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Huatulco Waterfalls: How to Visit Cascadas Mágicas de Copalita

Every time I visit, the Huatulco waterfalls are a must on the itinerary. In my opinion, Cascadas Mágicas de Copalita are one of the most underrated attractions in the area.

My Oaxacan friends always ask me about the magic waterfalls near Huatulco when I post pictures and videos on social media. Many have never been, opting to spend their time on the beaches instead.

But the Copalita waterfalls are a great alternative to the sun and sand. I’ve taken a day trip to the magic waterfalls three times. The first time I booked Huatulco waterfalls tour. And then when I’ve had family visiting, we rented a car and drove.

No matter how you decide to get there, I’ve detailed everything you need to know including some tips to make the most of your day.

At the Huatulco waterfalls, kids swim in the blue-green pool in front of one of the waterfalls cascading down a large rock. The view is from the trail above, with trees surrounding.

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Where are Cascadas Mágicas de Copalita?

Located in the Sierra Madre mountains of southern Oaxaca, Cascadas Magicas de Copalita is a series of waterfalls near Huatulco Mexico. It takes 1.5-2 hours to drive to the magic waterfalls from the beach town of Huatulco, La Crucecita .

Visiting the magic waterfalls is an incredible adventure when you want to explore something other than the beautiful beaches and bays of Huatulco.

At Cascadas Magicas de Copalita, waterfalls flow over layered boulder rocks and is collected in a green-blue pool in front of the waterfalls.

How to Get to the Magic Waterfalls Near Huatulco

The first thing you need to decide is if you will rent a car and drive or book a Huatulco waterfall tour. I’ve done both and each has their pros and cons which I’ve detailed below.

During a waterfall tour in Huatulco Oaxaca, cascading water flows over layers of rocks into a blue-green pool.

While it is possible to get to this area by public transport, it requires a transfer in San Miguel del Puerto (map) which turns it into in extra long day. Plus you need to pay for the taxi from San Miguel to wait for you at the Huatulco magic falls to return.

Driving to the Waterfalls Near Huatulco

If you decide to rent a car in Huatulco and drive to the falls, you’ll want to choose a car that can handle the roads such as an SUV or Jeep. At least half of the route is unpaved mountain roads that can be tricky to navigate.

Signs show how to get to the Huatulco waterfalls along a forked dirt path.

While maps is pretty accurate, I always miss the turn for the waterfalls. You’ll know you’re close when you see local guys trying to convince you to stop and hire them to show you the way.

I recommend downloading a map of the area before you go. Cell service drops about halfway through the drive.

A woman cooks memelas, chorizo, and other meat on several round clay surfaces, called a comal with wood providing the heat. The fire is intense as various pots also cook over the fire.

If you want to eat traditional Oaxacan food cooked over a wood fire, I recommend stopping here for breakfast or lunch along the way. I first discovered it when a booked the Huatulco waterfalls tour linked below.

Pros to Driving

  • Freedom to Explore
  • Visit Multiple Waterfalls (if you start early)

Cons to Driving

  • Difficult Roads
  • Route Not Clearly Marked

Huatulco Waterfall Tour

A large pool of water on a Huatulco waterfall tour with a rope swing hanging from the trees in the middle and a waterfall in the background.

If you prefer not to drive, there are several Huatulco waterfall tours that include transportation and a delicious lunch of traditional food from Oaxaca.

I booked this highly rated tour to visit Cascadas Mágicas de Copalita with a local English speaking guide. Our guide also told us interesting information about everyday life in the small towns we were driving through on the way.

If you prefer to visit Cascadas de Llano Grande (more about the difference later), you should book this Huatulco waterfalls tour which also visits a coffee farm in the area.

A plate of meat in a sauce, beans, and rice is served for breakfast on the way to the Huatulco waterfalls. In the background is a small plate with sliced avocado.

Pros of a Waterfall Tour

  • Knowledgeable Guide
  • Without the Stress of Navigating

Cons of a Waterfall Tour

  • Choose Cascadas Copalita or Llano Grande
  • Need to Stick to a Schedule

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Waterfalls Near Huatulco Mexico

Even though I’ve been to the Huatulco waterfalls several times, I still find the names confusing. On the map it looks as though only one location goes by the name Cascadas Mágicas de Copalita but I’ve also heard that specific site referred to as Emerald Falls.

A scenic view of the Copalita Waterfalls in Huatulco Oaxaca shows water flowing from the rocks into a green pool below and surrounded by trees.

And if you look closely, it’s actually called Copalitilla (see the extra -ill in there?). In this article, I’ll refer to this location as both since the others have more distinct names. The other waterfalls near Huatulco are marked on the map as Cascadas Las Brisas and Cascadas de Llano Grande. 

It’s possible to visit more than one in the same day but you’ll need to start early. If I were to skip one, it would probably be Las Brisas, although it has the benefit of being the least crowded. Since I’ve visited all three waterfalls, I’ve included the details you need to know about each one below.

An up close view during a Huatulco waterfalls tour shows water rushing down the rocks with a rope handrail on the left.

Keep in Mind – You should not apply sunscreen or bug spray before you visit the waterfalls in Huatulco, even if it’s a natural product.

In an effort to keep the water clean, it is prohibited to use sunscreen. Fortunately there is enough shade that you don’t need it. Please do your part to keep this natural area beautiful!

Cascadas Mágicas de Copalitilla

📍 Map Location
📅 Hours: 9 am – 6 pm, every day
💵 Cost: 100 pesos per person

Cascadas Mágicas de Copalitilla offers visitors a bit more adventure than the other waterfalls. But the beauty is that even if the thought of climbing through a water cave doesn’t thrill you, you’ll still enjoy visiting this gorgeous spot.

This is what most people are referring to when they refer to the magic waterfalls in Huatulco. And it’s my favorite of the three, mostly because of the optional cave experience.

View from the top of Las Cascadas Magicas de Copalita shows water flowing down the rocks with a rope handrail for support and blue-green pools near the bottom. Two people are standing on the rocks near the bottom.

Tip – There are two places to park at Cascadas Mágicas de Copalita. The first one requires that you walk along the river for about 20 minutes vs 10 minutes if you park at the second one.

If your mobility isn’t limited, I highly recommend choosing 20 min walk. It’s a beautiful, shaded, flat walk with an opportunity to see local wildlife, particularly birds and butterflies.

Once you park and start down the trail, you’ll see and hear the river, with the sound of water getting louder. There are a few swimming areas along the river to swim. Some are small holes with a rope swing. Others are larger areas with a waterfall flowing over the edge.

At the magic waterfalls in Huatulco, tropical plants cover a large rock with an archway over the dirt path along the river.
A man standing on the shaded path at the Huatulco waterfalls uses binoculars to look at birds in the trees.
At one of the Huatulco waterfalls, the sun peaks through the leaves of a grand tree growing on the dirt path along the river.

Just before the main attraction of La Copalita Waterfalls, there is a palapa area where you are required to store your belongings for a small tip. They also sell snacks, drinks and mezcal.

You aren’t allowed to bring anything past this point besides your cell phone in a waterproof case because they don’t want to risk polluting the water with lost items. This includes hats, flip flops, etc.

Water shoes are allowed and I highly recommend bringing a quality pair. There is a rope to assist the climb to the main swimming area but the rocks are slippery.

Cave and Bridge at Magic Waterfalls Huatulco

Keep your eye out on the left for a pool that leads to a cave. The water here is about waist level with some shallow areas inside the cave. At the end is a rope to pull yourself out of the cave.

Inside the cave at the Huatulco waterfalls, looking out to a shallow pool of water. Water flows over the edge of the rock into the pool.
A man and a woman use a rope to climb outside of the cave at the magic waterfalls in Huatulco while water rushes into the cave.

It’s a little treacherous as the water is flowing into the cave as you climb out. I have done this multiple times without incident but it’s another reason I recommend good water shoes.

A woman walks across a wooden bridge to a jumping platform at the top of the Copalita Waterfalls in Huatulco Oaxaca.
A man walks across a wooden bridge to a jumping platform at one of the Huatulco waterfalls. One woman is jumping while another waits on the platform.

Once you exit the cave, you’ll be at the main swimming area which includes multiple points to jump into the water. There are several places to jump from the rocks and now a new wooden bridge with a jumping platform. Both are fun!

Cascadas de Llano Grande

📍 Map Location
📅 Hours: 9 am – 6 pm, every day
💵 Cost: 100 pesos per person

At El Llano Waterfalls near Huatulco Oaxaca, water cascades into a pool below, surrounded by trees.

Honestly, it’s a close tie for my favorite waterfall in Huatulco between Cascadas Mágicas de Copalitilla and Llano Grande. In my opinion you should start early so that you can visit both!

When my dad came to visit we made time to also visit Llano Grande and it did not disappoint! Overall I find this spot to be more peaceful. Not only is it less busy but the shallow pools of water makes this waterfall calmer.

A series of short but long waterfalls cascade into large pools of water at El Llano Grande Waterfalls Huatulco. The scene is surrounded by tropical plants and trees.
Large leaf tropical plants grow along the edges of a shallow pool of water at El Llano Grande Waterfalls near Huatulco Oaxaca.

This spot is characterized by clear pools surrounded by lots of lush tropical plants. The pools are mostly wide, flowing into one another along the river. This location may also be more accessible for those with mobility issues since there are wooden steps that lead down to a flat walkway along the river. 

And for the adventurous, there is a rope swing and a fun slide that dumps you into one of the pools!

A wooden structure with two swings in a shallow pool of water at Cascadas Llano Grande, one of the waterfalls near Huatulco. On top of the structure are colorful letters that spell out Llano Grande.
At one of the waterfalls near Huatulco, a man wearing a backpack walks along a shaded dirt path.

Cascadas Las Brisas

📍 Map Location
💵 Cost: Free

Cascadas Las Brisas has a large waterfall surrounded by a small walking area along the river. There is an area to sit along the rocks and a small pool below the waterfall to swim.

At Las Brisas Waterfall near Huatulco, water cascades down a rockface covered in an algae like a sheath. The area is surrounded by trees.

When I visited with my mom during the rainy season in Oaxaca, we were the only people here. While it’s a peaceful spot, I find the others to be more interesting. Although after reading the reviews, I wonder if maybe we missed something and should have explored more.

Since it’s a long day to go to all three, I recommend visiting the other two first and stopping at Cascadas Las Brisas if you have time on the way back.

Tip – If you do go to Las Brisas, don’t follow the road all the way down in your car. The last part is significantly worse, which we learned from experience. It’s better to stop at the road just above, park, and walk down.

Tips for Visiting the Huatulco Waterfalls

  • Leave Early – If you want to stop at more than one spot, beat the crowds and the heat, I always recommend leaving early. Plus then you have the whole day to enjoy the Huatulco waterfalls since you’ll want to return before dark.
  • Download a Map of the Area – Before you go, I recommend downloading a map on your phone. The cell signal goes from weak to non-existent as you travel deeper into the mountains.
  • Bring Water Shoes – My feet and toes were much more comfortable with high quality water shoes. It also gave me a better grip on the rocks.
  • Bring Waterproof Cell Case – While you can often buy this on the spot, the quality is lacking. I recommend bringing the one that you likely already own.
  • Cash Only – Credit cards aren’t accepted in this area and the closest ATM requires driving back to La Crucecita or Santa Maria Huatulco.
  • Check the Weather – Before you go it’s a good idea to check the weather, especially during the rainy season.

FAQ About the Waterfalls Near Huatulco

What is Huatulco Mexico best known for?

Huatulco Mexico is best known for its beaches which are spread among 9 beautiful bays. But travelers should also visit the waterfalls near Huatulco, which is one of my favorite day trips.

Is it safe to walk around Huatulco Mexico?

Yes, it is safe to walk around Huatulco Mexico. La Crucecita Huatulco is a small beach town with a reputation as being one of the safest places in Oaxaca.

Final Thoughts About Huatulco Waterfalls

As the name suggests, the waterfalls near Huatulco are magical. You can easily spend and entire day at Cascadas Mágicas de Copalita, relaxing and cooling off in the waters.

Plus the route to get to the Huatulco waterfalls allows you to see life in the small mountain towns. It’s a world away from the beaches and resorts of La Crucecita, and one I highly recommend visiting.