The Best Adventure Sports To Try In Mexico

Think about Mexico and images of sitting by the beach while sipping margaritas tend to come to mind. But however idyllic that might sound, Mexico has so much more to offer. There’s plenty of action for tourists and adrenaline junkies, and though you’ll find adventure wherever you go, here are a few favorite spots to really get your heart pumping.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Freshwater cave diving in the Yucatán Peninsula

Playa del Carmen offers plenty of activities, come rain or shine

Cave diving isn’t for the faint-hearted, weak swimmers or anyone who gets claustrophobic. However, if you can get past the idea of being sandwiched between solid rock and water, then you are in for a treat. Freshwater cave diving in Mexico is like no other kind of diving; you enter a vast hidden world. The Yucatán Peninsula is popular for its cenotes (large holes with their own cave systems), crystal-clear water and ancient stalactites.

With the ocean below and nothing but sky above, you can have a heart-soaring adventure skydiving off Mexico’s Pacific coast. Skydive Ixtapa has over 25 years of experience in the business, taking you up in a small plane then sending you down with a parachute and a trained diver, leaving you with an incredible story to tell about your latest Mexican adventure. In addition to the beach, there are dozens of locations in Mexico where you can skydive, so take your pick!

Glacier climbing in Pico de Orizaba

Glaciers may not be one of the first things to cross your mind when thinking of Mexico, however there are around 20 of them on the country’s three tallest mountains: Pico de Orizaba, Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl. The glacier at Pico de Orizaba sits at 16,000ft (4,877m). This is a climb that will test your resilience and willpower as the cold and danger really might make you consider turning back at every step – but the view from the summit is worth every skipped heartbeat.

Kitesurfing at La Ventana, Baja California Sur

Known as the kitesurfing destination in Mexico, La Ventana is a simple fishing village. Yet it is its strong, steady thermal winds that make it the perfect spot for kitesurfing. The ambience is mellow, the Sea of Cortez is a stunning blue and the lifestyle is cheap. A lot of kitesurfers spend their winters here, just enjoying the waves, the atmosphere and the laid-back lifestyle. This is the perfect trip for a bit of an adrenaline rush and some downtime, too.

Bungee jumping at Los Cabos

Another one for the real thrill-seekers – bungee jumping in Los Cabos. The wild landscape of Baja California ranges from forests to deserts and the crystal blue waters of the coast, so what better way to see it than free falling from a height of 350ft (107m)? The bungee jump in Los Cabos is located in the Wild Canyon, meaning you’ll get incredible views of the Sea of Cortez from the glass gondola before you jump (if you can concentrate on anything else, that is).

White-water rafting in Jalcomulco, Veracruz

Known for its amazing rapids, Jalcomulco, Veracruz is the perfect place for a little rafting. There is an abundance of streams and rapids suitable for all ability levels, making it a great rafting trip for all ages. The rapids range from Class I (easy) to IV (advanced) and certified guides take out groups according to skill level. All the necessary gear is provided and before long you’ll be thundering along the Río Antigua, known locally as the Río Pescados. A guaranteed gut-churningly good time, with some incredible landscapes along the way.

Sport climbing in Potrero Chico

El Potrero Chico draws climbers from across the globe. One for more experienced climbers, it’s home to one of the most popular sport climbing routes in North America, the Sendero Luminoso, which rises over 1,500ft (457m) in a stiff vertical ascent. If you don’t fancy tackling it in the flesh, just watching Alex Honnold’s free solo ascent of the Sendero Luminoso is enough to get your heart pumping.

Extreme urban downhill biking in Taxco

This is not a nice relaxed bike ride. Downhill biking is for experienced bikers who have a lot of nerve, and the heart-pounding descent through the Mexican colonial town of Taxco means there are narrow alleyways, obstacles and vertical stairwells along with plenty of onlookers.

Additional reporting by Vanessa Gainford

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.