A Day Trip to Experience a Beautiful Waterfall in Santiago

Just an hour and a half north of Cabo San Lucas, a waterfall hiking adventure awaits you in the most unlikely of places, in the middle of the desert! Considering the surrounding terrain, you might be surprised to know that a waterfall exists in the middle of a desert. Just just outside the town of Santiago, BCS is a lush oasis where you can visit Rancho Ecologico Sol De Mayo, a nature preserve featuring a short hike to a beautiful Mexican waterfall.

This waterfall is just 50 miles north from Cabo San Lucas, within the Sierra de La Laguna Biosphere Reserve. This area is often referred to Fox Canyon or Cañon de la Zorra.

Tropic of Cancer:

A Quick Stop Along the Highway

Located just before the town of Santiago, this roadside stop features a monument with a couple different globes and a line marked on the ground showing exactly where the imaginary Tropic of Cancer line would be at the 23.5° north parallel. Other countries at this same latitude include the Bahamas, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, India and China. This is an easy must-do stop on the East Cape of the Baja peninsula, right along Highway 1.

Getting There from Cabo San Lucas

As with many destinations in the Baja, some of the best places are found at the end of a long, bumpy dirt road and this is no exception. Whether you rent an economy car or a more rugged vehicle, you should have no trouble navigating these dirt roads. Be prepared for washboard surfaces as well as some rocky areas with occasional pot-holes. You can also join a tour group if your plans don’t include renting a car.

Before leaving the Cabo area, download Google Maps so you have it available on your phone no matter the cell coverage. Cell coverage is pretty spotty the further out of town you go. There are directional signs to assure you are on the right path, but they are few and far between.

Ecologico Sol De Mayo 23500, Santiago, B.C.S., Mexico

The Trail

If you are searching in All Trails, you can find this hike listed as Canon de la Zorra, which means Fox Canyon. In order to access the trail you will be passing through Rancho Echologico: Sol De Mayo. Come prepared to pay their day use fee to gain access to the trail. For two people expect to pay around 300 pesos or $16 USD.

There is very little shade, so during the warmer months, hike early in the day and pack in lots of water to drink.

A beautiful 15 meter waterfall in Santiago.

Hiking in the cooler months (January through April), you will experience vivid green vegetation, colorful flowers and insects. Another perk to this time of year is the waterfall has more water flowing over it from the recent rainy season.

The trail is rustic in all the ways you would expect for a hike in the middle of nowhere. Carefully placed stone steps make it easier to navigate the hillside and rails made of repurposed tree branches seem perfectly suitable for this remote hike.

You can read up on current trail conditions at the Canon de la Zorra All Trails link HERE.

Watch Our Video for More Beautiful Scenery

In the Area

Plan your trip with enough time to spend part of the day at one or more of these other worthwhile sites in Santiago.

Santa Rita Hot Springs

What better way to end the day than a soothing soak in a natural hot springs tucked into the rugged canyon of the Sierra de La Laguna mountain range. Located less than 30 minutes from Sol de Mayo, Santa Rita Hot Springs is Heaven on Earth. There are several interconnected pools located along a dirt trail. If you time it right, you may get a pool all to yourself.

The entrance fee for Santa Rita is just 200 pesos for 2 people. They weren’t taking USD at the time of our visit.

The walking trail to the hot springs isn’t clearly marked and may require a little guess work. Follow the path that winds through several picnic areas then veers off to the left. That’s the direction you’ll need to go to find the relaxing thermal pools of Santa Rita Hot Springs, just on the other side of some smooth rocks.
NOTE: Santa Rita Hot Springs is closed on Wednesdays.

The tranquil setting of the Santa Rita Hot Spring feels like your very own private piece of paradise.

Relaxing in the silky thermal mineral pools of Santa Rita Hot Springs.

Mission Santiago

Mirador Santiago de Yola: Oasis Overlook

On the way out of town, be sure to check out the overlook of this beautiful oasis in the middle of the desert.

Leave No Trace

Please help preserve this beautiful natural scenic area by carrying out all your garbage. Anything left behind is not only unsightly, but over time will harm the environment and the animals who call this paradise home.

NOTE: Park entry fees are subject to change, so bring a little extra in case you need it.

I hope your travels to Cabo San Lucas include a side trip Santiago. I’d love to hear about your experiences. Leave a comment below if you decide to visit.