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In the central-eastern area of Mexico, travelers can find an incredible stretch of Jungle full of stunning waterfalls. The area is known as Huasteca Potosina and is an absolute must-visit for waterfall and nature lovers alike.
Travelers can escape the dullness and fatigue of a northern for the warmth and stunning natural beauty of Huasteca Potosina. With a variety of waterfalls and countless little swimming holes, Huasteca Potosina is an excellent destination for winter wary travelers.
Best Time To Visit Huasteca Potosina
The best time to visit Huasteca Potosina for travelers is the winter dry season. During this time, the temperatures drop a bit, and the water is its cleanest. Later in the dry season, the waterfalls are getting a little low on water and won’t be as impressive as earlier in the dry season, which encompasses the late Fall and early Winter months.
For travelers tempted to visit during the wet season when the waterfalls are at their most full, this is also the time when the waterfalls are the least accessible due to flooding, the water turns a muddier brown, and the heat and humidity reach levels of potentially dangerous for those who have spent most of their lives much further north.
- Dry-Season - November 4th to April 18th
- Wet-Season - April 19th to November 3rd
Why It's Worth Visiting Huasteca Potosina
With numerous waterfalls and different locations for travelers to explore each day they spend there, travelers will definitely see the value of a trip to Huasteca Potosina. It also isn’t a requirement for travelers to be that outdoor to truly enjoy their time here.
Tamul Waterfall
As once-in-lifetime sights go, Tamul waterfall hangs out near the top of the list. It is isolated and surrounded by pools of water, verdant vegetation, and an abundance of wildlife. Merely reaching this waterfall should invoke childlike wonder and glee from the adventure. Once travelers reach the waterfall, it will be like walking into a Hollywood jungle adventure.
The waterfall is quite large as it spans 984 feet. It is the result of the merging of two rivers, the Gallinas River and the Santa Maria River. Before the rivers reach the cliffs, their waters fill shallow pools and fuel small cascades that are perfect for swimming.
- Span - 300 meters (984 ft)
- Google Maps
Minas Viejas
Minas Viejas impresses at first sight with its 55-meter (180-ft) drop that sends stunning blue/green water tumbling downwards to be turned into white and misting waters of the waterfall's base. The area is also home to pools for travelers to bathe in and some more stimulating activities for the so inclined.
Travelers can rappel down the side of the waterfall into the pool at its base for a full adventure experience. Others are welcome to rest and relax on the grassy areas around the waterfall and perhaps enjoy a picnic. And, just about everyone visiting Minas Viejas will find some pleasure soaking in its collections of relaxing pools.
- Drop - 55 meters (180 ft)
- Google Maps
Tamasopo Waterfall
Conveniently located at the edge of a town that shares the name, Tamasopo, this waterfall is quite popular with locals and travelers. This lovely area is actually a series of small waterfalls that cascade down into their shared pools below. The water runs down from the falls into a series of pools perfect for swimming. As these pools are so popular, travelers should try to reach them early to get the most out of the experience.
How to Get To Huasteca Potosina
Now, one of the first obstacles to overcome before making this trip is figuring out how exactly to reach Huasteca Potosina. The closest airports for travelers to fly in on are General Francisco Javier Mina International Airport and San Luis Potosí International Airport. General Francisco Javier Mina International Airport is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive out, while San Luis Potosí International Airport is about four and a half hours out. Public transit runs from these airports to major cities in the area but not to La Huasteca Potosina. It is highly recommended that travelers rent a car for this trip. It will really improve the quality of the experience as travelers will have more access to the area and the freedom to dictate their own schedule.
- General Francisco Javier Mina International Airport - Car Rental
- San Luis Potosí International Airport - Car Rental
Tips/Things To Be Aware Of When Visiting Huasteca Potosina
With so much to look forward to about a trip to Huasteca Potosina, it is important for travelers to keep a few things in mind. Most of the problems travelers could run into here are quite avoidable if travelers plan ahead properly.
Flooding During The Rainy Season
The rainy season in Huasteca Potosina usually refers to the summer months when, typically in the afternoon, the skies open up, and torrential downpours swell the waterways of the region. It rarely rains all day or even for consecutive days; however, these bursts of torrential rain can cause flooding and other issues that would generally cause a major problem for travelers.
During this time, the water of the waterfalls changes in appearance, turning much more brown and dirty. It also becomes less safe, and travelers would not be able to swim. Activities like white water rafting and Waterfall jumping would be incredibly dangerous and not recommended during this time.
When You Can Swim There
Travelers visiting Huasteca Potosina will find many opportunities for a bit of swimming as long as it's the dry season. Specific sections like Media Luna Swimming Park and Tamasopo Waterpark and Waterfalls are set up for the purpose of their visitors taking a dip. What would prevent travelers from swimming would be dangerously high water levels. As those are not likely at all during the winter dry season, Huasteca Potosina is usually open to swimmers during this time.