Your Guide to Huasteca Potosina, Mexico

The area of La Huasteca Potosina in Mexico is pretty special. Yet, despite its natural beauty and range of recreational activities, not many people have heard of or been to this unique area.

This hidden oasis is a sub-region in the state of San Luis Potosi and is the ideal spot for those looking for a little adventure in one of the most unspoiled environments in the region.

The area is tropical and lush, filled with incredible swimming holes surrounded by rainforests and huge towering waterfalls resulting from the many rivers in the area. In fact, it offers some of central Mexico’s most impressive scenery.

Part of the reason this area is not an overcrowded tourist destination is that it’s kind of tricky to get to.

This guide will help you figure out all the details of your trip, including how to get there (which is usually the most difficult thing to plan), when to go, and what to do while you’re there.

Where is Huasteca Potosina, Mexico?

Huasteca Potosina is a large region in central Mexico that spans over 7 states. So, it can be a bit confusing when you’re trying to pinpoint exactly where you’re going.

San Luis Potosi is one of the most well-known areas thanks to the abundance of waterfalls nearby, and this is the name of both a state and a city within the Huastecta Potosina area – so be careful when booking hotels and excursions!

Ciudad Valles is a town located within San Luis Potosi State (which is within Huasteca Potosina – are you confused yet?), and it’s a great spot to make your home base while exploring the area.

How to Get To Huasteca Potosina

Being able to place Huasteca Potosina on a map is all well and good, but how do you actually get there?

There are a few places you can fly into when visiting:

• San Luis Potosi: This is one of the larger international airports in the area, but it’s about 3-4 hours from Ciuadad Valles (and all the waterfalls!).
• Mexico City: This is where you’ll likely find the cheapest, most direct flights, and from here you can take a night bus to Ciudad Valles. This is for my budget-conscious travelers!
• Tamuín: You could also fly into the airport in Tamuín (about 45 minutes from Ciudad Valles), but this is a national airport, so you’ll likely have a layover at a bigger airport first, depending on where you’re coming from.
• Tampico: Tampico has an international airport and sits about 2.5 hours from Ciudad Valles.

No matter where you fly into, you’ll have to figure out transportation to Ciudad Valles.

There are buses available, but finding current times and navigating can be a bit difficult. Some tour companies offer transport to and from airports, but prices are usually astronomical.

I recommend renting a car – it’s pretty cheap, it’s safe, and it’s easy to pick up your ride from whichever airport you fly into. Just beware that you will be charged additional “Mexican Insurance” no matter what (about $25/day).

When is the Best Time to Visit Huasteca Potosina?

The main attraction in Huasteca Potosina is the incredible waterfalls, so you’ll actually want to visit just after the wet season to see them at their fullest.

That being said, we unknowingly went during the dry season, and as you can see from the pics, the waterfalls were still incredible.

Some falls were closed during our visit, though, so I recommend planning a trip between November and February if you can.

Things to Do in Huasteca Potosina

Huasteca Potosina is all about enjoying the great outdoors, and most of the things to do in this area center around chasing waterfalls. If that isn’t your thing (weird…), just wait. There are opportunities for ziplining, rappelling, waterfall jumping, and more.

While this area is AMAZING, it’s not be the easiest to navigate without a tour. I’m not usually a fan of tours, but I saw this whole area on a tour! Many of the most epic activities are literally impossible without a guide.

Most of the Huasteca tours also include hotel pick up and drop off, as well as some food, so all you have to worry about is enjoying yourself and taking in the many magical sights.

While mostly everything below is included on the tour I went on and that’s I’m recommending you do, we did stay and do a bit extra.

So below are the best things to Huasteca Potosina but you might want to stay a bit longer and add some of these other adventures! I’ve also linked out to some of the tours individually in case you don’t want to do the 3-day adventure.

1. Ziplining Over Micos Waterfalls

Ziplines are always great fun, but having a stunning cascading waterfall beneath you the entire time? Yeah, that’s awesome!

The Micos Waterfalls are one of the best places to zipline in Mexico for several reasons. For a start, the landscape is breathtaking – plus, there are many different ziplining options available.

The Micos Waterfall area comprises eight cascading falls that tumble from a range of levels over the rocks. The waterfalls are so clean and clear, and with the bright green, lush foliage surrounding them, seeing them from the air is quite magical.

The ziplining Huasteca Potosina tour will take you on three ziplines in total. The first is the shortest at 175m, the second is 200 meters, and the longest is a huge 720 meters, giving you plenty of time to admire your surroundings while enjoying the thrill.

They offer so much more than just your average zipline. They also offer a suspension bridge adventure, where you’ll be walking at the height of 60 meters above the waterfall for 150 meters.

The last and possibly most exciting option is the suspended bike. Fly across the ropes on a bicycle for 225 meters at a height of 80 meters, suspended by ropes. It is the only attraction of its kind in the whole of Latin America.

This was probably the coolest part of my Huasteca tour!

2. Jump Off Micos Waterfalls

If jumping off waterfalls into rich blue waters in the heart of Mexico sounds like your sort of thing, then this Huasteca tour is definitely for you. You just ziplined over Micos Waterfalls, now jump IN it!

Thanks to the varying heights of the falls, they make a great spot for waterfall jumping, as you’ll be able to experience the thrill of both higher and lower jumps.

The trip takes you along a 1km stretch of the river, equipped with a helmet, a vest, and a guide showing you how to be as safe as possible.

3. Boat to Tamul Waterfall

Tamul Waterfall is one of the most impressive of all the waterfalls in the area. The falls are 105 meters high and are at their fullest during the rainy season when the cascades reach a width of 300 meters.

The best season to visit is between July and March; this is when the rains have stopped stirring the waters, and they return to their characteristic aquamarine color. We happened to be here out of season, boo!

In a region known for its beautiful waterfalls, Tamul really is in a league of its own. It is the product of two rivers merging into one, the Gallinas River and the Santa Maria River.

Due to the location of the falls in a gorge, one of the only ways to reach them is via boat, and this Huasteca tour offers everything you need to see the falls in all its glory. The whole trip lasts around 8 hours and includes hotel pickup. 

You’ll follow a knowledgeable guide along the Tampaon River on a canoe all the way to the base of the falls, with plenty of time to pose for pictures.

After you’ve had your fill of the views, you’ll be able to cool off with a dip in a picturesque cenote before enjoying a local lunch.

4. Rapel to Minas Viejas Waterfall

The stunning Minas Viejas Waterfall is located at the northern tip of Huasteca Potosina and has a height between 45 to 50 meters.

Although it is not the tallest of all the falls in the region, what makes it pretty special is the series of turquoise pools at its base that make it perfect for swimming and relaxing.

Minas Viejas Waterfall is beautiful no matter what angle you see it, but there is something special about seeing it from above just before you rappel down the cliffside next to it.

On this tour, you’ll be rappelling down 100 feet of a pure cliff face and into the crystal blue waters at the bottom of the falls, and although it may seem scary at first, the thrill you get while doing it makes it all worth it. 

After rappeling down and hopping into the pool, just make the short little swim over to the falls and hang out while giving yourself a pat on the back for a job well done! It’s a bit scary but SO cool!

5. Xilitla and Gardens Huasteca Potosina Tour

For a little culture and sightseeing, the tour to Xilitla and the Las Pozas Surrealist garden is a good option. You’ll be taken into the forest to the picturesque hilltop town of Xilitla.

The Las Pozas Gardens are the creation of artist Edward James, who constructed huge buildings and sculptures within the park that twist and merge with the tropical plants.

Expect to find staircases that reach towards the sky but take you nowhere and doors that open to nothing. Some of the sculptures are pretty big, so you could easily lose yourself exploring for a few hours.

The tour includes a nice Mexican lunch in a local restaurant before you’ll have some free time to explore the town itself.

Then, it’s time for the next part of the tour. Your guides will take you to the Huahuas Abyss for a cool trek through the forest to a massive hole in the ground with beautiful native birds flying high above.

Most Recommended Huasteca Potosina Tour: 3-Day Adventure

If you like the sound of some these spots in Huasteca Potosina, why not opt for a three-day tour of the region where you get to see almost everything above during one great trip?

You will be taken on a tour of the whole Huasteca Potosina region from Ciudad Valles. Included is a two nights accommodation in a luxury 4-star hotel in Ciudad Valles called Selva Teenek Eco-Park (it’s amazing, this is where I stayed too!)

They have an onsite sanctuary for animals so your eco-cabins are literally right next to wild animals that can no longer survive in the wild like leopards, anteaters, and ocelots!

Day one starts with a bang, as you’ll be headed to the beautiful region of the Micos Waterfall and jump from the top of the falls into the shimmering blue waters below.

Next, you’ll be taken to the scenic Minas Viejas Waterfall for lunch by the river. Then, you can give rappelling down the side a go.

On day two you’ll be heading to the town of Xilitla to explore the sculptures and buildings in the surrealist gardens designed by Edward James.

On the last day of this three-day tour, you’ll get to see the stunning Tamal Waterfall in all its glory, plus a thrilling rafting trip along the rapids of the Tampaon River (depending on the season they might switch this out with something else).

If you want to stay extra, you can add on some more of the waterfalls I mentioned. I did the three-day tour and added on the rest after; it was INCREDIBLE, and I can’t recommend it enough.

What to Wear in Huasteca Potosina?

• Quick-Dry Clothing: Trust me, you’ll get wet! So, wear clothes that dry fast so you can be comfy all day.
• Sturdy Water Shoes: Rocks can be slippery, and you don’t want to slip. Grab a pair that grips well and protects your toes. Don’t forget if you go rappeling and waterfall jumping, you’ll get your shoes wet.
• Swimsuit: There are lots of chances to swim, so bring your favorite suit to dive in anytime.
• Sun Protection: A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are must-haves.
• Dry Bag: For your snacks, water, and camera. Keeping your hands free means more fun climbing and exploring. You can bring a regular backpack, but a dry bag will keep everything dry, so that’s what I used. I even wore it, repelling off the cliff and into the water below!
• Reusable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated, my friend. It’s hot out there, and water is your best adventure buddy. Fill up where you can or buy water bottles. You can’t drink tap water in Mexico.
• GoPro: Most of the activities are WET! You don’t want to ruin your camera.

RELATED: Your Mexico Packing List: What to Pack for Mexico

Tips for Visiting

• Bring Extra Cash – While Mexico is generally budget-friendly, the secluded nature of this area means it’s wise to have extra money on hand. Whether for tours or vehicle hire, expect to spend a bit more due to the location’s remoteness.
• Brush up on your Spanish – English won’t get you far in this region; a basic understanding of Spanish is essential for smooth communication. If your Spanish is lacking, booking a tour is a must.
• Choose Cuidad Valles – Not San Luis Potosi. Despite being the larger city, it’s a three-hour-plus drive from the main attractions. Cuidad Valles, on the other hand, is significantly closer to the action.
• Opt for a Tour – This recommendation doesn’t come lightly from me, but truly, navigating this region is optimal with a tour group. A professional tour is mandatory to participate in activities like rappelling, or zip-lining anyway.
• Online car rental – It’s best to book your rental car through an online platform to secure a computer-generated quote, which may save you from inflated tourist rates in person. However, be prepared for the inevitable ‘tourist insurance’ fee, which seems to be an unavoidable add-on once you get there. Trust me, I tried to explain to them we didn’t need it because we were covered already, but they didn’t care.

Final Thoughts on Huasteca Potosina

Exploring Huasteca is AMAZING, but doing it yourself can be a bit challenging, especially if you don’t know Spanish. I know some but even so, it would have been rough without the tour.

The bus system is OK in this region, and renting a car definitely makes life easier. But doing the tour was 100% the best option. The only reason we got a car rental was to check out the other spots too.

This tour was the one I did and they really showed me a great time. They have English guides, nice eco-cabins to stay in, and they were super nice and flexible with us.

Enjoy your time in Huasteca Potosina!

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