Lonely Planet Mexico (19th edition)Lonely Planet
Guidebook
Lonely Planet Mexico (19th edition)
Lonely Planet · 2025
Newest edition of the standard Mexico guide, covering Chiapas near Palenque, the Huasteca Potosina and Copper Canyon.
Mexico · Chihuahua
Basaseachic Falls
Cascada de Basaseachic
One of Mexico's tallest waterfalls drops in a single free fall into the rugged Sierra Tarahumara, part of the vast Copper Canyon region, and is best viewed from an overlook trail reached without a long trek. Indigenous Rarámuri communities still inhabit the surrounding canyon country.
Mexico's second-tallest waterfall Essentials guide
Checked September 2026 by David Bussell
Basaseachic Falls drops 246 metres (807 ft) on the Basaseachic, inside Parque Nacional Cascada de Basaseáchic. It is a plunge-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Basaseachic, with CUU the closest airport. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
Basaseachic Falls is the second-tallest of the 12 we cover in Mexico. As a plunge waterfall, water leaves the rock entirely and falls free through the air.
What you can do here
A walk-in-and-look waterfall
No commercial adventures run at Basaseachic Falls itself — the experience is the approach and the view. Guided day trips from Basaseachic are the easiest way to combine it with the area around it.
Also good forCampingHikingPhotography
When to go
Summer rainy season (Jul-Sep) brings the fullest flow through the Sierra Tarahumara canyon country.
Entry: Small national park entry fee
Getting there
- Base town Basaseachic
- Airport CUU
- Country Mexico
- Region Chihuahua, Mexico & Central America, North America
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Basaseachic Falls
Mexico
Height246 mWidth—
Most similar
Kalambo Falls
Zambia · Tanzania
Height235 mWidth—
Also a plunge waterfall and of similar height
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
108 m
235 m
246 m
330 m
979 m
Victoria FallsKalambo FallsBasaseachic FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Angel Falls is 4.0× taller than Basaseachic Falls. It drops 2.3× further than Victoria Falls (108 m). We don't have a reliable crest width for Basaseachic Falls yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Videos from Basaseachic Falls
1:27
3:27
Chosen from YouTube; videos belong to their creators and play from YouTube's privacy-enhanced player.
Books worth packing
History & travel
Born to Run
Christopher McDougall · 2011
Bestselling account of the Rarámuri runners of the Copper Canyon country, the same Sierra Tarahumara that holds Basaseachic.
On the map
28.1953, -108.2081
Quick answers
Where is Basaseachic Falls?
Basaseachic Falls is in Mexico (Chihuahua), inside Parque Nacional Cascada de Basaseáchic. The nearest base is Basaseachic and the closest airport is CUU. Its coordinates are 28.1953, -108.2081.
How tall is Basaseachic Falls?
Basaseachic Falls drops 246 metres (807 feet). It is a plunge-type waterfall on the Basaseachic.
When is the best time to visit Basaseachic Falls?
Peak flow is July to September. Summer rainy season (Jul-Sep) brings the fullest flow through the Sierra Tarahumara canyon country.
What can you do at Basaseachic Falls?
Beyond the viewpoints: camping, hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail.
How do you get to Basaseachic Falls?
The usual base is Basaseachic, and the closest airport is CUU. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there. Small national park entry fee.
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