El Aguacero Chiapas (Cascada El Aguacero) is one of the most impressive waterfalls in Mexico.
Located just a 1-hour drive from Tuxtla City, this beautiful waterfall features a downpour of silvery curtain-like falls with multiple tiers that flows seamlessly into Cañon Río La Venta.
I have put together this complete guide to Cascada El Aguacero Chiapas including where it is, how to get there, how much it costs, and what to expect when you arrive!
WHERE IS EL AGUACERO?
Cascada El Aguacero is located 1 hour’s drive west of Tuxtla City (Tuxtla Gutiérrez) in the state of Chiapas, Mexico.
Click here to see the location on google maps.
I recommend spending 1 or 2 nights in Tuxtla City to visit Aguacero Waterfall and also the Sumidero Canyon.
HOW TO GET TO EL AGUACERO CHIAPAS
Getting to this waterfall can be a little bit tricky but it is doable.
There are a few options on how to get here from Tuxtla City and they are with a tour company, with a Colectivo (public bus), renting a car, or with a local.
WITH A TOUR COMPANY:
The easiest and most convenient way to reach these falls is to book a half-day or a full-day tour with one of the many tour companies dotted around Tuxtla City.
You can also try asking at your hotel or hostel in Tuxtla whether they have a contact for a local guide that offers tours to the waterfall.
The cost of a tour is around 300 MXN.
WITH THE COLECTIVO (PUBLIC BUS):
Another option is to hop in a Colectivo in Tuxtla City that is bound for the town of El Aguacero Chiapas and the cost is around 35 MXN.
However, the Colectivo will only be able to drop you off on the main road and not at the entrance of the waterfall.
Be sure to notify the driver that you wish to be dropped off as close as possible to the falls.
From the main road, you will have to walk down to the falls which takes approximately 45 minutes each way.
Click here for the exact pin location to be dropped off.
RENT A CAR:
If you don’t want to book a tour or jump in a Colectivo, the next best option is to rent a car in Tuxtla City and make your own way to the falls.
The cost of a car rental in Tuxtla is around 400-500 MXN per day which can be picked up from the airport or in town.
Alternatively, you can search for rental cars on Discover Cars and book online ahead of time to be guaranteed the best rates.
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WITH A LOCAL:
Another option to consider when searching for how to get here is to get in contact with a friendly local via Tuxtla Facebook Groups or on the Couchsurfing website.
The locals love meeting travelers passing through Tuxtla and are always up for an adventure!
This is the way my friends and I visited with a friendly local named Carlos. He picked us up in his car from Hostel Tres Central where we were staying in Tuxtla and we spent the entire day with him hanging out at the falls and later went for drinks in the city.
If you want to get in touch with Carlos as well, you can contact him on Instagram!
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EL AGUACERO CHIAPAS ENTRANCE FEE
When you arrive at the jump-off point, you’ll have to pay an entrance fee of 36 MXN per person.
Also in the main parking lot, you can find toilet facilities and a small snack shop to purchase something to eat and drink before heading down the stairs to the falls.
THE HIKE DOWN TO CASCADA EL AGUACERO
I’m going to be honest with you… the hike from the top of the cliffs down into the canyon to reach to main falls is quite easy, but it’s the coming up again part that is the most challenging.
Be sure to wear a good pair of walking shoes for the hike down.
It’s approximately 700 steps down and 700 steps back up again! Yep, not an easy hike… but it is 110% worth it to experience the epicness of the falls through your own eyes!
Going down takes no more than 20 minutes from top to bottom and the trail consists of a concrete staircase with handrailings so it’s very safe for all sorts of travelers.
The time it takes to hike back up all depends on your level of fitness.
It is quite a steep set of stairs that can be unforgiving, but it shouldn’t take the average person any more than 30 minutes to get back to the top.
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WHAT TO EXPECT AT EL AGUACERO CHIAPAS
The stairs will eventually emerge at the river’s edge and this is where you can either get your feet wet and walk through the ankle-deep water upstream to the falls or take the bush track along the left-hand side of the river bank.
I guarantee you will be in complete awe once you take your first steps upstream and see the towering canyon walls that envelop the river.
The falls will soon present themselves as you come around the bend, so be prepared for that also!
RELATED ARTICLE: 4 WEEK MEXICO ITINERARY
The main falls are broken up into different streams that flow down the cliff face in a curtain-like way and a number of freshwater rock pools have been formed because of this.
My friends and I set down our belongings on a large dry rock beside the river and climbed up to explore the multiple cascades beneath the main falls.
We found some epic little caves and tunnel shoots behind the curtain of falls and enjoyed a natural shower under the downpour of water while we were at it.
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Once you’ve had a play around under the main set of falls, continue walking upstream for another 2 minutes to find another series of waterfalls that are quite smaller but equally as impressive.
Discover more caves and tranquil jungle scenes up this way which is not to be missed on your adventure!
You could easily spend a whole day hanging out here, swimming in the cascades, and immersing yourself in nature.
Be sure to pre-pack a picnic and some drinks if you do decide to make a day of it.
The best time to visit is between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm when the sun is directly above the canyon providing warm sunshine down by the falls.
If you visit outside of these hours it can get quite chilly when the canyon is in the shade.
I hope this guide and my photos motivate you to visit as it is truly one of the best fun-fuelled experiences to have in Chiapas!
WHERE TO STAY IN TUXTLA
Tuxtla City has dozens of accommodations to choose from so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to suit the needs of luxury travelers, budget backpackers, and everyone in between.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
LUXURY: MARRIOTT TUXTLA HOTEL
MID RANGE: HOLIDAY INN TUXTLA
BUDGET: HOSTAL TRES CENTRAL
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN TUXTLA, SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
WHAT TO PACK FOR MEXICO
When visiting Mexico, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:
Must-Have Travel Essentials
Keep your cash and other valuables safe with this anti-theft hidden money wallet!
The GRAYL GeoPress is the best reusable bottle that allows you to purify water from anywhere!
FINAL THOUGHTS – EL AGUACERO CHIAPAS
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions, please leave me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.
TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!
THANKS FOR READING
Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!
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Many thanks!
Wow thanks Mr. Melon (lol). This is by far one the best, well-done blogs I have visited. I am a nomad who spends half the year exploring and having fun in Mexico and the other half working and living in my tiny, potable home in CA. I am going to read everything you’ve got here. Thanks for doing a great job and going the extra mile to provide well-researched info for us.
Hey Ms Heidi lol, glad you love this article, and thanks for the kind words! I hope you enjoy El Aguacero as much as I did. Take care!