If you’re visiting the Chiapas region of Mexico, do yourself a favour and add the Roberto Barrios waterfalls (Cascada Roberto Barrios) to your itinerary. The waterfalls are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen and can be easily reached from nearby city Palenque. Surrounded by thick forest and jungle, these waterfalls are popular with locals but remain off the beaten track so you won’t find them overrun with tourists. In fact, if you’re lucky, you might have the falls almost all to yourself! In this blog post, I will give you all the details about visiting the waterfalls from Palenque, (either independently or via a tour company), what to expect, when to visit and what to bring with you.

How to get there from Palenque city centre

The Roberto Barrios waterfalls are located 31 kilometres south of Palenque. You can reach them by taxi or car (parking is available for ~$10 MXN) or by taking a colectivo like my boyfriend and I did. Colectivos are shared vans or buses which take people along a specific route. They don’t change course but you can hop on or off at any point. At Palenque market, look for a colectivo with a “Palenque-Roberto Barrios” sign on the windscreen. We had some trouble finding it but eventually got there (with the help of a police officer who kindly escorted us!). Colectivos only start their journey once they are full, so look for one with a lot of other passengers. The journey costs $50-60 MXN/person and takes 45-60 minutes as it may stop along the way to let other passengers on or off. It’s a bumpy ride but you can enjoy some gorgeous scenery along the way. 

When you arrive in the small village of Roberto Barrios, pay the colectivo driver and make your way to a small wooden hut near the church. You can buy your tickets here for the waterfalls ($40 MXN/person). Count your change carefully because the man who sold us our tickets tried to overcharge us. Once you’ve got your tickets, walk along a dirt road lined with shops selling swimming gear, toys and snacks until you get to the entrance to the falls. There are clean bathrooms and showers at the entrance for $5 MXN, along with some restaurants and cafes. There’s nowhere to buy food or drink near the waterfalls, so make sure you bring or buy food and water before walking down to them. 

What to expect

The Roberto Barrios waterfalls are five gorgeous waterfalls connected by a river. You reach them by walking through the jungle, which feels quite wild. As you step closer to each waterfall, the sound of rushing water grows louder and louder, amping up the anticipation and excitement.

You will discover a series of tiered falls cascading down limestone rocks, creating natural pools which bubble away like jacuzzis. Some waterfalls have an infinity pool effect, where you can watch the water tumble over the edge. You can stand directly under some of them, feeling the water pounding on your shoulders. The fifth waterfall is the most fun as its rocks are so smooth, you can slide down them ten metres into the water below.

The blue-green hues of the water complements the surrounding jungle, offering a picture-perfect setting for swimming, sliding down rocks or simply enjoying the peace and quiet. Keep an eye out for giant butterflies, monkeys and tropical birds. You might even hear a howler monkey or two, with their surreal roars (which sounds like a combination of a lion and a dinosaur!). Allow at least two hours to fully enjoy the place and move around safely without slipping or sliding. If you’re not a confident swimmer, you can rent a lifejacket at the entrance for $100 MXN. 

What to bring

Sturdy walking shoes are recommended for navigating your way through the forest. Don’t forget your swimsuit, insect repellent, plenty of drinking water and a towel. Unfortunately there aren’t any benches to sit on so you’ll have to sit or lie on the ground. You might also want to pack waterproof shoes for climbing in and out of the river.

Getting back to Palenque 

When you’re ready to head back to Palenque, return to the ticket hut area where you were dropped off. You will see some white vans lined up, waiting to take people back to Palenque. The last colectivo leaves around 5pm so make sure you’re at the pick-up spot well before then. The alternative is a very expensive taxi back to Palenque!

When to visit

The waterfalls are open daily 8am-5pm. The best time of year to visit is from November to March. During these months, the weather is slightly cooler, with lower humidity and minimal rain. The waterfalls also look their best during the dry season. From May to September (the rainy season), the consistent rain will make the waterfalls and rivers look brown and swimming isn’t allowed.

Want to see more waterfalls?

If this destination gets you hooked on waterfalls, there are others you can visit in the area. The Agua Azul waterfalls are a series of gorgeous, turquoise-coloured waterfalls, which you can also swim in. You can reach them via a colectivo from Palenque city centre, or a tour company. Agua Azul is much more frequently visited by coach-loads of tourists and as a result you’ll find vendors selling souvenirs and people offering paid guided tours (neither of which you’ll find at the Roberto Barrios falls). 

Most tour operators who visit Agua Azul also stop at Misol-Ha, the largest waterfall in the region at over 110 feet (35m) high. You can explore the network of caves behind the waterfall, and swim in the plunge pool at the bottom of it. Operators run tours to Agua Azul and Misol-Ha from Palenque or San Cristobal. Here are some well-rated tours that might interest you:

• San Cristóbal: Agua Azul, Misol Ha & Palenque Experience
• From San Cristóbal: Agua Azul and Palenque Day Trip
• From Palenque: Palenque, Agua Azul Waterfalls and Misol-Ha 

I hope this post has given you all the info you need to visit the Roberto Barrios waterfalls. Visiting these gorgeous waterfalls is an easy day trip from Palenque and a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in nature. If you have any more questions, please leave them in the comments below. 

Ciao for now

Izzie, the Curious Sparrow