If adventure is on your horizon, then seeing the Cascada de Tamil should definitely be on your checklist. The falls are best accessed from July to October during the low-water season. The weather in this area is generally mild, making it the perfect place for a camping trip. The lush sandy banks are available nightly for camping.

The waterfall feeds into the Santa Maria river and visitors can rent a boat along with a guide to paddle along and view the falls. Santa Maria, which is also famous for its Class III rapids, can also be used for white water rafting. This is often an exciting alternative route to viewing the falls.

The Cave of Swallows, or Sótano de las Golondrinas, is a naturally formed cave located in the town of Aquismón. Visitors of an adventurous nature can rappel down into the cave, which can take from 20 seconds to 15 minutes. Unfortunately the trip back up isn’t as fast – it can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours. Rappelling into this cave requires experience, special equipment, and permits. It is definitely not a trip recommended for beginners. The cave is home to the White-collared swift, which gives the cave its name, and the rate Green Conures parrot. Every morning these birds will fly spirals upwards to leave the cave in search of food. If you wish to see this spectacular sight, it is recommended that you aim to be at the mouth of the cave before sunrise, when the majority of the birds begin their flight. Expect to encounter rocky terrain on your hike into the forest. Walking sticks and coffee are available for purchase at the start of the trail. Temperatures in the cave can get quite chilly, so dressing in layers is recommended. Stocking up on the coffee at the beginning of the trail is also recommended!

If the caves are too chilly, a quick dip in the Laguna de la Media Luna will definitely do the trick to warm you up. At nearly 3300 feet above sea level and with an average water temperature of 29C, Laguna de la Media Luna is a beautiful prehistoric lagoon that is fed by a number of natural springs which have created natural canals perfect for swimming. These springs also ensure water clarity and a visibility depth of around 100 feet. At its deepest point, the lagoon reaches 120 feet. The calm waters are teeming with freshwater fish and even a few species of turtle. If you’ve brought your snorkel you’ll be able to take a peek at the submerged water lilies which are established at a depth of five to eight feet. If, on the other hand, you’ve brought scuba diving gear, you might be fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of some fossilized mammoth bones which have been known to be churned up from the bottom by the currents of the natural springs.

After a refreshing swim, a visit to the Las Pozas gardens in Xilitla would be a welcome sight. Created by famous Surrealist artist Edward James, this 80-acre jungle garden contains over 30 surrealist sculptures made entirely from concrete. Some of these sculptures tower over the jungle landscape at four stories high. For a small fee, visitors can obtain an English-language guided tour or they can wander around on their own on trails that include stairs, walkways, and bridges going over picturesque rivers. It’s also possible to follow the garden wall via trail to get a bird’s eye view of the area.



Cascada de Tamul image courtesy of Gene Paull
Media Luna image courtesy of Rich Worfel