9 Amazing La Huasteca Potosina Tours (2023)
La Huasteca Potosina is a stunning natural area located in the state of San Luis Potosi. But unless you rent a car, you’ll need to book Huasteca Potosina tours to explore the area.
Because while it’s possible to take public transportation to some of the cities in the region, getting to the waterfalls and other nature sites requires driving or taking a tour.
La Huasteca Potosina tours often include local knowledge of this gorgeous natural area. And there is a tour that will appeal to everyone.
Adventurous travelers will want to go rafting on the Tampaon River or rappelling down the Minas Viejas Waterfall. While the Tamasopo and Puente de Dios tour is a little more relaxed and perfect for families.
History buffs will love learning about the Tamtoc archeological ruins. And if you need a break from the water activities, you can take a tour to the Surrealist Garden paired with a visit to see the birds that roost in Sotano de las Huahuas.
Keep reading to discover the best Huasteca Potosina tours, starting with a 3-day tour that will help you make the most of your time in this beautiful part of Mexico.
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In a hurry? Here are the top La Huasteca Potosina tours.
- 3-Day Huasteca Potosina Tour
- Rafting on the Tampaon River
- Rappelling Minas Viejas and Micos Waterfalls
- Tamul Waterfall Canoe Tour
1. 3-Day Huasteca Potosina Tour
This agency is amazing at what they do, the guides and equipment they provide are safe. The guides are always checking in on you making sure everything is good. The guides themselves aver very nice and polite, they keep us laughing and having fun from start to finish.
Trip Advisor Review
This Huasteca Potosina tour is jam-packed with gorgeous nature and thrilling adventure.
Over three days you will go white-water rafting, rappel down a waterfall, watch hundreds of birds take flight from a deep canyon, and explore the surrealist garden in Xilitla.
This tour of La Huasteca Potosina includes transportation from Ciudad Valles as well as two nights of accommodation in the city, two breakfasts, and three lunches.
You should definitely book this multi-day La Huasteca Potosina tour if you want to maximize your time in the area.
After three days together, it will feel like long-lost friends going on an adventurous road trip.
Day 1 | Multi Day La Huasteca Potosina Tour
The adventure starts with an adventure at Cascadas de Micos, a series of seven waterfalls whose relatively low height is perfect to get your feet wet, literally and figuratively.
After a brief explanation and safety instructions, you’ll be given a flotation device and helmet before you set off to adventure in the Micos Waterfalls.
Enjoy a quick lunch by the river before traveling to Minas Viejas where you will rappel down 150 feet (50 meters) next to this stunning double waterfall.
Day 2 | Multi Day La Huasteca Potosina Tour
Day two of this Huasteca Potosina tour starts with an included breakfast at your hotel.
After you will drive to the pueblo magico of Xilitla with a quick stop to taste homemade cinnamon bread and coffee (not included, optional).
Then take a tour of the dreamy surrealist garden in Xilitla, Las Pozas. Your guide will explain the major sculptures and the imaginative mind of the creator, Edward James.
After an included lunch, you’ll have about an hour to explore the town of Xilitla on your own.
When you meet back up with the tour, you’ll set off to Sotano de las Huahuas after a brief stop for homemade ice cream.
At Sotano de las Huahuas you’ll have a magical experience while watching hundreds of birds flying in to return to this deep cavern before sunset.
Day 3 | Multi Day La Huasteca Potosina Tour
After an included breakfast at your hotel, day three of this tour starts with a drive to the Tampaon River to go white-water rafting.
These class III rapids are both fun and exciting, perfect for all skill levels. After lunch, you’ll return to Ciudad Valles to continue your own adventure in La Huasteca Potosina.
2. Rafting on the Tampaon River Tour
Highly recommend Rafting. Our tour guides were Guero and Steve. Super funny, easy going, helpful and professional.They know the waters like the back of their hands.
Trip Advisor Review
This tour of Huasteca Potosina takes you rafting down the Tampaon River. It’s perfect for families and nature enthusiasts looking for a laid-back adventure.
After a short drive to the Tampaon River, you’ll gather in a boat to take a river-rafting tour.
As you lightly bounce through class III rapids, you can admire some of the most beautiful views of La Huasteca Potosina.
Class III rapids mean they are both easygoing and exciting. There may be waves up to 5 feet tall that will crash over the boat’s bow with a calm and wide recovery area between rapids.
This Huasteca Potosina tour also departs from Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potosi. It includes transportation and lunch.
3. Rappelling the Minas Viejas and Micos Waterfalls
I had the greatest time with a some very good and responsible guides/instructors, who also happened to be bunch of really cool and fun loving guys. They made sure everyone was enjoying the experience, while keeping us safe.
Trip Advisor Review
Indulge your adventurous spirit when you book this rappelling tour of Minas Viejas and Casacadas de Micos that leaves from Ciudad Valles.
After a brief instruction and safety guide, you’ll rappel down 100 feet next to Cascada Minas Viejas. Afterward, revive your spirit with a swim in the waterfall-fed turquoise pools.
Then the tour will travel to Cascadas de Micos where you’ll jump off cliffs as high as 24 feet into the turquoise waters below. This series of seven waterfalls is named for the monkeys that used to inhabit the area.
Lunch and transport from Ciudad Valles are included in this nine-hour Huasteca Potosina tour.
4. Puente de Dios, La Huasteca Potosina Tours
Puente de Dios, Tamasopo was one of the highlights of La Huasteca Potosina for me. And fortunately, there are a couple of La Huasteca Potosina tours to choose from depending on where you’re staying.
As you swim through the water is illuminated by the sun and becomes a vibrant blue color that reflects on the walls and ceilings of the cave.
On the other side is a swimming hole of blue water, similar to an open cenote. It is fed by a strong waterfall and surrounded by plants and rock formations.
Adventurous travelers will want to book this private tour which visits Puente de Dios and Cascadas de Tamasopo, leaving from the city of San Luis Potosi. It includes breakfast, lunch, and transportation.
Another option is to book this Huasteca Potosina tour to both Puente de Dios and Hacienda Gomez, a private property known for its seven waterfalls and shallow pools. It leaves from the city of Ciudad Valles and includes transportation, one meal, and photography.
5. Tamul Waterfall Tour
Absolutely amazing experience. Our guides were so much fun and had so much energy. The hard work or rowing was well worth it once you reached the beautiful Tamul waterfall. Our guides made sure we got the best pictures.
Trip Advisor Review
During this Tamul Waterfall tour from Ciudad Valles, you’ll help to paddle a wooden canoe down a picturesque, turquoise river. Upon reaching the waterfall, there is an opportunity to get stand on a nearby rock for a picture.
While paddling back, you’ll be able to get out and float down the river until you stop at Cueva del Agua. Here you’ll be given some time to swim in this cenote-like cave.
Before returning, your tour will continue the canoe paddle to the town of La Morena for lunch at a local home.
This tour includes transportation, entrance and rental fees, a life jacket, and lunch.
6. 2-Day Huasteca Potosina Tour From San Luis Potosi
This trip is an absolute must when visiting San Luis. The waterfall and cave were otherworldly , the food was DELICIOUS and authentic , the hotel was so cute, the tour of the Xilitla was a rich beautiful story and architecture, and it was all experienced in gorgeous vast jungles.
Trip advisor Review
If you’re staying in San Luis Potosi, book this Huasteaca Potosina tour to explore the area which includes an overnight stay in the pueblo magico of Xilitla.
This tour visits two of the most iconic sites in Huasteca Potosina, the Tamul Waterfall and the Surrealist Garden with a bonus visit to the Leonora Carrington Museum.
Day 1 | Huasteca Potosina Tour
Start this tour with a drive to the community of Tanchachin where you’ll take a canoe boat ride to the impressive Tamul Waterfall.
After taking pictures, you’ll continue on the river where there is a section of mini rapids you can swim through.
Then you’ll stop at Cueva del Agua for a refreshing swim in the cave. After, you’ll return to the community of Tanchachin for lunch before driving to Xilitla to stay the night.
Day 2 | Huasteca Potosina Tour
After breakfast, your group will take a scheduled tour of Las Pozas, the Edward James Surrealist Garden to view the sculptures of this wonderland.
The benefit of this tour is that it’s prescheduled so that you can skip the crowds and enjoy the gardens in the morning light before the sun gets strong.
Then you’ll visit the Leonora Carrington Museum where your guide will explain the significance behind her surrealist sculptures.
7. El Salto and El Meco Waterfall Tours
It is necessary to hire a good ecotourism company to take you to uncrowded, beautiful places and in the right vehicle for all terrain. You will also feel safer and they know how to please the curious traveler.
Trip Advisor Review
If you’re staying in Ciudad Valles, you’ll want to book this tour to two of my favorite Huasteca Potosina waterfalls, El Salto and El Meco.
Start the day by swimming in the turquoise blue pools below Cascada El Salto. The flow of the waterfall depends on the time of year, but the landscape is beautiful regardless.
Best of all, no lifevest is required at El Salto Waterfall, though it is included in the tour if you prefer to wear one.
After, you will paddle a canoe to El Meco, a shorter but more powerful waterfall that flows into the turquoise river below. There is also an opportunity to jump from 8 meters (26 feet) high and float down the river.
This tour includes the entrance fee, lunch, transportation, and photography.
8. Huahuas and Surrealist Garden of Xilitla Tour
The entire tour was excellent and perfectly planned, providing the right mix of guided activities and free time to explore the gorgeous pueblo mágico of Xilitla. The guides were knowledge and great fun to be around, and the tour felt personal and special. Highly recommended!
Trip Advisor Review
Travelers in search of a break from the water adventures of La Huasteca Potosina should book this tour which departs Ciudad Valles to visit the Surrealist Garden of Xilitla and Sotano de las Huahuas.
It follows Day 2 of the Multi-Day Huasteca Potosina tour described above. To start, delve into the mind of Edward James, as you tour the wonderland he created just outside of Xilitla.
Afterward, enjoy a local lunch followed by free time to explore the town. Then you’ll take a short hike to a deep cavern just before sunset to watch hundreds of birds fly in to roost for the night.
Along the route, this tour makes two stops for yummy local snacks (not included, optional). The first is to taste cinnamon bread with coffee and the second is delicious homemade ice cream.
Lunch and transportation are included in this tour.
9. Tamtoc Archeological and Cueva en Taninul Tour
Discover less visited sites of Huasteca Potosina when you book this tour of Tamtoc Archaeological Site and the Taninul Cave.
Tamtoc is significant for its strong feminine presence. It is believed that women held a high rank in the social divisions of the community.
Women are strongly represented in the clay and ceramic figurines that were found at the Tamtoc archeological site. And the majority of the burials found here are women.
After exploring the site, you’ll visit Nacimiento del Taninul where you’ll swim in a cave. In addition to swimming in the pool, there are various rock formations and caves to explore.
Questions About Huasteca Potosina Tours
How do I get to Huasteca Potosina?
Most travelers get to Huasteca Potosina by driving from San Luis Potosi. You can also take tours of Huasteca Potosina from San Luis Posoti. Or alternatively, you can take tours from Ciudad Valles after taking a bus there.
What airport is near Huasteca Potosina?
The two airports near Huasteac Potosina are the San Luis Potosí International Airport and the Tampico International Airport. Both San Luis Potosi and Tampico are about a three-hour drive from Huasteca Potosina.
How do you get from San Luis Potosi to Huasteca Potosina?
The best way to get from San Luis Potosi to Huasteca Potosina is to drive or take a guided tour. There is even a 2-day tour of Huasteca Potosina from San Luis Potosi.
When should I go to Huasteca Potosina?
The best time to go to Huasteca Potosina is during the winter, specifically the months of December, January, and February. You can visit Huasteca Potosina from October through March. It’s best to avoid the rainy season from June to September when the rivers are full and the waterfalls are strong.
Can you swim in Huasteca Potosina?
Yes, you can swim in Huasteca Potosina. The are is full of beautiful turquoise rivers and stunning waterfalls. There are several areas in Huasteca Posotina with small pools of water to swim.
Is it safe to travel to La Huasteca Potosina?
Yes, it is very safe to travel to La Huasteca Potosina. The area mostly consists of lots of nature, small towns, and friendly residents that are happy to welcome visitors.