Misol-Há ("water falls" in the Ch'ol Maya language) is a single-drop waterfall of about 35 metres, set in a natural amphitheatre of jungle about 20 kilometres south of Palenque on the road towards San Cristóbal de las Casas. The water falls into a wide pool, and you can swim here — the water is cool, clear, and refreshing after the heat of the lowlands.
What makes Misol-Há more interesting than a simple swimming hole is the path behind the falls. A narrow ledge, wet with spray, allows you to walk around the back of the curtain of water and into a small cave. The thundering sound and the angle of light coming through the water make for a genuinely dramatic few minutes. The site is well maintained, with a simple restaurant and changing rooms at the entrance.
Most visitors combine Misol-Há with Agua Azul, a larger set of cascades another 25 kilometres down the same road. A shared taxi from Palenque town to both sites and back costs a small fee, or you can arrange a tour through any of the hotels or agencies in town. Arrive early — both sites get crowded with tour groups by late morning.