Aquismón

Cuevas de Mantezulel

Thanks to its seemingly inexhaustible fertility and its reputation as one of the most mysteri­ous areas of the Sierra Madre, this region was entrusted to Hernán Cortés during his conquest of the Huasteca region in 1522. It was subsequently converted into a Franciscan mission site and later, ad­opted the name San Miguel de Taquixmón. Because of the political and religious importance it acquired in the eighteenth century, its notoriety increased and the area became known as Villa de Aquismón.

Mantezulel Caves

This is an enormous and humid cavern divided into four halls or rooms, in which nature has cre­ated fanciful rock formations that resemble differ­ent figures (an eagle, a skull, a turtle and a gorilla, among others). The area is excellent for hiking. (8 kilometers (5 miles) west of the county seat).

Golondrinas Chasm

What, at first glimpse, seems like the entrance to the center of the world, is in fact one of the deep­est chasms on Earth. It is approximately 55 me­ters (180 feet) in diameter at its mouth and 512 meters (1,680 feet) deep. This great vertical rift is a true challenge for the most advanced rappelers and spelunkers. (13 kilometers (8 miles) east of the county seat).

Huahuas Chasm

If the ascent from the highway to the top shakes you up a bit, con­templating this 80-meter (262-foot) wide and 478-meter (1,568-foot) deep natural chasm will leave you breathless. Forming part of a natural protected area, this enormous cav­ity also represents an exciting chal­lenge for rappelling and spelunking experts. (Highway 85 Ciudad Valles-Tamazunchale, turn off at kilometer marker 50 on the right and continue to San Isidro Tampaxal. Begin to hike along the 800-meter (2,625-foot) path outfitted with six rest areas along the way to make the hike more enjoyable.)

Tamul Waterfall

The 105-meter (344-foot) falls where the Gallinas and Santa María rivers join are the most impressive and beautiful in all of San Luis Potosí. Af­ter the falls, the river receives a new name and is known as the Tampaón river. The falls’ blue curtain of water and their surroundings rich in lush vegetation offer a wealth of recre­ational possibilities, including rap­pelling, kayaking (in the Tampaón river), sport fishing and camping. The best way to appreciate the area is by way of the town of Tanchachín or La Morena. Here visitors can rent boats to sail upriver to the site. Along the way, they will be able to explore the Water Cave and enjoy its tran­quil transparency. (Highway 70 west of Valley City, turn off at kilometer marker 23, continue for 18 kilometers (11 miles) along the dirt road).

Tambaque Springs

Many people enjoy this refreshing spring, known as the place of falling water in the tének language, by tak­ing a pleasant walk along the edge of the stream to its source. Many visitors also choose to bathe in the ponds that make up this invigorat­ing natural site. It offers all the neces­sary amenities for a fantastic family outing: grills, a restaurant, a camp­ing area and parking. (8 kilometers (5 miles) north of the municipal seat).