Nature reserve 9 km north of General Zaragoza
Free, shaded turquoise pools just outside Zaragoza, known to everyone by its cheeky nickname, La Chingada.
Officially it is the Parque Recreativo Las Presitas, but in General Zaragoza almost nobody calls it that. Locals know it as La Chingada, and the story they tell is that when visitors complained about paying to get into El Salto, the answer was to go to the free pools instead, with the phrase that in Mexican Spanish means roughly 'go to hell'. The name stuck, and today even the town uses it without blushing.
The place itself is gentle: a string of small pools of clear, turquoise water just outside town, shaded by trees, with water at a pleasant temperature for a swim on a hot day. It is smaller and simpler than El Salto, with no big waterfalls, but it is free and usually calmer.
It pairs well with El Salto on the same day, or makes an easy afternoon swim if you are staying in Zaragoza. As at any natural pool, bring your own food and water, and take your trash with you.
What to see and do
Swim in the shaded turquoise pools.
Pack a picnic and spend a slow afternoon by the water.
Combine it with the waterfalls at El Salto, a few minutes away.
Ask locals for the story behind the nickname.
Getting there
Las Presitas is about two kilometers south of General Zaragoza's center, a few minutes by car on the way toward El Salto. Entry is free, and it has been open daily from about 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
9 km north of General Zaragoza
Directions from General Zaragoza on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Places to stay in Las Presitas
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Weather cool
Las Presitas shares the climate of General Zaragoza, 9 km away. The best months to visit are Apr, May, Jun.
Make General Zaragoza your base
Las Presitas is an easy trip from General Zaragoza, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around General Zaragoza
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Parque Recreativo El Salto
· Waterfall · 8 km away
Zaragoza's star sight: the El Salto and Velo de Novia waterfalls on the Río Blanco, with forest, a trout lagoon, and cabins.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.