Waterfall 21 km south of Palenque
Terraced turquoise pools and small falls run by a local community, quieter than Agua Azul and closer to town.
The Roberto Barrios waterfalls are a string of turquoise pools and cascades on a jungle river southeast of Palenque, inside the lands of the community of the same name. The water runs over limestone ledges in a series of drops, some tall enough to jump from, others shallow and gentle, with natural rock slides, small caves and quiet pools in between.
It is a very different experience from Agua Azul or Misol-Há. Far fewer tour buses come here, the site is simple and run by local people, and on a weekday you may share the river with only a few families. There are around half a dozen places to swim, and you can follow the river up and down between them.
The community has a political history: Roberto Barrios was one of the centers of the Zapatista movement, and visitors pass through a community checkpoint and pay a small fee on the way in. Treat it as you would anyone's home, follow the rules you are given, and bring cash.
What to see and do
Swim in the string of turquoise pools along the river.
Slide down the natural rock chutes and, if you are confident, jump from the lower falls into deep water.
Walk up and down the river between the different cascades.
Go on a weekday in the dry season for clear water and few people.
Getting there
Roberto Barrios is roughly 45 minutes to an hour from Palenque by car, mostly on a side road through farmland south of town. Day tours from Palenque often include it, which is the simplest option; colectivos run toward the community, but service is irregular, so ask at the terminals in Palenque. Expect to stop at a community checkpoint and pay a small entry fee in cash.
21 km south of Palenque
Directions from Palenque on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Weather warm
Cascadas de Roberto Barrios shares the climate of Palenque, 21 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec.
Make Palenque your base
Cascadas de Roberto Barrios 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. -
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 Clara
· Nature reserve · 29 km away
A calm stretch of the Shumuljá River with a hanging bridge and swimming spots, often a stop on the Agua Azul tour. -
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.