el meco mexico

Huasteca Potosina, Mexico Backpacking Guide

Welcome to this guide on Huasteca Potosina in Mexico.

Are you looking for a beautiful, yet low-key jungle paradise to explore?

La Huasteca Potosina is a region located in Central Mexico, and is full of picturesque waterfalls, deep caves, the unique Huasteco culture as well as some cute colonial towns.

It straddles the states of San Luis Potosí, Hidalgo, Veracruz, Tamaulipas, Puebla, Querétaro and Guanajuato and covers an area of roughly 32,000km2.

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Huasteca Potosina Guide

In this guide, we’ll explore everything Huasteca Potosina.

This include the best things to do, why you should visit, the best time to visit, where to stay and our own recommendation based on our own experience.

Where is the Huasteca Potosina?

This jungle region is situated within Central Mexico, and is around 550km north of Mexico City.

Due to its secluded location, the are still vast parts yet to have been explored, mostly in the areas of Querétaro and Tamaulipas.

The bulk of the region is located within the state of San Luis Potosí, which will be the easiest way to access La Huasteca Potosina.

San Luis Potosí (The city of the same name) is around 200km from Ciudad Valles, and can be reached by either domestic flight of bus from Mexico City.

BLATAM backpacking data:

  • 📍 Where is Huasteca Potosina? Central Mexico
  • ⏱ Time needed? 4-5 days
  • 🏔 Terrain: Jungle
  • ☀️ Best Time to Visit? March/April
  • 💯 BLATAM Rating: 9/10

See our Huasteca Potosina travel tip section below for more useful information.

Is it safe to visit the Huasteca Potosina?

In all honesty, Mexico as a whole gets a much worse reputation than the actual reality.

Having traveled here ourselves, we can confirm that the region of Huasteca Potosina specifically is very safe, and you’ll find you’ll relax after a couple of days after seeing what it’s really like.

sotano de golondrinas mexico

Locals are very friendly, and many times you’ll be in the back of a pickup truck when traveling around with workers going about their days!

Obviously knowing Spanish will be great for a chat, but even a smile and nod are universal regardless of the language.

Our only tips here are to keep your belongings somewhere safe, and to leave all valuables in the accommodation locked up.

This secure padlock will be your best friend when traveling through Mexico.

Whilst the region is safe, there’s unfortunately always an individual or two who’d love nothing less than an easy snatch, so don’t make it easy for them!

TIP: Avoid heading out late alone if in Ciudad Valles, as it can be somewhat seedy (especially in the market areas and towards the bus station).

Is La Huasteca Potosina Worth Visiting?

The Huasteca Potosina region is becoming more and more popular among travelers exploring Mexico due to some of its impressive sights.

Some of these attactions include:

  • Tamul Waterfalls
  • Sótano de las Golondrinas
  • Minas Waterfalls
  • Aquismón
  • Xilitla

The region is quite remote, and whilst there are lots of tours and some parts feeling touristy, overall it really feels like it’s off the beaten path and fresh.

La Huasteca Potosina is also home to the indigenous Huastec, who are native to the region. The height of their civilization was during the Mesoamerican era, however today they still occupy territory here, mostly in remote areas.

This region is also one of the most bio-diverse in all of Mexico! There are over 2000 plants here, with many being endemic to the area.

There is an abundance of wildlife here, including Jaguars, Macaws, Wild Boar, Eagles and Spider Monkeys.

The natural spectacle of the swifts flying in and out of Sótano de las Golondrinas is an absolute must see for nature lovers.

As you’ll be within the thick jungle, there are going to be some truly gorgeous landscapes worth snapping. We recommend carrying a GoPro to ensure you capture the highest quality adventure photos and videos.

How many days do you need to visit the Huasteca Potosina?

Whilst this vast and wonderful region could be done quickly, we recommend against it if possible.

This is due to the sheer amount of things to do and gems to see, not to mention being able to spend time in and getting to know a beautiful location.

We recommend a minimum of 4/5 days in the Huasteca Potosina.

The best place to use as your base camp would be the small and charming town of Aquismón, which is near many of the top sights.

backpacking huasteca potosina

During these days you’ll be able to see: Tamul Falls, Sótano de las Golondrinas, Xilitla and El Meco Falls without rushing between each.

As you’ll be doing plenty of hiking in the Huasteca Potosina, this filtered water bottle is a very useful bring given how hot and humid it can get in the jungle.

It’ll also give you sufficient time to get to know the small towns and cultures, and also try out some of the tasty local cuisine.

Okay okay, so you really are in a rush?

The absolute bare minimum here would be 3 days, and you’d be best to stay in the plain yet well connected city of Ciudad Valles.

You’ll be able to see most if not all of the top sights if you’re well organised, although expect lots of buses and walking, and not much rest!

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Things to do in La Huasteca Potosina

Here we will walk through the various destinations that make this region one of the best to visit in Mexico.

This includes both popular trips as well as some lesser known gems.

Tamul Waterfalls

One of the largest waterfalls in Mexico, Tamul stands at 105 metres.

It’s one of the best things to see in the region, with its bright blue coloured River and the huge cascading drop.

Getting here is easy, and is only a 40 minute drive to the area from Ciudad Valles. Once at the small town of El Sauz, you’ll need to take a small boat upstream to reach the falls.

If these falls are on your bucket list, then be aware that sometimes they are inaccessible during to the river conditions, which sometimes happens during the rainy season.

For most backpackers, a guided tour like this one is the perfect way to explore Tamul, where you’ll get up and close with these thundering falls with the included boat ride

Sótano de las Golondrinas

This massive cave looks something out of a sci-fi other worldy film! With an impressive depth of 512 metres, it is the largest cave shaft in the world, and also the 11th deepest.

sotano de las golondrinas
Sotano de las Golondrinas

Its name – translating directly to Cave of Swallows – is given due to the thousands of birds that live here.

We recommend visiting the cave around 6am, and/or between 5-6pm, where the birds fly out and back in to the cave in their large numbers.

It’s also possible to rappel to the bottom of this massive cave, with local guides helping to take you down.

To get to this gem, you need to take a bus from Ciudad Valles down to Aquismón, which takes roughly an hour. From here you can either take a local colectivo or taxi to the site.

Las Pozas (Xilitla)

An absolute must for architecture lovers, Las Pozas is a surrealist garden created by the Englishman Edward James.

las pozas mexico
Las Pozas

Featuring many different towers and sculptures, the site is located in the jungle, and has influence from many different sites and landmarks from all over the World.

Before his death, Edward lived here with many different types of animals, including boa constrictors and deer.

Las Pozas is located in the town of Xilitla, which is roughly two hours south of Ciudad Valles, and can be reached easily by bus.

We highly recommend heading on this tour of Las Pozas, where you’ll also visit the stunning, deep cave of the Huahuas.

El Meco Waterfall

This waterfall is less visited than Tamul, but is still incredibly beautiful nevertheless. Based along the Meco River, the imposing El Meco Waterfall is one of the highlights of the area.

el meco waterfall mexico
El Meco waterfall

At the foot of the waterfall there is a nice small site where you can eat and also go tubing down the river, as well as rafting.

El Meco Waterfall is about a two hour drive north of Ciudad Valles, and to get here it’s best to either get on a tour or by renting a car.

We think found that this tour is perfect for those who are short on time, as it includes all logistics to and from El Meco Falls (as well as some other stunning waterfalls within the jungle)

Hoya de las Huahuas

Similar to Sótano de Las Golondrinas, this site features a massive cavern and has the same phenomenon of the swifts flying in and out in huge numbers.

hoya de las huahuas mexico
Hoya de las Huahuas

It has a height of 290 metres, and could easily fit a football stadium inside!

Once you get to the park entrance, you’ll walk with a local guide for about 20-30 minutes before reaching the site.

hoya de las huahuas
hoya de las huahuas

Hoya is a lot more remote, so you’ll need to take a tour or drive here. You can also take a taxi, but it may end up being quite expensive.

This is one of the more remote areas you’ll visit within the Huasteca, where you’ll need to take small buses and also hike to be able to reach. Make sure you bring a reliable power bank so you’re not caught out without charge!

Aquismón

This picturesque town earned the Pueblo Mágico status, due to its colonial vibe and beautiful setting surrounded by nature.

aquismon mexico
Aquismon Letrero

We would 100% recommend staying here instead of Ciudad Valles. This is because this town has a more authentic vibe, whereas Ciudad Valles feels more gritty and urban.

Aquismón is also located very close to some of the best destinations, including Sótano de las Golondrinas, Xilitla and Tamul Waterfalls.

Ciudad Valles

We’ve include Ciudad Valles as it’s the lively hub of the region, and where most tours leave to explore the region.

It can be a fun city come the night; however being honest the city doesn’t have much going for it. If you’ll be spending most of your time exploring La Huasteca, then staying here is fine.

If you want to spend time in and around where you’re staying, then consider the beautiful town of Aquismón, located about an hour south.

Huasteca Potosina Travel Tips

Here we will list our top tips for visiting the region, which comes from our own experience backpacking in La Huasteca Potosina.

  • When deciding where to stay, we recommend the town of Aquismón. About an hour south of Ciudad Valles, this town is beautiful, has vibe and is close to many destinations in the south of La Huasteca Potosina.
  • Ciudad Valles is a little further north, and whilst has some good nightlife, it feels pretty urban and not the best looking place. If you do stay in Ciudad Valles hostel Casa Huasteca is quite popular with backpackers.
  • Of course renting a car is highly recommended as you’ll cut travel times down well. We can’t personally recommend companies as we didn’t rent the car we used, however most rent a car in either Mexico City or Tampico and then drive into the region. You can also rent in Ciudad Valles.
  • In terms of how long you realistically need in the area to see everything, we would say a minimum of three days is enough to see the big sites and popular destinations. However there’s also lots of smaller gems, so you could easily spend anywhere from 5 days to two weeks exploring here!

Where to Stay in La Huasteca Potosina

There are three main areas to stay in the heart of La Huasteca Potosina.

The first is Ciudad Valles, which is the tourist capital of the region, and the best for organising tours and getting around.

We recommend staying at Hostal Casa Huasteca, which is centrally located and close to both some good food and nightlife options.

You can also stay in Aquismón, which we would recommend over Ciudad Valles. The town is a breath of fresh air in comparison, and is a lot closer to the popular destinations. The best place to stay here is Hostal Aquismon.

Lastly, you can also opt to stay in Xilitla, which is a couple of hours south of Ciudad Valles. It’s also in a great location, with Las Pozas right on your doorstep. We recommend staying at the Sukha Hostel while here.

How to get to La Huasteca Potosina

As La Huasteca Potosina spans many states, there are lots of entry points into the region.

mexico city to cuidad valles

Arriving

The easiest ways to get in is by flying into the capital of the region, San Luis Potosi, and then taking the 4/5 hours bus to Ciudad Valles.

The beachside city of Tampico in Tamaulipas is also very close to the region. You can fly here pretty easily and cheaply, and then take the two hours bus west to Ciudad Valles.

If coming from Mexico City, you can take an overnight bus to Ciudad Valles, which leaves twice per day from the Terminal Norte station.

Another option is taking a bus from Mexico City and then onto Ciudad Valles, which have more frequent departures daily.

Getting Around

This region is pretty large and remote, so expect some long distances between destinations.

For the independent backpacker, you can easily see the region by using public transportation. From Ciudad Valles and Aquismón, you can access pretty much all of the destinations on this list with ease.

You’ll be using a combination of buses, shuttles and taxis, and maybe the odd chicken bus or two!

This region is popular to rent a car, given the flexibility and adequate road conditions. If you do rent a car, you’ll cut down severely on travel times, especially as the buses here tend to make several stops between destinations.

One quick note here is to watch your speed, as there are lots of impromptu speed bumps without signs. We didn’t see one and caught a few feet of air!

Best time to visit La Huasteca Potosina

La Huasteca Potosina can best be described as a tropical climate, and can get quite humid in both Ciudad Valles and in the rural areas.

el meco waterfall mexico

The wet season runs from June until December, where heavy rains and stormy weather are a lot more frequent. Both July and September have a 50% chance of rain for each day through the months.

The temperatures are also hotter during this season, to the point of overbearing (especially with increased humidity).

Throughout these months, average temperatures range from 72-84°F. The hottest month of the year is May, with highs of up to 97°F!

Given there’s going to be quite a bit of rain around this time, we recommend bringing this air-tight Dry Bag to keep all of your things safe and dry.

The dry season makes up the rest of the year, and is a much better time to visit. Average rainfall for each of these months hovers between 10-20% each day, making it easier to plan your day without significant changes in weather.

The average temperatures range from 71-80°F, which is a lot more bearable whilst hiking around and visiting the different waterfalls and sites.

Speaking of waterfalls, the dry season is when you want to visit, as the rain of the wet season sometimes make the rivers inaccessible (especially Tamul), and also removes the bright blue and emerald tones that make the area so famous.

The best months overall to visit would be March and April. Temperatures are hot yet not exhausting unlike other times of the year.

There’s pretty low chance of rain during these times, and it’s easy to access the rivers and see the beautiful waterfalls in all their bright hues and glory.

Where to head after La Huasteca Potosina

So you’ve just finished up traveling through the region? First of all, drop us a comment and let us know how it went!

If there’s any extra advice you have, then please share to help future travelers heading there.

Once you’ve finished this region, there’s a few options we recommend.

First you can take the long bus to Mexico City, and begin exploring this popular and historic region which has an absolute tonne to see and do.

For those looking for more off the beaten path adventures, then take a bus from Ciudad Valles to Tampico, and then into the regions of Veracruz and Hidalgo (these two regions were some of George’s favourites in Mexico!).

Huasteca Potosina Travel Guide

As you can see, La Huasteca Potosina is a region brimming with nature, impressive waterfalls and unique gems.

In this guide we have attempted to cover everything you need to know, as well as what you can expect from a trip to this beautiful region.

We hope you enjoyed reading this guide! If you have any questions, feel free to drop a comment below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Also, be sure to check out our backpacking Mexico guide for ideas on where else to go and what else to see in Mexico’s seven states.

👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our best content.


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