Agua Azul

Agua Azul is a long staircase of waterfalls and pools on the Tulijá and Shumuljá rivers, about 60 kilometers south of Palenque. The water carries dissolved carbonates that tint it turquoise and build up terraces of rock, so the river tumbles down dozens of steps through the forest. The area has been a federally protected flora and fauna area since 1980.

The color depends on the season. In the dry months, roughly from February to May, the water is a clear milky blue and the calmer pools are good for swimming. In the rainy season the river rises and turns brown, and the falls become louder and more powerful but lose their famous color. A path runs uphill along the cascades, lined with food stalls and craft sellers, and the further up you walk the fewer people you meet.

The site is managed by the surrounding indigenous communities, which have long disputed among themselves over access and fees, and the highway between Palenque and Ocosingo is known for blockades and informal roadside tolls. Most days a visit goes smoothly, but it is wise to go with a tour or ask in Palenque about the road before setting out.