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Agua Azul Waterfalls

Photo credit: @eduardorobles / Foter / CC BY
Agua Azul Waterfalls
  • (worth a detour)
  • 10+ km
  • Moderate
  • Low
  • full day
  • 2 2

A series of jaw-dropping cataracts in the middle of the jungle

Entrance fee is $40 MXN

Agua Azul (Blue Water) Waterfalls are located in the southern state of Chiapas in between the archaeological site of Palenque  (only 64 kilometers away from it) and the touristic city of San Cristobal de Las Casas, making it a great destination to visit when travelling to and fro these places. Another lush, similar destination is the Misol-Ha Waterfall, which is also in the way.

 

The name of the site comes from the striking blue color of the water sitting in the pools formed by the waterfalls. The waterfalls is made of up many cataracts, with the tallest one measuring 6 meters (20 feet) in height, and they are formed by the rivers Otolún, Shumuljá and Tulijá that were formed by canyons. It is worth climbing up to the very top to get a birds-eye view of the site and really appreciate the magnificence of the waterfalls.

 

Agua Azul was declared a protected area in 1980 due to the variety of flora and fauna it homes. The waterfalls are located in a jungle region, so seeing trees that reach up to a height of over forty meters is not uncommon and even on the pools formed beneath the falls, you will constantly come across fallen petrified trees. Bromelias and orchids are the most common flowers here – adding up to the undeniable beauty of the place.

 

The fauna will not bore you either, with anteaters, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, red macaws, toucans, tlachuaches, bats, boas, ocelots and even jaguars roaming about (maybe the last three are not seen commonly, but you never know)

 

The site has a restaurant, cabins, artisan shops, restrooms and a parking lot. Guided tours are offered and activities such as swimming in the Tulijá Lake, camping at the edge of the rivers, birdwatching, and rafting are some of the favorites among visitors.

 

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