An Adventure Traveler’s Guide to Mexico
For the adventurous traveler, Mexico has it all. Boasting multiple terrains – from sweeping desert plains in the north to verdant jungles in the south, craggy mountains dotted here and there and crashing waves all along the coast – there’s literally something to suit everyone. So, if you’re a thrill seeker looking for the best adventure options in Mexico, all you need to do is keep reading.
Get scuba certified in Quintana Roo or Baja California
Scuba certification is one of the preferred activities of the adventurous traveler in Mexico, given that the country has some of the best coral reefs in the world and over 9,000km of coastline in total. As a result, there are a number of companies that offer scuba certification programs in various destinations across the country. One of the top places to test the waters with this new hobby is the island of Cozumel in Quintana Roo, although whale lovers should head to Isla Holbox or Baja California Sur.
Surf in Sayulita
Climb the Nevado de Toluca
Hiking Trail, Natural Feature, Park
Dive into cenotes in the Yucatán Peninsula
Mexico as a whole is littered with thousands of cenotes (sinkholes filled with fresh water), but the Yucatan Peninsula is the place to be if you want to explore them in earnest. While many are undiscovered, or simply inaccessible to the public, there are hundreds that can be visited free or for a small charge. Some of the biggest and most extravagant are at Cenote Dos Ojos and Cenote Azul, but we also recommend Cenote Zaci. Snorkel, swim, scuba – the possibilities are endless in these massive underground caves.
Cenote Dos Ojos, Carretera Federal Cancún-Tulum. Km 124, Jacinto Pat, Tulum, Quintana Roo, México, +52 984 160 0906
Mountain bike in Oaxaca
Oaxaca makes for a stunning destination, whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or not, but why not up the ante and take part in a mountain biking tour of Oaxaca and its surroundings? This tour company has all the information but, equally, you could rent a bike and set off alone to take in the spectacular views over Oaxaca city. When it comes to biking, the options are endless. Alternatively, you could even stick to Mexico City and head to the renowned mountain biking hotspot, Parque Desierto de los Leones.
Parque Desierto de Los Leones, Carretera Al Desierto De Los Leones, Cuajimalpa de Morelos, La Venta, Ciudad de México, México, +52 55 5814 1172
Leap into the Huasteca Potosina
Zipline in Puerto Vallarta
Skydive in Morelos
Get sky high in Monterrey
Or, just do it all in the Copper Canyon!
The deceptively plain sounding Adventure Park, located on the Copper Canyon route, Chihuahua, is actually an adventure lover’s dream location. You can zipline over some truly spectacular views, reaching speeds of up to 80 kilometers an hour. Alternatively, brave the Vía Ferrata, which is essentially an aerial obstacle course involving abseiling and rope bridges. If you fancy something different, stop off in Creel (the main tourist town in the Copper Canyon) and take part in some mountain biking instead.