Visiting Minas Viejas Waterfalls
Minas Viejas Waterfalls are two gorgeous falls found in La Huasteca Potosina. They are a true gem standing at 50 meters in height. They form various natural swimming pools with beautiful turquoise water at the base. Minas Viejas Waterfalls are not to miss.
This lovely destination has some great things to do. From picnicking to camping and swimming, it’s a great spot to spend the day.
If you start your day early enough, you can visit the three main waterfalls in the Naranjo zone. Cascada El Salto de Los Micos and El Meco Waterfalls along the road.
Visiting Minas Viejas Waterfalls
Table of Contents
What to do at Minas Viejas Waterfalls
When you arrive at Minas Viejas Waterfalls, you must first go down a set of stairs. That’s the easy part, but going back up on your way out will feel like a mini-workout. Don’t worry; it will be worth it.
Once you finish going down the stairs, you can get ready for the fun. The main activity is to swim in front of the gorgeous waterfall. You will need to use a mandatory life vest that you must rent once you get down the stairs.
If you like adrenaline, you can cliff jump from the side of the rock where the waterfall passes. One part is low, but you can cliff jump from a higher part if you are a daredevil. It’s not that high, but if jumping makes you nervous as it does to me, then it might feel a bit scary.
There are also other natural swimming pools you can swim in with fewer people. Again, one of the pools on the other side of the bridge has waterfall jumping too.
Another choice of things to do is to walk the bridges and around the grass area to enjoy the site and enjoy nature or take pictures.
There is also a camping section and picnic tables you can use.
Lastly, there is a chance to rappel the side of the waterfall.
How to Get to Minas Viejas Waterfalls
Minas Viejas waterfall is about an hour and a half from Ciudad Valles, the closest large city. You have a few options on how to arrive. You can rent a car, go on tour from Ciudad Valles, or hire a private taxi.
If you’re looking for the most convenient and cheapest way to get around, I recommend renting a car in Ciudad Valles or San Luis Potosi to travel through La Huasteca Potosina. Driving a car will give you the freedom to take your time and stop where and whenever you want.
From Ciudad Valles, you will travel north on a small paved road near the city. This is the road that will take you to Salto del Mico and El Meco Waterfalls too. After you pass El Salto del Mico, only 15 minutes later, you’ll find Minas Viejas.
The road towards all the waterfalls is full of potholes and speedbumps, so make sure to drive with care. I’ve never seen so many before as I have on this road. It’ll definitely be a wild ride there.
On the road, you’ll pass by many big trucks that load can sugar and other farm items because the area is full of agriculture. I thought this was a lovely drive if you don’t take into consideration all the potholes.
What to Pack
- Cash: You will need it for tours, entrance fees, small family-owned restaurants, etc. Although Mexico uses credit cards in cities, it’s still a cash society for smaller businesses.
- Water: This area of Mexico is hot, near 90 degrees. I recommend taking a water bottle that keeps your water cold.
- GoPro/Camera: You’ll want to take some great pictures of this waterfall. The GoPro is perfect if you cliff jump or take photos and videos while swimming.
- Swimsuit: You’ll want to refresh with a swim. Trust me; it’s hot. You can find many cute swimsuits online.
- Towel: A travel towel is perfect because it doesn’t take up much space.
- Water shoes: You don’t necessarily need them, but some rocks have moss and can be slippery. Since you’ll be going around La Huasteca, they’re nice to have as an option.
- Sunscreen: It’s good to take care of your skin.
- Daypack: I always travel with a small daypack to carry for day trips. It’s perfect for having hands-free and carrying your cash, water, clothes, towels, and extra shoes. I also bring my phone, GoPro, phone charger, and sunscreen.
- Waterproof phone case: These are always helpful if you want to bring your phone into the water to take pictures.
- Waterproof backpack: If you don’t trust leaving your valuables on the side while you swim, a waterproof backpack is always a great choice. We didn’t have one, so we put our things on the side where we could keep an eye on them.
Where to stay
Accommodation will depend on your route. A base city for traveling La Huasteca is Ciudad Valles. Many people book their hotel nights here every day and drive here every night after visiting different waterfalls.
Ciudad Valles is an excellent option because it’s a large city with pharmacies, stores, banks, restaurants, gas stations, etc. From Minas Viejas Waterfall.
On the other hand, we decided last minute where to stay because we decided we would sleep wherever the night caught us.
When visiting Minas Viejas, staying in Ciudad Valles the night before is a great option. The road you’ll be taking is only an hour and a half from there.
We slept at a hostel in a private room with two beds. The cost was 600 MXN. Here are some accommodation options:
Cuidad Valles:
Camping at Minas Viejas
Another option you have at Minas Viejas is to stay there and camp. You can camp at this lovely recreational spot for just $50 per tent. There are bathrooms nearby, and you can count on electricity. It’s also pet-friendly, but pets may not swim in the water. Imagine how awesome it is to wake up with a waterfall view.
When to Visit
When visiting La Huasteca, it’s essential to consider the right time. There is a rainy season and a dry season. So naturally, you’ll want to avoid the rainy season. Here is a breakdown.
- December-February: The Waterfalls and rivers still have plenty of water. There isn’t rain, and the weather is nice. It’s not hot or cold.
- March-May: This is the season before the rain begins. The rivers and waterfalls have less water (I went in May, and the waterfalls still looked amazing). The temperature is scorching and can hit 40 degrees.
- June-August: These months are the rainy season, and you’ll most likely encounter chocolate-colored water. Some places close because they can become dangerous with strong currents and high water levels.
- September-November: The rainy season has ended, and the rivers and waterfalls will have a lot of water. They will have a lovely turquoise color, and it’s warm.
One thing to note is holiday weekends and Semana Santa (holy week/spring break) get incredibly crowded, and hotel prices go up. So plan accordingly.
Hours and Price
- Hours:
- Entrance to the public is from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.
- Cost:
- Entrance: 60 MXN
- Mandatory Life Vest: 30 MXN
- Parking: 40 MXN
- Camping: 50 MXN
We arrived around 3 pm and the place was very full. However, around 4:30 the tour bus that was there left and we had the waterfall to ourselves. We took advantage and got some photos without anyone around.
Where to Eat
There are no restaurants or stores nearby. I recommend you bring water and snacks on your road trip. If you choose to take food, especially if you camp, I recommend a cooler to have a proper picnic.
Ciudad Valles is the closest city for restaurant eating at Naranjo. Other than that, you can find small snacks from vendors who sell food near the parking lot.
Visiting Minas Viejas Waterfalls
Travel Booking Resources
Book Your Flight:
To find cheap flights, check Skyscanner and Google Flights. These search engines check airlines to find you the best deals. The more flexibility you have, the better flight deals available.
Book Your Accommodation:
Booking.com is my favorite booking site for hotels but it also shows great deals on hostels and apartments. Plus, when you reach Genius Level, you get special discounts, included breakfasts, and upgrades on some hotel rooms. Hostelworld is specifically for budget travelers who enjoy hostels. This is the best place for finding great options.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance and Visa Applications:
Travel insurance will protect you against theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. Sometimes unexpected things happen during a trip and protections will keep you covered. Two great options are: Safety Wing and World Nomads. Also, iVisa can help you get a visa if you need one.
Book Tours:
Sometimes the best way to see a place is through tours. I recommend checking out Get Your Guide for some fun and unique adventures wherever you go.
Check out my other travel resources to help you book your trip!
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