Las Cascadas Mágicas: Go to Oaxaca’s Magical Waterfalls (in 2025)

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Some locations stick with you lengthy after you permit. 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 utterly 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 to 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 occasions and even contemplating skipping it altogether.

However after lastly making the journey—each independently and on a tour—I can say unquestionably: it was so price it.

Now, I wish to assist you to expertise these magical waterfalls with out the stress and second-guessing.

Whether or not you’re up for a DIY journey or want the convenience of an organized tour, this information will assist you 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 sequence of cascading waterfalls set inside a protected ecological zone.
• Comparatively simple drive in a daily automobile through the dry season.
• Fundamental waterfall is considerably difficult to climb however there are alternatives for much less cell.
• Might be executed independently or on an organized tour. We’ll share execs and cons.

Professional Tip: If you happen to’ve had an excessive amount of solar, a day on the falls makes an important 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 ample rivers of southwestern Mexico create all kinds of waterfalls, scorching springs and rapids.

If you happen to’re headed to Huatulco, you’re in luck. It’s top-of-the-line locations for nature lovers and journey travellers. The area round San Miguel del Puerto (map) within the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains is residence to a number of waterfalls.

The primary waterfalls are Cascadas Las Brisas, Cascadas de Llano Grande and the Cascadas Mágicas de Copalitilla.

When you’ve got time for just one waterfall, make it the Cascadas Mágicas de Copalitilla. We have now stopped in in any respect of them and this one affords unquestionably one of the best expertise.

Not solely is it a protected ecological zone, however greater than 20 waterfalls cascade into sequence of plunge swimming pools, swimming holes and pure jacuzzis.

Including to the sweetness, a tropical jungle of towering ceiba and mahogany timber, tangles of bromeliads, orchids, lacy ferns and wild cacao crops 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 through the dry season from November to Might. Primarily based on our experiences driving in Oaxaca through the wet season, roads can get washed out and rivers can change into speeding torrents of muddy water.

Keep away from peak vacation intervals 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 one of the best time to reach is between 9:00 and 10:30 am.

Most tour teams start to reach at round 11:00 a.m.

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.

Kind 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 suggest).

We lease our vehicles on Discovercars.com. It’s a web-based automobile rental reserving web site that compares charges from a number of corporations to search out one of the best deal.

This yr we rented a Mitsubishi Mirage, a compact automobile that’s economical on fuel, an automated 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 price range for Huatulco.

The price included legal responsibility insurance coverage required when renting a automobile in Oaxaca.

Obtain an Offline Map

It’s necessary to obtain a map to your cell machine earlier than you go. When offline, you’ll be capable to open Google Maps as typical. Your downloaded map will work with out knowledge for navigation.

There’s little to no signage and it’s simple to take a incorrect flip. To make issues worse, there might be locals holding up indicators to provide you instructions for a charge. Or giving false data similar to street is closed and so on.

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.

In Huatulco, Airalo connects to the Telcel community. However the sign drops as quickly as you flip off Freeway 200.

Obtain Google Maps for Offline Use

1️⃣ Open Google Maps (Robust Wi-Fi sign really helpful).
2️⃣ Search for the situation (Las Cascadas Magicas de Copalitilla).
3️⃣ Faucet the location title > Obtain offline map.
4️⃣ Alter the realm, then faucet Obtain.
5️⃣ Entry it offline anytime in Google Maps (no knowledge wanted).

💡 Tip: Offline maps work significantly better than display pictures.

We lease our vehicles on Discovercars.com. It’s a web-based automobile rental reserving web site that compares charges from a number of corporations to search out one of the best deal.

It’s a scenic drive to Las Cascadas Magicas as you’ll have views of rolling hills, small pueblos, timber and bamboo.

If you happen to’re liable to getting automobile sick, you don’t want to fret an excessive amount of. Aside from the ultimate stretch, it’s not too terribly winding of a route.

A lot of the street is paved other than the dust street part that begins about 20 minutes earlier than the falls. However it’s extra dusty than potholed.

In contrast to 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 Record – Necessities (and What Not To Convey)

• Water Sneakers. You possibly can choose up a pair of rubber water sneakers at Chedraui Huatulco or market stalls at Santa Cruz seashore for MEX$120-160 (beneath $10 USD) a pair. Or, in the event you actually don’t wish to purchase a pair, you’ll be able to lease some for MEX$50 ($2.50 USD) on the higher part of the falls.
• Waterproof Cellphone Case: If you happen to’d prefer to take images (and belief me you’ll), you’ll want a superb high quality waterproof telephone case with neck lanyard. The wrist band sort isn’t supreme as you’ll be utilizing your arms to know the rope railings and it’s simple to get tangled.
• Life Vest: Mandatory for kids or poor swimmers.
• Money: You’ll want money in pesos to pay the admission charge of $MEX100 per particular person and make any purchases.
• Meals: The country restaurant on the Cascadas Mágicas has a really restricted menu. Convey snacks and/or lunch in a cooler. Go away it within the automobile as no meals or drink is permitted on the falls themselves.
• What To not Convey: Sunscreen and bug repellent are usually not 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 in the event you’re involved about solar.
• No pets.

What to Count on When You Arrive

Entrance Charges and Opening Hours

After driving down the dust 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 particular person. If you happen to’re taking part 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 ought to 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 alternative of the place to park. There are execs and cons to each.

Decrease Parking Lot

• Closest to washrooms.
• Entry to the climbing trails.
• Quick access to decrease, extra secluded falls.
• Close to restaurant.
• Extra parking obtainable.
• 20 minute stroll to major falls. There’s a major elevation change so this route isn’t nicely fitted to folks with mobility points.

If you happen to’re up for a little bit of train, then it’s price taking the brief 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 simple to entry. So you’ll be able to cease for a swim and even swing from a jungle rope earlier than persevering with alongside the path winding its means again as much as the principle falls.

Higher Parking Lot

• Closest to the principle falls.
• 5 minute stroll on principally flat floor.
• No washroom services.
• Best choice for folks with mobility points.

Last Cease Earlier than Fundamental (Higher) Falls

Earlier than getting into the falls, you’ll be able to 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 footwear—a sensible thought for navigating the slippery rocks.

The spotlight? You may get pictures 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 can even retailer your belongings safely for a small tip. It’s a compact area, however an important final cease to gear up earlier than heading into the speeding water.

Waterfall Mountaineering Particulars and Swimming Circumstances

To be sincere, attending to the swimming pools, cave, and suspension bridge on the higher falls was tougher than I anticipated.

A few of the steps have 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 footwear with good grip assist forestall slipping. If you happen to 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 possibly can 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 In all probability Shouldn’t Do This Waterfall Hike

• Not really helpful for travellers with again issues.
• Not really helpful for these with coronary heart issues or different severe medical situations.
• Travellers ought to have a average bodily health stage.
• Not really helpful for very younger kids and/or with infants.
• When you’ve got 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 strategy to the falls, you’ll go by a number of conventional villages, every providing a glimpse into native Oaxacan tradition.

Alongside the street, you’ll be able to cease to browse handmade crafts, pattern wealthy Oaxacan chocolate, choose up shade-grown native espresso, pure soaps (from the ladies’s co-operative in Mazunte) or take pleasure in a mezcal tasting—an ideal strategy 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 suggest doing as we did—ready till after your waterfall journey to cease for lunch and procuring.

Probably the greatest 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!

Last Ideas

If you happen to’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 great thing about the jungle, you’ll perceive why it’s one of many greatest 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 footwear!) and make it occur. You gained’t remorse it.

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