Cascada el Meco is a stunning waterfall located in the small town of Naranjo, in the La Huasteca Potosina region of the state of San Luis Potosi in Mexico. This breathtaking waterfall is secluded and beautiful, yet to be touched by commercial tourism and little known to the average American tourist. If you look up travel guides for San Luis Potosi or how to visit Cascada el Meco on Google, there’s just 273 reviews and very little English information. I did the digging, research, and exploring to figure out the best way to visit this incredible waterfall, and am excited to share it with you so your journey to La Huasteca Potosina is easier than mine!
HOW TO GET TO CASCADA EL MECO
In order to reach Cascada el Meco, you will need to rent a car and drive. Your other option is to arrange for a private taxi or driver, however Cascada el Meco is roughly two hours from the closest large city, Ciudad Valles, and renting a car is much more cost efficient. Make sure you download offline Google Maps before going, as cell phone service in the region can be spotty.
If you hire a private driver or taxi, hire them for the full day so you know you have transportation back. I also recommend having them take you to Cascada el Salto, just fifteen minutes up the road {Google will tell you its five. Google lies}. Learn how to visit Cascada el Salto by clicking here.
Cascada el Meco is located in a small town called Naranjo. When you arrive in this town, you will likely see a local in the center of town, offering guides for the waterfall. The waterfall is easy to miss, it’s a small overlook at the side of the road. Trees largely block the view from the road, so if you see an overlook and are unsure if it’s the waterfall, it probably is. There will likely be a few locals standing at this overlook offering tours as well.
THE BEST THINGS TO DO AT CASCADA EL MECO
Unlike the cenotes of Tulum in Quintana Roo and the rest of the Yucatan, there isn’t a business running a recreational area or anything near the sort. You have three different options for experiencing Cascada el Meco in San Luis Potosi:
- Just view it! You can step down the stairs at the overlook to the viewing platforms to see it, and it’s stunning. This option is totally free and you can stay as long or as little as you like.
- Hire a boat tour to paddle upstream and view it. Locals offer this for approximately 150 pesos {approximately $7.50 USD}. You will be able to see the falls best in its entirety this way.
- Hire a guide to hike very close to the waterfall on the opposite side of from the viewing platform. A local informed me that there’s actually four waterfalls total between Cascada El Salto and Cascada El Meco, and these waterfalls are only accessible via hiking. During this hike, you can also jump from the very top waterfall into the top pool! This option was offered to us for 250 pesos {approximately $12.50 USD}. We would have loved to have done this if we had the time. The locals who approached us were very friendly and helpful.
WHERE TO STAY NEAR CASCADA EL MECO
When visiting Cascada el Meco and Cascada el Salto, I recommend staying in Ciudad Valles. Ciudad Valles is the second largest city in San Luis Potosi, and the closest city to many of the ecological attractions in La Huasteca Potosina. El Naranjo is quite remote, very small, and further north than many attractions in Huasteca Potosina. These reasons are why I chose to stay in Ciudad Valles for the entirety of my exploring in La Huasteca Potosina, San Luis Potosi.
In Ciudad Valles, I recommend staying at Hotel Casa Ortiz. Hotel Casa Ortiz is a beautiful boutique hotel that has a great restaurant, friendly staff, and a focus on being environmentally conscious. This is where I stayed, and it was perfect after a long day of adventuring! See my full review of Hotel Casa Ortiz by clicking here.
If you would rather stay in El Naranjo, nearby hotels include Huasteca Secreta and Aldea Salto del Meco, amongst others. I have not stayed in either of these hotels and cannot speak on their quality. Explore all your hotel options in El Naranjo, San Luis Potosi by clicking here or here.
THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN LA HUASTECA POTOSINA, SAN LUIS POTOSI
Looking for more things to do in La Huasteca Potosina? Click any of these links to check out these other attractions:
- Cascada El Salto / El Salto del Agua
- Cascadas de Tamasopo
- Cascada de Tamul
- Las Pozas – Edward James’ Surrealist Garden Xilitla (Jardín Escultórico Edward James)
- Your Complete Guide to La Huasteca Potosina
THE BOTTOM LINE
Cascada el Meco is truly a special place. It is absolutely worth the drive to experience its beauty. The best part of traveling to La Huasteca Potosina in San Luis Potosi as a whole, is that it has yet to be commercialized by big tourism companies, and is still relatively unknown, even withing Mexico. Visit now while it is still tranquil and peaceful!
xx,
E
P.S. Beautiful long bamboo stalks are just down the road from Cascada el Meco near Huasteca Secreta. Not interesting to most, but fun to play with as a photographer.
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