The "Sierra Madre Oriental" is a mountain range that runs 620 miles (1.000 km) from Texas southward along the Mexican coast to the city of Puebla (east of Mexico City).  In Texas, the range encompasses Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks.  In Mexico, it includes Cumbres de Monterrey National Park, near the large city of Monterrey.  These mountains block moisture coming in from the Gulf of Mexico and create lush rainforests along the way.  One of these rainforests is known in Mexico as a water wonderland: the village of Tamasopo.

(click pictures to increase size)
 

We left our campsite in Matehuala in the morning; a town on Mexico's central plateau at an elevation of 5,100 feet (1.500 m); and headed southeast.  The elevation dropped as we made our way into the lower elevation of the rainforests and towards the Gulf of Mexico.  The lady at the toll booth along the highway knew where we were going without asking: the small village of Tamasopo with its natural attractions.

Elevation: 1,200 feet (370 m)

Population: 4800

Tamasopo in the state of San Luis Potosi

Tamasopo is a great place to relax and explore.  We stayed here for about a week and the weather was great.  We did have a few rainy / cloudy days: this is a rainforest after all.  January is the coldest month of the year with an average daytime high of 75 F (24 C).  Not too shabby.  Annual rainfall here is 71 inches (1818 mm) which is about twice the amount of my (wet) home country of Belgium, but peanuts compared to the 250 inches that the cloud forests in Costa Rica receive!

Knowing how to speak Spanish will only bring you so far in Tamasopo: the majority of the locals belong to the indigenous people of the "Huasteca" and speak their own dialect.  We speak neither so weren't bothered too much. 

Other than tourism, this area isn't too rich.  To illustrate: the nearby town of "Agua Puerca" ("dirty water") only got electricity in 2005 and the approximately 500 inhabitants get their water from the town's well.  If the well is empty, they have to walk over an hour to get water ...

The river at El Trampolin (long exposure)
 

El Trampolin river (long exposure)

El Trampolin river (long exposure)

We drove our Casita travel trailer through town and over the many 'topes': Mexico's infamous speed bumps.  This being an area well known among Mexican tourists, there are plenty of places to stay and camp.  We setup camp at the "Cabanas Tamasopo": just outside of town and next to the beautiful river area known as "El Trampolin".

Cabanas Tamasopo

Cabanas Tamasopo

Camping at Cabanas Tamasopo (video)
 

Around town there are several great areas to visit and view the lush and enchanted scenery.  The most well-known is "Puente de Dios" ("Bridge of God"): a set of waterfalls that crash into a narrow gorge and join the Gallinas river into a cavern and a narrow gorge.  The water color is amazing.  Swimming is allowed although the currents are very strong: ropes have been installed across the river to prevent you from drifting downstream.

Puente de Dios (video)

Puente de Dios

Puente de Dios

Puente de Dios
 

Our favorite area to spend time was right behind our campsite: "El Trampolin".  This is a set of small waterfalls set in a tropical forest.  You are free to explore the area: you can swim on a hot day, climb onto waterfalls or across tree roots that pop up out of the water.  You won't be alone, as it is a popular place for locals, but we never felt crowded.  The nearby town has great and inexpensive pollo asado (charcoal grilled chicken) which comes with rice, tortillas and salsa, and makes for a great lunch at the river.

El Trampolin
 

El Trampolin (video)

El Trampolin (video)
 

Enjoying fresh hand-made gorditas (and a Mexican coke)