Streaming blue waters: Misol-Ha & Agua Azul
Trip Start
Nov 06, 2009
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339
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Trip End
May 28, 2011
Misol Ha, Central Mexico and Gulf Coast, Mexico
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Misol-Ha (meaning 'streaming water' in the local Chol Maya language)is a 35 metre high waterfall nestled in the jungle about 20 kilometres away from Palenque.
The cascade was quite a bit fuller, and therefore even more impressive, than when I've previously visited as its getting into rainy season now.
It's not safe to swim in the plunge pool as the force of the water is so hard, although you can walk behind the water curtain to get an idea of its power (and a good soaking).
However a little further along the road towards San Cristóbal de las Casas, it's safe to swim in the waters of Agua Azul.
Meaning 'blue water', the falls of Agua Azul are a series of several small cascades extending along a 7km stretch of the river Usumacinta (the same river that runs through Palenque).
The water has dug holes in the limestone, sort of like a ladder, and because of the high mineral content the pools appear a sort of turquoise-blue colour, hence the name.
We had a couple of hours to cool down and paddle in the pools (and kip on a rock in Risto's case) there before continuing on to San Cristobal de las Casas...
