Visiting Micos Waterfalls
Micos Waterfalls in La Huasteca Potosina is a group of gorgeous waterfalls with drops to natural swimming pools sitting in the middle of a lovely canyon. Their beautiful bright turquoise-green color and activities in the area make it an incredible destination to visit.
You can visit Micos Waterfalls to jump from waterfalls, swim, or ride a small boat to admire the area. If you prefer to relax, they have a spot for camping and tables for picnicking. For the more adventurous types, you can even sign up to zipline or ride the sky bike above the waterfalls at the park.
If you are doing a tour of La Huasteca Potosina, you will most likely pass this waterfall before heading to Minas Viejas Waterfalls and El Meco Waterfalls. They are all in the same area near Naranjo and can be found on the same main road.
Table of Contents
Visiting Micos Waterfalls
What to do
Micos Waterfalls is best known for being the place to jump from the waterfalls. There are seven waterfalls, all standing at different heights, and the journey is about one kilometer. The tallest one to jump is 8 meters (26ft) and the lowest is 2 meters (6ft).
You’ll need to walk through the riverside until you get to the top waterfall to start jumping waterfalls. That’s where you begin.
You can only do the official waterfall jumping through a professional guide that you can hire upon arriving. However, if you don’t do this activity but want to jump some waterfalls, you can walk through the riverside and start at the 3rd one. That’s what we did.
If you aren’t into this type of adventure, you can walk the river or ride a canoe. This is a great way to enjoy the beautiful area. You can also take some snacks and have a picnic. Or, you can take a dip in the water by the entrance. You will see turtles and fish swimming near you. One thing to note is you must wear your life best.
Zipline and Sky Bike
One of the coolest experiences for me while visiting Micos Waterfalls was ziplining and riding a bicycle in the air over them. The view from above is incredible and such an adventure! I had been ziplining before, but riding a bike was a whole different experience.
Although the adventure packet is not part of the park itself, you can register at the entrance, and the tour in charge will pick you up from the park. You get to view the waterfalls from above, which is a magical view.
Prices vary according to the zipline package, but the one that includes the sky bike and two zip lines costs 800 MXN. I almost didn’t do this, but I kept asking myself where else I would have this opportunity in such a gorgeous place. So, I decided to do it and loved the experience.
Hours and Price
- Hours:
- Entrance to the public is from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
- Cost:
- Entrance: 100 MXN
- Mandatory Life Vest: included
- Parking: included
- Guided Waterfall Jumping: 200-300 MXN
- Canoe Ride: 150 MXN
- Camping: 100 MXN
- Cabins: 1000 MXN
- Zipline Packet with Bicycle: 800 MXN
We arrived early, around 9:30 am, and the place was not too overcrowded. The waterfalls further away require some walking through the river, so they had fewer people around.
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.
How to Get to Micos Waterfalls
Micos waterfalls are about 45 minutes 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 Minas Viejas and El Meco Waterfalls too. Micos Waterfalls are the first main waterfalls you’ll pass on this road.
The road towards all the waterfalls is full of potholes and speedbumps, so make sure to drive safely. I’ve never seen so many before as I have on this road. It’ll definitely be a wild ride there.
You’ll pass by many big trucks that load cane sugar and other farm items on the road because the area is full of agriculture. I thought this was a lovely drive if you don’t consider all the potholes.
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 Micos Waterfalls, 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 Micos Waterfalls is to stay there and camp. You can camp at this lovely recreational spot for 100 MXN per tent, and cabin prices are 1000 MXN.
You can also camp free if you stay in the parking lot. This is an excellent option for those traveling by campervan or carrying tents.
Where to Eat
Inside the park, there are stands where they sell snacks and food. The food is typical of La Huasteca Potosina, so you may want to give it a try. You can also bring your own food to have a picnic if you desire.
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.
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!
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and purchase a product, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Please note I only recommend products and brands that I personally use or have used and believe in.
Visiting Micos Waterfalls
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