Forget the gym – the 724 well-built steps to this cascade will suffice as your daily workout. Plunging into the sheer Río La Venta canyon, El Aguacero is a gorgeous series of frothy stair-steps that tumble and spray. In dryer months (usually December through May), you can stroll along sandy riverbed beaches to the waterfall. When the water’s high, it’s a half-hour hike from the staircase along a shady jungle trail.
Unless the bridge has been repaired along the jungle route, there’s a narrow cliff ledge bypass that isn’t recommended for children. From December through May, you can also explore an underground river running through the 200m-long El Encanto cave. An hour-long tour (M$180) includes all equipment (helmet, headlamp etc).
Camping and hammock space (with showers) are available, and a small comedor (food stall) usually serves quesadillas (M$18).
From Ocozocoautla (Coita), colectivos to El Gavilán/Las Cruces (M$12) can drop you off at the highway turnoff, and it’s a 3km walk down to the entrance. If the stairs up from the river leave you in a heap, management charges M$70 per vanload to drive you back up or M$200 for a ride to or from Ocozocoautla. Drivers should look for the turnoff sign about 15km west of Ocozocoautla.
