El Chiflon Waterfalls: How to go Swimming in a Turquoise Dream

Are you visiting the southern part of Mexico and trying to figure out where to go and have some fun? Worry no more. In rural Chiapas you’ll find El Chiflon waterfalls with five huge waterfalls that offer tranquility and serenity for anyone visiting.

Visiting Cascadas El Chiflon in Chiapas is a full-day activity, as you can see the five waterfalls, swim, get to zip line, and refresh your mind with the beautiful viewing platforms. Don’t forget the amazing food, camping, and hiking activities.

You don’t have to worry about overspending when visiting these beautiful cascades either since the activities are affordable, including the transportation cost to get to the area.

Traveling with family, solo, or as a backpacker, El Chiflon is the best place to be. Keep reading to find out all about them!

El Chiflon Waterfalls has five unique falls that have different heights and styles. I will tell you about each one of them in ascending order as you start from the bottom of the hike to the top. They include:-

1.Cascada El Suspiro

Cascada El Suspiro shares many similarities with Cascada Ala de Angel. It is the first waterfall at the start of the hike, and it is safe to swim in this waterfall. It is surrounded by green trees and falls crashing down.

2. Cascada Ala de Ángel

This waterfall is the second, and if you are a great swimmer, what a great opportunity to swim in blue water surrounded by trees and fresh vicinity.

3. Cascada Velo de Novia

You would be right to rank Cascada Velo de Novia as the main attraction among the five El Chiflon waterfalls. Why? It is the highest waterfall among the five, and within 45 minutes, you are viewing this site. 

Though the path toward it is very steep, it is worth the effort. Just ensure you are wearing comfortable hiking shoes. Imagine watching a massive waterfall surrounded by clear blue water and a green forest. A scenery to behold indeed. 

4. Cascada Arcoíris

The ‘Rainbow Waterfall’ offers a unique experience as you watch water crashing down to meet the shining sun to create a rainbow over the moving water.

This is considered the most powerful Cascada because of the deadly water drop at the pool’s edge. You really have to be careful while walking and always keep away from the water.

5. Cascada Quinceañera

It takes about a mile to reach this last Cascada El Chiflon, and what a way to finish the Waterfall adventure.

What to Do at Cascadas El Chiflon

At Cascadas El Chiflon, you can swim, hike, or try out the Zipline as the best way to have fun.

Hiking

When you enter Cascadas El Chiflon, follow the provided pathway that will take you to the above waterfalls. The path is steep and good for hiking. It has numerous concrete, stone steps, ramps, and handrails to make hiking easy. 

The trail goes up to the last waterfall, Cascada Quinceañera. But in most cases, the majority of people stop at the trail at Velo De Novia, considered the tallest cascades, which blocks the last two. Follow the path towards Cascada Arcoíris and Cascada Quinceañera to finish the hike at the top. 

Swimming

El Chiflon has unique swimming areas not far from the entrance. The first two waterfalls, Cascada Suspiro and Cascada Ala de Ángel, have swimming sections. The two provide turquoise water for swimming. 

Because of the dangerous drops, you are not allowed to swim into pools below the falls. You can only swim in the river near the entrance park, with easily accessible picnic locations to relax and camp. 

At El Chiflon waterfall, you can only swim in rivers before reaching the Cascadas Suspiro and Ala de Angel, as they are considered safe. 

The only con includes the water being pretty cold although some people might like that. Try hiking fast and returning to swim when your body is warm enough to withstand the chilly turquoise water. 

Zip Lining

Immediately after Cascada Ala de Ángel, cabanas for zip lining are available. The area has two sections for the zip line, each varying in price. 

Remember you have to pay first before you start your journey and you can decide at that time if you will take the zip-lining adventure.

Prices for Zip Lining

El Chiflon has three zip lines; it costs around $250 to use one zip line and a discounted cost of around $550 for the three zip lines.  Don’t hold me to these costs, though, because they can change at any time but were correct at time of writing this post.

The zip-lining activity is fun because the lines go over the water offering incredible views of the waterfalls and the green forest. 

Around the cabanas locals sell delicious foods. The torta is the most common food served as well as ready to serve drinks. 

Why Velo De Novia is considered the main attraction

First, there are different platforms to view this meticulous waterfall. The Velo De Novia Cascada has a powerful fall as the blue water crashes over the cliffside against the rocks falling 400 ft (120m) to the pool below. The only downside is that no one is allowed to swim in the pool. The waterfall offers hiking opportunities.

The features that make Velo De Novia Chiapas unique include: –

• The height
• Chilly blue water
• High water volume
• Green Park surrounding the waterfall
• Beautiful scenery around

What to Carry to Cascadas El Chiflon?

Always remember to have the right gear when visiting El Chiflon waterfall.

Consider having Sturdy Hiking Boots to avoid slipping and falling when hiking. To avoid such injuries, have a sturdy shoe with strong traction and ankle support. Also, consider carrying water shoes if you must step into the water.

Consider carrying boots that have Gore-Tex to allow you to climb the steps and waterfalls without having to get your socks soaked in water or sweat. Excessive moisture could lead to blisters and fungal infections.

It is important to carry sunscreen, lip balm, and insect repellant. It is easier to get sun spots and insect bites, thus the need to carry the essentials. Lip balm helps to protect your cracked lips because of dehydration.

Since this is an adventure, don’t forget to carry a waterproof camera to record the memories. Consider purchasing a GoPro camera for quality shots not hindered by water.

Since you’ll encounter water on several occasions, consider carrying a travel towel, especially if you plan to swim.

Also, pack hats and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun. Consider packing a hat that protects your body up to the neck.

Reusable water bottles are a better option to have your drinking water from, unlike the plastic bottles that are left littering around.

Seasons to visit The Cascadas El Chiflon

Mexico has a dry and wet season. The best time to swim in pools around El Chiflon and view turquoise water is during the dry winter. Visit the area in January, February, March, and April.

While you can visit during the wet months in May to October, the water may need to be clearer because of the soil and sedimentation. Also, the water is extremely cold during the wet months.  

How to Book for El Chiflon Tour

If you are visiting Mexico for the first time, book a tour company, take a public bus, or rent a car.

Booking a Full-Day Tour

El Chiflon adventure might take a full day, and it is cheaper to book a whole-day tour right from San Cristobal de las Casas.

The best approach includes booking the tour online. I highly recomment Viator tours since they have a lot of excellent reviews and are very reputable. You can book their tour here.

Usually, the tour starts with a hotel pick-up within San Cristobal based on the services paid for. You may take a boat cruise or swimming tour and return to the hotel drop-off point.

Use Colectivo (Public Bus Transport)

You can also take a coach bus from San Cristobal to Comitan City. This is a two-hour drive. Then get onto another public bus headed towards Cascada de Chiflon, which takes about 45 minutes. Busbud is an easy and reputable way to book your bus tickets. You can book Busbud here for your trip.

You can get on a Colectivo bus from San Cristobal to Comitan, then spend the night in a hotel before proceeding to the waterfall the next day.

This is advisable because visiting the waterfall early morning gives you time to walk around before people start to overcrowd it. The charge for taking a bus from San Cristobal to Comitan is about 50 Mexican pesos. In contrast, Comitan to Chiflon Waterfalls is about 35 pesos.

Car Rentals

The most common car rental service is the DIY, with car offices in San Cristobal and Comitan. Or book online with the very reputable online company, Discover Cars so you can compare pricing and routes.

Directions towards Cascadas Del Chiflon

When approaching Cascada El Chiflon you will see a huge sign which marks the spot making it hard to get lost. It takes five minutes to drive to the waterfall from the main road and around 15 minutes to walk.

If using the public bus, it drops you at the main road and you can walk to get to the main entrance gate.

You’ll be dropped at the gate entrance if you use a bus tour.

El Chiflon Waterfall Trail

You’ll start your adventure by paying the ticket fees at the entrance gate and embark on a single pathway towards the five waterfalls.

The entrance is the beginning of the river edge to the main falls, and it may take about 30 minutes to finish the entire adventure.

The trail has concrete paths, ramps, stone steps, and handrails made of steel, thus suiting all types of travelers.

Imagine having a tranquil walk under a green rainforest as water splashes and flows down the stream. Imagine hearing the birds sing as you enjoy all the forest vibes. This is a pretty tranquil location!

When you proceed toward the main waterfalls, you’ll find rest areas, camps, and private huts beside the river bed. This offers a perfect chance to enjoy a picnic if carrying a pre-packed lunch.

Designated swimming pools are available, but because the waters are pretty chilly, finishing the trail and getting warm or hot before swimming is advisable in order to cool off.

If you don’t feel like returning to the hotel in town, take advantage of the camping sites and cabanas to have an awesome overnight experience.

However, make sure to do your due diligence, including asking about the rates from the ticket providers at the entrance gate. At various times the camping sites could be fully booked so don’t assume you will be able to stay.

If you are an adrenaline junky, zip lining is your best shot. You can choose from 300m or 600m zip lines, its your choice.

How to Plan Your Trip

• Search online for cheap flights that offer affordable fares, depending on where you come from.
• Book early for your stay. There are numerous options to select from, including hotels and some vacation rentals. Choose the one that best suits your pocket, adventure needs, and availability.
• Pack your bags, and I advise light packing without missing any travel essentials.
• Consider getting travel insurance for safety purposes. This is advised because you never know what could happen at your waterfall adventure. You may be exposed to accidents, especially if visiting during the rainy season.

Takeaway

When visiting Chiapas, its best to leave El Chiflon waterfalls as your last stop. At the same time, it’s possible to do a one-day tour to El Chiflon and back.

It’s better to take at least two days for the trip. Travel from San Cristobal to Comitan City, spend the night and then travel to Cascada El Chiflon the following day.

Remember it’s advisable to visit the waterfall during morning hours, when the water is cool and fresh, and when there is no overcrowding.

The five falls offer visitors quite the gorgeous scenery to enjoy. If you are an adrenaline freak, consider zip-lining when getting back instead of walking. Also, consider swimming or hiking through to the fifth waterfall.

While Cascada Velo de Novia is considered the ultimate adventure, keep the journey from ending there. Despite no clear pathways marked towards the Cascada Arcoíris and Cascada Quinceañera, you can challenge yourself and continue on for more adventure.

Next: Waterfalls in Mexico: The Most Stunningly Beautiful Falls You’ll Want to See