Waterfall 2 km south of Zacatlán
The closest waterfall to Zacatlán, a graceful drop of about 20 meters in a wooded ravine on the edge of town.
Zacatlán sits on the rim of deep ravines, and the nearest waterfall you can actually walk to is the Cascada de San Pedro, just south of town near the old barrio of San Pedro Atmatla. It is not a giant like Tulimán or Quetzalapan: the water slides down roughly 20 meters of rock in a soft, wide veil, framed by ferns, moss and oak and pine forest, which makes it one of the most photogenic spots around Zacatlán.
The area has history as well as scenery. San Pedro Atmatla is where the Spanish first laid out a town in 1520, before the settlement was moved a few kilometers north to the site of today's Zacatlán around 1560. The neighborhood is still a quiet, semi-rural edge of the city, with orchards and small farms.
Because it is so close, the falls make a good half-day outing or a morning walk before lunch in town. A campground and adventure outfit nearby, the Campamento Tlatempa, uses the ravine for hiking and other outdoor activities and is one way to visit with a guide. Like every waterfall in the sierra, it is fullest in the rainy season, roughly June to October.
What to see and do
Walk down through the forest to the base of the roughly 20-meter fall.
Photograph the veil of water framed by ferns and moss; morning light is softest.
Stroll the semi-rural lanes of San Pedro Atmatla, where the first Spanish town was laid out in 1520.
Book a guided hike or outdoor activities with the campground nearby.
Getting there
The falls are only about 2 km south of central Zacatlán, a few minutes by car or taxi toward San Pedro Atmatla, followed by a walk down into the ravine. Paths can be muddy and steep, so wear shoes with grip. Ask in town or at the campground about the current trail and any access fee.
2 km south of Zacatlán
Directions from Zacatlán on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
Plan your trip
Places to stay in Cascada de San Pedro
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Tours & activities
Guided tours, tastings, and day trips in and around Cascada de San Pedro.
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Weather cool
Cascada de San Pedro shares the climate of Zacatlán, 2 km away. The best months to visit are Feb, Mar, Apr, May.
Make Zacatlán your base
Cascada de San Pedro is an easy trip from Zacatlán, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Zacatlán
-
San Miguel Tenango
· Town · 3 km away
Nahua village outside Zacatlán where most people speak Nahuatl and women weave on backstrap looms; try papatla-leaf tamales. -
Cascadas de Tulimán
· Waterfall · 7 km away
Ejido-run park on the same river as Quetzalapan: a roughly 300-meter fall in three drops, a warm mineral pool and hanging bridges. -
Salto de Quetzalapan
· Waterfall · 7 km away
Chignahuapan's big waterfall, a drop of around 200 meters reached by a long stone staircase, with zip lines and rappelling. -
Valle de Piedras Encimadas
· Nature reserve · 14 km away
A pine-forest valley of huge stacked volcanic rocks shaped like towers and faces; cabins, horses and camping on site.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.