Return to Home

Cajón de Peñas: A Hidden Paradise

by Bay Vallarta Staff |

Cajon de Peñas is a huge basin of water, created by man, located south of Puerto Vallarta in the municipality of Tomatlan, Jalisco. It is considered to be one of the largest dams in the state of Jalisco by its size and for the variety of recreational activities available there.
Owner of a great natural wealth, Cajon de Peñas, ensconced in the foothills of the Western Sierra Madres, has a forest of habillé, Barcino, man-eating fig, common fig, parota and primavera. It is also the habitat of over 150 species of birds, among which are the ducks, pearl collar herons, cranes, orange breasted finches, egrets, crows, hummingbirds and doves.

HOW TO GET THERE
To get there you must drive approximately 100km. Take Federal Highway 200 until kilometer 130, until you come upon "crucero de El Tule " or the El Tule crossroads. At this point, take the road about 18km leading to the Cajon de Peñas Dam. The main clue that you're about to arrive at the right place is the lush vegetation that rises from the ground as if to welcome you. If you get to see animals crossing at full speed down the road, don't panic. It is just another indication that Cajon de Peñas is close at hand. You'd better slow down and try to avoid them, since this is home to a great variety of wildlife and our obligation as visitors is to protect them.
Once you have arrived, before your eyes will be a stunning vista with various shades of blue against the green vegetation that surrounds it, the background, the mountains also seem to look blue because of the breeze that generates so much water, because the Dam stretches up to 14km long by 5km wide and 30 meters deep.

FOR CAMPERS
At this site there is enough room to make camp and spend a few days enjoying its beauty, but because of its proximity to Puerto Vallarta you can still easily return the same day, if you so desire. If you decide to stay but have no camping equipment, you can rent cabins from $800 pesos a night for 2 people at Rancho Andrea. Ask about the various packages of activities offered.

FISHING
Perhaps one of the most obvious activities for visitors is sport fishing. Fans of this discipline can bring all their fishing gear and spend hours enjoying the beauty of the place and capturing the coveted bass, some of which, according to the locals, can weigh up to 4kg. Other species that can be caught are the snook and tilapia, in addition to crayfish, also known as the chacal, a freshwater shrimp.
Although there is no regular schedule, they do organize fishing tournaments, up to two times per year. So if you enjoy this sport, do come up and ask about the next tournament.

BOAT RIDES
For those not given the ability of fishing, another good option is to rent a boat and a motor to various parts of the dam, some of which are islands. You can also visit the mouths of the five rivers that deposit water into Cajon de Peñas, some of which become spectacularly full of life close to vegetation and the variety of bird species that live within; no doubt, a pleasant experience. Boat rental is by the hour, and you will be charged on average $250 pesos per hour or $1,500 pesos for 8 hours.

MORE ACTIVITIES
Other great activities at Cajon de Peñas are water skiing and kayaking, for those who like more adventure. You can also go swimming, diving or hiking along the edge of the dam or the river banks. For history lovers, Cajon de Peñas also has archaeological sites. Such is the case of the petroglyphs or painted rocks, among which is the "Peña Pintada", a cave painting unique in all of Mesoamerica. Located on the banks of the Tomatlán River north of the dam, it is a natural formation located 12 meters from the river bed. This stone has a height of 40 meters by 8 meters long and 2 meters wide and is colored red.

THE "QUEBRADA" AND THE "GUASIMAL"
La Quebrada and El Guasimal deserve special mention; these are two of the five rivers that flow into the dam. The closest is La Quebrada, which can be accessed by boat after a trek of 15 minutes. Once you are at the mouth, you will need to walk a little. The distance varies according to the water level of the dam: if it is low, the approximate distance to walk is 500 meters, but if the water level is high, the distance decreases to 50 meters. Whatever the walking distances, it is well worth the trip, as your body and mind drift back to a basic state of coexistence with nature, to witness a concert of bird songs and the soft sounds made by the river water. Without a doubt a good dose of relaxation.
It is important to note that during the walk, you will need to climb some low rise rocks, so it is necessary to keep your wits about your during your adventure. After the walk, you will have before you a beautiful waterfall and at the bottom of it; a natural pond in which you can take a refreshing swim.
After the visit, ask the boat driver to take you to the Guasimal, the third of the rivers that reach Cajon de Peñas. Here you will find more natural ponds that contain much cooler water than at La Quebrada. Further, to walk to the pond is short.

WHERE TO EAT
You are encouraged to visit one of the nine restaurants located on the banks of the Dam where you will be treated kindly by the owners who will offer you the day's catch, as well as traditional dishes including sea bass and shrimp as an ingredient main. And you will be pleasantly surprised because by the prices at less than $100 pesos a person to be totally satisfied.
In many restaurants you will find that the bass and the shrimp is sold by weight. The shrimp costs an average of $280 pesos per kilo and the bass $130 pesos a kilo. They can prepare them to taste. Some options are: garlic, a la diabla or in a soup. A highly recommended dish is the sea bass ceviche. A kilo of shrimp can feed three or four people and a kilo of bass up to two people.

Other spotlights