Agua Azul
The Cascadas de Agua Azul (“Blue-water Falls”) are found in the Mexican state of Chiapas. They are located in the Municipality of Tumbalá, 69 km from Palenque by the road that leads towards San Cristóbal de las Casas.
This waterfall consists of many cataracts one after another, taken from near the top of the sequence of cascades. The larger cataracts may be as high as 6 meters. The water is blue and has a high mineral content.
Where it falls on rocks or fallen trees it encases them in a thick shell-like coating of limestone. During much of the distance, the water descends in two streams, with small islands in the middle.
Agua Azul is a natural wonder of awesome beauty worth visiting on your Chiapas travel.
Site description
Agua Azul waterfalls are a magnificent natural spectacle, as several waterfalls, coming from the river Tujila, splash downwards over different natural terraces, giving you the impression of being only one huge waterfall.
The river carries a lot of earth washed away from the river banks during the rainy season from May to September so the water could be rather brown in these seasons. From October to April the water is really blue.
Agua Azul waterfalls turn into a slower-flowing river, once the currents reach the lowest part of the downfall. Swimming is allowed, but you should take precautions not to get too far, as there might be some undercurrents.
On both sides of the waterfall, you will discover the deep green dense tropical vegetation growing on these somewhat higher grounds called tropical vegetation of altitude, which completes a view of outstanding natural beauty.
You also can walk up a path leading upwards along the waterfall, where you get the most amazing view of the surroundings.
The grounds of the area belong to Mayan community-land owners, who built the roads and walking lanes to and around the waterfall. And they are zealous to preserve all fauna and flora of the surroundings.
If you get hungry you will find a few simple, but clean restaurants with delicious Mayan cuisine, stands with bottled water and sodas, and some stands with Mayan handicrafts on the grounds.
On weekends you will probably find some more visitors on the site as under the week. Yet, as the area is very large, you will find enough space to relax and enjoy your stay.
How to get there?
Agua Azul waterfalls are located between the town of Palenque and the town of Ocosingo, a little further ahead of the Misol Ha waterfall on Federal Highway 199. You could take a shuttle tour to the Misol Ha and the Blue Waterfalls.
Check local tour agencies in San Cristobal de las Casas, Palenque town, and Ocosingo.
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