Waterfall 31 km northeast of Ciudad del Maíz
A broad 35–38 meter waterfall on the El Salto River near El Naranjo, with boat rides, paddleboarding and a jumping platform.
El Meco is a wide, curtain-like waterfall on the El Salto River, a few kilometers north of the town of El Naranjo. The river pours about 35 to 38 meters over a limestone ledge into a large turquoise basin, and the water below stays an intense blue-green because of the fine limestone sediment carried in the current.
Unlike the wilder falls of the Huasteca, El Meco is easy to visit. A public viewpoint by the road looks straight down onto the falls, and the river below has calm areas set aside for swimming. Boat and kayak trips take you close to the curtain of water, and there are paddleboard rentals, tubing, rappelling and a wooden platform for jumping into the river.
A few kilometers upstream is El Salto, a much taller waterfall that usually runs only after heavy rains, because most of its water is diverted to a hydroelectric plant. The dry season, roughly November to May, is the best time for clear water.
What to see and do
Stop at the roadside viewpoint for the classic view of the falls.
Take a boat or kayak ride up to the curtain of water.
Swim in the marked calm areas, or jump from the wooden platform if you are a confident swimmer.
Try paddleboarding on the turquoise river below the falls.
Getting there
El Meco is a little over an hour's drive from Ciudad del Maíz. Take the road east to El Naranjo, then continue north on Highway 80 (toward El Huizache and Antiguo Morelos) for about 15 minutes; the falls and viewpoint are right by the highway.
31 km northeast of Ciudad del Maíz
Directions from Ciudad del Maíz on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Places to stay in Cascada El Meco
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Weather mild
Cascada El Meco shares the climate of Ciudad del Maíz, 31 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec.
Make Ciudad del Maíz your base
Cascada El Meco is an easy trip from Ciudad del Maíz, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Ciudad del Maíz
-
Cascada de Minas Viejas
· Waterfall · 30 km away
A double waterfall falling into stepped turquoise pools near El Naranjo, one of the classic swims of the Huasteca Potosina. -
Cascada El Salto
· Waterfall · 31 km away
A 70-meter waterfall above El Meco that flows mainly after heavy rains, since its water feeds a hydroelectric plant; its pools are turquoise.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.