Nature reserve 29 km south of Palenque
A calm stretch of the Shumuljá River with a hanging bridge and swimming spots, often a stop on the Agua Azul tour.
Agua Clara is a stretch of the Shumuljá River where the water runs a deep, milky turquoise between banks of tropical forest, about an hour south of Palenque on the road to Agua Azul. Unlike the waterfalls nearby, it is mostly calm water, so it is a place to swim, paddle and slow down rather than watch the river crash.
The local community runs a small ecotourism center on the riverbank, with a restaurant, simple rooms and hanging bridges that cross the river and lead into the forest. You can swim in the calm sections, rent a kayak or go for a horse ride, and toucans and other birds are often around depending on the season.
Most visitors see Agua Clara as a short stop on the Misol-Há and Agua Azul day tour, but it is also a good alternative on its own if you want blue water without the crowds and stalls of Agua Azul. As with all rivers here, the color is best in the dry season.
What to see and do
Cross the hanging bridges over the river and walk into the forest.
Swim in the calm turquoise sections of the Shumuljá.
Rent a kayak or go for a horse ride along the river.
Watch for toucans and other birds in the trees on the banks.
Getting there
Agua Clara is about an hour from Palenque: take Highway 199 toward Ocosingo, past the Misol-Há turnoff, and follow the signed side road to the river. The community charges a small entry fee. Many Agua Azul day tours stop here. Highway 199 has frequent blockades, so check the road in Palenque before going.
29 km south of Palenque
Directions from Palenque on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
Plan your trip
Places to stay in Agua Clara
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Tours & activities
Guided tours, tastings, and day trips in and around Agua Clara.
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Weather warm
Agua Clara shares the climate of Palenque, 29 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec.
Make Palenque your base
Agua Clara is an easy trip from Palenque, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Palenque
-
Zona Arqueológica de Palenque
· Archaeological site · 8 km away
The great Maya city in the jungle 8 km from town: the Palace, the Temple of the Inscriptions and King Pakal's story. -
Misol-Há
· Waterfall · 13 km away
A 35-meter waterfall dropping into a round jungle pool, with a path that runs behind the curtain of water. -
Cascadas de Roberto Barrios
· Waterfall · 21 km away
Terraced turquoise pools and small falls run by a local community, quieter than Agua Azul and closer to town. -
Cascada Welib-Já
· Waterfall · 24 km away
A jungle waterfall about 25 meters high with turquoise swimming pools, east of Palenque on the border highway. -
Catazajá
· Lake · 24 km away
A lakeside town on a vast wetland lagoon north of Palenque, with boat rides among herons and a manatee sanctuary. -
Agua Azul
· Waterfall · 32 km away
Chiapas's famous chain of turquoise cascades, about 1.5 hours south; best in the dry season, and check the road first.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.