Visitors typically reach the El Chiflón Waterfalls on an organized tour from San Cristóbal de las Casas. Most tours usually combine the falls with a visit to the Lagunas de Montebello National Park and a stop at artisan product–producing villages, and include round-trip transportation. However, to spend more time enjoying the trails, swimming in the falls, and simply relaxing, you can visit independently. There’s also a zipline which runs over the lower falls.
The four falls which make up El Chiflón Waterfalls are El Chiflón, Chanival, Mariposa, and El Suspiro.
There are camping and grilling facilities available close to the falls.
Expect to spend at least an hour at the falls, if not half a day.
You don’t need hiking boots to explore the trails, but wear waterproof shoes, a swimsuit, and pack a change of clothing—you’ll likely get wet at some point.
The El Chiflón Waterfalls are not accessible to wheelchair users and may be tough to reach for those with mobility issues; however, the trails are paved and have ramps.
El Chiflón Waterfalls are situated roughly 20 miles (30 kilometers) away from Comitán and about 62 miles (100 kilometers) from San Cristóbal de las Casas, or a 2-hour drive by private vehicle. Buses run daily from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Comitán, from where you can take a colectivo (shared minibus) to the falls. From the drop-off point, the park entrance is a short 10-minute walk. Alternatively, arrive as part of an organized tour.
The falls typically open at 8am daily, although there may be different opening times on national holidays. Check in advance to avoid disappointment. The best time to visit the falls is after the July–October rainy season; that way, you avoid the rain but enjoy the falls in full flow. Alternatively, visit before the season but expect less water. Whenever you visit, arrive early to enjoy the falls at their tranquil best.
Mexico has enough waterfalls to last a lifetime, but some are well-worth adding to your next trip itinerary. In Santiago, just outside Monterrey, Nuevo León, the Cola de Caballo waterfall offers a refreshing respite in a sweltering state; Agua Azul is one of Chiapas’ best-known and just plain best waterfalls, as is Misol-Há; and Chihuahua’s Basaseachi Waterfall is the highest in the country, at 807 feet (246 meters).