Freshwater treasures: five spectacular places in Mexico for swimming in nature

Mexico It is internationally known for its white sand beaches and turquoise waters. Every year, millions of foreign tourists visit the country who want to know the secrets of the Caribbean Sea, the famous Riviera Nayarit, the virgin sands of Oaxaca and Chiapas or the coastal landscapes of Baja California. However, beyond the coast, the interior of the Republic has unique enclaves which, despite their immense beauty, are not so famous.

In many states we find in the middle of the jungle, rivers, waterfalls and hidden lakes. These are pristine treasures, away from the hustle and bustle, where you can enjoy the mountain tourism without giving up a relaxing bath or water sports.

Here is a list of five Mexican freshwater destinations where you can forget about the stress.

Tamul waterfall

In the heart of the Huasteca Potosina, a few kilometers from the magical town of Aquismón, is the Tamul waterfall, a place where nature draws a solemn scene that captivates all visitors.

The monumental waterfall has a drop of 105 meters, and during the rainy season, the water curtain can reach 300 meters long. It is one of the gems of the Huasteca Potosina, and the good part is that visitors can choose several options to visit it, such as rafting, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding or a breathtaking paddle.

The main pier is located at Ejido la Morena, and the entrance fee is 10 pesos. The canoe costs 120 pesos -including the life jacket-; 800 if you rent the whole boat. The trip takes around three hours, and along the way you can swim in the crystal clear waters of the river, row, take photos and even descend through rapids and visit the Cueva del Agua, a trench in the Tampaón River. which is not so cold and where you can also swim.

In addition, there are companies that offer a Stand Up Paddle Board excursion through the rapids of the Tampaón River, next to the waterfall. The activity has a cost of around 2,400 pesos and includes, in addition to the board and safety equipment, round-trip transport from the hotel, a meal in a restaurant, bottled water and drinks. carbonated.

If you are not adrenaline junkies, you can choose to paddle leisurely in the calmer waters of the Gallinas River, aboard a surfboard. The activity costs around 1,100 pesos, depending on the companies, and also includes water, soft drinks and energy bars.

* What is Huasteca Potosina? : the Huasteca Potosina It is one of the most attractive enclaves in Mexico. Its turquoise waterfalls, its virgin vegetation, or the caves that open into the middle of the forest as if they were entrances to hell, make this region a sort of enchanted paradise. It is located northeast of San Luis Potosí and covers a large area that also includes part of the states of Veracruz, Tamaulipas and Hidalgo. In the Huasteca Potosina you can discover many freshwater destinations, such as the Micos waterfalls, the Puente de Dios or the Minas Viejas waterfall.

Montebello Lagoon National Park

This enclave is one of the treasures to visit in Chiapas, a state in which nature prevails and finds its way around every corner.

Although the exact number of lakes there is unknown, it is said that there are about 59 of them. They are in fact “uvalas”; that is, old cenotes which, over time, due to landslides and rock corrosion, eventually came together.

One of the most striking features of the Lagunas de Montebello are its crystal clear waters, which acquire different shades of blue due to the ground at the bottom, the refraction of light and vegetation. The place is framed by dense forests of pines and holm oaks, and decorated by the beauty of orchid and bromeliad flowers.

The excursion is divided into two circuits. The first is through the protected area of ​​the national park and crosses the Esmeralda, La Encantada, Ensueño, Bosque Azul and Agua Tinta lakes. The second crosses the waters of Cañada, Pojoj, Dos Lagunas or Tziscao. The latter is the deepest of all, at 45 meters, and on its banks is a village of chuj.

In all the lagoons, visitors can swim, row boat and dive. It is also possible to engage in other activities, such as horse riding, mountain biking or hiking, although this depends on the region you are in.

The wooden raft ride costs 100 to 200 pesos, depending on the duration and the areas you visit. If you prefer kayaking, you can practice this sport at Lake Pojoj, for 80 pesos per hour. The price of the bicycle rental is 200 pesos per day, and to enter the park you have to pay 30 pesos per person.

Cenote Heart

In southeastern Mexico, there are thousands of spectacular cenotes, hidden among lush greenery, but one of them impresses with its heart shape, a silhouette that came out naturally due to soil erosion.

The Cenote Corazón del Paraíso is located in Quintana roo, about 35 kilometers from the magical town of Tulum. To get there you have to take the road Tulum-Carrillo Puerto and stop at kilometer 200. The place opens from 9 am in the morning to 5 pm in the afternoon, and entry for the general public is paid. 150 pesos. National or resident visitors pay 100 Mexican pesos, and in the case of children, it depends on their height: if they are only over the first row the cost is 30 pesos, but if their height is also over the second row, that amounts to 50 pesos.

In the pond it is allowed to bathe, swim and snorkel. You can rent diving equipment for 90 pesos (30 for the visor and 60 for the tube), and there is also a loan of vests, at a cost of 20 pesos. Instead there is WiFi and sun loungers for sunbathing.

Tolantongo Caves

In the municipality of Cardonal, in the state of Hidalgo, there is one of the most famous natural spas in Mexico, the Grutas de Tolantongo.

The main attraction of the park is its hot spring pools, natural swimming pools located on the hillside and facing a place of hills and mountains. Visitors can also bathe in the waterfall and cave, walk along the river, visit the tunnel, hike, cross the suspension bridge, zip line, and camp.

Admission costs 150 Mexican pesos per day per person and includes access to all attractions. It also entitles you to a campsite – although you will have to take your tent. The area is three and a half hours from Mexico City. To get there, you can board a van north of the town of Ixmiquilpan, in the parking lot next to the Church of San Antonio. The trip costs 100 pesos round trip.

Tolantongo swimming pools open from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Arc of time

There are places where time seems to stand still. And that’s what happens in this hidden place of Chiapas.

About 55 kilometers from Tuxtla Gutiérrez, stands the largest natural arch in the world, located in the Canyon of the La Venta river, in Cintalapa. It is 158 meters high and 255 meters long, and is estimated to be over 87,000 years old. Visiting it is a unique experience that is only suitable for adventurers, since travelers must go on an expedition on foot or on horseback through the jungle. The journey takes around five hours, although it depends on the physical condition of each person and the mode of transportation.

You can also go to the Arc du Temps by renting an excursion from four days of kayaking. You will row along the La Venta river and along the way you will sleep surrounded by nature in tents – yes you have to take it yourself.

Once in the arch, you can kayak, camp, experience waterfalls, visit caves, swim, as well as rappelling and hiking. If you don’t have a tent, you can sleep in a cabin for a price of 350 pesos.

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