in the mid-20th Century, this whimsical garden blends surrealism with nature.
It boasts towering sculptures, intricate pathways, and dreamlike structures that reflect James’ avant-garde imagination and artistic ingenuity.
Though crews worked tirelessly on Las Pozas for years, it was never actually finished before James’ death in 1984.
When he passed away, the money to complete the project dried up, and we have what remains today — which is quite an amazing place; albeit unfinished.
How do you visit the Surrealist Garden of Edward James?
This Three-Day Huasteca Potosina Tour from Ciudad Valles includes a tour of Las Pozas, as does this Two-Day Huasteca Potosina Tour from San Luis Potoí City.
For a one-day tour, this Xilitla Surrealist Garden Tour includes several great local attractions.
The tour departs from Cuidad Valles, and includes stops at Las Pozas Garden, El Sótano de las Huahuas (Huahuas Abyss), and the Xilitla pueblo magico (magic town).
Can you visit the Surrealist Garden of Edward James on your own?
Even if you don’t go with one of the tours linked above, you will have to book a tour here to visit the garden.
In years past, you could visit them on your own, but now you have to go on a guided tour.
To get to Las Pozas Surrealist Gardens, you’ll want to head towards the entrance (📍 here). In Xilitla, there are signs all over town directing you to get there.
Once you’re close, park your car in an available space on the main road. Depending on where you park, it can take anywhere from 2-20 minutes to walk to the entrance.
If you bought tickets online, present them at the ticket booth, and they will let you in.
For those who didn’t buy tickets ahead of time, you can buy them onsite.
However, know that it might be several hours before there’s a spot available for you to join a tour — especially if you’re traveling in the busy season.
2. Museo Leonora Carrington (Surrealist Sculpture Museum)
📍 Location: Map | ⏰ Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 11am-4pm | 💵 Entrance Fee: $50 pesos per person ($3 USD)
If you love surrealist art, you’re going to love the Museo Leonora Carrington in Xilitla. (🎨 Note: There’s also a Leonora Carrington Museum in San Luis Potosi City, so don’t get them confused).
Though she was born in England, Carrington spent most of her adult life living in Mexico City, and has strong ties to the country.
Located in Downtown Xilitla, it’s one of the top things to do for visitors in the area of town.
A smaller museum with about 30 of her sculptures, it’s a must-visit for art lovers.
3. Sotano de Golondrinas (Cave of Swallows)
📍 Location: Map | ⏰ Hours: Open daily at about an hour before sunrise, and again at about an hour before sunset | 💵 Entrance Fee: $100 pesos per person ($6 USD)
The largest known cave shaft on Earth, the Cave of Swallows has a staggering 1,092-foot (333 m) freefall drop going straight from the opening to the floor.
A popular site for tourists, but also for BASE jumping, rappelling and bird watching, you can see El Sotano de las Golondrinas in the “Caves” episode of the popular BBC nature documentary, Planet Earth.
It is one of those natural landmarks in Mexico that lures visitors thanks to an awe-inspiring spectacle created by the birds that call the cave home.
These include green parakeets, white-collared swifts, and conures (but ironically, not many swallows) — and here’s what happens:
Each morning before sunrise morning, massive flocks of birds exit the cave by flying in concentric circles, rather than flying straight out.
In the evenings just before sunset, a giant flock of birds will circle the mouth of the cave.
About once every minute, a group of about 50-75 breaks off from the rest and flies at top speed straight down towards the opening.
When they cross the entrance to the cave, the birds pull their wings in and free-fall down.
They extend their wings like parachutes and pull out of the dive just as they reach their nests.
How to visit the Cave of Swallows
It’s easy to get to the entrance (📍 here), park and buy your tickets — but know there are about 550 steps to get down to the cave.
Of course, you will need to climb back up those 550 steps, but you can do so at a relaxed pace.
Finally, I recommend you arrive at least 90-minutes before sunrise so you don’t miss the birds.
⚠️ Pro Tip: To save time, have one person park the car, while someone else gets in line to buy you Cave of Swallows tickets.
For a similar experience that’s a lot easier, you can visit El Sotano de las Huahuas (Cave of Huahuas) instead.
You can book this Xilitla Surrealist Garden and Huahuas Abyss to go with a guide, or go on your own.
4. Cuevas de Mantetzulel (Mantetzulel Caves)
📍 Location: Map | ⏰ Hours: Open daily, 7am-7pm; the last tour is about two hours before sunset | 💵 Entrance Fee: $35 pesos ($2 USD) per person, and $300 pesos per tour ($18 USD) for each group of up to 10 people
In the community of Mantetzulel near the town of Aquismon, Mexico, you’ll find the three Mantetzulel Caves — La Cueva del Espiritu Santo (AKA Las Grutas del Espiritu Santo), La Cueva del Sol and La Cueva del Aguacatillo.
Of the three, Cueva del Sol and Cueva del Aguacatillo are the most popular because they’re closest to the parking area.
However, stepping into any of these massive caves of Mantetzulel is like stepping into another world.
For visitors, the caves offer an epic adventure to explore Mexico’s natural wonders.
Here, you’ll walk inside the Earth through vast canyons as you pass by intricate limestone formations, stalactites and stalagmites.
How to visit the Mantetzulel Caves
One of the more off the beaten path Huasteca Potosina experiences, you can’t book anything ahead.
Rather, you just show up to the Mantetzulel Caves entrance area (📍 here) and inquire about what guides are a available to take you.
5. Castillo de la Salud (Beto Ramon’s Health Castle)
📍 Location: Map | ⏰ Hours: Open daily, 8am-6pm | 💵 Entrance Fee: $15 pesos ($1 USD) per person to enter
Even with all the research I did before planning a Huasteca Potosina trip, I never say anything about El Castillo de la Salud de Bato Ramon.
However, if you’re headed to Xilitla to visit Las Pozas and/or the Cave of Swallows, you might want to add this to your itinerary.
The Health Castle offers a serene respite from an action-packed trip to La Huasteca.
It was founded by Beto Ramón, a Nahua man who inherited the land and built a colorful castle where he could concoct natural remedies using local herbs (which are for sale).
Today, guests can explore its historic charm, get a massage and discover traditional wellness practices in a place that combines cultural richness with a rejuvenating atmosphere.
It really is a distinctive and relaxing destination, ideal for those who love quirky places.
La Huasteca Potosina Packing List
Wondering what to bring to Huasteca Potosina? I’m here to help!
While things like a bathing suit and sunscreen are pretty obvious, you’ll find a list below of the things you might not think to include on your packing list for Huasteca Potosina — but that will really come in handy.
📸 GoPro Camera
- 5.3K 60 Ultra HD Video
- 27 Megapixel Photos
- Award-Winning HyperSmooth 6.0 Image Stabilization
- Webcam with Live Streaming
- 1/1.9 Image Sensor
- Whats Included: HERO12 Black, Enduro Rechargeable Battery, Curved Adhesive Mount, Mounting Buckle + Thumb Screw, USB-C Cable
If you’ve been considering getting a GoPro Hero, the photogenic Huasteca Potosina is the perfect place to put it to good use.
You can dive off cliffs with it, and get those cool underwater photos as you enter the water.
✍️ Travel Insurance for Mexico
For such a beautiful and natural place, there are a lot of things that can go wrong: slips, falls, scrapes, and worse.
You’re also in a pretty rural area, so I recommend getting Mexico travel insurance for peace of mind.
With basic coverage averaging just $5-10 USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from Travel Insurance Master, one of the biggest names in travel insurance.
🩴 Sturdy Water shoes
Here’s one of the best Huasteca Potosina travel tips: Don’t forget to buy water shoes.
All the beautiful natural pools and waterfalls you’re about to swim in have slippery rocks, muddy ground, etc, and you don’t want to fall.
📲 Waterproof Phone Holder
If you’re planning to take Instagrammable Huasteca Potosina photos, this inexpensive waterproof phone holder that goes around your neck really comes in handy.
🧖♀️ Quick Dry Towel (AKA Microfiber Towel)
This quick dry towel is one of the best things to throw in your suitcase when packing for Mexico.
It will definitely come in handy as you’re waterfall-hopping in La Huasteca.
🩱 Long Sleeve Bathing Suit (AKA Rash Guard)
Sunscreen is great, but you have to keep reapplying it if you’re swimming all day.
Instead, opt for these long sleeve bathing suits and even these waterproof sun hats so you don’t end up with a bad sunburn.
🦟 Bug Spray
The mosquitoes in Huasteca Potosina can get pretty bad, especially in the hotter months of the year.
Make sure you’re protected with this top-rated natural mosquito spray that’s DEET-free and non-aerosol.
Steal My ULTIMATE La Huasteca Potosina Itinerary
I visited La Huasteca Potosina Mexico for a full week — and it would have been nice to have another few days.
The next time I go, I’m definitely going to stay for two weeks to truly see everything, and do so at a more relaxed page.
For now, you’ll find my 7 Day Huasteca Potosina Itinerary below.
It’s the exact route I took, and I designed it to maximize my time there, so know you’ll be visiting things that are near one another on the same day.
Of course, you can swap days as you see fit, and rearrange the order of the attractions as you see fit. All the places listed on the same day are near one another.
Day 1: Drive from San Luis Potosi to Ciudad Valles
The drive from San Luis Potosí City to Ciudad Valles takes about four hours in normal traffic.
It was an easy drive, but we decided to break it up with a stop in the middle to get a snack and stretch our legs.
Oh, and in case you missed it, this was the hotel we stayed at in Ciudad Valles — Doña Adelina House Hotel.
It was the highest-rated hotel in downtown, and I would stay here again because the ratings didn’t lie.
The owners of the hotel were super nice, offering us tips on where to go (and where not to go).
It was a clean hotel, with a comfy bed, hot shower, good WiFi, a secure parking lot for our rental car, and walkable to numerous places to eat (our favorite was La Troje).
Optional Stop at Manantial Media Luna Lagoon in Rioverde
Located in the small town of Rioverde, San Luis Potosi, Mexico, you’ll find Media Luna Lagoon.
The lagoon is part of a balneario, which is basically a rustic waterpark with some food stalls, bathrooms, showers, picnic tables, etc.
If you want, you can go for a swim here at the deep-water Media Luna Lagoon, which is popular with free divers.
For those who don’t want to swim, you can just walk around and admire this beautiful place, grab a bite to eat, then hit the road.
After all, the best waterfalls of Huasteca Potosina await you!
Day 2: Tamul Waterfall
Visiting Tamul Waterfall is a full day affair.
The tour, which you can read more about here, lasts about four hours in total, which is why that’s the only thing I planned for this day.
Day 3: Puente de Dios, Tamasopo, El Trampolin
These places are all located near one another in the town of Tamasopo, so you can easily visit them on the same day.
There are several restaurants to choose from, so you can have a nice meal here, then swim around a while.
⚠️ Note: You might even choose to stay here, and skip the next place, as there’s much more to do here.
The final stop is El Trampolin (info here). It is FREE to visit which is nice, and there are some beautiful natural rivers and pools to swim in, and islands you can swim out to.
Day 4: El Naranjo, Minas Viejas
I would suggest starting at El Naranjo (info here) and getting on a panga boat tour before it starts getting crowded and you have a long wait for the next tour.
Our tour lasted about one hour, and then we spent some time swimming near where the boats launch. After that, we headed over to Minas Viejas (info here).
There are snack stands and restaurants (I think they’re open weekends only) where you can grab a bite before getting in the water to float around.
You can also grab food on the way and have a picnic here.
Day 5: Micos, El Aguacate
Of the two, Micos Waterfalls (info here) is by far the more popular place.
To avoid the crowds, I’d head there first to make sure you’re able to do everything you want — like rappelling, zip lines, the Micos Sky Bike, canoeing, swimming, etc.
Realistically, you could spend the whole day at Micos (and if you want to, you should).
If you want to check out another place, head to El Aguacate Waterfall (info here). While it’s nowhere near as exciting, it is peaceful and the waterfall here is gorgeous.
Day 6: Xilitla Surrealist Garden of Edward James
On this day, we got up early and drove two hours from Ciudad Valles to Xilitla. We had already booked our tickets to tour Xilitla, so we had a schedule to keep!
Our day here included the tour of Edward James Surreal Gardens in Xilitla (info here) in the morning.
Afterwards, we had lunch at Cervecería James Brewery across the street, checked out some of the shops, and hit the road.
We next drove to Downtown Xilitla to check out this famous pueblo magico in Mexico (meaning, “magical town”).
Here, we went to the local market and Leonora Carrington Museum before heading to our hotel to check in.
Where to Stay in Xilitla: The Mexico Hobbit Hotel
After seeing it a million times on IG and TikTok, I had to stay at Tapasoli Boutique Hotel (AKA the Mexican Hobbit Hotel).
As you probably guessed, it was designed to look like the shire from The Lord of the Rings.
The overall experience was nice, but it’s far from downtown so the next time I go to Xilitla, I’ll opt to stay in downtown to get a more locals’ vibe.
The nicest hotel we walked by in downtown was Posada Jardin Huasteca Xilitla.
Day 7: Sotano de Golondrinas, Drive to San Luis Potosi
On the final day before heading back to San Luis Potosi City, plan to stop at Sotano de Golondrinas (Cave of Swallows; info here) because this is an early morning activity.
You need to be there about 90 minutes before sunrise to see the birds flying out of the cave, but you’ll also be done here by about 8:30am-9am, so you can drive back to the city of San Luis Potosi.
From here, head to the small town of Aquismon, which is also the closest town to Sotano de Golondrinas.
🇲🇽 Fun Facts: Xilitla and Aquismon are the two most-visited places in the southern part of Huasteca Potosina.
In Aquismon, you’ll want to eat some breakfast before the long drive back to San Luis Potosi.
There aren’t a ton of options, but we ate at Comiendo en Casa and the food was good.
Huasteca Potosina Travel Guide, Tips & FAQ
Is Huasteca Mexico safe?
Is Huasteca Potosina safe? is the #1 question I get, so let’s address it.
For the most part, yes, it is completely safe to visit Huasteca Potosina Mexico, and many people do.
Is it safe to drive in Huasteca Potosina?
For the most part, yes, it is completely safe to drive in Huasteca Potosina Mexico, and in fact, most visitors do because public transportation is VERY limited.
I drove all over during my trip there, and always felt comfortable on the road.
They were mostly well-maintained, except a few waterfalls you have to access via dirt roads.
The one thing I will say is to avoid driving at night.
We started our days early knowing we wanted to be back at our hotel by sunset (or right after sunset).
Is La Huasteca Potosina worth visiting?
100% YES — If you love venturing off the beaten path to waterfalls and natural places, then Huasteca Potosina is a region made for you.
Also, as you probably already know, this place is gorgeous and will leave you in awe.
At first sight it will become apparent why this is one of the top destinations in Mexico for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Can you swim in Huasteca Potosina?
Yes — You can swim at the majority waterfalls in Huasteca Potosina. The one you can’t is Tamul (though you can swim in the nearby Cueva de Agua swimming hole).
Keep in mind that most of them require life vests to be worn at all times for your safety.
Some of them have strong currents, and most places don’t have lifeguards, so be sure to respect this rule.
Is the water cold in Huasteca Potosina?
It depends — Some visitors consider the water in Huasteca Potosina to be cold, while others would describe it as refreshing.
I visited in early-December and I’d say the water was cool; not cold. While it was on the cooler side when we jumped in, we did warm up in about one minute.
I couldn’t find any info online that lists the actual water temperatures in Huasteca Potosina, but I’d estimate the water was about 70°F (21°C) when I visited.
Where do you fly into for Huasteca Potosina?
While the closest airport is the Tampico Airport, I recommend using the San Luis Potosi Airport or Queretaro Airport because Tampico isn’t known to be the safest place.
Alternatively, you can fly to Mexico City International Airport (code: MEX).
However, know it’s about a 10-12 hour drive from La Huasteca, depending on which part of the region you’re staying in.
What states of Mexico make up La Huasteca?
La Huasteca is a massive geographical region that spans these seven Mexican states: San Luis Potosí, Veracruz, Puebla, Hidalgo, Tamaulipas, Querétaro and Guanajuato.
Where in Mexico is the Huasteca Potosina?
It is located in Central Mexico and Eastern-Central Mexico.
The western and northernmost states include San Luis Potosí and Querétaro. It extends east to the Gulf of Mexico states of Veracruz and Tamaulipas.
Which region in Mexico is known for its epic waterfalls?
La Huasteca Potosina — Thanks to Instagram, YouTube and other social media platforms, the Mexico waterfalls region of Huasteca Potosina has gained popularity in the last few years.
Some of the most-visited waterfalls Huasteca Potosina has include: El Naranjo, Tamasopo, Puente de Dios, Minas Viejas, and Tamul — the largest and most famous Huasteca Potosina waterfall.
What should I wear in Huasteca Potosina?
It probably goes without saying, but you’ll definitely want a few bathing suits — and for the waterfalls, these water shoes are a must.
The overall weather in La Huasteca is warm to hot during the day, and warm to cool at night.
Tank tops, shorts, sneakers, sundresses and sandals work well, and a light sweater at night.
What does Huasteca mean in English?
The word huasteca comes from the Nahuatl (Aztec) word kuextlan, which means “place of guajes.”
This word is pronounced as “wah-hays,” which is where the word “huastec” (pronounced “wass-tech”) comes from.
In Spanish, the word huastec is simply a term used to describe the indigenous people of Mexico who live in the La Huasteca Region.
How do you pronounce Huasteca Potosina?
Wondering about the Huasteca Potosina pronunciation? It’s a common question, so let’s clear it up — Huasteca Potosina is pronounced wass-tech-kah poe-toe-see-nah.
Are there ancient ruins in Huasteca Potosina?
Yes — Located not far from Cuidad Valles, you can visit the Zona Arqueológica de Tamtoc to see the Tamtoc Ruins.
This is a smaller site, but incredibly fascinating. It’s also the only Huasteca Potosina ruins in the area that are open to the public.
My Final Thoughts on Huasteca Potosina Travel
We’ve reached the end of this ULTIMATE Guide to La Huasteca Potosina Mexico.
I hope you got all your questions answered — and you can now plan the most epic trip to this region within Mexico.
If you need more tips on one of the best parts of Mexico, check out all of my Huasteca Potosina articles: