Aquismón
Read more
Slide to the left to continue
◈ La Huasteca Potosina region has endowed Aquismón with abundant water—wherever you look there are streams and waterfalls
▁▁▁▁▁▁
Those who come here know what they are looking for: endless rivers for kayaking, deep chasms perfect for climbing and rappelling, impressive caves where experts venture in to better understand what is going on deep underground.
.
.
◆Visit the Sótano de las Golondrinas pit cave.
◆Ride a panga down the Tampaón river.
◆ Soak up the local vegetation and wildlife.
The fourth week of July, the Magical Town of Aquismón becomes a pilgrimage with the fair dedicated to San Santiago and Santa Ana.
❖ Cascada de Tamul (Tamul Waterfall)
Venture into the Huasteca Potosina region and discover this stunning waterfall just 25 miles from Aquismón. Explore Tampaón river aboard a canoe or panga, taking in the beauty of one of Mexico’s most spectacular waterfalls. It is born out of the convergence of the Gallinas and Santa María rivers.
Its mighty green waters plunge 344 feet into the Santa María river and flow through the bottom of a narrow, deep canyon lined with reddish walls. At its widest, the river stretches 984 feet across.
❖ Sótano de las Golondrinas
Stay in Aquismón, and discover the Huasteca Postosina area’s other attractions, such as the Cascada de Tamul, one of the country’s most breathtaking waterfalls.
Deep in the middle of the Huasteca Postosina region hides Sótano de las Golondrinas, Mexico’s most stunning natural chasm. It is an enormous vertical hollow, a result of the area’s karst geology. Over millions of years, water erosion cut through the limestone soil, creating a natural refuge where you can admire a variety of bird species, especially swifts (easily confused with swallows, explaining the name, Cave of the Swallows), as well as parrots, green-cheeked parakeets, and bats.
❖ Templo de San Miguel Arcángel
Learn more about Aquismón’s culture by visiting this church on Javier Manrique street. Dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel, the church is built on an ancient plinth from the Huasteco culture and is notable for the Moorish influence seen in its detailing.
❖Snap Pictures and Cool Off in Las Pozas
If you are into photography, this is your dream setting. Imagine capturing upside-down columns, gothic windows, hot tubs in the shape of eyes, and stone flowers—all enveloped by the jungle. The Escalera al Cielo (Stairway to the Skies) and El camino de las 7 serpientes (Path of the 7 Snakes) are
❖ Learn About Traditional Tenek Medicine
Aquismón is home to Tenek and Huasteco Nahua people. Their traditional specialists have amassed medical knowledge passed down through the generations.
Cures include cleansing patients, offerings, dances, and singing in holy places. In this way, according to their worldview, they can balance and regulate their relationship to nature.
❖Shop for Handicrafts by the Indigenous Peoples
In addition to traditional herbs prepared by Tenek and Huasteco doctors, you can pick up clothing such as a quisquem or cayem, a type of shawl also known as a quechquemitl in the Náhuatl language. It is a kind of white cotton cape adorned with cross-stitched geometric designs in the shape of flowers and birds. There are also talegas, a bag worn over the shoulder; embroidered cotton huiclab sashes; and petobes, or crowns—headpieces made of brightly-colored yarn.
❖ Traditional San Santiago and Santa Ana Festivities
During the fourth week of July comes the colorful fair and attendant celebrations. Stands offering regional handicrafts, including traditional medicine with herbs from the Huasteca region and traditional clothing, are set up in the square. Then, rides fill the street leading up to the church and its atrium, overflowing onto part of the plaza. You can fill up at regional food stands hawking thin slices of beef known as cecina which is usually accompanied by Huastecan enchiladas, zacahuil (several feet of cornmeal dough and meat steamed in a banana-leaf wrapping), stuffed corn patties called bocoles, and pemole cookies made with toasted and ground corn.
Magical Towns in
San Luis Potosí
