Cascadas El Chiflon is one of the most incredible waterfalls in Mexico!
It boasts not just one but five EPIC waterfalls and turquoise-colored cascades flowing down a lush green valley which can all be explored via an easy walking trail.
I have put together this ultimate guide to Cascadas El Chiflon including how to get there, the best time to visit, how much it costs, and what to expect when you arrive!
QUICK ANSWERS: CASCADAS EL CHIFLON CHIAPAS
Let’s start with all the essentials you should know about the Cascadas El Chiflón, from the location to how to get there and more.
WHERE IS CASCADAS EL CHIFLÓN?
Cascadas del Chiflon is located next to a small village called San Vicente La Mesilla in the state of Chiapas, Mexico.
From San Cristobal de las Casas, it’s approximately a 3-hour drive south to reach Chiflon Waterfall and from Comitan City, it’s a 45-minute drive.
Click here to see the location on google maps.
HOW TO GET TO CASCADA EL CHIFLON MEXICO?
There are a few ways of reaching El Chiflon Chiapas and that is either with a tour company, with a Colectivo (public bus), or DIY in a rental car.
The majority of travelers that visit take a day tour from San Cristobal de las Casas, whereas some other travelers like to visit on their own which is also doable.
WITH A TOUR OPERATOR:
The easiest and most convenient way to reach this waterfall is to book a full-day tour from San Cristobal de las Casas.
That’s right – instead of asking yourself “how to get to El Chiflon from San Cristobal”, I recommend booking the Cascada El Chiflon Mexico tour online in advance, as they offer a tour with great reviews and hundreds of bookings.
The tour includes a hotel pick-up in San Cristobal, a visit to Cascadas del Chiflon, a boat cruise, and a swim at Montebello Lakes National Park, then returning to San Cristobal.
BEST TOUR TO CASCADAS EL CHIFLON
The best way to discover the waterfalls is to join a Tour To Cascadas El Chiflon & Montebello Lakes!
It includes hotel transfers, national park fees, a stop at Cascadas El Chiflon, and a fun guide!
WITH A COLECTIVO (PUBLIC BUS):
Another option is to take a coach bus from San Cristobal to Comitan City, which is a 2-hour drive south, and from here you will have to change into a Colectivo bound for Cascadas de Chiflon Chiapas which takes around 45 minutes.
Alternatively, you can travel from San Cristobal to Comitan and spend one night in a hotel the day before you plan to visit the waterfall.
This is the way I did it and it means you can get to the falls in the early morning before the crowds start to arrive.
The cost of the coach bus from San Cristobal to Comitan is 50 MXN and the cost of the Colectivo from Comitan to Chiflon Waterfalls is 35 MXN.
RENT A CAR:
If you wish to visit Cascadas del Chiflon Chiapas DIY in the most convenient and hassle-free way, you can rent a car in San Cristobal or in Comitan and make your own way out to El Chiflon Waterfall.
Discover Cars is the company I always book my rental cars with and I highly recommend them. They have many different categories of cars and the cheapest rates.
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ARRIVING AT CASCADAS DEL CHIFLON
There is a large sign and an archway that clearly marks the turnoff to Cascada El Chiflon Chiapas, so you can’t get lost.
From the main road to the entrance, it’s shot 5-minute drive or a 15-minute walk along a cobblestone driveway.
If you are visiting El Chiflon Chiapas on a tour, the bus will drop you directly at the entrance.
For those taking a Colectivo from Comitan, you’ll be dropped off on the main road, and from here you can either walk or jump in the back of a tuk-tuk and be driven to the entrance for an additional 10 MXN.
There is an entrance fee of 50 MXN that is to be paid at the ticket office before beginning the hike to Chiflon Waterfall.
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THE HIKING TRAIL TO EL CHIFLON CHIAPAS
Once you pass through the entrance gates there is a single pathway that lines the river’s edge all the way up to the main falls and it takes around 20 to 30 minutes from start to finish.
The trail is a combination of concrete paths and ramps, stone steps, and steel handrailings which makes the hike suitable for all sorts of travelers.
It’s a very tranquil walk beneath a canopy of lush rainforest and the sounds of the flowing stream and chirping birds add to the jungle vibes.
Along the way to the main falls, you can find a few rest areas and sheltered huts on the sides of the river bed which is a perfect spot for a picnic if you have a pre-packed lunch.
You can also take a dip in these calm, turquoise waters but I recommend waiting till the very end to jump in and cool off once you’ve worked up a decent sweat.
There is also a number of camping sites and cabanas along the river’s edge that can be rented for an overnight stay which would be a pretty awesome experience!
Best to inquire at the ticket office for rates and availability if you sporadically decide to spend the night here.
Some other great attractions along the trail up to Cascada El Chiflon are a series of zip lines for the adrenaline junkies!
There is a 300-meter and 600-meter zip line to choose from, or you can do both!
The cost is 200 MXN for the 300-meter, 250 MXN for the 400-meter, and 300 MXN for the 600-meter, and the package deal to do the 3 zip lines totaling 900 meters is 600 MXN.
THE FIRST WATERFALL
Cascada El Suspiro is the first set of falls that you will stumble upon as you are making your way up to the main falls.
There is a shoot-off trail to the left of the main path that leads down to the base of this waterfall. The way is clearly signposted so you can’t miss it.
Cascada El Suspiro features a surging flow of water across a wide rock face that meets a large catch basin below.
The color of the water is a vibrant turquoise color making it irresistibly tempting to go for a dip but unfortunately, swimming is prohibited in this area.
Although you can’t go swimming here, you can still get quite close to the falls by walking to the edge of the banks surrounding the natural pool and taking a few photos before continuing the hike upstream.
THE SECOND SET OF FALLS AT CASCADAS DEL CHIFLON
A little further along the trail, you can find the second set of falls in the valley which is called Cascada Ala de Àngel.
This particular set of falls is larger than the first, featuring a silvery curtain-like downpour that flows over a limestone rockface.
A number of trees with large roots can be seen growing out of the catch basin which is another cool feature at Cascada Ale de Angel.
The force of the water and currents in the natural pools here are quite strong and again, swimming is not permitted for safety reasons, but it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it from afar!
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CASCADA VELO DE NOVIA
Continue along the trail for 5 minutes to reach the main attraction, the almighty Cascada Velo de Novia!
I guarantee you will be in awe as soon as you catch your first glimpse of this monolithic waterfall.
There are three viewpoints once you reach the top, each of which offers different perspectives of Velo de Novia.
My favorite viewpoint of the three is the one that is the highest and the closest to the base of the falls which can be accessed by a concrete staircase.
It can be quite slippery making your way up to the viewing platform so be sure to take it slow and hang on to the handrailings for aid.
Do note that the closer you get to the main falls, the wetter you are going to get from the copious amounts of mist that fill the air.
Getting soaked from the spray of the falls is an incredible experience in itself though you may want to put your non-waterproof valuables away in a waterproof dry bag so they don’t get damaged.
The grandeur size of Cascada Velo de Novia is an incredible sight and one I won’t soon forget. It boasts a 120-meter waterfall that surges down the cliff face with immense power, crashing into a circular catch basin below.
From here it flows downstream to yet another waterfall that is equally impressive and colorful rainbows can be spotted amongst the mist.
The main viewpoint overlooking Velo de Novia may seem like the end of the trail, but it is not.
Many tourists don’t realize this but there are actually two more waterfalls above the main falls made accessible via a dirt trail that can be found next to the zip line platform.
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The trailhead isn’t clearly marked so if you struggle to find it just ask one of the staff members working at the zip line to point you in the right direction.
If you still have some energy left, I highly recommend hiking further up the valley to visit these two extra waterfalls known as Cascada Arcoiris and Cascada Quinceañera.
Chances are you will have them entirely yourself without the crowds as no other tourists venture past the main falls.
The trail to these top two waterfalls is quite steep and overgrown in some areas so a decent pair of walking shoes is recommended.
It takes an additional 15 to 20 minutes to hike up to the highest point.
See the photos below of Cascada Arcoiris and Cascada Quinceañera to give you an idea of what they look like and decide for yourself whether you’ll go the extra mile to check them out.
THE HIKE BACK TO THE ENTRANCE
The way back to the entrance of Cascada El Chiflon is a lot easier as it’s all downhill and it takes no more than 20 minutes.
Also, don’t forget to go for a swim in the designated areas downstream which you would have walked past at the very beginning of the hike.
A number of souvenir shops can also be found on-site if you wish to buy a little keep-sake trinket for yourself or as a gift for friends and family back home.
Busting for the toilet? You’re in luck because there are men’s and women’s bathrooms at the exit which are free for visitors to use.
The BEST Hotel in Comitan
Need a place to stay? Hotel Jardín de Tereza is conveniently located in Comitan.
Whether you’re here to explore the sights or relax in comfort, Hotel Jardín de Tereza is an excellent option!
As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, Cascadas El Chiflon is hands-down one of the most incredible waterfalls I have had the pleasure of experiencing and I can’t recommend this place enough!
The best time to visit is in the early morning between 7:30 am and 11:00 am if you wish to experience it without the crowds.
In saying that, it doesn’t get overly crowded as it’s quite a large valley and typically everyone will be spread out.
Chiflon Waterfall is open 7 days a week from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm.
If you’re looking for more epic waterfalls to visit in Mexico, check out my other posts on Cascada El Aguacero in Chiapas and also Hierve El Agua in Oaxaca.
