Chiapas: El Chorreadero Cave Canyoning & Underground Pools

Summary

Cave canyoning adventure in chiapas with rappels and pools

You’ll crawl, climb, rappel, and leap through El Chorreadero Cave near San Cristóbal de las Casas with a local guide leading you deep inside underground streams and waterfalls. Expect real adventure moments — from silent awe in hidden vaults to laughter after your first jump — plus snacks to keep you going.

What’s the experience like?

Hands on the cold rock, water dripping from somewhere above — that’s how it started for me at El Chorreadero Cave. Our guide, Jesús, was already grinning as he handed out helmets and harnesses. I could hear the waterfall outside, but inside it was this echoey hush, just our footsteps and the sound of moving water. I kept thinking: am I actually about to rappel into an underground river? Turns out, yes. And my heart definitely noticed.

We scrambled up a narrow conduit (I banged my knee once — not too bad), following Jesús’s headlamp until we reached this huge vault where the stream tumbled down into natural pools. The air smelled kind of earthy and cool, like wet limestone. At one point we all just stood there for a second, not talking. You don’t really expect silence to feel so heavy or good underground. Then came the fun part: rappelling down slick walls and jumping straight into deep pools — I hesitated on the first jump but everyone cheered me on (pretty sure I yelled something embarrassing).

There was a snack break in the cave — nothing fancy, just some fruit and bars — but honestly it felt like a feast after all that adrenaline. Jesús told us stories about people who’d explored even deeper parts of El Chorreadero; he made it sound both wild and totally normal at the same time. By the time we headed back toward daylight, my arms were tired and my shoes full of grit, but I couldn’t stop smiling. That first blast of sunlight outside hit different — warmer than I remembered somehow.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Canyoning adventure at El Chorreadero Cave

• Leave San Cristóbal at 8:00 am
• Arrive at tourist center
• Enter cave at El Chorreadero waterfall
• Climb 100 meters through conduit
• Explore natural vault with stream
• Follow stream performing rappels and jumps
• Have a snack inside the cave

Top questions

How long does the El Chorreadero cave canyoning tour take?

The activity starts at 8:00 am from San Cristóbal de las Casas; total duration varies but expect most of the day.

Is lunch included in this Chiapas canyoning tour?

No lunch is included; only snacks are provided during the cave tour.

Do I need to know how to swim for this cave canyoning?

Yes, swimming ability is recommended due to jumps into pools inside the cave.

Where does the canyoning tour start from?

The tour departs from San Cristóbal de las Casas to El Chorreadero tourist center.

Is this tour suitable for beginners?

You should have at least moderate physical fitness; not recommended for those with injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Are there jumps or rappelling involved in El Chorreadero cave?

Yes, you’ll do rappels down rock walls and jumps into natural pools inside the cave.

Are pregnant travelers allowed on this adventure?

No, it’s not recommended for pregnant travelers due to physical intensity.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from San Cristóbal de las Casas to El Chorreadero Cave with all necessary equipment for canyoning provided by your guide, plus snacks served inside the cave before returning after your adventure underground.