Agua Azul

Agua Azul is a chain of cascading waterfalls in the tropical rainforest of Chiapas, about 69 kilometers southwest of Palenque on the road toward Ocosingo. The water's vivid turquoise color comes from its high calcium carbonate content, which refracts sunlight most dramatically during the dry season between November and April — in the rainy season the river swells, turns brown, and swimming is prohibited. The falls are part of the so-called Gringo Trail through southern Mexico and are typically visited alongside the nearby single-drop waterfall Misol-Ha as a day trip from Palenque. Local vendors line the riverbanks selling snacks and Chiapas handicrafts, making it a lively yet still nature-dominated stop.