The Misol Ha waterfall is a 30-meter waterfall located in the middle of the majestic jungle of Chiapas. The place is very small, but the landscape is really beautiful. The waterfall, the trail, the cave and its natural pool make this place a must-see destination in Chiapas.

Misol Ha : Our guide to visit this unique waterfall

Vue de la cascade de Misol Ha de coté

The name Misol-ha comes from the Ch’ol and Mayan language and is interpreted as “waterfall”. It is one of the largest waterfalls in Chiapas and Mexico.

Because of their proximity, you can visit Misol Ha and the Agua Azul waterfalls on the same day. Ideally, we recommend that you take a full day and enjoy both places to the fullest. Also read: Our guide to the must-see waterfalls in Chiapas.

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What to do at Misol Ha Waterfall?

Admire the waterfall

What makes Misol Ha Waterfall unique is that it is surrounded by abundant vegetation and when it falls, it forms a huge pool bounded by the limestone rocks native to the area. Curiously, the pool is an almost perfect circle and the waterfall falls in the middle of the pool, nature never ceases to amaze us! In this area, you can see many wild animals, especially the famous howler monkeys. If you arrive, you will surely see whole families of this animal, so representative of the jungle of Chiapas, among the trees.

A little anecdote: It was in this fascinating waterfall that the movie “Predator” was filmed with Arnold Schwarzenegger, because it was the ideal place to represent the typical landscape of the tropical jungle.

Book your visit to Misol Ha waterfalls in advance

Don’t miss the opportunity to discover the magnificent Misol Ha waterfalls by booking your visit in advance: an unforgettable moment guaranteed in an exceptional natural setting!

Here are several reasons to book your visit in advance:

  • Guarantee availability
  • Save money
  • Avoid waiting in line

Walk along the waterfall

On the left, there is a small path that surrounds the pool and will take you behind the waterfall. This part of the waterfall is worth a visit, as your view and perspective of the place will change completely. It is also a very good place if you want to take pictures. Besides, the breeze from the waterfall is refreshing! 

At the end of the path, there is a small cave that you can visit. Inside, you’ll discover another waterfall and a small stream that meanders along the cave, and you’ll also find lots of bats hanging on the cave walls. There is an additional charge of $10 pesos for entry, but this is a deposit for the flashlights loaned to visitors.

Bathing in the natural waterfall

It is usually quite warm in the Chiapas rainforest, even in winter. From experience, nothing is more exotic and appealing than swimming in this natural pool lost in the middle of the jungle! So don’t forget your bathing suit. If you’re a little afraid to dive in, you should know that local lifeguards are always on hand to watch over visitors.

All along the pool, the water is crystal clear, and it is possible to walk on the rocks without any problem. The pool can be quite deep, reaching up to 20 meters in some places. If you are not comfortable with swimming, you have the possibility to rent life jackets on site.

When to go

Best time: It is very hot all year round, but from November to February the weather is much more pleasant.

Rainy season: Avoid going from June to October, with the rain, you can’t swim in the waterfalls, and the water from the rains dyes the waterfalls a coffee color.

High season: If you don’t like crowds, avoid long weekends or vacations, especially at Easter.

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How to get there ?

📗 The roads in Chiapas are winding mountain roads, so be careful when driving.

  • We recommend reading our Guide to Driving in Chiapas if you decide to rent a vehicle there. 

Palenque to Misol Ha

📍 Misol Ha is located 20 kilometers from Palenque. 

🚌 The bus ride takes about 40 minutes by bus in Collectivos at about $90 pesos (about €3.50) per person. Note that the road is very winding and bumpy between Palenque and Misol Ha!

Just take the bus to Ocosingo, which leaves every 45 minutes from a stop located one and a half blocks from the ADO station, and ask the driver to drop you off at the entrance of Misol Ha park.

Ocosingo to Misol Ha

📍 Misol Ha is located 100 kilometers from Ocosingo. 

🚌 The bus ride takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes in Collectivos at about $90 pesos (about €3.50) per person. 

Just take the bus that takes you to Palenque, which leaves every 45 minutes, and ask the driver to drop you off at the entrance to Misol Ha Park.

Tuxtla Guttierez to Misol Ha

📍 Misol Ha is located 250 kilometers from Tuxtla Guttierez. 

🚌 The bus ride takes about 6 hours. You have to pass through San Cristobal de las Casas, then Ocosingo or Palenque. 

From Ocosingo, you need to take one of the collectivos that run every 45 minutes until about midnight to Palenque, and ask the driver to drop you off at the entrance to Misol Ha Waterfalls Park.

San Cristóbal de las Casas to Misol Ha

📍 Misol Ha is located 200 kilometers from San Cristóbal de las Casas. 

🚌 The bus ride takes about 5 hours. You must pass through Ocosingo or Palenque before you get to Misol Ha. 

From Ocosingo, you need to take one of the collectivos that run every 45 minutes until about midnight to Palenque, and ask the driver to drop you off at the entrance to Misol Ha Waterfalls Park.

Additional information about the routes 

  • If you are using GPS, just search for “Cascada de Misol Ha“. 
  • Please note: Be sure to load the map on your phone beforehand and do not make any changes afterwards, as there is no signal on the road.
  • The road is safe, but there are many turns. It is recommended not to drive at night on Chiapas roads.
  • This is not always the case, but there can be blockages from people in the indigenous communities, who put a rope in the middle of the road to ask for money. We recommend that you bring some coins with you. For
  • more information on these tolls and how to react, read our Guide to Travel Safety.

Book your rental car in Mexico

Find the best rental car for your trip to Mexico through our partnerships with the best site to book your car: Discover Cars. They offer competitive rates because they search all the major car rental companies and find the best price.

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Access the best destinations in Mexico

Do you want to explore Mexico in an economical and comfortable way? Use Clicbus! With this online booking service, you can plan your bus trips around the country with ease and take advantage of the best rates available.

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Costs

Entrance to the park

  • The entrance to the park costs $20 pesos (about one $1/£0,8)
  • Visit to the caves: $10 pesos (about $0.50 / £0,45)
  • Toilets: $5 pesos (about $0.20 / £0,18)
  • Showers: $10 pesos (about $0.50 / £0,45)
  • Internet access: $10 pesos per hour or $35 pesos every 12 hours (between $0.50 / £0,45 and $1.50 / £1,32/)
  • Lifejacket rental for the day: $70 pesos (about $3 / £2,65 )

Guided tour

In low season, starting from Palenque, the tour costs $260 pesos (about 10 $ / 8,83 £). Entrance tickets to the park are included and Misol Ha is also visited.

Our advice

  • You can also get there via tours. The disadvantage of tours is that they allow you to enjoy only a short time in each place (between 30 minutes and 3 hours).
  • If you choose to go with a tour operator, we recommend that you do it from Palenque, because from San Cristobal it is more than a 5 hour drive and the prices are higher.
  • Come with a bathing suit and swimming shoes. With the walking and the heat, it would be a shame not to enjoy the bathing in the waterfalls!
  • The area is very large, so don’t stay in the first areas of Misol-Ha, where there are many people arriving, but rather continue to explore the area.
  • There is no phone signal, so you better put your phone on the airplane mode.
  • If you (really) need the internet, the locals sell prepaid cards by the hour. It’s not the best debit in the world, but it can help you out.
  • Take enough cash, as there are no ATMs and no one accepts credit cards here.
  • Although there are local lifeguards guarding the area for swimming, the pool is very deep. If you can’t swim very well, you have the option of renting a life jacket.
  • On-site costs can increase in the high season, such as long weekends and vacations, especially at Easter.
  • Misol Ha is part of the 12-day tour we recommend for visiting Chiapas. Read our article here.

Buying travel insurance

Even the best-planned trips can be affected by the unexpected. But what will happen before or during your trip that travel insurance could help you with? Unforeseen events could disrupt your travel plans and cost you your vacation.

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Accommodation 

  • Cabins: In the ecotourism center, there are cabins from $250 pesos (about $10 / £9 ) per night.
  • Ocosingo: We recommend the charming town of Ocosingo, only 1.5 hours from the park! 
  • Palenque: Another option is to stay in Palenque and come and go the same day. You will find posadas from $200 pesos (about $8 / £7 ) per night. We recommend the El Panchan campground!

If you would like to read our complete guide to lodging in Chiapas, with options for every budget, click here.

Find the best hotels

Easily compare and book the best hotels in Mexico through our partnership with Booking. Flexible online booking and cancellation and e-tickets.

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Where to eat?

The ecotourism center of Misol Ha has its own restaurant. The menu costs about 100 to 200 pesos.

Food and drinks are also allowed, so you can bring your own food and picnic, just make sure you don’t forget a bag and bring back your trash.

  • Also read: Mexican food in Chiapas

Now you know everything you need to know about Misol Ha! If you want to know more, write to us!

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