Location: 125 km (78 mi) Northeast of San Cristobalck, Chiapas Map
The Cascadas de Agua Azul
(Waterfalls of blue water) are waterfalls on the so-called Gringo Trail
in the Mexican state of Chiapas. The falls are located 69 kilometers
southwest of Palenque on the road to Ocosingo and are flanked on both
sides by tropical rainforest. The Misol-Ha waterfall is located in a
side stream downstream.
In total, the waterfalls consist of over
500 individual cascades, reaching a height of two to 30 meters. The high
mineral content of the water gives the waterfall cascade a very intense
glow, the colors change from basin to basin. During the dry season,
colors from azure blue to dark emerald green can be seen. In the rainy
season, the falls are brown.
Due to the high lime content of the
water, there are also numerous stalactite formations along the cascade.
The falls extend over a distance of about six kilometers and are a
tourist attraction; there are also swimming opportunities between the
wide, mostly low cascades. But not all pools are suitable for bathing,
numerous crosses erected for drowned people warn here. Only the lower
two to three kilometers can be visited; the upper part of the cascade
was declared a military restricted area after several raids.
After the earthquake in Mexico on September 8, 2017, the riverbed
shifted and the water dried up at the waterfalls. Because the
economically important tourists for the region threatened to stay out,
the inhabitants worked to divert the water back to its original course.
Two months after the quake, some of this has already been achieved. For
a complete restoration of the old watercourse, residents hope for
support from the government with heavy equipment.
Its waterfalls are formed thanks to the tributaries of the Otulún, Shumuljá and Tulijá Rivers, forming shallow canyons with vertical cliffs that give rise to its blue-white waterfalls. They are located in the north of the State of Chiapas, on the borders of the municipality of Tumbalá and the municipality of Chilón, 64 km from the city of Palenque (60 km along Highway 199 that goes to Ocosingo and 4 km by a detour). The waters have that beautiful blue color because of the carbonate salts they have dissolved. However, during the rainy season the river grows and the waters lose their color while the pools overflow. The vegetation is of the mountain jungle type, lush, in some parts it covers the river, it is common to see fallen tree trunks petrified. This ecotourism center is a highly recommended place to visit preferably during winter and spring, times when the river level allows swimming in the pools, in addition to having an extensive gastronomic and artisan corridor, you can practice some adventure activities such as zip lines. It is important to take into account the contributions that are requested to enter the natural area on their own by local communities.
According to the National Biodiversity Information System of the National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO) in the Area of Flora and Fauna Protection Cascada de Agua Azul inhabit more than 570 species of plants and animals of which 38 are within some risk category of the Official Mexican Standard NOM-059 and 7 are exotic.
To get to the Agua Azul waterfalls you can access by road from
Palenque, which is 69 km away.
When you reach Tuxtla Gutiérrez,
the capital of the State, you take the road to the east towards
Palenque; before reaching this city, you will find the detour that leads
to the waterfalls. The travel time is approximately 5 hours and thirty
minutes.