How to see some of Mexico's most beautiful waterfalls in Huasteca Potosina

Swimming in the jungle at the Bridge of God
Puente de Dios, or Bridge of God, is a beautiful natural swimming hole set in the middle of the jungle, and just a short hike from the parking lot in the sleepy village of Tamasopo. The large turquoise pool here is surrounded by lush rainforest, and you can even swim through a small cave on one side of the pool to check out stalagmites and stalactites.

The biggest attraction, though, is jumping from 20 feet or more from above the water. The swimming hole features some strong currents, so there are some ropes that run across the center for visitors to hold on to.

Boaters at the breathtaking Tamul Waterfall
Cascada de Tamul, the Tamul Waterfall, might be the most stunning of all the Huasteca Potosina attractions. This dramatic vertical cascade takes some effort to reach, as it's located in a canyon on the Gallinas River. Most visitors go to the village of La Morena, from which small rowboats of around 8 passengers slowly make their way along the winding river (you have to help paddle). It takes about an hour to reach the powerful falls, which drop over 300 feet.

You can also adventure to the top of the falls from a mountain road near El Naranjito. A guide is required for this, as they lead you on a short trek from the parking area to the top of Tamul. If you're planning to do some drone photos, this is the place to come. There are also adventure tour companies in the region that will take you rappelling off the top of the falls!

Beautiful El Salto waterfall
These cascades are also very impressive and worth a long stop, as the pools beneath the falls here are gorgeous and great for bathing in. El Salto (known in full as Salto del Meco, but don't confuse it with El Meco, yet another amazing set of falls) is one of the harder falls to reach, as there is no public transport here, and the cascades sit near the provincial border with Tamaulipas.

A bumpy road leads from Ciudad Valles, the biggest town in the region, out to the beautiful falls, which are near the hamlet of Naranjo. Best of all, these are one of the few attractions in the region that are completely free! Tour groups from Ciudad Valles tend to make it out here by noon, but if you come early, you will have this entire place all to yourself.

Enchanting El Meco waterfall
Again, don't be confused with Salto del Meco (see the previous image). These pools and falls are called Cascadas El Meco. From the main viewing platform off the road, they look like a series of spread-out wide cascades, and they're quite mesmerizing. But they're even taller than nearby Salto, and you can take a boat or even go whitewater rafting or kayaking to get down to the base of these falls.

If you're here in the summer rainy season, there will be plenty of water everywhere, but actually the dry season from November to April is the best time to come, as there is less sediment in the water, making all the pools turquoise, and getting to each place on the roads is far less of an ordeal. This region is also quite humid as it is subtropical, so even in the winter months, it will be still be hot enough to swim and the water will be refreshingly cool.

The Santa María del Agua de Landa Franciscan mission in the Sierra Gorda mountains
It's not all water in Huasteca Potosina. This region's mountainous area, the Sierra Gorda mountains, are home to five Franciscan missions that were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, due to their outstanding Mestizo Baroque architecture. The main facades and portals of the churches feature wildly ornate designs, which incorporates both Spanish and Indigenous styles.

For example, the Landa mission, which you'll find as you head north from Xilitla back to San Luis Potosi, has mermaids carved on its front, but they have indigenous faces. It's worth taking some time to explore these missions as not only are they unique works of art, they also tend to be located in small villages that showcase traditional life in the Sierra Gordas.

Edward James' surrealist Las Pozas
As you leave the humid lowlands and start climbing into the Sierra Gorda, you will come to the funky little mountain town of Xilitla. While there is plenty of hiking and river exploring to do here, along with hot springs to soak in, the main reason to visit is to check out the bizarre Las Pozas sculpture garden.

Edward James, an eccentric British writer and art collector, bought a coffee plantation here in 1947, and started creating a surrealist concrete sculpture garden and home in the middle of the rainforest. After his death, it was opened to the public as a tourist attraction, and is one of Mexico's most unique spots.

The double cascades of Minas Viejas waterfall
Minas Viejas is not just a double waterfall, but is actually almost like a large natural water park as it has small cascades along with beautiful pools of water to swim and relax in. There's plenty of space here, some hidden spots further down the river and it's easy to spend a whole day here.

You can camp here, picnic and it's an easy walk down to the pools and falls, so not a lot of exertion is required, and it's one very family-friendly place.

Kayaking under the cascades at Minas Viejas
Then again, if it's exertion you're after, there's plenty to be had at almost all the waterfalls here. Kayaking is a neat way to experience the cascades up close, is certainly very photogenic and there are plenty of tour agencies in the region who specialize in full day trips where you jump off waterfalls, rappel, hike up rivers, kayak and more, for all skill levels.

You can best arrange trips like these in Ciudad Valles, as it is the closest big town in proximity to all the waterfalls, and makes for a good base, especially if you don't have your own transport and will need to rely on taxis or buses.

Waterfall jumping at Micos Falls
While Micos Falls are not as powerful or as pristine as the the other falls in the area, and while they get very crowded being just down the road from Ciudad Valles, they're a cheap place to come have a picnic ($2.50 entrance fee).

If you happen to be into waterfall jumping, this is a very impressive spot, as you get to hike and climb away from the main swimming and boating area, going up the river where there are seven waterfalls of varying heights and flows. They give you rubber booties, so that you won't fall walking along the slippery rocks, and then you can plunge to your heart's content.