In this post, I’ll share everything you need to know about visiting Cascada Sol de Mayo (Sol de Mayo Waterfall) & Cañon de la Zorra (Fox Canyon), a gorgeous desert waterfall in the small town of Santiago, Baja California Sur.
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About Cascada Sol de Mayo & Cañon de la Zorra
Most people are attracted to Baja California Sur for its coastline, but I think the real magic of this place is in the mountains.
There is no better example of the beauty of the desert landscape than Cascada Sol de Mayo.
I never thought I would see a literal oasis in the desert. Watching a thundering waterfall drop into a deep pool below in the middle of a dry, arid landscape was a spectacular sight.
Cascada Sol de Mayo or the Sol de Mayo Waterfall is a 40-foot (12 metre) waterfall in the heart of the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range in the tiny town of Santiago.
Accessible via the property of a local ranch, Rancho Ecologico Sol de Mayo, a short hike into the Cañon de la Zorra (Fox Canyon) will lead you to the striking waterfall.
The waterfall is becoming a popular day trip from Cabo, just a 1 – 1.5 hour drive in a rental car or as part of a tour.
But we think Santiago and the Sierra de la Laguna are worth a few days of your itinerary!
Whether you’re visiting on a self-guided day trip, joining a tour or staying the night in the area, read on for everything you need to know about Cascada Sol de Mayo and Cañon de la Zorra.
All in a name
There are many different names for the same place, and it can be confusing when planning your visit.
I spent so long working out how to visit Cascada Sol de Mayo and Fox Canyon, only to find out they were one and the same!
So, before we go any further:
- Sierra de la Laguna (Laguna Mountain Range) is a large mountain range and natural protected area in the southern part of Baja California Sur. It contains multiple canyons, waterfalls and hiking opportunities.
- Rancho Ecologico Sol de Mayo (Sol de Mayo Ecological Ranch) is a privately owned ranch outside the town of Santiago, where the canyon and waterfall are located. You pay an entrance fee to the ranch to access the trailhead.
- Cañon de la Zorra (Fox Canyon) is a rocky desert canyon inside the Sierra de la Laguna, with a river running through it.
- Cascada Sol de Mayo (Sol de Mayo Waterfall) is the 40-foot (12 metre) waterfall and swimming hole inside the canyon.
Quick facts
- 📍 Location: 1 – 1.5 hours from Cabo, outside the small town of Santiago on Google Maps here
- ⏰ Opening hours: Monday – Sunday 9 am – 6 pm
- 💰 Entrance fee: 200 pesos
- 🚗 How to visit: Self-drive a rental car, or join a tour
- 🥾 Hike length: ~ 1 km / 0.5 mi
- 🪫 Difficulty: Easy – moderate
- 👙 Swimming: Yes
Where is Rancho Ecologico Sol de Mayo
The ranch, from which you access the canyon and waterfall, is located outside the tiny town of Santiago.
Santiago is around 1.5 hours from Cabo San Lucas, 1 hour from San Jose del Cabo and 2 hours from La Paz.
Rancho Ecologico Sol de Mayo is 25 + minutes further outside of Santiago town, deep in the Sierra de la Laguna.
If you’re driving, I’ve got directions below.
Day trip or stay?
Cascada Sol de Mayo and Cañon de la Zorra are most commonly visited as a day trip from Cabo, or as a stopover when driving between Cabo and La Paz.
Some people will visit the waterfall as a day trip from La Paz, but the drive is over 2 hours each way. I wouldn’t recommend it, seeing how many other amazing places are around Santiago! If you don’t want to stay in Santiago, and you’re not going to Cabo, you can visit the waterfall from Los Barriles (45 mins) or Cabo Pulmo (1 hr 15 mins).
Whilst a day trip is definitely feasible, I would recommend spending a couple of days in the Santiago area.
If you’ve decided to rent a car and take a road trip around the state, Santiago is worth at least an overnight.
It’s a tiny, blink-and-you-miss-it town, but it offers a completely different view of Baja California Sur.
Compared with the coastal resorts of Los Cabos, Santiago is an authentic, desert town and we really enjoyed experiencing this other side of Baja.
Being surrounded by the looming mountains of the Sierra de la Laguna and the mind-blowing desert scenery is special. You won’t want to rush away too quickly.
There are a few other attractions around the area, like Santa Rita Hot Springs, more hiking at Rancho Ecologico El Refugio, and the town itself is worth exploring for a few hours.
You can easily fill a couple of days here soaking up the mountains and desert vibe.
I’ll share some recommendations at the end of this post for accommodation around the area (including staying on-site at the ranch at the falls), but I would encourage you to consider staying for at least a night!
How to get to Rancho Ecologico Sol de Mayo
There are only two ways to get to the waterfall:
- 🚗 Self-drive
- 🚐 Join a tour
The ranch is in a very remote area, and there is definitely no public transport!
It’s over 10 km away from Santiago, so although you can get a bus to town, you wouldn’t be able to get to the canyon. We saw some backpackers attempting to walk, but we would not recommend this. It’s way too far in the desert heat.
If you don’t have a car, join a tour.
Driving
The easiest way to get to the waterfall is with your own car.
If you’re staying in Cabo, you can easily rent one for the day if you don’t already have one organised for the entirety of your trip.
🚗 Browse for rental cars in Cabo here
The first part of the journey is getting to the town of Santiago. Whether you’re coming from Los Cabos in the south, or La Paz in the north, it’s an easy trip along Highway 1.
From Santiago, you need to take the road north out of town. It inclines up a hill overlooking the gorgeous oasis the town is centred around. Stop at the Mirador de Santiago for an amazing view and photo.
From the lookout, I would suggest ignoring Google Maps and instead following the signs put up by the rancho.
The map shows two routes, but some of the roads in this area are not roads at all. They’re very rough tracks that you should not attempt to follow! We also encountered some ‘roads’ with closed gates.
So follow the signs to the ranch, and the road will end in their car park.
The road is dirt the entire way and turns to very soft sand in parts. It’s not necessary to have a 4×4, but it will definitely make the drive more comfortable.
If you’re in a regular car, just take it easy and avoid the soft sand on the sides of the road.
Joining a tour
If you don’t have a rental car or you’re not confident navigating the roads, you can join a tour.
There are a handful of tour operators running trips from Cabo.
They’ll take care of the transport, and you also get the benefit of a local guide who can explain the landscape, plants and history of the canyon.
We highly recommend this tour with High Tide Los Cabos. They are a Mexican-owned and operated company offering some unique tours showcasing the epic ocean and desert environment around Cabo.
They include pick up from your accommodation in Cabo (Cabo San Lucas or San Jose del Cabo), fun and informative local guides to share more information about the area and landscape, a guided hike to the waterfall, and further into the canyon if desired, with plenty of time to swim and relax, and a delicious lunch afterwards at a local restaurant in Miraflores.
Exploring Sol de Mayo Waterfall & Fox Canyon
Once you arrive at the ranch and park in the car park, you should find someone around to pay your entry fee (200 pesos).
There are a lot of farm animals and dogs at the ranch to say hello to. When we visited they even had a Xoloitzcuintle aka a Mexican hairless dog! He was the first one we had seen, and it was so strange to pat him.
If you need to use the bathroom, now is the time. There are bathrooms in the main ranch building where you enter, but not down near the waterfall.
Once you’re good to go, follow the signs to the right of the building. You’ll see a path leading into the canyon to the waterfall.
The ‘hike’ is only 1 km (0.5 mi) and shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes.
The first section is on a well-made gravel path, but as you get closer to the canyon, it gets quite rocky and uneven.
We didn’t find it difficult at all and happily did the walk in sandals. If you’re not a hiker, or not confident on uneven terrain, you will probably want to wear sturdier shoes.
There are amazing views looking down at the waterfall and pool below. Be sure to stop for plenty of photos along the way!
The start of the hike
The trail reaches a point where it diverts left (down to the base of the waterfall) or right (up around the canyon to the top of the waterfall). We spent time exploring both routes.
If you want to go straight to the pool to swim, head left. The trail here is very steep as it descends, but there are rocky stairs and some ropes to hold on to.
You’ll end up on the edge of the pool, looking at the waterfall tumbling down. We visited in January (dry season) but the waterfall was still flowing strong, and the pool was full.
It is such a gorgeous scene, I had to pinch myself. It’s literally an oasis in the desert. Seeing that much water felt at odds with such a dry and arid landscape.
You can rock hop along the banks further downstream to the left, where you’ll find a couple of other small waterfalls and pools to swim in.
This is a great spot to set up for the day on a large rock. Leave your bags and towels here while you swim and explore.
The waterfall and downstream (left fork of the trail)
If you want to go up above the waterfall, stick right where the trail forks. It’s quite a rocky uneven trail from here, but you’ll navigate around the edge of the canyon, before reaching the river again above the falls.
You can walk right to the top of the waterfall, and look down into the pool. If you’re brave enough, you can jump in!
We weren’t up for it, but we watched some daredevils jump many times! It was safe, but be sure to check the water levels before you jump, as it does go up and down throughout the year.
It’s possible to head further upstream, hopping along rocks on the bank of the rivers. This trail on AllTrails heads a few miles up the river, before turning around. You can basically go as far as you’re comfortable with, and turn around and come back the same way.
Depending on the time of year and water levels, you might find some deeper sections of the river to swim on. When we visited, the water level wasn’t too high, but we loved looking at the lush palms growing along the banks.
Upstream above the waterfall (right fork of the trail)
Amenities at Cascada Sol de Mayo
The ranch has a limited number of amenities.
There are bathrooms in the main building as you arrive, but nothing down near the waterfall.
They have a restaurant on-site, but it’s not always open. If you’re planning to have a meal when you visit, I would highly recommend contacting the rancho in advance to confirm if the restaurant will be open. They’re very responsive on Facebook and WhatsApp.
What to bring
- 👙 Swimwear
- 🧖🏽♀️ Towel
- 😎 Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
- 🥾 Comfortable walking shoes
- 📸 Camera, GoPro or phone
- 💧 Reusable water bottle
- 🥪 Snacks or lunch
- 💰 Cash
Where to stay in Santiago
If you’ve made the decision to stay in Santiago for a night or longer, you’ve got a pretty easy choice of accommodation – there are only two options!
1. Stay at Rancho Ecologico Sol de Mayo
The ranch offers accommodation. You can either camp in your rig or with a tent, or stay in one of their cabañas.
The cabins are basic, but have everything you need for a short stay. There is no WIFI and limited electricity but it’s the perfect place to unplug and connect with nature.
The cabins have a really cool desert vibe and are clean and well-equipped.
They have a kitchen with everything you need to cook a meal. However there is no fridge, so come with non-perishable items.
If you’re planning to eat at their restaurant, be sure to confirm if they are open in advance so you don’t get stuck without food.
The best part of the cabins is their rooftop balconies, which are perfect for stargazing in a completely dark area, without any light pollution!
You can book the cabins directly with the ranch, via Facebook or WhatsApp.
2. In Santiago town
If you’re planning to do other activities around the Santiago area, you might not want to stay out at the ranch, which is quite a while away from the other attractions.
We spent two nights in Santiago town at the only hotel, Hotel Don Julio.
It was perfectly clean, with comfortable beds, hot water in the shower, strong wifi and a small fridge in our room. There was private off-street parking, and the hotel has a terrace that offers a beautiful vantage point for sunset over the mountains, and a view over the square.
The owner Luis was kind and welcoming and built the hotel himself. We paid 800 pesos per night and highly recommend it. The best way to book is to get in touch via WhatsApp (+52 624 159 1909).
Final thoughts on Sol de Mayo Waterfall
Reflecting on all the natural wonders we saw in Baja California Sur, Sol de Mayo Waterfall and Fox Canyon were highlights.
The scenery of the Sierra de la Laguna is simply breathtaking, and we both felt so relaxed and at peace being out in nature.
If you’re visiting Cabo, this is such a refreshing change from the resorts, development and hustle and bustle. Please dedicate some time in your trip to breathe the mountain air and experience this gorgeous place!
I hope this post helped plan your adventure to Rancho Ecologico Sol de Mayo. I’ve got some more guides for other activities around the Sierra de la Laguna below.
OUR SANTIAGO GUIDES
