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Some locations stick with you lengthy after you allow. Las Cascadas Mágicas de Copalitilla (Magical Waterfalls) is a type of locations. Tucked within the Sierra Madre Sur mountains of southwestern Oaxaca, these waterfalls are breathtaking, pristine, and fully unspoiled.
However getting there? That’s one other story.
We nearly didn’t go.
Would our rental automobile survive the bumpy roads? Would we get misplaced within the mountains? Would I really be capable of climb the waterfalls?
Even after greater than a decade of exploring distant Oaxaca—from the espresso city of Pluma Hidalgo to the Virgin of Juquila shrine—we hesitated, suspending the journey a number of instances and even contemplating skipping it altogether.
However after lastly making the journey—each independently and on a tour—I can say surely: it was so value it.
Now, I need to provide help to expertise these magical waterfalls with out the stress and second-guessing.
Whether or not you’re up for a DIY journey or choose the convenience of an organized tour, this information will provide help to plan the proper journey.
Plus, I’ll share what we did proper—and the small errors we made—so you are able to do it even higher.
Fast Overview
- Spectacular, crystal clear collection of cascading waterfalls set inside a protected ecological zone.
- Comparatively straightforward drive in an everyday automobile in the course of the dry season.
- Fundamental waterfall is considerably difficult to climb however there are alternatives for much less cellular.
- Will be accomplished independently or on an organized tour. We’ll share professionals and cons.
Professional Tip: When you’ve had an excessive amount of solar, a day on the falls makes a fantastic break from a day at Huatulco’s seashores.
The place and What Are Las Cascadas Mágicas de Copalitilla?
From Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca’s well-known petrified waterfall, to the chute waterfall of El Chiflón in Chiapas, the mountainous terrain and considerable rivers of southwestern Mexico create all kinds of waterfalls, scorching springs and rapids.
When you’re headed to Huatulco, you’re in luck. It’s among the finest locations for nature lovers and journey travellers. The area round San Miguel del Puerto (map) within the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains is dwelling to a number of waterfalls.
The primary waterfalls are Cascadas Las Brisas, Cascadas de Llano Grande and the Cascadas Mágicas de Copalitilla.
When you have time for just one waterfall, make it the Cascadas Mágicas de Copalitilla. Now we have stopped in in any respect of them and this one gives surely the most effective expertise.
Not solely is it a protected ecological zone, however greater than 20 waterfalls cascade into collection of plunge swimming pools, swimming holes and pure jacuzzis.
Including to the sweetness, a tropical jungle of towering ceiba and mahogany bushes, tangles of bromeliads, orchids, lacy ferns and wild cacao vegetation encompass the cascading waters.
A suspension bridge, a leaping platform, a cave pool referred to as “La Cueva del Amor” and a rope swing add to the enjoyable.
When to Go
One of the best time to go to the falls is in the course of the dry season from November to Might. Primarily based on our experiences driving in Oaxaca in the course of the wet season, roads can get washed out and rivers can grow to be speeding torrents of muddy water.
Keep away from peak vacation durations and attempt to arrive early within the day. The ecological park at Las Cascadas Mágicas de Copalitilla opens at 9:00 a.m. To have the falls to yourselves, we’ve discovered that the most effective time to reach is between 9:00 and 10:30 am.
Most tour teams start to reach at round 11:00 a.m.
The best way to Get There Independently
It’s a 1 hour and 20 minute drive one-way from La Crucecita in Huatulco (or 3 hours from Puerto Escondido) to Las Cascadas Mágicas de Copalitilla.
Sort of Car
A part of the street (20 minutes of the drive) is unpaved however you don’t want a jeep or a 4 X 4 to do it until you’re going within the wet season (which I don’t advocate).
We lease our automobiles on Discovercars.com. It’s a web based automobile rental reserving website that compares charges from a number of corporations to seek out the most effective deal.
This yr we rented a Mitsubishi Mirage, a compact automobile that’s economical on fuel, an computerized and seats 4 adults (and kit) comfortably.
It price MEX$6000 pesos ($294 USD) for the week and was factored into our 2025 month-to-month funds for Huatulco.
The associated fee included legal responsibility insurance coverage required when renting a automobile in Oaxaca.
Obtain an Offline Map
It’s vital to obtain a map to your cellular machine earlier than you go. When offline, you’ll be capable of open Google Maps as common. Your downloaded map will work with out knowledge for navigation.
There’s little to no signage and it’s straightforward to take a mistaken flip. To make issues worse, there might be locals holding up indicators to present you instructions for a price. Or giving false data equivalent to street is closed and many others.
My husband Javier’s first language is Spanish helped us keep away from the touts however I used to be glad we’d downloaded a map. There was no sign in any respect for a lot of the route.
For cellular knowledge on the go, I like to recommend utilizing one of many International eSIMs for travellers equivalent to Airalo. You may keep linked while you journey all through the world at very inexpensive charges.
Test charges for native and regional eSIMs at Airalo.com.
In Huatulco, Airalo connects to the Telcel community. However the sign drops as quickly as you flip off Freeway 200.
The best way to Obtain Google Maps for Offline Use
Open Google Maps (Sturdy Wi-Fi sign advisable).
Search for the situation (Las Cascadas Magicas de Copalitilla).
Faucet the location title > Obtain offline map.
Regulate the world, then faucet Obtain.
Entry it offline anytime in Google Maps (no knowledge wanted).
Tip: Offline maps work a lot better than display screen photographs.
We lease our automobiles on Discovercars.com. It’s a web based automobile rental reserving website that compares charges from a number of corporations to seek out the most effective deal.
It’s a scenic drive to Las Cascadas Magicas as you’ll have views of rolling hills, small pueblos, bushes and bamboo.
When you’re susceptible to getting automobile sick, you don’t want to fret an excessive amount of. Other than the ultimate stretch, it’s not too terribly winding of a route.
A lot of the street is paved other than the filth street part that begins about 20 minutes earlier than the falls. However it’s extra dusty than potholed.
Not like the street to Playa San Agustín there aren’t boulders in the midst of the street or landslides.
However there are just a few sharp turns and drop-offs so proceed with warning.
Packing Checklist – Necessities (and What Not To Carry)
- Water Footwear. You may decide up a pair of rubber water sneakers at Chedraui Huatulco or market stalls at Santa Cruz seaside for MEX$120-160 (below $10 USD) a pair. Or, should you actually don’t need to purchase a pair, you possibly can lease some for MEX$50 ($2.50 USD) on the higher part of the falls.
- Waterproof Cellphone Case: When you’d prefer to take photographs (and belief me you’ll), you’ll want a superb high quality waterproof telephone case with neck lanyard. The wrist band kind isn’t splendid as you’ll be utilizing your arms to understand the rope railings and it’s straightforward to get tangled.
- Life Vest: Vital for kids or poor swimmers.
- Money: You’ll want money in pesos to pay the admission price of $MEX100 per individual and make any purchases.
- Meals: The country restaurant on the Cascadas Mágicas has a really restricted menu. Carry snacks and/or lunch in a cooler. Depart it within the automobile as no meals or drink is permitted on the falls themselves.
- What To not Carry: Sunscreen and bug repellent aren’t permitted within the park to guard the eco-system. There’s really fairly a little bit of shade cowl. However put on a hat, rash guard, lengthy sleeved shirt and swim shorts should you’re involved about solar.
- No pets.
What to Count on When You Arrive
Entrance Charges and Opening Hours
After driving down the filth path for 20 minutes, you’ll be happy to see the signal asserting the doorway to the Cascadas Mágicas. There’s just one entrance so proceed down this path the place you’ll see a ticket kiosk.
Admission is $MXN100 per individual. When you’re collaborating in an organized group tour this could or might not be included. In order that’s one thing to examine when evaluating the completely different tour choices.
You’ll be given an official receipt which must be positioned on the dashboard of your automobile.
Hours are 9 am to five pm.
Parking Heaps
When you’ve paid your admission, you then have a selection of the place to park. There are professionals and cons to each.
Decrease Parking Lot
- Closest to washrooms.
- Entry to the mountain climbing trails.
- Easy accessibility to decrease, extra secluded falls.
- Close to restaurant.
- Extra parking out there.
- 20 minute stroll to principal falls. There’s a big elevation change so this route isn’t properly suited to folks with mobility points.
When you’re up for a little bit of train, then it’s value taking the quick hike within the ecological park. It begins close to the decrease parking zone and runs parallel to the Copalita River, passing secluded decrease falls.
The decrease falls are exceptionally straightforward to entry. So you possibly can cease for a swim and even swing from a jungle rope earlier than persevering with alongside the path winding its approach again as much as the principle falls.
Higher Parking Lot
- Closest to the principle falls.
- 5 minute stroll on principally flat floor.
- No washroom amenities.
- Best choice for folks with mobility points.
Last Cease Earlier than Fundamental (Higher) Falls
Earlier than getting into the falls, you possibly can cease on the remaining launching level, a small space with just a few benches to relaxation.
Right here, there’s a kiosk with a pleasant vendor promoting T-shirts, water, and chilly drinks, plus a spot to lease water sneakers—a sensible concept for navigating the slippery rocks.
The spotlight? You may get photographs of Tobalá mezcal for MEX$50 pesos! Good for a bit of liquid braveness earlier than the climb or a celebratory sip after making it again.
The seller may even retailer your belongings safely for a small tip. It’s a compact house, however a fantastic final cease to gear up earlier than heading into the speeding water.
Waterfall Mountain climbing Particulars and Swimming Situations
To be sincere, attending to the swimming pools, cave, and suspension bridge on the higher falls was more difficult than I anticipated.
A few of the steps had been an actual stretch, and balancing on the rocks with speeding water made it even trickier.
Nevertheless, the rocks themselves weren’t slippery or slimy with algae. In order that did assist.
Nevertheless, a educated information or helper can present you the most secure path, level out secure rocks to step on, and even provide a gradual hand when crossing deeper sections.
Plus, water sneakers with good grip assist stop slipping. When you transfer slowly and intentionally, it’s doable to maintain your steadiness.
Making it throughout is certainly exhilarating.
You’re rewarded with clear, refreshing swimming pools, a hidden cave, and the fun of strolling throughout a suspension bridge with breathtaking views.
You may even leap from a platform into the swimming pools!
Try our video of the Magical Falls on Instagram to see what the swimming pools, suspension bridge and climb are like!
Who Most likely Shouldn’t Do This Waterfall Hike
- Not advisable for travellers with again issues.
- Not advisable for these with coronary heart issues or different severe medical circumstances.
- Travellers ought to have a reasonable bodily health stage.
- Not advisable for very younger youngsters and/or with infants.
- When you have any doubts about your medical situation, examine together with your physician and/or the information.
Issues to Do Close to Las Cascadas Mágicas
As you make your technique to the falls, you’ll cross via a number of conventional villages, every providing a glimpse into native Oaxacan tradition.
Alongside the street, you possibly can cease to browse handmade crafts, pattern wealthy Oaxacan chocolate, decide up shade-grown native espresso, pure soaps (from the ladies’s co-operative in Mazunte) or take pleasure in a mezcal tasting—an ideal technique to expertise the area’s flavours.
Native eating places serve up basic Oaxacan dishes like moles, tlayudas, sopes, and tamales, making for a scrumptious meal alongside the best way. Most group excursions embody a cease at a store or restaurant, and lots of even pause for breakfast en route.
I’d advocate doing as we did—ready till after your waterfall journey to cease for lunch and procuring.
Top-of-the-line locations to eat close to the waterfalls is Parador Turístico: Las Muelles. a family-owned restaurant (with clear washrooms) to loosen up and refuel earlier than heading again. Meals is cooked over a wood-burning range so is as genuine because it will get!
Tour Excursions
When you’re in Huatulco for the day on a cruise ship equivalent to Holland America or Princess, then your finest wager is to take an organized tour.
Most cruise ships are in port from 8:00 am to five pm which supplies you simply sufficient time to slot in a visit to the Magic Waterfalls. Right here’s methods to do it.
Organized Group Tour
Count on to pay round $MEX1000 ($50-75 USD) per individual to hitch a Guided Group Tour to the falls. You’ll journey in a van that’s air-conditioned and the journey normally takes round 7 hours. Think about time to pick-up advert drop-off different passengers.
Good to Know: Test to see if lunch, admission or another “promotional” stops are included. Your information could or could not help you in navigating on the falls. Not like the Dunn’s River or the Blue Gap in Jamaica, there are NO native guides on the waterfalls who will provide help to climb the rocks.
Personal Escorted Tour
A non-public information will present decide up at your lodge, transportation in an air-conditioned automobile and help on the waterfalls. The associated fee is usually $MEX 3,000 or $150 USD. Value is barely much less should you pay in your personal lunch.
A non-public tour gives extra privateness, flexibility and is extra snug. Native information Porfirio Cortes will get excessive marks from travellers and operates a more moderen automobile. You may attain him by way of Fb.
Last Ideas
When you’re in Huatulco, don’t second-guess this journey like we did—simply go.
Attending to Las Cascadas Mágicas de Copalitilla is an journey in itself, however when you’re there, standing beneath these speeding falls, swimming within the swimming pools, and soaking within the wild fantastic thing about the jungle, you’ll perceive why it’s one of many finest issues to do Huatulco.
Whether or not you go by yourself or on an organized tour, it’s the form of expertise that sticks with you lengthy after you’ve left.
Pack your sense of journey (and a few water sneakers!) and make it occur. You received’t remorse it.