Emerald Falls day trip from Huatulco: Swim & tropical birds

Swim beneath the waterfall and spot exotic birds on an eco-friendly adventure

A full-day guided tour from Huatulco to Emerald Falls includes roundtrip hotel pickup, a traditional lunch, soft drinks and two beers per person, and a guided walk through forest where you'll see exotic birds before jumping into the emerald water. The tour operates with small groups and a live guide in English or Spanish, and benefits the local communities around the falls.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore waterfalls and tropical birds

• Visit tropical bird area
• Swim in Emerald falls

The experience

If you've just arrived in Huatulco or have a free afternoon, this tour gets you out of the hotel and into one of the region's most striking natural spots without arranging your own transport. The day starts with pickup from your hotel lobby (be ready 15 minutes early), and ends eight hours later back where you started. What fills the middle is a guided walk through tropical forest where the canopy holds exotic birds, then access to Emerald Falls itself, where the water is clear enough to see why it's called that. You jump in, not just look.

The tour includes a traditional lunch and two beers per person, plus soft drinks throughout the day, so you're not hunting for food or paying separately at a remote site. Your guide speaks English or Spanish and gives live commentary as you walk, pointing out the wildlife and the landscape. The operator structures the trip to benefit the communities around the falls, so the money stays local. You'll need to walk on unpaved and uneven terrain, wear swimwear under clothes you don't mind getting wet, and bring a change of clothes and cash for anything extra you want.

What’s included

• Roundtrip hotel pickup.
• guided tour of Emerald Falls with live commentary in English or Spanish.
• traditional lunch.
• soft drinks and two beers per person.
• access to swim in the falls.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Huatulco Travel Experience

Is this one for you?Small groups work best here, and the fixed eight-hour schedule means you can plan the rest of your Huatulco day around it. If you're traveling with kids, children under 2 are free, and older ones can manage the forest walk and the swim.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Emerald Falls like when you get there?

Emerald Falls is a natural waterfall with crystal-clear water in the forest canopy. The tour includes guided access to the falls and time to swim in the water itself, not just view it from a distance.

How much walking is involved on this tour?

You'll walk through tropical forest on unpaved and uneven terrain as part of the guided tour to reach the falls. The operator requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness and the ability to walk on uneven ground. The activity is not wheelchair accessible.

What's included in the lunch?

A traditional lunch is included, along with soft drinks and two beers per person throughout the eight-hour day. You should bring spending cash if you want anything beyond what's provided.

What time does pickup happen?

Roundtrip transportation is included from most centrally located Huatulco hotels. Be ready and waiting in your hotel lobby 15 minutes before your scheduled pickup time.