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 · Jalisco
Juanacatlán Falls
Juanacatlán Falls is a waterfall on the Santiago River in the Mexican state of Jalisco, once known as the Niagara of Mexico. Decreased flow in the Santiago River has left the falls now virtually extinct.
Essentials guide
Facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia, compiled September 2026; season and access are our estimate, not a visit report. How we build these pages.
Juanacatlán Falls drops over a series of steps on the Santiago River. It is a cascade-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Jalisco, Mexico. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article (CC BY-SA 4.0).
As a cascade waterfall, water tumbles down a series of rock steps rather than falling free.
What you can do here
A walk-in-and-look waterfall
No commercial adventures run at Juanacatlán Falls itself — the experience is the approach and the view. Guided day trips from Jalisco are the easiest way to combine it with the area around it.
Also good forHikingPhotography
When to go
Fullest at the end of the wet season (October to December); the dry months of January to April are the easiest for swimming and access.
Getting there
- Base town Jalisco, Mexico
- Country Mexico
- Region Jalisco, 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
Juanacatlán Falls
Mexico
Height—Width—
Most similar
Churchill River
Canada
Height—Width—
Also a cascade waterfall and in Canada
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
330 m
979 m
Victoria FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
We don't have a reliable crest width for Juanacatlán Falls yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Books worth packing
On the map
20.5132, -103.1752
Quick answers
Where is Juanacatlán Falls?
Juanacatlán Falls is in Mexico (Jalisco). The nearest base is Jalisco, Mexico. Its coordinates are 20.5132, -103.1752.
When is the best time to visit Juanacatlán Falls?
Peak flow is January to February and October to December. Fullest at the end of the wet season (October to December); the dry months of January to April are the easiest for swimming and access.
What can you do at Juanacatlán Falls?
Beyond the viewpoints: 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 Juanacatlán Falls?
The usual base is Jalisco, Mexico. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there.
Nearby
Closest to Juanacatlán Falls
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