El Cora waterfall is in the community of El Cora, in the municipality of San Blas, in the coastal hills that drop from Tepic to the Pacific. You reach it on state highway 76 from Tepic to Santa Cruz de Miramar (via Jalcocotán): in the village of Tecuitata a side road runs about 9 km to El Cora, and from there a short trail leads down to the pool. It’s about 50 km from Tepic (approx. 1 h 15–1 h 30 min) and 35–45 km from San Blas, depending on the road you take.
The waterfall drops inside a gorge with green walls into a wide pool where swimming is allowed. Published figures for its height range from about 20 to about 40 m, depending on the source and which drop is measured; what it doesn’t have is the “more than 100 meters” some descriptions repeat. Visiting the pool is easy and needs no guide; rappelling down the falls, on the other hand, requires an operator.
Below you’ll find the full route from Tepic or San Blas, step-by-step directions, the approximate entrance fee, trail difficulty and the best season.
Where El Cora waterfall is (and where it isn’t)
El Cora is a village in San Blas, about 9 km southeast of Tecuitata and close to the coast at Santa Cruz de Miramar. It is not in the municipality of Del Nayar, and you don’t go through Jesús María to get there: that’s the Cora seat up in the sierra, more than 180 km and about 4 hours from Tepic in a different direction. The village shares its name with the Cora (Náayeri) people, which is where the confusion comes from.
How to get to El Cora waterfall
- From Tepic, take state highway 76 toward Jalcocotán and Santa Cruz de Miramar. You pass Jalcocotán (km 31) and about 10 km later reach Tecuitata.
- In Tecuitata, take the signed turnoff to El Cora: about 9 km of narrow road, mostly paved or cobbled.
- In the village, follow the cobblestone street to its end and park where the people running the access tell you.
- On foot, a short dirt stretch and a 20–30 minute trail down (30–40 back up) bring you to the pool.
From San Blas, follow the coast road south through Matanchén, Aticama and Santa Cruz de Miramar, climb to Tecuitata and take the same turnoff. There’s no public transport to the waterfall itself; combis (shared vans) reach Tecuitata and Santa Cruz.
| From | Approx. distance | Approx. time | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tepic | 50–53 km | 1 h 15–1 h 30 min | State 76 via Jalcocotán + turnoff at Tecuitata |
| San Blas | 35–45 km | 1 h | Coast road to Santa Cruz de Miramar + Tecuitata |
| Tecuitata | 9 km | 20–25 min | El Cora turnoff |
| Puerto Vallarta | approx. 150 km | 2 h 30 min–3 h | Federal 200 and state 76 |
For flights and buses into the state, see how to get to Nayarit.
El Cora waterfall day-trip itinerary
You’ll enjoy the waterfall in 2–3 hours, so it’s worth building the day around the rest of the San Blas hills. Here’s an itinerary that starts in Tepic and ends in San Blas:
| Approx. time | Leg / stop | Km | Time | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 | Tepic → Jalcocotán | 31 | 40 min | Breakfast in the village |
| 9:00 | Jalcocotán → Tecuitata | 10 | 20 min | Views of the hills and Matanchén Bay |
| 9:30 | Tecuitata → El Cora | 9 | 20–25 min | Pay the access fee and park |
| 10:00–13:00 | El Cora waterfall | — | 20–30 min trail | Swim in the pool, photos, rest |
| 13:30 | El Cora → Santa Cruz de Miramar | 19 | 35–40 min | Seafood lunch by the ocean |
| 16:00 | Santa Cruz → San Blas | 24 | 35 min | Aticama, Matanchén, sunset at El Borrego |
If you’d rather have adventure than a swim, pair the waterfall with a guided descent of Tecuitata canyon in the morning: the full itinerary is in the Tecuitata canyon route.
Fees, facilities and what to expect
- Access: charged by the community (a local cooperative or caretakers); in 2026 it’s around $50–100 MXN (3–6 USD) per person. Bring cash and confirm the amount at the entrance, since it can change.
- Facilities: basic restrooms and palapas (thatched shelters) near the entrance. Don’t count on restaurants by the falls; eat in Tecuitata or Santa Cruz de Miramar.
- Guide: not required to walk down to the pool. Required for rappelling down the falls, offered by canyoning operators based in Tepic and San Blas.
- Cell signal: patchy; download your map before you leave.
Trail difficulty
Easy to moderate. The way down is short but has dirt and rock steps that get slippery when damp, and the climb back is harder than the descent. Kids from about 6 years old manage fine in the dry season with proper shoes. If anyone in your group has bad knees, take it slowly and bring a hiking pole.
The pool is cold and deep in the middle. Only swim where you can stand or wear a life vest, and keep away from the base of the falls: the force of the water creates currents underneath.
Best time to visit El Cora waterfall
Go between November and June. In those months the road is in better shape, the water is clearer and there’s no risk of flash floods. Toward the end of the dry season (May and June) the flow drops, but the pool is still good for swimming.
From July to October it rains almost every afternoon on the Nayarit coast: the waterfall looks more spectacular, but the trail gets muddy and the creek can rise suddenly. If you go in the rainy season, go in the morning and get out of the water if it turns murky. More in the best time to visit Nayarit.
What to bring
- Closed shoes with good grip, or strapped river sandals.
- Swimsuit, towel and a dry change of clothes.
- Water (at least 1 liter per person) and some food.
- Insect repellent and biodegradable sunscreen.
- A bag for your trash: there are no bins at the pool.
- Cash for the entrance fee.
What else to see nearby
The waterfall fits into a broader trip through the hills and coast of San Blas. Close by you have Tecuitata canyon, Cebadilla volcano and, down on the coast, the La Tovara mangroves and the beaches of Matanchén Bay. Compare El Cora with the state’s other falls and hot springs in our guide to waterfalls and hot springs in Nayarit, and if rappelling appeals to you, read the canyoning guide to Nayarit.
For the rest of your trip: the La Tovara route, the beaches of San Blas and other hidden places in Nayarit.
Frequently asked questions
Where is El Cora waterfall?
In the community of El Cora, municipality of San Blas, Nayarit. You reach it on the Tepic–Santa Cruz de Miramar road, with a 9 km turnoff at Tecuitata.
How much is the entrance fee at El Cora?
The community charges approx. $50–100 MXN (3–6 USD) per person in 2026. Bring cash.
How tall is El Cora waterfall?
Sources give roughly 20 to 40 m depending on which drop is measured. It is not over 100 m; Nayarit’s tallest is Jumatán waterfall, near Tepic.
Can you swim at El Cora waterfall?
Yes, in the pool at the base. The water is cold and deep in the middle; stay away from the falling water and avoid swimming if it turns murky during the rains.
Do I need a guide for El Cora?
Not to walk the trail down to the pool. You do for rappelling down the falls, which you book with a canyoning operator.
How long is the walk to the waterfall?
From the parking area it’s about 20–30 minutes down and 30–40 back up, on an easy-to-moderate trail.
Area map
- 1El Cora San Blas. Waterfall village; 20–30 min trail to the pool.21.4303, -105.1138 · Open in Google Maps
- 2Tecuitata (turnoff) San Blas. The 9 km road to El Cora starts here.21.4495, -105.1457 · Open in Google Maps
- 3Jalcocotán San Blas. Village on highway 76, km 31 from Tepic.21.4804, -105.0995 · Open in Google Maps
- 4Santa Cruz de Miramar San Blas. Fishing village; lunch after the falls.21.4326, -105.1962 · Open in Google Maps
- 5San Blas (Magical Town) Historic port; beaches and La Tovara.21.5381, -105.2892 · Open in Google Maps
