El Salto Waterfall
El Naranjo · Nature
A 70m karst rock wall with permanent turquoise pools — spectacular with or without the falls flowing.
El Salto Waterfall is part of El Meco Waterfalls — Turquoise Pools, Lookout & The Great Falls
$1,700 MXN per person · Free cancellation 48 h before
Practical info
Good to know
Extremely slippery ground at the pools — accidents are common without proper footwear. The main falls can be completely dry most of the year.
How to get there
110 min from Ciudad Valles · From El Naranjo, road toward Ciudad del Maíz · 8 km paved
What to bring
- · water shoes — very slippery ground
- · light clothing and swimsuit
- · sun protection
- · food (no restaurants on site)
- · cash
Did you know?
- · The flow is artificially diverted to a hydroelectric plant — that's why the falls 'disappear' in the dry season.
- · In September 2024, exceptional rains kept it flowing for 3 straight weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Why doesn't El Salto Waterfall have water?+
The flow is diverted to a hydroelectric plant. It only falls during exceptional rains, mainly in September and October.
Can you swim if El Salto Waterfall has no water?+
Yes — the natural pools keep crystal-clear turquoise water all year, with or without the falls flowing.
Are there restaurants near El Salto Waterfall?+
Not on site, but in El Naranjo (8 km away) there are several restaurants serving typical Huastec food.
How much is admission to El Salto Waterfall?+
Admission to El Salto Waterfall costs $50 MXN. Bringing cash is recommended just in case.
How do I get to El Salto Waterfall from Ciudad Valles?+
110 min from Ciudad Valles · From El Naranjo, road toward Ciudad del Maíz · 8 km paved. The destination is in El Naranjo, San Luis Potosí, Mexico.
What time of year is best to visit El Salto Waterfall?+
The best season to visit El Salto Waterfall is Sep–Oct (falls active) · pools year-round. The best time of day to arrive is Early morning to make the most of the experience.
How much time do you need to tour El Salto Waterfall?+
Plan about 3 hours to enjoy El Salto Waterfall at a relaxed pace. The site is open 08:00–17:30 (Monday to Sunday).
What should you bring to visit El Salto Waterfall?+
To visit El Salto Waterfall we recommend bringing: water shoes — very slippery ground, light clothing and swimsuit, sun protection, food (no restaurants on site), cash. Important: Extremely slippery ground at the pools — accidents are common without proper footwear. The main falls can be completely dry most of the year.
What travelers sayIn their own words (Spanish).
“La Cascada El Salto combinada con El Meco fue el mejor día del viaje. El agua es realmente turquesa — sin filtros. Los guías saben exactamente a qué hora llegar para la mejor luz.”
Paola Mendoza
San Luis Potosí
“Nadar en la base de la cascada es una experiencia que no se olvida. El sonido del agua golpeando la roca lo sientes en el pecho. Las pozas son cristalinas. Volveremos en septiembre para verla con más agua.”
Tomás Ríos
Querétaro
Tours that include El Salto Waterfall
Book directly by card or ask on WhatsApp.
Waterfalls & Photography
El Meco Waterfalls — Turquoise Pools, Lookout & The Great Falls
$1,700MXN / person
Reply in under 1 hour · Mon–Sun
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