Travel advisory · MexicoSome governments advise against travel to parts of Mexico.The warnings cover only these areas: Colima, Guerrero, Sinaloa, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Federal Highway 199 San Cristóbal de las Casas–Palenque, Guanajuato, south of Highways 43D and 45D, Guatemala border region, Chiapas, Lagunas de Zempoala National Park, Michoacán, Nayarit, within 20 km of Sinaloa and Durango border, Nuevo León, except Monterrey, Piedras Negras, Route 85 Monterrey–Nuevo Laredo, Sonora, Tamaulipas, Tecate, Tijuana, US border region, Zacatecas.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Colima · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, France, UK
- Guerrero · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, New Zealand, UK
- Sinaloa · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, New Zealand, UK
- Chiapas · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Spain, France
- Chihuahua · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, France, UK
- Federal Highway 199 San Cristóbal de las Casas–Palenque · avoid non-essential travel · France, UK
- Guanajuato, south of Highways 43D and 45D · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, New Zealand
- Guatemala border region, Chiapas · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, France, New Zealand
- Lagunas de Zempoala National Park · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, New Zealand
- Michoacán · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Germany, New Zealand, UK
- Nayarit, within 20 km of Sinaloa and Durango border · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, New Zealand
- Nuevo León, except Monterrey · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, New Zealand
- Piedras Negras · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France
- Route 85 Monterrey–Nuevo Laredo · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France
- Sonora · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, New Zealand
- Tamaulipas · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, France, UK
- Tecate · avoid non-essential travel · France, UK
- Tijuana · avoid non-essential travel · France, UK
- US border region · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, Spain, France
- Zacatecas · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, UK
Also named by one government: Celaya–Irapuato–Salamanca triangle, Guanajuato (France), Culiacán and surrounding area (France), North of Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas (Germany), Route 129 Martinez de la Torre–Teziutlán (France), Route 131 Tapacoyan–Perote (France), Route 180 Martinez de la Torre–Papantla secondary roads (France), Route 40 Monterrey–Reynosa (France), Southern Michoacán from Uruapán to the coast (France), Acapulco (France), Baja California, except Tijuana and Tecate (France), Ciudad Acuña (Spain), Ciudad Juárez and surrounding area (Spain), Ciudad Obregón (France), Coahuila, except southern part (New Zealand), Coatzacoalcos (France), Colonias north and north-east of the Zócalo, Mexico City (France), Durango (France), East Nuevo León, bordering Tamaulipas (France), Guanajuato (Spain), Guanajuato, Highway 45 between León and Irapuato (New Zealand), Guanajuato, south-west of Highway 45D (UK), Jalisco, within 50 km of Michoacán border (Canada), Monclova (Spain), Morelos (France), Nayarit (France), Nogales (France), Non-tourist rural areas of Baja California (Spain), Non-tourist rural areas of Chihuahua (Spain), Non-tourist rural areas of Coahuila (Spain), Non-tourist rural areas of Durango (Spain), Non-tourist rural areas of Sonora (Spain), Northern municipalities of Jalisco (UK), Northern Tamaulipas from San Fernando to US border (Spain), Northern Veracruz bordering Tamaulipas (Spain), Northern Veracruz from Martinez de la Torre (France), Route 150D Puebla–Orizaba (France), Route 190 Oaxaca–Santo Domingo Tehuantepec (France), Route 85 and 83 Monterrey–Ciudad Victoria–Tampico (France), Route 95 Mexico City–Cuernavaca (France), Selva Lacandona (France), South and south-west of Lake Chapala, Jalisco (UK), South-west Jalisco and Los Altos, except Puerto Vallarta (France), South-west Michoacán (France), South-west Tamaulipas (France), Southern Guanajuato state (France), Southern Michoacán south of Morelia (Spain), Strip within 40 km of Guatemalan border, Chiapas (UK), Tepic (New Zealand), Toluca (France), Veracruz city (France)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Exercise increased caution | May 29, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Besondere Vorsicht walten lassen (Sicherheitslage) (regional advisories) | Oct 19, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Vigilance renforcée pour le reste du pays (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
La Huasteca Potosina
Limestone waterfalls and river pools in east-central Mexico, plus Xilitla's Las Pozas, a concrete garden in the hills.
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La Huasteca Potosina is a mountainous region in the east of San Luis Potosí state, in central Mexico, where the Sierra Madre Oriental drops toward the Gulf coast. Limestone rivers cut through its valleys and fall into swimming pools and waterfalls. Tamul is one of the tallest falls in the region and is reached by boat, while Tamasopo has a series of pools and cascades. Ciudad Valles, the largest town in the area, is the usual base for day trips.
Xilitla, higher in the mountains, is home to Las Pozas, a garden of concrete towers, bridges and walkways that the British poet Edward James started building in the 1960s. Travel is mostly by road, since the sights are spread out and mountain roads are slow, so allow at least three or four days. The drier months, roughly November to April, usually have clearer water. June to October is the rainy season, when rivers run higher and muddier.
La Huasteca Potosina in five
- Rent a car or hire a driverWaterfalls and towns are spread over long valley and mountain roads with little public transport. Drive in daylight only and check the route, fuel and tolls before you leave.Plan transport in Mexico
- See Tamul from the riverThe Tamul waterfall is usually reached by boat or kayak up the Santa María river. The water level changes the trip, so ask your operator before you pay.
- Go early to Las Pozas in XilitlaThe concrete surrealist garden in the jungle has many steep stairs that stay slippery after rain. Go in the morning, wear shoes with grip and check opening days before you drive.
- Match your dates to the waterRivers run bluest in the drier months and can rise, turn brown and close swim spots after heavy rain. Ask locals about conditions before you commit to a swim or a boat.
- Carry cash and water shoesMany pools and falls charge a small local fee and sit beyond card reach. Bring pesos, a swimsuit under your clothes and shoes you can swim in.
Things to do in La Huasteca Potosina
See all attractions in La Huasteca Potosina
Need to know
- Airport
- San Luis Potosí (SLP), about 3–4 hours to Ciudad Valles
- Getting there
- Car or ADO bus to Ciudad Valles; Mexico City is about 6–7 hours
- Getting around
- Rental car or hired driver; local tours from Valles and Xilitla
- Best base
- Ciudad Valles for waterfalls; Xilitla for Las Pozas
- Time needed
- 3–4 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh24°Low15°Cool, clear waterJanuaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 42 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, clear water
- FebruaryClear5 rainy daysHigh27°Low16°Dry, warmFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 22 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- MarchClear7 rainy daysHigh31°Low19°Hot, clear waterMarchClear
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 41 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, clear water
- AprilClear9 rainy daysHigh34°Low21°Hot, Semana SantaAprilClear
Mixed
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, Semana Santa
- MayRain15 rainy daysHigh36°Low24°Very hotMayRain
Poor
- High
- 36°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 108 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- JuneRain19 rainy daysHigh34°Low24°Rains beginJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 430 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains begin
- JulyRain20 rainy daysHigh33°Low23°Rainy seasonJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 237 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- AugustRain20 rainy daysHigh33°Low23°Rainy seasonAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 163 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- SeptemberRain20 rainy daysHigh32°Low22°Rain, storm riskSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 302 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, storm risk
- OctoberRain15 rainy daysHigh29°Low20°Rain, coolingOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 199 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, cooling
- NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh26°Low18°Drier, clearNovemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 83 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, clear
- DecemberClear7 rainy daysHigh25°Low16°Dry, coolDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 63 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cool
Average daily high and low in La Huasteca Potosina, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in La Huasteca Potosina
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
29
- Feels like
- 34°
- Humidity
- 68%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 55%
La Huasteca Potosina
02:38 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today29°22°55%Monday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 55%.
- Tue30°22°13%Tuesday: Fog. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 13%.
- Wed29°22°45%Wednesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Thu29°23°12%Thursday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 12%.
- Fri30°22°65%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 65%.
- Sat25°18°72%Saturday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 72%.
- Sun23°18°73%Sunday: Drizzle. High 23°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 73%.
Updated 02:22 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 18.81 MXN
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Tamul waterfallabout 1 hour by road plus a boat rideA wide waterfall dropping into a turquoise river; trips depend on water levels.
- Las Pozas, Xilitlaabout 1.5–2 hours from Ciudad VallesA concrete garden of stairs and arches in the cloud forest.
- Sótano de las Golondrinasabout 2 hours by roadA giant limestone shaft where swifts and parrots fly at dawn.
Before you go to La Huasteca Potosina
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for La Huasteca Potosina, checked
- Many nationalities do not need a visa for Mexico. Immigration issues a tourist permit (FMM) on arrival. Check entry rules at gob.mx/sre.Source
- Declare cash above the legal limit on the customs form at arrival or departure. Confirm the current amount with the SAT before you travel.Source
- Dial 911 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Mexico.
- Drink bottled or purified water in Ciudad Valles and the sierra towns.
Plan around La Huasteca Potosina
Entry, money, safety and the regions on one page
Read the guideNorthern Central HighlandsSilver towns on the plateau above the Huasteca
Read the guideGuanajuatoPainted hillsides and tunnels, a few hours south
Read the guidePlan transport in MexicoRental cars, long buses and flights
Read the guideInsurance for road tripsCover for a rental car and remote waterfalls
Read the guideLa Huasteca Potosina FAQ
How many days do you need in the Huasteca Potosina?
Three or four days covers Tamul, one or two waterfall swim spots and Las Pozas in Xilitla. Add a day for each extra base, since drives between sights take hours.
Do you need a car in the Huasteca Potosina?
A car or a hired driver makes the trip far easier, because public transport is limited and sights are far apart. Without one, base in Ciudad Valles and book day tours.
What is the best time to visit the Huasteca Potosina?
February to May is hot but has the clearest water. June to October is rainy, which can make rivers rise, turn brown and close swimming spots. Check conditions before you book boats.
Is the Huasteca Potosina safe?
Many visitors travel it without trouble, but check your government's current advice and local road conditions. Drive in daylight, keep to main roads and ask your hotel or operator about each day's route.
Can you visit the Huasteca Potosina from Mexico City?
Yes, but it is a long trip: about 6 to 7 hours by road to Ciudad Valles. Plan at least three nights, or combine it with the silver towns of the highlands.