Visiting Puente de Dios: La Huasteca Potosina
La Huasteca Potosina is one of the most beatufiul regions in Mexico. It is the perfect plan for a road trip to look for waterfalls. One of those beautiful waterfalls found in the region is Puente de Dios. You can find it in the area of Tamasopo and include it in your stops on the same day as Tamasopo Waterfalls since it’s only 10 minutes away.
I loved this waterfall because the natural swimming pool reminded me of a cenote like those you find in the Yucatan area. The water is a lovely deep blue color, and it’s surrounded by tall walls wrapped in hanging trees, vines, and nature. It gives the aspect that you are in a cave.
Depending on the time you visit, the water has different colors, and when the sun shines through, you get beautiful lighting. The water floating through this cave-like swimming pool comes from a mountain river. It creates the perfect swimming spot for nature lovers.
I’m here to tell you all about visiting Puente de Dios during your Huasteca Potosina road trip.
Visiting Puente de Dios
Table of Contents
What to do
Unlike Tamasopo, which has a lot of activities to do, Puente de Dios has few. However, this place is simply to come to swim and be surrounded by nature. As I mentioned above, it looks very similar to a cenote, although the water is less clear but just as blue.
A visit to Puente de Dios means you come to swim or jump from the boulders on the side. The current is a bit strong. Therefore there are ropes tied to the rocks so visitors can hold on to them.
If you are a strong swimmer, you can swim up the waterfall or relax and just float in the water. I spent my time mostly swimming and admiring the nature around me.
Hours and Price
- Hours:
- Entrance to the public is from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
- Cost:
- Entrance: 80 MXN
- Mandatory Life Vest: 30 MXN
- We rented outside the establishments before entering.
- Parking: 50 MXN
- outside the establishments
We arrived a little later, around 5 pm, and the place was nearly empty. However, although the sun was still bright, it felt like it was later while swimming because the tall walls don’t allow a lot of light to come through. If you are into photography, expect the lighting not to be the best.
However, it’s a great time to enjoy the area without crowds. At one point, we had the place to ourselves.
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.
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.
How to Get to Puente de Dios
Puente de Dios waterfalls are about 50 minutes from Ciudad Valles, the closest large city, or 3 hours from San Luis Potosi. 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.
I visited Puente de Dios on my first day of our Huasteca Potosina road trip, so I drove 3 hours from San Luis Potosi to Tamasopo. We visited Tamasopo Waterfalls first and then went to Puente de Dios towards the end of the day.
When we arrived, various people were calling out for us to park. We chose one place and parked. They also rent life jackets so you can take them into the waterfall establishment.
We followed some train tracks, crossed them, and went down a very long set of stairs. Once we got there, the area for hanging out was small, so it was just best to jump into the water and enjoy the time there.
The rocks are a bit slippery, so wearing water shoes here helps.
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.
We slept in San Luis Potosi the night before and woke up early to drive the 3 hours there. After spending the day near the waterfalls in the area, we decided to sleep in the town of Tamasopo instead of Ciudad Valles (where most people base themselves).
You can sleep in Ciudad Valles, Tamasopo, or San Luis the night before.
Visiting Puente de Dios
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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