Is Agua Azul Worth Visiting? Chiapas Most Famous Waterfall
Agua Azul is one of the most famous and photogenic waterfalls in Chiapas. Unfortunately, the cascadas have fallen victim to their own popularity.
Where is Agua Azul?
Agua Azul is in the north of Chiapas, near the town of Palenque. Palenque is a major stop on the tourist circuit linking Chiapas to the coastal states of Tabasco and Campeche. Palenque is central to the impressive Palenque Mayan ruins and a number of other Chiapas waterfalls, including the Misol Há and Xanil waterfalls.
Is Agua Azul Worth Visiting?
Although it was overcast when we visited the mighty Agua Azul waterfall, it was hard not to be impressed. Thousands upon thousands of liters of water surge down this series of sprawling falls. Notable for their turquoise color, the volume of water, and the sheer number of falls, they are certainly worthy of being counted among the best waterfalls in Chiapas.
Unfortunately, bringing down the overall experience is the huge number of guides, food vendors, and stalls flogging souvenirs. These hawkers, packed in and around the natural wonder, vie desperately and constantly for your business. It is difficult to immerse oneself in the beauty of nature as people clamor around you, offering guacamole, wifi, and trinkets.
Added to the pushy element of the vendors was the indignation of being charged twice for entry. We paid $25 pesos for a ticket marked ‘cascada entrada’ only to find out a little further down the road that the initial payment covered only, ostensibly, the use of the road to get there. Another $45 pesos was required to access the actual falls. While it’s only a few dollars, this makes the attraction more expensive than other similar activities but, more importantly, leaves a distinctly unpleasant impression that you’ve been scammed.
In the end, Agua Azul is definitely worth a visit, particularly if you’re planning on seeing the Palenque Ruins. That being said, if possible, plan to go on a sunny day, and be prepared to sing out NO POR FAVOR to a few vendors!
How to Get to Agua Azul
With Your Own Vehicle
The falls are about 1.5 hours drive from the city of Palenque. The mountainous roads are narrow, windy, and have plenty of topes along the way, so drive with care.
Be on alert throughout this drive, as local communities have capitalized on the increasing and ever-growing traffic. Communities gather at certain points along the road with a wooden board boasting nails protruding upwards to puncture your tires, barring your onward journey without paying a fine to the community. We have heard of people being charged upwards of $200 pesos, but we managed to get away with only paying $20.
Click here to read more about this van life horror story plus others!
Tour Group
We recommend visiting Agua Azul from Palenque. There are a few tour operators who operate out of San Cristobal, however, these tours are often very long days packing in as much as possible (Misol Ha, Palenque, and Agua Azul plus a five-hour drive). If you want to make sure you can have the best experience at each location, consider joining a tour from Palenque or catching a tour that will pick you up in San Cristobal and drop you off in Palenque.
Public Transport
To reach Agua Azul on public transport, you will need to jump on a collectivo in Palenque. The vans to Agua Azul leave from the corner of Benito Juarez and 5a. Pte Sur and should be signed Ocosigno. Check when you board that they can drop you at Agua Azul. The ride should cost around $35 – $50 pesos per person and take approximately an hour and a half.
Where to Stay to Visit Agua Azul
Palenque is the closest and most convenient place to stay to Agua Azul, although some basic accommodation is near the falls. Palenque offers a variety of a variety of accommodation options and restaurants.
Camping at the Falls
You can camp with your vehicle in the car park of Agua Azul; there are no extra camping fees beyond your entry ticket.
Accommodation Near Agua Azul
If you would like to stay close to Agua Azul, your best (and only) option available online is the Tzeltal Inn. Tzeltal Inn offers basic necessities, including access to a private toilet and bed linens. There is an onsite restaurant as well.
Palenque
Located in the north of Chiapas, Palenque is the jumping-off point for visiting many of the best waterfalls in Chiapas. It is also the best place to stay if you are planning to visit the stunning Palenque ruins. There are tons of options to choose from when staying in Palenque.
We recommend: Casa Janaab Palenque