A short hike in Cañon de la Zorra (Fox Canyon) leads you to what feels like a desert oasis in the middle of the gorgeous Sierra de la Laguna mountains of Santiago, Baja California Sur. The towering 40-foot Cascada Sol De Mayo Waterfall pours into a turquoise-blue swimming hole below, then flows down a refreshing river through the striking desert canyon.
As a Mexico travel fanatic, I would argue that the Fox Canyon waterfall hike is one of the very best day trips from Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, yet few visitors make the journey to this stunning location. Cañon de la Zorra remains fairly uncrowded, even on weekends, and primarily attracts Mexican tourists. But with several local tourism companies starting to offer day trips to this stunning Santiago waterfall, Cascada Sol De Mayo is steadily gaining popularity among international travelers.
This Fox Canyon Waterfall and Sol De Mayo BCS travel guide will tell you everything you need to know about visiting this gorgeous natural landmark, whether you intend to take a tour or visit on your own.
Before you read on, make sure to bookmark these other Baja California Sur Travel Guides for your upcoming adventure:
★ 21 Best Day Trips from Cabo
★ The Ultimate Guide to the Santa Rita Hot Springs
★ Up-to-Date Playa Balandra Beach Guide + 9 Insider Tips
★ The Ultimate Guide to Vegan Travel in La Paz, Mexico
★ 6 Reasons to Visit Santiago, BCS
★ Playa Balandra, La Paz Full Guide
★ Playa El Tesoro, La Paz Full Guide
★ 5 Best Balandra Beach Tours from Cabo
Breathtakingly beautiful Sol De Mayo waterfall from above
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The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Cascada Sol De Mayo & Cañon de la Zorra
The famous Sierra Laguna Waterfall hike is known by many names. Before we go any further, let’s clear up any confusion. These are the names used to refer to Sol De Mayo Waterfall in Santiago, BCS: Fox Canyon Waterfall, Cascada Sol De Mayo, Sierra Laguna Waterfall, and sometimes Santiago Waterfall.
Sol De Mayo Waterfall is located in Cañon de la Zorra, which means Fox Canyon in English. The canyon and waterfall are located on private property, and you have to pay a small entrance fee ($200 pesos). There are other hikes in Fox Canyon, but most visitors hike to Sol De Mayo Waterfall and spend a day swimming and taking in the surrounding beauty.
As a side note, the waterfall in this article should not be confused with the Santiago Apoala waterfalls in Oaxaca, Mexico (which are jawdroppingly beautiful and totally worth visiting).
The 40-foot Sol De Mayo waterfall looks smaller from the water below, but just as beautiful!
I visited Cañon de la Zorra and Cascada Sol De Mayo on a road trip stop in Santiago BCS on my way between Cabo and La Paz. It was my favorite stop on our Baja road trip, and we almost decided against visiting but I’m so glad we went! Whether you’re looking for waterfalls in Cabo San Lucas, exploring other Baja California Sur towns, or road-tripping, make sure you carve out some time to relax and hike at this beautiful canyon. You won’t regret it!
Okay, now let’s get into everything you need to know before visiting this serene Fox Canyon waterfall!
Quick photo stop on the short Sierra Laguna waterfall hike in Cañon de la Zorra
Swimming beneath the Sol De Mayo Waterfall (the water flowing down is warm!)
Views of the beautiful river in Fox Canyon during the hike to Cascada Sol De Mayo
Where is Cañon de la Zorra and the Sol De Mayo Waterfall?
Cañon de la Zorra (and Sol De Mayo Waterfall) are located inside the Rancho Ecologico Sol De Mayo, a privately owned ranch in Santiago, BCS, Mexico. Located in the Sierra Laguna mountains of Baja California Sur, the ranch is a good 25+ minute drive from the center of Santiago. Santiago itself is an hour from San Jose del Cabo, an hour and fifteen minutes from Cabo San Lucas, and two hours from La Paz.
Gorgeous views in Santiago BCS
How to get to Santiago and the Sol De Mayo Waterfall Trailhead
Self-Guided Directions
You need a car to get to Fox Canyon on your own. Looking for a guided tour? Scroll down for top-rated tour recommendations with reviews and ratings.
Santiago From Cabo
The drive from Cabo to Santiago is between an hour and an hour and fifteen minutes, depending on the area of Los Cabos.
To drive from San Jose del Cabo, head north on Highway 1 for about an hour until you see the sign for Santiago (after about 50 minutes). Turn left toward Santiago and drive about five minutes into town.
To drive from Cabo San Lucas, drive toward San Jose del Cabo and get on Highway 1 North (you may enter San Jose on Highway 1, depending on where you’re coming from). After about an hour and ten minutes, you’ll see the sign for Santiago and turn left, driving five minutes into two.
Santiago From La Paz
Sol Del Mayo is sometimes called the La Paz waterfall hike, but the waterfall is actually about two hours outside of La Paz. It’s certainly worth visiting Sol De Mayo if you’re in La Paz, though. Follow these directions to reach Santiago:
There are two ways to drive toward the Sierra Laguna mountains from La Paz: Highway 1 and Highway 286. There isn’t much of a time difference, but check your GPS to see which route is faster based on traffic and your exact starting point.
Highway 1 and 286 meet near La Venta, converging into Highway 1. Keep driving south on Highway 1 through Los Barriles until you see the sign for Santiago after about two hours of driving. From there you can drive into town, which takes about five minutes.
Be warned: some sections of the road to Santiago are very windy and curvy. Be careful as you drive and ensure you’re driving in full daylight in both directions.
Santiago to the Sol De Mayo Trailhead
I recommend pre-loading Google Maps directions to Cañón de la Zorra before you leave Santiago as the internet is spotty outside the city, and the drive can be a bit confusing.
Keep in mind that that the drive to the trailhead on a dirt road, so drive carefully. You don’t need four-wheel drive, though. I drove to Fox Canyon in a sedan with no problems.
Sierra de la Laguna waterfall hike in Sanitgao, Mexico
Best Fox Canyon Waterfall Cabo Tours
Sierra de la Laguna Hiking Tour: Waterfall, Hike, and History
★★★★★ 5/5 Stars out of 58+ reviews
Pickup in Cabo San Lucas.
This tour from Cabo San Lucas takes you along the footsteps of the Pericu nomadic people who are indigenous to the Sierra de la Laguna mountains. You get to swim in the beautiful Fox Canyon waterfall, while also exploring the surrounding area deeper on a four-mile hike, and enjoying a local homemade meal at the nearby rancho.
“A perfect day-hike on the pristine Boca de la Sierra out-back trail! Delicious wood-fired home-cooked breakfast and visit with a nearby ranchero family. Swim and marvel in the San Bernardo stream and water holes. And share the joy, eco-knowledge, and safety-first leadership that Danny Perez (our certified tour-guide) brings to this remarkable Cabo-best experience.”
Review from George on Viator
Fox Canyon Cabo Day Trip with Hike
★★★★★ 5/5 Stars out of 143+ reviews
Complimentary hotel pickup in Cabo San Lucas.
As you hike through the Sierra de la Laguna mountains with your certified guide, you’ll learn about the local flora and fauna. You’ll also get the opportunity to swim in natural pools and slide down waterfalls. You’ll also get to indulge in local cuisine, including tacos and margaritas.
“My partner and I thoroughly enjoyed this excursion with Carlos and Marco! They were excellent guides and knew the canyon well. The hike was beautiful and not too long. My favorite part was swimming in the pools and sliding down the waterfalls. It was an amazing place to explore!”
Review from Clara on Viator
Hidden Waterfalls Adventure with Max
★★★★★ 5/5 Stars out of 83+ reviews
Complimentary hotel pickup in Cabo San Lucas.
This day trip takes you to the Santiago waterfalls where you can relax, swim, cliff jump, and get to know other visitors on your tour. Instead of hiking around the canyon, you walk 15-minutes to the waterfalls and spend the majority of the day enjoying the surroundings.
“This is your sign to book this experience now. Max was an AMAZING tour guide!! The pickup was smooth, and the ride there was full of good conversations. The hike to the waterfall was quick, and the water itself was so great and had lots of fish!! The ice cream at the end was the perfect treat. Thank you Max for showing us around, and your time!”
Review from Briana on Viator
How to Visit the Sol de Mayo Waterfall Without a Tour
Spending a Canon del Zorra is easy, even without a tour guide. From Santiago, head to Rancho Ecologico Sol De Mayo. I recommend using Google Maps (download your map beforehand as there is no service) to get to the ranch. It’s a 20-minute drive down a dusty dirt road, but it really felt longer than 20 minutes to me. Keep your map up to assure you’re headed the right way.
You’ll arrive at the ranch, and walk toward the Sol de Mayo sign (pictured below). There is a small ticket booth to the left. If no one is in the booth, say “hola,” and someone should come out to greet you.
Pay the $200 peso fee (in cash) and then walk under the Sol de Mayo sign, to the right, toward the trail. From there, the walk to the waterfall is only about 15 minutes. There are plenty of gorgeous vista points overlooking the waterfall and steam below, so be sure to stop along the way for photos.
Once you arrive at the base of the waterfall, jump in and enjoy the water!
The gorgeous Santiago Baja waterfall at Cañon de la Zorra
Sol de Mayo BCS Waterfall Hike FAQs
What type of facilities are there at Rancho Ecologico Sol De Mayo?
There are no facilities at the base of the waterfall, but near the parking lot, you’ll find bathrooms, a restaurant (not always open), and cabins for rent.
What should you pack for visiting Cascada Sol De Mayo?
I recommend bringing the following items:
- Walking shoes: You don’t need hiking shoes, or even tennis shoes. The hike to the waterfall is short, and you can do it in sandals if you’re comfortable climbing over a few rocks in your sandals. If you intend to hike more throughout the canyon, bring comfortable walking shoes.
- Towel: Depending on the time of year, you might dry off in the sun without needing a towel, but it can still be nice to have if you want to change or sit on it. I love Nomadix towels for travel.
- Bathing suit: Wear something you can swim in!
- Water: Always be prepared with a reusable water bottle. The canyon is hot and hydration is important.
- (Optional) GoPro or waterproof phone case: Make sure you can capture photos of this beautiful spot without risking getting your phone wet. I have a GoPro Hero11, which has 27 megapixels and screens on both sides, and I love it!
What else is there to do in Santiago BCS?
Santiago is a small town, but it’s also the gateway to the Sierra Laguna mountains. There are tons of hikes in the area, as well as hot springs. My favorite hot springs in Santiago are the Santa Rita Hot Springs, which are just about 20 minutes from Sol de Mayo! Visiting both in one day is the perfect way to experience the wonder of Baja’s Sierra Laguna.
Floating in the cool swimming pools near Santa Rita Hot Springs (another wonderful thing to do in Santiago BCS)
Final Thoughts: Cañon de la Zorra & Sol De Mayo Waterfall Hike
If you have a trip to Los Cabos Cabo or Baja California Sur coming up soon, make sure to add Fox Canyon to your itinerary. Don’t miss spending a day (or afternoon) swimming beneath waterfalls, you deserve it!
As you visit Cañon de la Zorra and the surrounding areas, respect the local ranchos and other tourists. Follow the park rules by keeping noise low and cleaning up after yourself. On your way out of town, grab food in Santiago and support some local businesses. Sustainable tourism is key to protecting stunning places like this, and it all starts with us!
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