×

Mexico🇲🇽 | hikesEl Chorro Waterfall TrailSeasonal cascade, plunge pools, palm creek bed, thornscrub foothills | things to do and best time to go

Explore Peña de BernalExplore Cañón de Guadalupe

Backpacking in El Chorro Waterfall Trail
👀 For curious travelershike ranked #12
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 20, 2026

The trail sits in a desert where water above ground is rare, so the waterfall can be a trickle or a roar depending on the recent rains. Plan around that. El Chorro Waterfall Trail lies in the foothills of the Sierra de la Laguna, near Santiago in Baja California Sur, Mexico. I arrived expecting cactus and dust, then spotted fan palms crowding a creek bed and felt like I’d walked onto the wrong map. The hike is short, easy to moderate, and the scenery is excellent. Buses stop on the highway, though, not at the trailhead. Carry small pesos for local fees and arrange the last stretch before you set out.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Mexico Travel Guide.
Best time to go: September, November - April
Duration: 3 hours
Distance: 5 kilometers
Total ascent: 150 meters


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
villages
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #12 hike in MexicoThe unique appeal for travelers

El Chorro Waterfall Trail gives you a green, swimmable oasis in a landscape most people know only for beaches and cactus. Backpackers pick it because the walk is short enough to fit between a morning arrival and an afternoon departure, and the payoff is a cold pool instead of another dry viewpoint. It also rounds out a route through the East Cape, where the coast is the main draw and the mountains are often skipped. The fan palms along the creek and the natural pools beneath the falls set it apart from the coastal stops nearby. It is cheap, flexible, and works equally as a half-day outing or a lazy swim stop.

💡 HighlightsWhat this place is best known for

  1. El Chorro Waterfall: The namesake drop, spilling into a rock-ringed pool. After rain it is loud and full, and in dry months it thins to a ribbon.
  2. The Plunge Pools: Cool, clear water below the falls that is welcome after the walk. Water shoes help on the slick rock.
  3. Fan Palm Creek Bed: Native palms line the watercourse, an unexpected green corridor through otherwise dry thornscrub.
  4. Sierra de la Laguna Foothills: The path climbs gradually enough to open views across ridges that belong to the biosphere reserve above.
  5. Santiago Town Plaza: A small, quiet square in the nearest village, handy for a cold drink and tacos after the hike.
El Chorro Waterfall Trail is best started with the waterfall and its plunge pool, since that is the whole point of the walk and the place to spend your longest stop.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near El Chorro Waterfall Trail

Baja Off-Road Adventure on Off-Road Motorcycle or Buggy

Baja Off-Road Adventure on Off-Road Motorcycle or Buggy

5.0(77) 24h
From €291
per personViator
Private Cabo Arch Kayak & Snorkel Tour for 4 Guests

Private Cabo Arch Kayak & Snorkel Tour for 4 Guests

5.0(75) 3h
From €454
per personViator
Cabo Half-Day Surf Lesson

Cabo Half-Day Surf Lesson

5.0(65) 4h
From €191
per personViator
Private Sandboarding Experience in Los Cabos

Private Sandboarding Experience in Los Cabos

5.0(46) 3h
From €109
per personViator
Cabo 90-Minute Surf Lesson: Great for Beginners

Cabo 90-Minute Surf Lesson: Great for Beginners

5.0(42) 1h 30m
From €110
per personViator
Private Surf Expeditions Cabo

Private Surf Expeditions Cabo

5.0(28) 7h
From €136
per personViator
Cabo San Lucas Luxury Arch Tritoon with Drinks

Cabo San Lucas Luxury Arch Tritoon with Drinks

5.0(27) 1h
From €44
per personViator
Private Surf Lessons at Cerritos

Private Surf Lessons at Cerritos

5.0(25) 5h 30m
From €91
per personViator
Surf Lessons in CABO with Mexico Surf Champ!

Surf Lessons in CABO with Mexico Surf Champ!

5.0(22) 2h
From €68
per personViator
Prívate Transportation Service

Prívate Transportation Service

5.0(21)
From €154
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Choosing the right time of year

  • November to February: Cool mornings around 14 to 18°C (57 to 64°F), afternoons near 26 to 29°C (79 to 84°F). The pool and falls hold water after summer rains, and hiking is comfortable.
  • March to May: Dry and hot, 30 to 35°C (86 to 95°F). The flow thins to a trickle, so start at first light.
  • June to September: Hot and humid, up to 35°C (95°F), with afternoon storms. The falls run strongest, but the trail turns muddy and the stream crossings rise.
  • October: Lingering humidity and possible late hurricane rain, though the waterfall is full.
Daylight runs roughly 11 to 13.5 hours. Crowds are thin outside Christmas and Easter weeks, when local families visit. Aim for January or early February, when water and comfortable temperatures overlap.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: highly recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: highly recommended for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: good for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
when-to-go

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutMexico Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Mexico
The digital guide (402 pages) contains:
✅ 138 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 7, 14 & 21-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option.

Best hostels in Mexico


Best quality hotels in Mexico

🥾 Hike detailsRoute, distance, and difficulty explained

Total Distance: El Chorro Waterfall Trail is a short out-and-back of roughly 5 kilometers.
Estimated Duration: 2 to 3 hours including a swim.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, with some rocky footing and a few scrambles near the creek.
Starting Point: The trail begins in the Santiago area. Buses on the highway reach Santiago, and a taxi or a walk covers the final stretch to the start.
Major Landmarks:
  • Creek Crossings: Expect to step across the water several times, so wet feet are likely.
  • The Falls: The main stop, with a pool for swimming.
Terrain and Scenery: Rock, gravel and packed dirt along a canyon floor,
… read more 👉
Total Distance: El Chorro Waterfall Trail is a short out-and-back of roughly 5 kilometers.
Estimated Duration: 2 to 3 hours including a swim.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, with some rocky footing and a few scrambles near the creek.
Starting Point: The trail begins in the Santiago area. Buses on the highway reach Santiago, and a taxi or a walk covers the final stretch to the start.
Major Landmarks:
  • Creek Crossings: Expect to step across the water several times, so wet feet are likely.
  • The Falls: The main stop, with a pool for swimming.
Terrain and Scenery: Rock, gravel and packed dirt along a canyon floor, with granite boulders and shaded pockets beside the stream.
Vegetation: Fan palms and fig-type trees by the water, with cacti and thornscrub on the drier slopes.
Wildlife: Birds are common near the pools, and lizards sun on the rocks. Larger animals are seldom seen.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyScams, Hazards, and Annoyances

El Chorro Waterfall Trail is a short, low-risk walk, but the heat and the stream are what catch people out. Go early, because shade is patchy and midday temperatures in the Baja California Sur interior climb fast. Rocks around the falls and pool turn slick, so wear shoes with real grip rather than flip-flops. After heavy rain, especially in hurricane season, streams rise quickly and the trail gets muddy, so skip the walk if storms are building upstream. Scorpions and rattlesnakes live in the desert scrub, so watch where you put hands and feet, and stay on the path. Carry more water than seems necessary, plus sun protection, and pack out all trash.
Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Plan on about 1.5 to 3 hours round trip for El Chorro Waterfall Trail, including time at the pool. The walk is short in distance, a few kilometers in total, and most people spend extra time swimming or taking photos. Starting early in the morning keeps the trip comfortable and leaves the rest of the day free.
El Chorro Waterfall Trail is easy to moderate, suited to first-time hikers with decent fitness. Expect uneven rocky ground, a few small stream crossings and some short scrambles near the falls. The main challenge is heat from March to September, when afternoon temperatures often pass 32°C (90°F).
El Chorro Waterfall Trail generally needs no permit and no guide for the standard walk, though a local guide is optional and usually costs about US$20 to 50 depending on group size. Some access points cross private land, so a small fee of roughly US$2 to 5 may be collected, payable in pesos. Bring cash, since there are no card machines at the trailhead.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Mexican hikes near El Chorro Waterfall Trail

Explore more nearby:


💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Mexico including El Chorro Waterfall Trail and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all hikes

Or checkout all Mexico has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Mexico
Country photo of Mexico
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on hiking the El Chorro Waterfall Trail

El Chorro Waterfall Trail depends on recent rain far more than the distance suggests, and that decides whether you get a thundering drop or a gentle trickle. I would ask locally about water levels first, and bring sandals with grip for the creek crossings.

✈️ When did I visit Mexico?
As part of my 1.5 year travel around the world trip, I visited Mexico in February and March 2016. Had to hurry a bit as I didn’t want to miss the free performance of the Rolling Stones in Cuba.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Mexico, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story