There is more to Juayúa than just the food fair! The town gets its name from the Nahuatl, which means “Purple Orchids River.”

For nature lovers there is plenty to do in the “purple orchid rivers” of Juayúa. One of the most popular places to visit it “Los Chorros de la Calera” a set of waterfalls, as well as “La Laguna de las Ranas” (The Frog Lagoon). During the winter this lagoon is a hotspot for frogs and also makes for some great camping.

The chorros (the falls) are located a good 1 or 2 hour hike up, depending on where you park. It takes you along a narrow path that winds up and down hill. The path is wide enough for 2 people in most sections. The hike takes you through a dry wide path and then a service gate, after which it is about another hour to get down to the waterfalls and natural lagoons. The hike serves to prepare you for a dip in the cool water.

Natural springs run out and down the hillside, and man-made dams make for little swimming holes. Remember to pack a lunch, or at least some snacks, as the trip can be pretty grueling.

There are a couple of different hikes that you can choose from that take you through the waterfalls, rappelling down the falls, swimming through underground tunnels, and there is even a tour that takes you through a nearby coffee processing plant, which is a real treat in this coffee rich region.