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Some locations stick with you lengthy after you permit. Las Cascadas Mágicas de Copalitilla (Magical Waterfalls) is a kind of locations. Tucked within the Sierra Madre Sur mountains of southwestern Oaxaca, these waterfalls are breathtaking, pristine, and fully unspoiled.
However getting there? That’s one other story.
We nearly didn’t go.
Would our rental automobile survive the bumpy roads? Would we get misplaced within the mountains? Would I truly have the ability to climb the waterfalls?
Even after greater than a decade of exploring distant Oaxaca—from the espresso city of Pluma Hidalgo to the Virgin of Juquila shrine—we hesitated, suspending the journey a number of instances and even contemplating skipping it altogether.
However after lastly making the journey—each independently and on a tour—I can say unquestionably: it was so value it.
Now, I wish to assist you expertise these magical waterfalls with out the stress and second-guessing.
Whether or not you’re up for a DIY journey or choose the benefit of an organized tour, this information will assist you plan the right journey.
Plus, I’ll share what we did proper—and the small errors we made—so you are able to do it even higher.
Fast Overview
- Spectacular, crystal clear collection of cascading waterfalls set inside a protected ecological zone.
- Comparatively simple drive in a daily automobile through the dry season.
- Principal waterfall is considerably difficult to climb however there are alternatives for much less cellular.
- Might be carried out independently or on an organized tour. We’ll share execs and cons.
Professional Tip: In the event you’ve had an excessive amount of solar, a day on the falls makes an important break from a day at Huatulco’s seashores.
The place and What Are Las Cascadas Mágicas de Copalitilla?
From Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca’s well-known petrified waterfall, to the chute waterfall of El Chiflón in Chiapas, the mountainous terrain and ample rivers of southwestern Mexico create all kinds of waterfalls, scorching springs and rapids.
In the event you’re headed to Huatulco, you’re in luck. It’s the most effective locations for nature lovers and journey travellers. The area round San Miguel del Puerto (map) within the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains is house to a number of waterfalls.
The principle waterfalls are Cascadas Las Brisas, Cascadas de Llano Grande and the Cascadas Mágicas de Copalitilla.
You probably have time for just one waterfall, make it the Cascadas Mágicas de Copalitilla. Now we have stopped in in any respect of them and this one provides unquestionably one of the best expertise.
Not solely is it a protected ecological zone, however greater than 20 waterfalls cascade into collection of plunge swimming pools, swimming holes and pure jacuzzis.
Including to the wonder, a tropical jungle of towering ceiba and mahogany timber, tangles of bromeliads, orchids, lacy ferns and wild cacao crops encompass the cascading waters.
A suspension bridge, a leaping platform, a cave pool referred to as “La Cueva del Amor” and a rope swing add to the enjoyable.
When to Go
The perfect time to go to the falls is through the dry season from November to Could. Based mostly on our experiences driving in Oaxaca through the wet season, roads can get washed out and rivers can change into speeding torrents of muddy water.
Keep away from peak vacation durations and attempt to arrive early within the day. The ecological park at Las Cascadas Mágicas de Copalitilla opens at 9:00 a.m. To have the falls to yourselves, we’ve discovered that one of the best time to reach is between 9:00 and 10:30 am.
Most tour teams start to reach at round 11:00 a.m.
Methods to Get There Independently
It’s a 1 hour and 20 minute drive one-way from La Crucecita in Huatulco (or 3 hours from Puerto Escondido) to Las Cascadas Mágicas de Copalitilla.
Sort of Automobile
A part of the street (20 minutes of the drive) is unpaved however you don’t want a jeep or a 4 X 4 to do it until you’re going within the wet season (which I don’t advocate).
We lease our vehicles on Discovercars.com. It’s a web-based automobile rental reserving web site that compares charges from a number of firms to seek out one of the best deal.
This 12 months we rented a Mitsubishi Mirage, a compact automobile that’s economical on gasoline, an computerized and seats 4 adults (and equipment) comfortably.
It price MEX$6000 pesos ($294 USD) for the week and was factored into our 2025 month-to-month finances for Huatulco.
The associated fee included legal responsibility insurance coverage required when renting a automobile in Oaxaca.
Obtain an Offline Map
It’s essential to obtain a map to your cellular system earlier than you go. When offline, you’ll have the ability to open Google Maps as traditional. Your downloaded map will work with out information for navigation.
There’s little to no signage and it’s simple to take a improper flip. To make issues worse, there might be locals holding up indicators to offer you instructions for a price. Or giving false info reminiscent of street is closed and so on.
My husband Javier’s first language is Spanish helped us keep away from the touts however I used to be glad we’d downloaded a map. There was no sign in any respect for a lot of the route.
For cellular information on the go, I like to recommend utilizing one of many World eSIMs for travellers reminiscent of Airalo. You possibly can keep linked while you journey all through the world at very inexpensive charges.
Examine charges for native and regional eSIMs at Airalo.com.
In Huatulco, Airalo connects to the Telcel community. However the sign drops as quickly as you flip off Freeway 200.
Methods to Obtain Google Maps for Offline Use
1️⃣ Open Google Maps (Sturdy Wi-Fi sign advisable).
2️⃣ Search for the situation (Las Cascadas Magicas de Copalitilla).
3️⃣ Faucet the location identify > Obtain offline map.
4️⃣ Modify the world, then faucet Obtain.
5️⃣ Entry it offline anytime in Google Maps (no information wanted).
💡 Tip: Offline maps work significantly better than display pictures.
We lease our vehicles on Discovercars.com. It’s a web-based automobile rental reserving web site that compares charges from a number of firms to seek out one of the best deal.
It’s a scenic drive to Las Cascadas Magicas as you’ll have views of rolling hills, small pueblos, timber and bamboo.
In the event you’re vulnerable to getting automobile sick, you don’t want to fret an excessive amount of. Other than the ultimate stretch, it’s not too terribly winding of a route.
A lot of the street is paved other than the filth street part that begins about 20 minutes earlier than the falls. However it’s extra dusty than potholed.
Not like the street to Playa San Agustín there aren’t boulders in the course of the street or landslides.
However there are a number of sharp turns and drop-offs so proceed with warning.
Packing Listing – Necessities (and What Not To Deliver)
- Water Sneakers. You possibly can decide up a pair of rubber water sneakers at Chedraui Huatulco or market stalls at Santa Cruz seashore for MEX$120-160 (below $10 USD) a pair. Or, if you happen to actually don’t wish to purchase a pair, you may lease some for MEX$50 ($2.50 USD) on the higher part of the falls.
- Waterproof Telephone Case: In the event you’d wish to take photographs (and belief me you’ll), you’ll want high quality waterproof cellphone case with neck lanyard. The wrist band sort isn’t superb as you’ll be utilizing your palms to know the rope railings and it’s simple to get tangled.
- Life Vest: Obligatory for youngsters or poor swimmers.
- Money: You’ll want money in pesos to pay the admission price of $MEX100 per particular person and make any purchases.
- Meals: The country restaurant on the Cascadas Mágicas has a really restricted menu. Deliver snacks and/or lunch in a cooler. Go away it within the automobile as no meals or drink is permitted on the falls themselves.
- What To not Deliver: Sunscreen and bug repellent are usually not permitted within the park to guard the eco-system. There’s truly fairly a little bit of shade cowl. However put on a hat, rash guard, lengthy sleeved shirt and swim shorts if you happen to’re involved about solar.
- No pets.
What to Anticipate When You Arrive
Entrance Charges and Opening Hours
After driving down the filth path for 20 minutes, you’ll be happy to see the signal asserting the doorway to the Cascadas Mágicas. There’s just one entrance so proceed down this path the place you’ll see a ticket kiosk.
Admission is $MXN100 per particular person. In the event you’re collaborating in an organized group tour this might or will not be included. In order that’s one thing to test when evaluating the completely different tour choices.
You’ll be given an official receipt which needs to be positioned on the dashboard of your automobile.
Hours are 9 am to five pm.
Parking Tons
When you’ve paid your admission, you then have a selection of the place to park. There are execs and cons to each.
Decrease Parking Lot
- Closest to washrooms.
- Entry to the mountain climbing trails.
- Quick access to decrease, extra secluded falls.
- Close to restaurant.
- Extra parking out there.
- 20 minute stroll to important falls. There’s a major elevation change so this route isn’t nicely suited to folks with mobility points.
In the event you’re up for a little bit of train, then it’s value taking the brief hike within the ecological park. It begins close to the decrease parking zone and runs parallel to the Copalita River, passing secluded decrease falls.
The decrease falls are exceptionally simple to entry. So you may cease for a swim and even swing from a jungle rope earlier than persevering with alongside the path winding its approach again as much as the principle falls.
Higher Parking Lot
- Closest to the principle falls.
- 5 minute stroll on principally flat floor.
- No washroom amenities.
- Most suitable choice for folks with mobility points.
Ultimate Cease Earlier than Principal (Higher) Falls
Earlier than getting into the falls, you may cease on the remaining launching level, a small space with a number of benches to relaxation.
Right here, there’s a kiosk with a pleasant vendor promoting T-shirts, water, and chilly drinks, plus a spot to lease water sneakers—a wise concept for navigating the slippery rocks.
The spotlight? You will get pictures of Tobalá mezcal for MEX$50 pesos! Good for a bit of liquid braveness earlier than the climb or a celebratory sip after making it again.
The seller will even retailer your belongings safely for a small tip. It’s a compact house, however an important final cease to gear up earlier than heading into the speeding water.
Waterfall Mountain climbing Particulars and Swimming Situations
To be trustworthy, attending to the swimming pools, cave, and suspension bridge on the higher falls was tougher than I anticipated.
A few of the steps had been an actual stretch, and balancing on the rocks with speeding water made it even trickier.
Nonetheless, the rocks themselves weren’t slippery or slimy with algae. In order that did assist.
Nonetheless, a educated information or helper can present you the most secure path, level out secure rocks to step on, and even supply a gradual hand when crossing deeper sections.
Plus, water sneakers with good grip assist stop slipping. In the event you transfer slowly and intentionally, it’s attainable to maintain your steadiness.
Making it throughout is unquestionably exhilarating.
You’re rewarded with clear, refreshing swimming pools, a hidden cave, and the fun of strolling throughout a suspension bridge with breathtaking views.
You possibly can even soar from a platform into the swimming pools!
Try our video of the Magical Falls on Instagram to see what the swimming pools, suspension bridge and climb are like!
Who Most likely Shouldn’t Do This Waterfall Hike
- Not advisable for travellers with again issues.
- Not advisable for these with coronary heart issues or different severe medical situations.
- Travellers ought to have a average bodily health stage.
- Not advisable for very younger youngsters and/or with infants.
- You probably have any doubts about your medical situation, test along with your physician and/or the information.
Issues to Do Close to Las Cascadas Mágicas
As you make your strategy to the falls, you’ll cross via a number of conventional villages, every providing a glimpse into native Oaxacan tradition.
Alongside the street, you may cease to browse handmade crafts, pattern wealthy Oaxacan chocolate, decide up shade-grown native espresso, pure soaps (from the ladies’s co-operative in Mazunte) or get pleasure from a mezcal tasting—an ideal strategy to expertise the area’s flavours.
Native eating places serve up basic Oaxacan dishes like moles, tlayudas, sopes, and tamales, making for a scrumptious meal alongside the best way. Most group excursions embrace a cease at a store or restaurant, and lots of even pause for breakfast en route.
I’d advocate doing as we did—ready till after your waterfall journey to cease for lunch and procuring.
Top-of-the-line locations to eat close to the waterfalls is Parador Turístico: Las Muelles. a family-owned restaurant (with clear washrooms) to chill out and refuel earlier than heading again. Meals is cooked over a wood-burning range so is as genuine because it will get!
Tour Excursions
In the event you’re in Huatulco for the day on a cruise ship reminiscent of Holland America or Princess, then your greatest guess is to take an organized tour.
Most cruise ships are in port from 8:00 am to five pm which supplies you simply sufficient time to slot in a visit to the Magic Waterfalls. Right here’s find out how to do it.
Organized Group Tour
Anticipate to pay round $MEX1000 ($50-75 USD) per particular person to hitch a Guided Group Tour to the falls. You’ll journey in a van that’s air-conditioned and the journey often takes round 7 hours. Consider time to pick-up advert drop-off different passengers.
Good to Know: Examine to see if lunch, admission or every other “promotional” stops are included. Your information might or might not help you in navigating on the falls. Not like the Dunn’s River or the Blue Gap in Jamaica, there are NO native guides on the waterfalls who will assist you climb the rocks.
Non-public Escorted Tour
A personal information will present decide up at your resort, transportation in an air-conditioned automobile and help on the waterfalls. The associated fee is usually $MEX 3,000 or $150 USD. Price is barely much less if you happen to pay to your personal lunch.
A personal tour provides extra privateness, flexibility and is extra snug. Native information Porfirio Cortes will get excessive marks from travellers and operates a more recent automobile. You possibly can attain him by way of Fb.
Ultimate Ideas
In the event you’re in Huatulco, don’t second-guess this journey like we did—simply go.
Attending to Las Cascadas Mágicas de Copalitilla is an journey in itself, however when you’re there, standing beneath these speeding falls, swimming within the swimming pools, and soaking within the wild great thing about the jungle, you’ll perceive why it’s one of many greatest issues to do Huatulco.
Whether or not you go by yourself or on an organized tour, it’s the type of expertise that sticks with you lengthy after you’ve left.
Pack your sense of journey (and a few water sneakers!) and make it occur. You gained’t remorse it.
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