There is the DIY way to visit the Las Cascadas del Chiflón from Comitán de Dominguez.

Hop on a colectivo from the T.P.A. station on the main highway. The drive is beautiful, will take about an hour and cost 35 pesos ($1.75) per person.

The colectivo will stop at the entrance to the park where red Tuk Tuks awaiting your arrival will drive you up the hill to the trailhead. The cost is 10 pesos (.50) each.

The park entrance fee is 50 pesos each, about $2.50.

The elevation here is 2000 feet.

There are bathrooms, food vendors, and cabanas for overnight stays.

The photos I had seen online showed the river to be glorious shades of turquoise, but we were disappointed. Researching online I read that the colors are more spectacular during the dry season. That explains it; October is in the rainy season.

The thundering powerful force pulls you closer and closer into its mist. Water flows over the final steps. Steps and handrails are very slippery.

The trail actually continues to “Arcoiris” and “Quinceañera” waterfalls but you must decide whether to climb another 1/2 mile. I could not.

Taking the steps down were harder for me and I was pretty wore out by the time we get back. It took us two hours to hike the 1.6 mile round trip.

You will be tempted to take the easier way down – by zip line. There are 3 zip lines.

To return home, we repeat the steps we took to arrive except in reverse: take a tuk tuk back to the highway for 10 pesos each and catch the next colectivo back to Comitán for 35 pesos each.

The cost came to less than $7 each for this amazing daytrip.

We did not make it to the Lagos de Montebello National Park. We can save it for next time. I did read that it was best to take a guided tour as there are over 40 lakes.

Adios Chiapas state. Getting to know you has been a pleasant surprise, but we are anxious to move on and discover the state of Oaxaca.