Sun Waterfalls of Mijas: Spain's Hidden Paradise Revealed!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the sun-drenched, waterfall-kissed (hopefully) world of Sun Waterfalls of Mijas: Spain's Hidden Paradise Revealed! This isn't just a review; it's a full-blown, unfiltered vacation diary entry. And trust me, after a week of exploring, eating, and maybe-a-little-too-much-sangria-ing, I've got opinions.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS & GETTING THERE (aka The Arrival Huddle)
Okay, so "Hidden Paradise" is a big claim, right? But as I stepped out of the airport transfer (booked through the hotel - more on that later) and actually saw Sun Waterfalls, my jaw kinda dropped. It's nestled in the Andalusian hills, with views that knock your socks off. The views. Stunning. I’m talking rolling green slopes, tiny white villages clinging to the sides, and the shimmering Mediterranean in the distance. Pure postcard material.
Accessibility: Now, I’m not in a wheelchair myself, but I’m always hyper-aware of it. And let me tell you, Sun Waterfalls tries. The main areas – reception, restaurants – were definitely accessible with those ramps, elevators, all that. Definitely a step up from some of the places I've been, and they do list Facilities for disabled guests - so good on 'em.
Airport transfer. Airport transfer came included in the price! This was pure gold after the long flight!
The Arrival – Flaws and All
The check-in process, however, had its moments… Let's just say the "express check-in/out" wasn't exactly express. There was a small queue, and let's be honest, my patience was wearing thin after the flight. But hey, the staff (all trained in safety protocols, by the way, which gives you a warm fuzzy feeling) were super friendly, and eventually, I was handed my keycard. Success!
The Room: My Temporary Kingdom
Let's talk details. The room. My sanctuary. The place where I did… lots.
- (Available in all rooms) – Okay, practically speaking.
- Air conditioning: Absolutely essential. This is Spain, people!
- Air conditioning – CHECK. Needed after a day on the beach!
- Alarm clock: Nope, I use my phone. This is not 1980!
- Bathrobes: Cozy, yes. Practical? Questionable.
- Bathroom phone: Really?!?
- Bathtub: Yay! Especially if you get a room with a view.
- Blackout curtains: Lifesaver for those post-siesta naps. Also good for… well, you know.
- Carpeting: A bit meh, but clean.
- Closet: Plenty of space for all my unnecessary vacation outfits.
- Coffee/tea maker: Yes! Essential for starting the day.
- Complimentary tea: Nice touch.
- Daily housekeeping: Spotless. Seriously, those guys are ninjas.
- Desk: For pretending to work.
- Extra long bed: Fantastic. I'm tall and I appreciated not dangling.
- Free bottled water: Always a win, especially on a hot day.
- Hair dryer: Powerful enough.
- High floor: I was on the fifth. The view? Worth it.
- In-room safe box: Always use it!
- Interconnecting room(s) available: Didn’t need it, but good for families.
- Internet access – LAN: I didn't even try. It's 2024!
- Internet access – wireless/Wi-Fi [free]: Worked perfectly.
- Ironing facilities: Didn’t use, but good to know.
- Laptop workspace: I used the desk, it worked.
- Linens: Crisp and clean.
- Mini bar: Reasonably priced. Good for a late-night beverage.
- Mirror: Lots of mirrors. Important.
- Non-smoking: YES! Hallelujah!
- On-demand movies: Yes, but the selection wasn't great.
- Private bathroom: Super important.
- Reading light: Handy for late-night bookworms (me).
- Refrigerator: Handy for those mini bar drinks and leftover tapas.
- Safety/security feature: Everything felt safe.
- Satellite/cable channels: Didn’t watch much TV, tbh.
- Scale: Ugh, no thanks.
- Seating area: Comfy sofa.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Luxury!
- Shower: Powerful water pressure.
- Slippers: Loved those!
- Smoke detector: Present and accounted for.
- Socket near the bed: Crucial. For phone charging.
- Sofa: Comfy.
- Soundproofing: Decent, but you could hear the seagulls.
- Telephone: Barely used it.
- Toiletries: Decent quality.
- Towels: Plenty of fluffy towels.
- Umbrella: Useful, because it rained.
- Visual alarm: (Not needed).
- Wake-up service: Nope.
Internet - The Digital Realm
- Internet: Pretty reliable (Wi-Fi [free]).
- Internet [LAN]: (I just said I didn’t use it!)
- Internet services: Fine. Didn't need much.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Good coverage.
The most annoying things, The imperfections:
- The occasional noise: Seagulls! Seriously, they were annoying.
- Slightly slow Wi-Fi in certain areas.
- The initial check-in wait.
Eating & Drinking: A Tapas Odyssey (and the occasional disappointment)
Okay, the food. This is where it gets truly, gloriously messy.
- A la carte in restaurant: Excellent.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Available.
- Asian breakfast: Nah.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Nope, but good local food!
- Bar: Great for pre-dinner drinks. Happy hour was pretty… happy.
- Bottle of water: Provided.
- Breakfast [buffet]: The buffet, the buffet! The best buffet I’ve ever seen. Seriously, I spent every morning here.
- Breakfast service: Yup, it was a buffet.
- Buffet in restaurant: Yes, the breakfast. Heaven.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Good coffee.
- Coffee shop: Didn’t see one.
- Desserts in restaurant: Delicious.
- Happy hour: Cheers to that!
- International cuisine in restaurant: Yup, also local, which was the best bit.
- Poolside bar: Perfect for cocktails!
- Restaurants: Several.
- Room service [24-hour]: Handy for late-night snacks.
- Salad in restaurant: Healthy option.
- Snack bar: Okay.
- Soup in restaurant: Perfect on a chilly day.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Not really, but they had vegetarian options.
- Western breakfast: Yes, the buffet.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: The best!
The main restaurant, El Sol, was solid. The breakfast buffet was… well, it was an experience. Think endless pastries, fresh juices, omelets made to order, and enough chorizo to fuel a small army. I ate so much, I think I actually gained weight just looking at it.
And the Poolside Bar. Oh, the poolside bar. This is where I spent a significant portion of my time. Cold beer, cocktails with little umbrellas, and those glorious sun-drenched views. Bliss.
But, and here’s the slightly-less-perfect part, the snack bar wasn’t amazing. The sandwiches were a bit… meh. And the "international cuisine" at El Sol, while well-executed, kind of missed the mark when compared to the local restaurants. The salads were great.
Things to Do (Beyond the Pool, Believe It or Not!)
Sun Waterfalls isn't just about lounging by the pool (though, let's be honest, that's a big part of the appeal). They’ve got stuff to keep you busy:
- Things to do: Loads!
- Ways to relax: (See below!)
- Body scrub: Didn't.
- Body wrap: Nope.
- Fitness center: Never went.
- Foot bath: Didn't.
- Gym/fitness: See Fitness Center.
- Massage: YES! Amazing.
- Pool with view: Absolutely. And that view!
- Sauna: Yes.
- Spa: The spa was amazing.
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned travel itinerary. We're heading to Watervallen van de Zon 1 in Mijas, Spain, and frankly, I'm already slightly terrified of the sun. But also, incredibly excited. Here's a (mostly) chronological, (occasionally) coherent, and (definitely) opinionated glimpse into what’s about to go down:
Day 1: Arrival and Immediate Panic
Morning (ish): Touchdown in Malaga! The joy of "I survived the flight!" is quickly followed by the reality of… finding my rental car. This is where the chaos begins. I envisioned myself elegantly gliding into a Spanish car, all smiles and a perfectly coordinated scarf. Reality? Scrambling through a parking garage, wrestling with luggage, and praying I don't accidentally drive on the wrong side of the road. Let's just say the first 30 minutes were a masterclass in silent screaming.
Midday (ish): Finally safely arrived at Watervallen van de Zon 1. The apartment… well, it's got the essentials. Clean? Mostly. View? Spectacular. The kind that makes you forget about the existential dread that comes with unpacking. I might have spent an hour just staring at the sea. I think I even teared up a little. It was… beautiful. Then I checked the Wi-Fi and nearly wept again (it's spotty, people, spotty!).
Afternoon (ish): The mission to find REAL food begins. No more airplane nonsense. I decided to be adventurous and walk into a random tapas bar in the village. Ordered a plate of something I thought was patatas bravas, but it turned out to be, well, something else. But I ate it. Everything. It was absolutely delicious (and maybe a little bit spicy). The sangria was also extremely necessary, and I may or may not have had three glasses. Don't judge. Spanish sunshine and a full belly - what a life, right?
Evening (ish): Attempted to find the supermarket. Got lost. Asked for directions. Pretended I understood the directions. Found the supermarket after a minor existential crisis. Loaded up on snacks and a bottle of local wine. Dinner on the balcony watching the sunset. Pure bliss.
Day 2: Beach Day and Existential Thoughts on Sand
Morning: (early enough to be considered a miracle) Beach time! I was determined, so I had to drag my hungover self to the beach. Sand, sun, and the endless expanse of the Mediteranean Sea – it’s everything you'd expect, a postcard come to life. However, I spent, like, a ridiculous amount of time just staring at the sand. Seriously. Thinking about all the grains, the billions of tiny stories they held, the journeys they'd been on. Is that weird? Probably. But the thought gave me a new appreciation for the beach, a different perspective on the world. I then went swimming.
Midday (ish): Lunch at a chiringuito (beach bar). Ordered the paella, which was, honestly, pretty average but hey, the views! Then I attempted to read a book. The sun got in the way. The people also got in the way. Got distracted by a group of kids trying to build a sandcastle. Watched them build it, then got sad when the waves took it away. My brain, clearly, is just not built for relaxation.
Afternoon (ish): Back to the apartment for "siesta," which essentially meant collapsing on the bed and fighting off a nap. Woke up feeling groggy and grumpy. This siesta thing? It's a con. I prefer just regular naps.
Evening (ish): Wandered around the town again, got a little lost again. Stopped at a gelato shop. The pistachio gelato was, and I do mean this with all my heart and soul and every possible superlative: the BEST GELATO I HAVE EVER TASTED. It changed my life. I may have gone back for seconds (and thirds). Went to bed with a sense of happy satisfaction.
Day 3: A Mountain Adventure and a Potential Meltdown
Morning (ish): Determined to be a "cultured traveler," I decided to hike up to a local viewpoint. This was a disaster. The incline was steeper than I anticipated, the sun was merciless, and I got lost. Multiple times. I considered turning back. I considered crying. I definitely considered abandoning the whole "mountain adventure" thing for a quiet afternoon by the pool.
Midday (ish): Made it to the freaking viewpoint! The view? Breathtaking. Worth the sweat, the near-cardiac arrest, the existential doubt. Spent a (brief) moment appreciating the panorama before immediately thinking about how long it would take to get back down.
Afternoon (ish): Recovery mode. Ate ALL the ice cream. Soaked up some sun. Attempted a bit of journaling (failed miserably due to the sheer beauty of the place. The place just demands I enjoy it now.) I'm starting to actually like this place!
Evening (ish): Dinner at a restaurant overlooking the coast. The food was amazing, the wine was flowing… and the conversation? Delightful. Met some locals, made some friends… and maybe even found a tiny bit of that elusive "inner peace" everyone keeps talking about (it’s still pretty elusive, if I’m honest but, hey, a girl can dream).
Day 4: The Day I Fell in Love (With a Restaurant)
Morning (ish): Another beach day. But this time, with a purpose! Decided I was going to find THE perfect spot on the beach and just… be. Read a book (actually read!). Swam until my fingers were pruney. Perfect.
Midday (ish): Lunch, again, by the beach. I took a recommendation from my apartment host and went to a restaurant called "El Sol". I was warned it was fancy, but that was a gross understatement. The service was more luxurious than the Queen of England. The food? OMG. The seafood was so fresh I thought it was gonna swim out of the plate. The flavors exploded in my mouth. I've never had such an explosion of flavors. It was the best seafood I've ever had. Possibly the best meal of my life. I think I wept a little. I'm clearly very emotional when it comes to food. Like, I'm ready to get a tattoo of their logo.
Afternoon (ish): Struggling to regain any sense of reality after that meal. Walked along a nearby path to feel more normal. Took hundreds of photos.
Evening (ish): Back to El Sol. Because I was obsessed. Ordered the EXACT same meal. Relived the culinary experience. Convinced myself I could live there forever. The staff knew me by name and treated me like royalty. Leaving this place is going to be the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.
Day 5: Departure (and a promise to return)
Morning: Last-minute scramble to pack. Trying not to hyperventilate. Managed to grab a final coffee with a view of the Mediteranean Sea. A wave of sadness washed over me. This trip was… exactly what I needed. Flawed, messy, and filled with gelato, breathtaking views, and moments of pure joy.
Midday: Headed to the airport. The drive was beautiful, but I was also quiet. I knew I was leaving with a heavy heart. I was already dreaming of returning.
Afternoon: (ish): Goodbye, Spain! Goodbye, Watervallen van de Zon 1, goodbye, El Sol! As the plane took off, I promised myself: I will be back.
This isn't a travel guide; it’s a confession. And it’s a promise: Watervallen van de Zon 1, and maybe even all of Spain, has changed me. Even if I spent half the time lost and the other half eating. I'm okay with that.
Escape to Paradise: Stunning Sunny Apartment on the Heegermeer, Heeg, Netherlands!
Sun Waterfalls of Mijas: You Think You Know Paradise? Think Again! (A Messy FAQ)
Okay, Okay, So What *IS* This "Sun Waterfalls" Thing Anyway? Sounds...cheesy.
Alright, alright, I get it. "Sun Waterfalls" sounds like something from a bad travel brochure. But honestly? It's... well, it's Mijas. Specifically, the *stunning* series of waterfalls and natural pools hidden in the mountains behind the adorable white village of Mijas Pueblo. Basically, think turquoise water, sunshine, and a whole lotta 'grammable goodness.
The brochures barely scratch the surface. It’s not just a pretty picture. It’s… *experience*. It's getting lost (more on that later!), stumbling upon a hidden pool that seems to breathe with the mountain air, the sun turning the water a million shades of dazzling. It's a little bit of heaven, honestly. Though, depending on the day, also a little bit of hell (mostly thanks to my sense of direction… or lack thereof).
How Do I *Actually* Get There? Because Google Maps Has Been Known to Lie.
Oh, honey. Google Maps. Don't even get me *started*. It's a love/hate relationship. Mostly hate when it comes to finding the Sun Waterfalls. Trust me, I learned the hard way.
Okay, so, here's the *slightly* less-confusing version. Drive up to Mijas Pueblo. Park. Then, you *need* to find a local. Seriously. Ask a shopkeeper, the waiter at that tapas place you're definitely hitting up later - anyone who looks like they know their onions (or their local trails). The trailheads aren't well-marked, which is part of the *charm*, or, more accurately, the *frustration*. I once spent a glorious hour wandering around, covered in sweat, convinced I was going to become mountain goat food.
Alternatively, and I *highly* recommend this, book a guided tour. Yes, it’s touristy. But the guides *know*. They'll take you to the good spots, tell you the history, and, most importantly, prevent you from getting utterly, hopelessly lost. Seriously.
What Should I Bring?! I Don’t Want to Look Like an Idiot (Too Late?)
Okay, packing list time. You *definitely* want:
- Swimsuit: Obvious, right? Don’t be *that* person just enjoying the view in your undies. Unless that's your thing, then, no judgment.
- Sunscreen: The sun in inland Spain is NO JOKE. Slather it on, and reapply. Seriously. I looked like a lobster after my first visit. A very embarrassed lobster.
- Water, LOTS of Water: Dehydration is a killer. Carry more than you think you need. I made this mistake *once*. Never. Again.
- Good Shoes: Hiking boots or sturdy trainers are a must. Flip-flops? A recipe for twisted ankles and regret.
- Snacks! Those waterfalls are beautiful, and make you hungry. Bring fruit, energy bars, or anything that will make you feel happy.
- Towel: Duh. Unless you enjoy dripping everywhere.
- A Sense of Adventure: And maybe a healthy dose of patience. Things don't always go as planned. Which, in this case, is part of the fun.
And let me stress again: *Sunscreen*. And *water*.
Are There Any Actual Dangers? Besides Getting Lost and Sunburn?
Okay, let's be realistic. It's not *exactly* the Amazon rainforest, but there are a few things to be aware of:
- The Terrain: It can be rocky and uneven. Watch your step!
- The Sun: Again, the sun is intense. Heatstroke is a real possibility.
- Wild Animals: You might see some goats (probably not aggressive), but be aware of your surroundings.
- Other Tourists: On a busy day, the trails, and the pools, can get crowded. Be prepared to share, or go early.
And, you know, the usual risks of being in nature. Common sense is your best friend here.
Can I Bring My Kids? My Grandma? My Annoying Cousin?
Kids: Yes (with supervision! It can be a bit treacherous in spots). Grandma: Maybe, if she’s a good hiker. The trails aren't always easy. Annoying Cousin: ...Well, is there a chance he might get lost? Just kidding (mostly!). Seriously though, assess their fitness levels and tolerance for heat and uneven terrain. It's not a walk in the park...unless you're *really* lucky.
I took my niece and nephews, and they loved it. But they're little monkeys. My aunt, bless her heart, would have been miserable. Know your audience!
Okay, spill the tea. What's The BEST Part?!
Ugh, the *best* part? Okay, this is where I get sentimental. It's that moment. That perfect, blinding moment of beauty. The sun hitting the water just so, the turquoise depths shimmering... I remember, my first time, I just stood there, jaw dropped. Seriously. Dropped.
I found this tiny little pool, tucked away behind a waterfall (that's the "secret" of the Sun Waterfalls, you have to work for it!). The water was freezing, but after the hike in the heat, it was pure bliss. I remember the feeling of pure, unadulterated *peace*. The world just melted away. No emails, no deadlines, no… well, you get the idea. Just me, the sun, and this hidden paradise. It was one of those moments you want to bottle up and keep forever.
It's a reminder that even in the messiest travels, you can stumble upon something truly magical. And then, you know, you hike back up and find that tapas place. Because tapas are also magical. And sangria. Basically Spain is magic.
Is it Worth the Hype?!
YES. Absolutely, unequivocally, YES. It’s not perfect. It can be challenging. You might get lost. You might get sunburned. But the Sun Waterfalls of Mijas? They're worth every single drop of sweat, every wrong turn, and every single, slightly embarrassing red-lobster moment. Go. Just...go. And maybe send me a postcard. I can't wait to go back!
