Mexican Cartel Stronghold

Lore & Background

The region surrounding El Salto is part of the municipality of Coyuca de Benítez, which sits within the seven-municipality political division of the Costa Grande. The waterfall itself is fed by the Sierra Madre del Sur, where moisture from the Pacific condenses on high peaks before flowing down through canyons to the ocean. In the film Rambo: First Blood Part II, this specific location was selected as a backdrop, transforming a local natural wonder into a piece of global pop culture history. The site is distinct from the "semi-virgin" beaches that dominate the rest of the 325 km coastline stretching from the Balsas River to Acapulco Bay. Unlike the turtle breeding stations found in Tenexpa or the surf breaks at Troncones, El Salto offers a mountainous inland environment within a predominantly coastal region.

In Their Own Story

The waterfall flows from the rugged canyons cut into the Sierra Madre del Sur, cutting through an area that is mostly flat and rolling compared to the rest of Guerrero. During the filming of Rambo: First Blood Part II, the production team utilized this specific location to capture a dramatic sequence, cementing its place in local lore as "La Cascada de Rambo." Visitors today can reach the site by traveling from Coyuca de Benítez, a journey that takes about an hour and a half. The area around the falls contrasts with the tropical deciduous forests found near Troncones and Majahua, showcasing the varied altitude ranges of the region where temperatures shift from hot coastal lows to temperate high peaks.

Reader's Guide

To visit El Salto, travelers must head to the municipality of Coyuca de Benítez in the Costa Grande. From there, the journey takes approximately one hour and a half through the mountainous terrain that borders the Pacific Ocean. The location is significant not just for its natural beauty but for its connection to Rambo: First Blood Part II. While the broader region relies heavily on agriculture, livestock, fishing, and forestry, with only Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa having major tourism infrastructure, El Salto offers a specific point of interest for film fans. The surrounding landscape features rolling hills and rugged mountains, distinct from the sandy beaches that separate the land from the ocean.

Did You Know?

• El Salto is nicknamed "La Cascada de Rambo" because it was the setting for a scene in the movie Rambo: First Blood Part II.
• The Costa Grande extends 325 km (202 mi) from the Balsas River on the Michoacán border southeast to Acapulco Bay.
• In the Tenexpa area alone, 150,000 baby turtles were released into the ocean in one year as part of local conservation efforts.
• The Costa Grande covers an overall territory of 2,500 km2 (965 sq mi) and is politically divided into seven municipalities.
• Most of the beaches in the Costa Grande are considered "semi-virgin," offering camping or simple bungalows rather than large hotels.