San Luis Potosí: Tamul Waterfall & Xilitla Gardens 2-Day Tour

Row to a Hidden Waterfall, Then Walk Through a Surrealist's Dream

You row upstream to a waterfall, swim in a cave, and spend a night in the mountains. The next day you walk through two of Mexico's strangest artistic spaces — one a garden of impossible architecture, the other a museum of surrealist sculpture. Breakfast and lodging are included; you bring swimwear and a willingness to get wet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Tamul waterfall and swim

• Travel 3.5 hours to Tanchachin village
• Board traditional boat for 4.2 km rowing trip
• Arrive at base of Tamul waterfall
• Swim in Tampaón river on return
• Visit Water cave and swim
• Eat typical regional lunch in Tanchachin
• Travel to Xilitla for overnight stay

Day 2 — Explore Edward James garden and museum

• Have breakfast at typical local restaurant
• Visit Edward James' sculptoric gardens
• Walk halls, staircases, and squares
• Discover history and legends of gardens
• Visit Leonora Carrington's museum
• Explore symbolic artworks and meanings
• Enjoy typical lunch with handmade tortillas

The Experience

The boat leaves Tanchachin village at the start of day one, and you're rowing upstream for 4.2 kilometers on the Tampaón river toward Tamul's waterfall. It's a traditional rowboat, the kind locals have used for years, and the current pushes back enough that you feel the work of it — but the water is clear and the canyon walls close in as you go. When the waterfall appears, it's sudden: a long drop of water hitting a pool so deep and still it looks painted. You swim here, and later in a flooded cave where the water is cold and the ceiling disappears into darkness above your head. Safety gear comes with you into the water. After lunch back in the village, you drive three and a half hours to Xilitla, where you'll stay the night at the Guzmán Hotel.

Day two is Edward James' sculptural gardens — the place most people have never heard of, even though it's been called one of the strangest gardens on earth. James was a British poet and art collector who bought land in Xilitla in the 1960s and spent decades building impossible staircases, floating platforms, and stone structures that the jungle has half-claimed back. You walk through it with a guide who knows the story — why he built it, what he was trying to make, how it fell apart and came back together. The paths twist and loop; you're never quite sure which direction you came from. It's disorienting in the best way. After that, you visit Leonora Carrington's museum, a smaller space filled with her sculptures and paintings. Carrington was a surrealist painter and sculptor, and the guide walks you through the symbolism in her work — the strange figures, the hidden meanings, the things that don't make sense until someone tells you why they do.

The two-day tour from San Luis Potosí includes your lodging in Xilitla, breakfast both mornings, and all the safety equipment for the water activities. You're in a small group, which means the gardens don't feel crowded — you have space to move and time to look. The drive back to San Luis happens on the afternoon of day two.

What’s included

Your two days include lodging at the Guzmán Hotel in Xilitla, breakfast both mornings, a traditional rowboat trip to Tamul waterfall with swimming in the river and a flooded cave, lunch in Tanchachin village, entry to Edward James' sculptural gardens with a specialized guide, entry to Leonora Carrington's museum, and all safety gear for water activities. Transport from San Luis Potosí to the tour sites and back is included.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availableNot for heart conditions

Operated by Corazón de Xoconostle Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see two of Mexico's most unusual artistic spaces without arranging transport, lodging, or entry yourself — the fixed itinerary handles all of it, and the small group size keeps both the gardens and the waterfall from feeling crowded.

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Top questions

How long is the boat ride to Tamul waterfall?

The rowing trip is 4.2 kilometers upstream on the Tampaón river, taking around an hour depending on current.

Is swimming required on this tour?

Swimming happens at two points — in the river after the waterfall and in a flooded cave. Safety gear is provided, and you can stay in the boat if you prefer not to swim.

What's included in the two-day tour?

Lodging at the Guzmán Hotel in Xilitla, breakfast both days, boat ride, entry to Edward James' gardens and Leonora Carrington's museum, and safety equipment for water activities.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available. The tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health due to the physical demands of the boat ride and walking.

How far is Xilitla from San Luis Potosí?

The drive from San Luis Potosí to Tanchachin (the boat departure point) is 3.5 hours. Xilitla is in the same region.

What should I bring?

Swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable walking shoes. Safety gear for water activities is provided.

Are meals included besides breakfast?

Breakfast is included both days. Lunch on day one is provided in Tanchachin village after the boat ride and cave swim.

What is Edward James' garden like?

It's a collection of surrealist sculptures and architectural structures — staircases, platforms, and stone formations — built over decades and partially reclaimed by jungle vegetation. It's disorienting and unlike most gardens.