Las Estacas Natural Park is a natural oasis just 2 hours from the hustle and bustle of Mexico City. The park offers glamping, camping and a variety of activities in lush scenery. Plan a tropical retreat to Las Estacas with this complete travel guide.

Getting There

Like most destinations in Mexico, there is a road to hell leading up to paradise. The drive to Las Estacas takes just two hours from Mexico City, but packs a punch. Take the second story of the highway to avoid part of the chaos below. A slightly longer but less nerve-racking route runs through the mountains of Tepoztlán, and comes with scenic views as a bonus. If you have time to spare, add a day or two in the scenic mountain town of Tepoztlán, another great weekend escape from Mexico City.

The last part of the road to Las Estacas is lined with colorful eateries. Make sure to try the state of Morelos’ specialty cecina, thinly sliced marinated beef served with tacos.

Where to Stay

Las Estacas offers several accommodation options within the park, including a hotel, dog hotel, glamping tents and a camping pitch. We stayed close to nature and tried both glamping and camping.

Glamping

On our first stay in Las Estacas, we opted for a glamping experience. Prices start at $170 per night in weekends and include breakfast and access to the park for two days. The glamping zone is divided into secluded natural boots, each with a tent, private outdoor shower and restroom. Glamping in Las Estacas offers the comfort and privacy of a hotel room, right in the middle of nature.

Camping

After seeing the camping facilities at Las Estacas on our first visit, we decided to come back and pitch our own tent. The campground has a very nice area with restrooms and showers, offering better water pressure than our shower in Mexico City. You can use the picnic benches and barbecues across the park to cook up meals with a river view.

Top Activities

Float on the crystal clear river

The main draw of Las Estacas is the crystal clear river that runs through the park. Float away on this stunning stream, which wouldn’t be out of place on the Yucatán Peninsula. There are various watersport activities for an additional cost, including scuba diving initiations, snorkeling and paddleboard tours.

Spend a day grilling by the water

There are mobile barbecues spread out over the park for visitors to use. Many locals come well-prepared with half a kitchen in tow to spend a relaxing day in Las Estacas. Roll up a barbecue to the river edge for a day of grilling, eating, soaking up the sun and a refreshing plunge now and then.

Sip on a cocktail in the pool

Las Estacas offers a warmer alternative to the clear but cold river. There are several pools in the park, from kid-friendly to adult-only. The adult-only pool comes with bar service included. Sip on delicious and inexpensive cocktails in this idyllic setting.

Try antojitos mexicanos

In addition to delicious cocktails, Las Estacas’ Mercadito has a menu filled with antojitos. These Mexican snacks are meant to satisfy any little craving that may come up during the day, although most foreigners would consider them a full meal. The park also counts two restaurants, one serving up brick-oven pizzas right on the water.

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