Town 32 km northeast of Ciudad del Maíz
The low, hot riverside town that serves as base for the El Meco, El Salto and Minas Viejas waterfalls, with cabins and river food.
El Naranjo is the small town at the foot of the Sierra Madre where the Altiplano road from Ciudad del Maíz drops down into the green, humid Huasteca. It sits only about 250 meters above sea level, which makes it far hotter than Ciudad del Maíz, and its municipality was only created in 1994. The name is said to come from an orange tree beside the old trail to Ciudad del Maíz, where travelers stopped to rest.
Today, with about 11,000 people, it is the base for one of the richest waterfall areas in San Luis Potosí: El Meco and El Salto to the north and Minas Viejas about 15 kilometers to the south. Hotels and cabins have grown up around them, and local operators offer rafting, mountain biking and rappelling.
In town, the Parque Recreativo El Naranjo, with a river, a lagoon, palapas, camping space and cabins, is an easy family stop. Don't leave without trying the local food: bocoles, cecina, enchiladas and acamayas, the big river prawns of the Huasteca.
What to see and do
Use the town as a base for El Meco, El Salto and Minas Viejas.
Spend an afternoon at the Parque Recreativo El Naranjo by the river and lagoon.
Book rafting, rappelling or a bike ride with a local operator.
Eat acamayas, bocoles and cecina.
Getting there
El Naranjo is about an hour east of Ciudad del Maíz by car on the road that descends from the Altiplano to the Huasteca. Buses link the two towns, and El Naranjo also has connections toward Ciudad Valles and Tamaulipas.
32 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.
Plan your trip
Places to stay in El Naranjo
Compare hotels, posadas, and rentals in and around El Naranjo.
Tours & activities
Guided tours, tastings, and day trips in and around El Naranjo.
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Photos
Weather mild
El Naranjo shares the climate of Ciudad del Maíz, 32 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec.
Make Ciudad del Maíz your base
El Naranjo 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
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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 Meco
· Waterfall · 31 km away
A broad 35–38 meter waterfall on the El Salto River near El Naranjo, with boat rides, paddleboarding and a jumping platform. -
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.