Tamul Waterfall Canoe Tour from Ciudad Valles: Paddle & Swim

Paddle flat blue water to a 25-meter cenote and the state's tallest waterfall in one morning.

A full-day canoe tour from Ciudad Valles visits Tamul waterfall by paddling a wooden canoe on the Tampamón River, then stops at Cueva del Agua, a 25-meter-deep cenote for swimming. The tour includes hotel pickup from downtown Ciudad Valles, a local guide in English or Spanish, lunch with a local family, snacks, all paddling gear and entrance fees. The day runs roughly 8 hours, from 9 am pickup through afternoon drop-off.

Step-by-step itinerary

Tamul waterfall and canoe tour

• 9:00 am hotel pick up in Ciudad Valles
• 9:30 am depart to Tamul
• 10:30 am arrive at local house for bathroom and change
• 11:00 am start paddling on Tampaon River
• 12:15 pm see Tamul waterfall and take photos
• 12:45 pm swim at Cueva del Agua
• 2:00 pm paddle downriver to La Morena community
• 3:00 pm lunch at local house
• 4:15 pm return to Ciudad Valles
• 5:15-5:45 pm drop off at hotels

The experience

How do you get to a waterfall without a car? The tour picks you up from your downtown Ciudad Valles hotel at 9 am and drives you to a local house near the river, where you change into swim clothes and grab a paddle. By 11 am you're on the water: flat, deep blue, and calm enough that the paddle itself is easy. The Tampamón River carries you past rock formations and jungle banks for just over an hour before Tamul appears: the tallest waterfall in San Luis Potosí State, dropping straight into the river. You pull the canoe onto a rock in the middle of the water to photograph it and take in the scale of the thing.

At 12:45 pm the paddle turns downriver toward Cueva del Agua, a cenote 25 meters deep cut into the riverbank. You swim here for an hour. The water is clear and the walls rise around you. By 2 pm you're paddling again, this time downstream to La Morena community, where a local family has lunch waiting: typical regional food, not a restaurant meal. After eating and resting, the guide drives you back to your hotel, arriving between 5:15 and 5:45 pm. A granola bar and water travel with you on the canoe. Everything else (the paddle, the flotation device, the canoe itself, entrance fees, accident insurance and the guide) is built into the price.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from downtown Ciudad Valles.
• a local guide fluent in English or Spanish.
• wooden canoe, paddle and personal flotation device.
• entrance fees to both Tamul and Cueva del Agua.
• a granola bar and water on the river.
• lunch with a local family.
• accident insurance.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (11 to 75 years) · Youth (5 to 10 years) · Child (3 to 4 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 8 pickup points.

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 14 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Con Huaxteca.com...hasta el perro se divierte!

Is this one for you?Book this if you're staying downtown Ciudad Valles without a car: hotel pickup at 9 am and evening return means you can experience the full day without managing your own transport to the river.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (5 to 10 years); Child (3 to 4 years); Infant (under 3).

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's the water like on the Tampamón River where we paddle?

The Tampamón River is flat, deep and blue: calm enough for paddlers of any experience level. The paddle to Tamul waterfall takes just over an hour on water that does not require whitewater skills or prior canoeing.

What happens at Cueva del Agua?

Cueva del Agua is a cenote 25 meters deep carved into the riverbank. You swim here for about an hour after seeing Tamul waterfall, then paddle downstream to lunch.

Does the tour include lunch?

Yes, lunch is a typical local meal served at a family house in La Morena community. A granola bar and water are also included on the paddle. Alcoholic drinks and souvenir photos are available to purchase separately.

Which hotels does the pickup cover?

Hotel pickup is included only for downtown Ciudad Valles hotels. The tour departs at 9 am and returns between 5:15 and 5:45 pm the same day.