Just outside of the small town of Santiago on the East Cape, nestled in the lush biosphere reserve of the Sierra de la Laguna, are the natural pools and waterfall of Cañon de la Zorra. The centerpiece of the canyon is an impressive 10-meter (33-foot) waterfall that cascades into natural pools below. It’s a great spot for swimming and sunbathing on the rocks. Because the canyon is within the biosphere reserve of the Sierra de la Laguna, a minimal entrance fee must be paid to visit. Access to Cañon de la Zorra is only gained through Rancho Ecológico Sol de Mayo (tel. 011-52-624-219-5409), where you will purchase your entry bracelet and be directed to the trail to the waterfall. Ranch owner Prisciliano de la Peña Ruiz is the fifth generation of his family to have lived on the ranch, and if you speak Spanish, he’s a wealth of information about the region.
When to Visit:
Access to Cañon de la Zorra is available year round. Go in the morning to get the most direct sunlight, as the sun disappears behind the mountains putting the water into shade by early afternoon.
How to Get There:
To get to Rancho Sol de Mayo and Cañon de la Zorra, enter the town of Santiago and turn right on Francisco J. Mujica (before you get up to the plaza). Follow the road to an intersection, where you’ll follow signs for “Sol de Mayo” to make a soft left to go up a small hill. Here the pavement ends, but the dirt road is in good condition. Continue to follow signs for “Cañon de la Zorra” and “Sol de Mayo” for another 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) until arriving at Rancho Sol de Mayo (GPS: 23.499002, -109.790511). Here you’ll pay a small admission fee (about US$7 per person) to access the biosphere reserve and will hike to the pools and waterfall.
It’s a steep 10-minute hike to get to the canyon and waterfall from the ranch. There are now steps that have been carved out of the rocks (visitors used to have to use a rope to scale the large rocks to get down to the pools), but even with the steps, it’s a moderate hike, and travelers should watch their step.
Where to Stay:
Guests can camp at Rancho Sol de Mayo for about US$9. There are also seven cabins for rent that can hold 2-6 people. You can book the cabins on Airbnb. In town, there’s the classic Palomar Hotel (Calzada Maestros Misioneros de 1930, tel. 011-52-624-176-8220) or the new Amet sanctuary retreat.