Cascada Cola de Caballo

I could feel an energy to the place below the falls. Breathing in the mist and drowning in the sound of the falls makes for a surreal experience. I thought it was funny and sad to see all the signs “No lavarse en este area”. I too got a strong sensation that I would want to clean up in the river here – only a natural impulse.

I have never been to a waterfall more Mexican-commercialized. The base of the path is expectedly lined with vendors of little trinkets and fast food. But at the top, the guys who must have kissed some serious ass or given some serious head, the chosen few get to vend at the waterfall. There were at least three different vendors within view of the waterfall. In fact, the whole base was barred off to allow any dipping of the feet or even though of getting in the water. Very organized.

Even the restrictions couldn’t reduce the quality of the place. For the most part the tenants of this area keep it in top shape, one can see all around. All the trash is picked up and the leaves raked. They even burn the leaf piles near the river to maintain a manicured appearance. One of my favorite parts was the picnic area within the creek basin. The picnic tables dotted the creekside and islands, with the creek flowing just feet from them. We imagined the park filled with families using the BBQs in the summer time.

The tourist season is March through September. Besides a handful of Mexican tourists and the park staff, our only company was a few chickens, horses, donkeys and a couple of dogs.

Following our hike, Amy and I explored down the campus of the hotel until we came upon a fancy restaurant. From the entrance I could see a small outdoor patio looking over the edge of a cliff. The patio, constructed from stone, entirely by hand, looked out over the valley and Santiago. In front of the patio, over the cliff, and emanating from the top of the hotel, jutted a bungee jump platform cordoned off with hot pink warning tape.