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 braethtaking 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!
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.
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:
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.
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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