Visiting Puente de Dios San Luis Potosi in Huasteca Potosina

Puente de Dios San Luis Potosi is one of the jewels of La Huasteca Potosina.

Swimming through Puente de Dios literally took my breath away. The name translates to the Bridge of God, and once you swim through the cave you’ll understand why.

The sun illuminates the water to become a turquoise blue that is so vibrant, I couldn’t believe it was real. The blue water reflects onto the walls and ceiling of the cave to highlight the many stalactites and stalagmites that have formed.

And there is more to explore than just The Bridge of God.

The river that runs through the area is full of waterfalls and areas to swim, all of which are majestic in their own ways.

Use this guide to the Puente de Dios Tamasopo to plan your adventure. It includes where to stay, and other attractions in the area, such as the Tamasopo Waterfalls and El Trampolin.

The waterfall rushes into the cenote swimming hole next to Puente de Dios, San Luis Potosi.

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What is Puente de Dios San Luis Potosi

Sunlight illuminates the water at Puente de Dios in Tamasopo. The turquoise water is reflected on walls of the cave.

Puente de Dios, or Bridge of God, is the name for a cave made of limestone, a soft rock that easily erodes with water. Since it’s located along the river, the water has eroded it over thousands of years to form a sort of bridge, hence the name.

As you swim through Puente de Dios, the sun illuminates the cave which is full of stalactites and stalagmites.

On the other side is a natural blue pool that is similar to an open cenote surrounded by lush vegetation and rock formations.

Where is Puente de Dios Huasteca Potosina

Puente de Dios Huasteca Potosina is located just 10 minutes by car from the charming town of Tamasopo, San Luis Potosi. From the capital city, Tamasopo is about 3 hours by car.

Puente de Dios is part of La Huasteca Potosina, a natural area of waterfalls and other attractions that spans multiple municipalities east of the capital city of San Luis Potosi.

Not to be confused with Puente de Dios in the Sierra Gorda which is located in the nearby state of Queretaro. While quite different, both are worth visiting.

How to Get to Puente de Dios Tamasopo

To make the most of your time, I highly recommend that you rent a car in the city of San Luis Potosi to explore Huasteca Potosina.

While there is public transportation between many of the towns, most of the Huasteca Potosina waterfalls are outside of the towns and thus require driving a car, taking a tour, or renting a taxi (when available).

Puente de Dios is so close to the town of Tamasopo, it is possible to explore without if you don’t mind walking about 45 minutes to the entrance.

I have also heard there are taxis available, though you would need to arrange for them to pick you up ahead of time or plan to walk back to Tamasopo.

However, a car makes it so much easier to truly explore La Huasteca and to visit the other amazing places to visit in Tamasopo, such as El Trampolin, that aren’t very convenient to walk from town.

A man wearing a backpack and holding a life vest in his hand walks along the railroad tracks on the way to Puente de Dios, San Luis Potosi. In the background are green mountains. And on the sides are various tents that sell food and drinks.

How to Get to Puente de Dios by Car

To get to Puente de Dios by car, you will first need to drive to Tamasopo, San Luis Potosi.

From Tamasopo, follow the road in the northwest that leads out of town and towards the river. The Google map directions are spot on, so I recommend using that.

As you arrive, several parking vendors will try to sway you towards their parking lot. Unless you’re arriving on a weekend, it’s best to park closer to the river and entrance of Puente de Dios.

It’s also best to wait to rent a life jacket inside the park, just before you enter the cave area. Otherwise, you’ll need to hike around the park with it.

Puente de Dios Tour

Most of the Huasteca Potosina tours depart from Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potosi. While not a very charming city, it is the best place to base yourself to take tours of La Huasteca Potosina.

To visit Tamasopo from Ciudad Valles, you’ll want to book this tour to visit Puente de Dios and Hacienda Gomez which is known for its seven waterfalls that flow into a series of pools.

And if you’re based in the city of San Luis Potosi, book this private tour visits Puente de Dios and the Tamasopo Waterfalls.

Where to Stay in Tamasopo San Luis Potosi

A circular kiosk in the center of the square in Tamasopo is very colorfully painted with depictions of the area. In front are colorful letters that read Tamasopo.

The small town of Tamasopo was one of my favorites. So it’s a great place to base yourself for a night or two while you explore the area.

If you don’t have a car, you will definitely want to book a hotel in the town of Tamasopo so that you can walk to the mercado and various restaurants. 

Hotel Cosmos is the nicest hotel in town and where we chose to stay. The beds are comfortable, the location is convenient, and it includes off-street parking.

If you have a car I also recommend these peaceful cabins located along the river, about 20 minutes from the center of town. The grounds feel like a secluded nature retreat. 

Exploring Puente de Dios San Luis Potosi

A small waterfall flows from the riverbank into the rock blue pools at Puente de Dios, Tamasopo..

The area of Puente de Dios is a managed natural park. While there is an entrance fee, it feels fairly undeveloped with lots of native flora and fauna, allowing you to be close to nature. 

The park consists of a shallow river that flows through the area, creating several refreshing pools that are great for swimming (more on that later).

You could easily spend the whole day in the area of Puente de Dios, swimming in the river, exploring the caves, and hanging out in the swimming hole.

If you’re short on time, spending the morning and early afternoon at Puente de Dios combined with a late afternoon at El Trampolin is also a nice combination.

A quick note about getting around Puente de Dios. There are walkways throughout the park to help you navigate the area.

People make a big deal about the nearly 300 steps at Puente de Dios. While they do require some mobility, I didn’t find them difficult since they are spread throughout the park.

Things to Do at Puente de Dios Tamasopo

People swim in the clear blue river at Puente de Dios, Huasteca Potosina. In the foreground are large rocks with several people wearing life jackets.

Puente de Dios or Bridge of God as I described above is the main attraction of the area and for good reason. Swimming through Puente de Dios is magical

I recommend timing this part of Puente de Dios for around midday when the illumination is most intense. So what is there to do at Puente de Dios before then?

In addition to the Bridge of God, there are three main areas to visit along the river.

I think the river area of Puente de Dios is highly underrated. The water temperature was quite pleasant, especially compared to the frigid waters we found in other places in Huasteca Potosina.

If you arrive at Puente de Dios in the morning, I recommend exploring and swimming in these areas first. Then plan to swim through the cave between 12 and 2, depending on how much time you have that day.

An overview shot of several of las playitas, or little beaches, at Puente de Dios, Tamasopo. It is surrounded by flora with just a couple of people swimming.

El Nacimiento | The Birth

Referencing the place where the river is “born” this area along the far western edge of the park is fairly nondescript. However, there is an opportunity to see some unique birds in the trees while walking on the path. My father and I watched a tropical bird perform a fascinating mating call for about 20 minutes.

Los Chorritos | The Small Rapids

While it’s a little rockier than other parts of the river, this area is fun to wade in and potentially swim depending on the time of year and speed of the water flow. Don’t forget to wear comfortable water shoes. (see what to pack)

Las Playitas | The Little Beaches

These swimming areas are great for families who wish to spend time swimming at Puente de Dios. Despite the name, there is no sand, of course, but rather large rocks that line the shore.

I’m actually not sure if we were swimming at Las Playitas or Los Chorritos. Either way, I recommend you walk along the pathway to the second area to swim. I found it more pleasant and less crowded.

If you choose to hire a guide at the park, it’s also possible to adventure in the waterfall that flows into the blue pool and explore the surrounding caves. 

For your safety, guides are required for this part. And if you try to go on your own, you’ll quickly find out that the lifeguards on duty enforce this rule.

Tips for Visiting Puente de Dios

While I’ve already described what there is to do at Puente de Dios, I want to touch on a few key points for visiting.

These include the entrance fee to Puente de Dios, the best time to visit, and what to bring.

Hours and Entrance Fee to Puente de Dios

Puente de Dios is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8 am to 4 pm. I recommend arriving early to avoid crowds and have as much time as you would like to swim in the river and pools.

The entrance fee for Puente de Dios is 70 pesos. You will also need to pay to park (20 pesos) and rent a life vest (30 pesos).

Facilities at Puente de Dios

Along the pathways, at Puente de Dios there are a couple of different areas with dressing rooms and bathrooms.

In addition, at the life jacket rental area near the cave, there is a guarded area to place your belongings. There is no cost, though a small tip is suggested.

As mentioned earlier, I recommend you wait to rent the required life jacket here so that you don’t hike around the park with it. 

If anyone in your group needs a life jacket for swimming in the river, you can come here first to rent it. However, they are only required at Puente de Dios itself.

It should be noted that there is no food or drinks available to purchase inside Puente de Dios. I know, this is a shocker in Mexico, but also much appreciated to keep the natural beauty.

However, there are food stalls and small restaurants located outside of the entrance.

A picturesque scene of the river at Puente de Dios. Lots of Rocks in the foreground and mountains in the background.

Best Time to Visit Puente de Dios

The best time to visit Puente de Dios is between October and June. The very best months to visit are during the winter, roughly December through February.

By April and May (before the rainy season), the daily temperatures in La Huasteca Potosina have started to rise and the water levels may be low.

During the rainy season in Mexico (June through September) the waterfalls swell and some may close due to dangerous water flows.

What to Pack for Puente de Dios

I’ve listed the items you should bring to Puente de Dios in order of necessity. 

You will definitely need a bathing suit and towel. I also recommend comfortable water shoes and a waterproof cellphone case

And if you have the luggage space, a properly sized life jacket will make your time in La Huasteca Potosina much more pleasant.

  • Bathing Suit
  • Towel
  • Water Shoes
  • Waterproof Cellphone Case
  • Life Jacket

Other Tamasopo Waterfalls

Puente de Dios may be the gem of Tamasopo but there are several other natural places that also deserve your attention.

In fact the town of Tamasopo, San Luis Potosi has so much to offer that you can see why you might want to spend more than one night here.

If you plan to add more than one of these to a Puente de Dios itinerary, I would recommend spending two full days in Tamasopo.

El Trampolin

📍 Map Location
7 am to 7 pm, every day
💵 Free

A man wearing a life jacket leans against a tree on the banks of El Trampolin in Tamasopo while kids play in the water below. The trees in the water drip with spanish moss and provide shade.

El Trampolin is a public park along the river that is characterized by shallow pools, small waterfalls, and large trees dripping in Spanish moss. 

Located about 15 minutes northeast of Tamasopo by car, El Trampolin is a great place for families to hang out for the day. Best of all, there is no entrance fee.

As you drive in, follow the road along the river. You’ll find several places to park, each with an area to grill. There are also carts selling food, drinks, and micheladas if you prefer.

Tamasopo Waterfalls | Cascadas de Tamasopo

📍 Map Location
8 am to 6 pm, 365 days per year
💵100 pesos per person, under 3 years old are free
💵 50 pesos parking, 15 per hour/60 per day life jackets

You could easily spend another entire day adventuring and exploring Cascadas Tamasopo.

This adventurous waterpark features multiple waterfalls of varying heights as well as small pools to swim. There are platforms you can jump from, a rope swing, and small obstacle courses. 

Life jackets are required and unfortunately, you’re not allowed to bring your own. Since you’ll likely spend a few hours here, you might as well rent one for the full day.

Try to go early in the day and avoid the weekends. Cascadas Tamasopo is one of the stops for large tour buses.

La Hacienda Gomez y Sus 7 Cascadas

📍 Map Location 
💵 50 pesos per person (5+ years), 50 pesos parking, 50 pesos life jacket

Hacienda Gomez is a family-run attraction also located near Tamasopo. As you may have guessed, it features seven waterfalls that flow into shallow pools.

Life jackets aren’t required but they are available to rent. Hacienda Gomez also rents kayaks, cabins, and space to camp.

Questions About Visiting Puente de Dios, Huasteca Potosina

Where is Puente de Dios located?

Puente de Dios, Tamasopo is located in the state of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. It is one of the gems of La Huasteca Potosina. Puente de Dios is about three hours from the cities of San Luis Potosi and Tampico. It’s also an hour west of Ciudad Valles.

How do you get to Puente de Dios, Huasteca Potosina?

To get to Puente de Dios, Huasteca Potosina it is best to rent a car and drive. While there is some public transportation in the area, many of the best attractions of Huasteca require taking a car or a tour.

What is there to do in Puente de Dios?

While the main attraction is Puente de Dios itself and the beautiful blue swimming hole, there are other things to do in Puente de Dios. The river has several shallow areas to swim. On the banks are lots of trees, large rocks, and small waterfalls.

How many steps are there in Puente de Dios?

There are nearly 300 steps in Puente de Dios. It may seem like a lot, but they are well maintained and split among different walkways. While it does require you to be somewhat physically fit, I did not find the steps at Puente de Dios to be strenuous.

Where are the Cascadas de Tamasopo located?

Las Cascadas de Tamasopo is located near the town of Tamasopo in the state of San Luis Potosi. It takes about 5 minutes to drive there from the center of Tamasopo. If you are coming from the cities of San Luis Potosi or Tampico, it takes about 3 hours to drive to Tamasopo.