Misol Ha Waterfall – The Best Place to Cool Down After Visiting Palenque
About My Trip to the Misol Ha Waterfall - Why I Needed to Cool Down After Palenque
One of the most frequently asked questions about the Mayan Ruins of Palenque is “how do you stand the heat?” According to my guide, there are two seasons in this part of Chiapas, hot; and very hot. So what is the best way to handle temperatures near 100 degrees Fahrenheit with heat indexes in the 120s? Well, in my opinion, after visiting Palenque, tourists need to find a place to cool off. The Misol Ha Waterfall is the perfect place to cool down after a sweltering day visiting Palenque.
Located about 40 minutes from the Mayan Ruins of Palenque, the Misol Ha Waterfall allows tourists the chance to swim in the pool at the base of the waterfall. During my visit, the water was the perfect temperature that I could only describe as “refreshing.” I wouldn’t say it was chilly, but it also wasn’t like swimming in a heated pool. For anyone who needs to cool off after visiting Palenque, I highly recommend a few hours at Misol Ha.
The cost to enter the waterfall is extremely reasonable at MXP$30. This fee is paid in two different increments, first MXP$10, at the entrance to the road, and then MXP$20 near the parking area. I visited Misol Ha as part of a tour package, and these fees were included in the price of my tour with the tour company Jungla Experience. We originally were going to go to the Roberto Barrios Waterfalls but changed to Misol Ha at the recommendation of our tour guide.
Misol Ha Waterfall - The Best Place to Cool Down After Visiting Palenque - Table of Contents
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Swimming Near the Misol Ha Waterfall
Before entering the pool beneath the Misol Ha Waterfall, most visitors will need an area to change. For a cost of MXP$10, I was able to access a makeshift changing room. The changing room was actually part of the old restroom facilities, and I had to change into my bathing suit while trying not to trip over a dirty toilet. One recommendation is to avoid the changing room entirely and arrive in your bathing suit.
From the changing room, the walk to the waterfall takes less than five minutes. Be sure to bring your life jacket as the waterfall creates a current that can be difficult for even the best swimmers.
Life jackets are NOT provided by the waterfall and must be brought from home. Most guide services provide them as part of the package to visit the waterfall.
I am a pretty decent swimmer and attempted to swim without a life jacket. After being pulled under the water twice, I asked my guide to walk back to the car and grab a life jacket for me. Once I had my life jacket on, I was able to swim all over the pool at the base of the waterfall. Be careful while swimming as there are some exposed rocks that you can kick and injure your feet if you aren’t careful.
I tried to swim to the Misol Ha’s waterfall curtain, but the current made it impossible. The waterfall produced fairly large waves which kept trying to pull my body underwater. Even while wearing my life jacket, I couldn’t make it out to the waterfall curtain.
Our guide, Ramon, had warned us about getting too close. Apparently, people have been knocked unconscious when putting their heads directly under the waterfall’s curtain.
I spent about an hour in the water, swimming all around the perimeter of the pool. When I was completed refreshed, I decided to get out of the water and hike the trail that goes behind Misol Ha.
Walking Behind the Misol Ha Waterfall
There is a pathway that leads behind the Misol Ha Waterfall and provides spectacular views from behind the curtain of water. To get to this path, exit the swimming area and walk in the opposite direction of the parking lot. At the end of the path, there is a small cave that visitors can explore. The cost to explore the cave is an additional MXP$30.
Once behind Misol Ha, take a few moments to take in the beautiful view of the curtain of water. There are some smaller waterfalls that visitors can stand under if they are still needing to cool off. Be sure to walk slowly, and watch your step, as the path can become wet and slippery.
Once at the end of the path, I paid my MXP$30 and entered the cave. The back part of the cave is only accessible if you walk through the water. I had on my hiking shoes and did not want to get them wet as I had a long hike the next day to the summit of the Chichonal Volcano. Due to this upcoming hike, I chose not to explore the back of the cave.
The first photo below shows the entrance to the cave near the Misol Ha Waterfall.
The set of photos below shows the view from inside the cave. This photo was taken from the furthest point I could walk without getting my shoes wet.
If you visit the Misol Ha Waterfall, be sure to visit the cave as well. For a price of USD$1.50, it is definitely worth exploring.
Misol Ha Waterfall Tours and Packages
Below are various packages that include admission to the Misol Ha Waterfall. Most people who visit Misol Ha do so as part of a package. The Misol Ha Waterfall is a perfect way to cool off after touring the Mayan Ruins of Palenque or any of the other attractions in the Chiapas area of Mexico.
Please note that as an affiliate of Viator, I will receive a small commission if you purchase one of these packages using the link I provided. This commission is at no additional cost to you. Viator uses various tour operators, and you will not necessarily be booked with Jungla Experience if you use my links. To book with Jungla Experience, visit their website. I will not earn a commission if you purchase using Jungla Experiences website.
Prices are accurate as of April 2023.
 PALENQUE RUINS, AGUA AZUL and MISOL-HA (Private from Palenque or San Cristobal) - $155.00 Located on the first rise of the Tumbala mountains, Palenque archaeological site looks out over the Usumacinta River flood plain. Here you’ll be confronted by the largest Mesoamerican step pyramid, the Temple of Inscriptions, spotted with hieroglyphics that have contributed significantly to the study of Mayan civilization. |
 Villahermosa - Tour Misol Ha Y Agua Azul - $190.00 Visit and know the natural attractions of the Chiapas territory the Misol-ha waterfalls and Agua Azul, wonderful waterfalls more than 30 meters high, do not forget to take your photos |
 AGUA AZUL and MISOL-HA FALLS (Private tour from Palenque or San Cristobal) - $155.00 The Cascadas de Agua Azul (Spanish for “Blue Water Waterfall”) are found near the Municipality of Tumbalá, in the middle of the Chiapas rainforest. It consists of many cataracts following one after another in the Cascadas de Agua Azul Natural Park. The larger cataracts may be about 6 meters (20 ft.) high. |
 Misol-Ha, Agua Azul and Palenque, The Best of Chiapas - $143.59 This tour is the perfect choice to visit 3 beautiful places in only one day. With our comfortable vehicles and our kind guides, we are sure you will take home a nice adventure. |
 Tour cascadas de Agua Azul, Cascada Misol-Ha y Zona Arqueológica de Palenque. - $48.00 El tour a cascadas de Agua Azul y Palenque Chiapas; Te permitirá conocer en parte la entrada a la selva lacandona, el clima se presta para nadar el color azul turquesa de sus aguas, la ciudad maya de palenque y su historia te sorprenderá un tour por Chiapas que sin duda tienes que realizar. (Salidas de: Palenque, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Tuxtla Gutiérrez.) |
 Tour to Palenque Archaeological Site, Cascadas de Agua Azul & Misol Ha - $106.19 On this tour, you will visit the amazing waterfalls of Agua Azul and Misol Ha. Indigo blue water, green vegetation, the constant breeze, and the inexhaustible aquatic sound which contributes to make this place unique, located 133 km from San Cristobal de las Casas, one of the most spectacular and unforgettable of México. If weather allows, you will be able to swim at the Agua Azul falls. |
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