After a 3 hour drive from the desert city of San Luis Potosi, you will find yourself in a near pristine oasis, La Huasteca Potosina. My love, Bernardo and I explored the treasures hidden in this biosphere. Our first leg of the trip is Tamasopo. I listed some tips and tricks to getting around. Enjoy the photos and video!

Travel Tip #1: Travel with your bff/your ride or die/your love of your life.

You will –if you haven’t already–  be tested for your patience and willingness to problem solve together. I hope this entry shows our experience and offers some travel tips on how to enjoy a similar one to the glorious Huasteca Potosina.

Travel Tip #2: Traveling in Latin America, try to take major roads/highways even if it may bring you out the of way and it can take longer because its safer, and you won’t accidentally go off-roading in your sedan or non-SUV car.

Even though we knew this, after getting off the highway, (following Google Maps – bad idea) we end up on this small road. However, it was the only/main road through the town as far as we knew. We approached countless potholes that would’ve taken our wheels. With good practice on Carmageddon  we were able to dodge most, if not all potholes. Then we approached this part that was not a road at all. It looked like someone completely lifted up the pavement and ripped it out, left all the pieces there, and said “the hell with it, we’ll get to this later”. No picture captured, but it would’ve been an ideal meme on 9GAG titled “IDGAF”. Pictured above is an ideal road to take, but what you should be able to see is that it’s on the map colored as a major road. Also, when passing through small towns, you should ask locals for further direction.

Travel Tip #3: Learn to drive stick shift. Doesn’t hurt. Most rental cars are stick shift, but they should offer automatic.

Travel Tip #4: Learn the language, or be a smart gringita/gringito and don’t put yourself in dangerous situations.

Our first destination was Tamasopo and we stayed at Cabaña Aventuras  for 750 pesos a night (~$45 USD). Completely engulfed in nature, this shabby hotel is all you need. It’s enclosed and has A/C. It’s a great location with the river adjacent to the hotel and Puente de Dios only a 20-30 min hike.  Another hotel adjacent is Hotel Campestre Tamisaqua, which has nicer amenities at a cheaper price (650 pesos = ~$39 USD). However, they book very fast, so book early!

There are more hotels by Cascadas de Tamasopo, which I recommend for families but they are more touristic. Those waterfalls are a bit smaller.

Travel Tip #5: Travel during the week to avoid the bustle of tourists.

Cool thing about Huasteca Potosina is that it still remains on one of the lowest rungs for foreign tourists since the preference is for Mexico’s beaches. The most tourists you’ll see are Mexicans from different parts of Mexico. I’ve lived and grown up around beaches, so I love to see forests and mountains. If that’s also your interest, add this to your list!

This is my fluffyness enjoying the nature and bugs during our hike to Puente de Dios (“Bridge of God”).

The water everywhere was divinely clear, blue and beautiful.

Discovering caves :O. (Not really, just posing next to a hole)

The color was indescribable. This image isn’t photoshopped at all.

Look at that water! The lighting was pretty amazing. I did correct the shadows here, but didn’t have to adjust the colors at all. I think my camera did a good job of capturing what this really looked like.

Cooling off on the way to Puente de Dios. The hike is sharp and short after you start elevating alongside this river, we recommend wearing water shoes with some level of coverage, or walk very carefully with sandals. Hiking boots would be too hot.

At the end of the hike, this is what we arrive to…

Travel Tip #6: During rainy season, if this area floods they will close off from visitors for safety. Check  the weather before you hit the road!

Pictures don’t really do it justice.

GoPro shot of the view. The ropes are for safety since the current is quite strong. There are life vests for rent if you’re not a strong swimmer, or just feel like floating!

Taking in the view before our first waterfall jump of the trip >_<.

Bernardo and I prepare to jump off what looked like 30-40 ft high. GoPro shot above before the leap!

Despite how much we wanted to jump, it was against all our survival instincts. I’m not going to pretend, we stood at the edge debating for a good 5 min. Then one of the locals, who we actually intersect later in our journey in Tamul, jumped at a much higher height totally showing us up! We found out later his name is Payaca.

We said, “We have to do this” and one kiss later we jumped. Check out our video below.

After the jump, we swam up to the falls. You can see in the video and pictured here, it’s an amazing feeling standing under the shower of fresh water.

Savoring our moments. At times, we didn’t take probably enough photos or videos because we got lost in the beauty. After this, we swam through a half submerged cave filled with bats to another oasis across from this area. Not pictured, but we captured a bit in video you saw above.

After Puente de Dios, we continued to hike up the path and reached the mouth of the river, stopping by playitas on the way.

Falling in love again and again and again. Thank you, my love, my life, for helping me overcome my perfectly rational fear of jumping off 30-40 ft into a raging current from a waterfall.

We were starving. Lunch included doughnuts sold by locals and apples we brought.

Delicious. Yes!

There are little vendors that pop-up in this area. If you’re wondering how they got these goodies here, there is a small road next to this forest aside from the hiking path that could be taken.

Hope you enjoyed. Next up: Tamul! Stay tuned :)

Your fluffy travelers,
Bernardo and Jacinta