Top Things to do in Mexico
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10 Canyons in Mexico That You Shouldn't Miss
With 26 UNESCO-declared world heritage sites, charming colonial towns and dozens of thrilling cities, there's plenty to explore in this country of 109 million. Outside the cities, stunning Pacific beaches, stark deserts, mangrove swamps and swimming holes provide all you need for a relaxing, romantic or adventurous vacation. Captivating, cosmopolitan and chaotic Mexico City and the 32 states offer an incredible abundance of experiences, from laid-back and leisurely to upbeat to adrenalin-charging.
Restaurants in Mexico
1. Batopilas Canyon
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 51 reviews
A beautiful and seldom-seen region located along the scenic Copper Canyon route.
Reviewed By kevinschildt
We hired Cesar Gonzalez Quintero as our tour guide in Creel for 5 days. The 1st three days were visiting the sites at the top of Copper Canyon. The last two were driving down to Batopilas and then out to Urique and Divisedero on an unpaved one lane dirt road (this is recommenced for only the most adventurist of travelers but worth it). Cesar spoke excellent English and did a good job of explaining the history of the area and showing the sites. Cesar figured out that my buddy and myself wanted to hike and would drop up off to hike and tell us where he would meet us. An excellent trip with spectacular scenery made better by an excellent guide.
2. Sierra Tarahumara
3. Huapoca Canyon
4. Barranca de Oblatos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 85 reviews
This 2,000-foot gorge makes for an interesting view.
Reviewed By gourmexican - Bellevue, United States
I am from Guadalajara and totally regret that I had not visited La Barranca before. This is such an amazing place and it is within the city. I had never expected that my lovely city had such a hike nearby. I’ve been living in Seattle for years, where people talk with pride about all the lovely hikes around. Never had I imagined that my own city had such a hidden jewel only half an hour away from my mom’s house. La Barranca offers some beautiful views of the Rio Lerma-Santiago. It goes through a beautiful canyon like view. It makes you feel great to be out there while doing a walk or a hike. The simple fact of being out in nature with such amazing views is inspiring. Some amazing friends kindly provided advice on how to approach the hike at the Barranca. It truly helped me, so I will outline it here for those who are interested in giving it a try. I know for sure that I will do this hike again soon, as I truly enjoyed it. I exercise regularly and when I have an opportunity to get my cardio in with an outdoor activity it is rewarding and more entertaining. Hate being in place looking at my reflection on a mirror for long periods of time. Here are the tips to get the most out of the hike at La Barranca de Huentitan, which I truly recommend doing! 1. Get there early in the morning to complete the hike before it gets incredibly hot. We got there at 6am at the beginning of March. The way down is rocky and slippery. It was hard to see because it was still dark. I would recommend getting there exactly at sunrise. Check when sunrise is going to be and start at that time. 2. The way down takes approximately an hour and fifteen minutes. We all used sports shoes that can take on outdoors. There are a lot of rocks and it is slippery, so I would recommend taking an appropriate pace on the way down. 3. Once you get all the way to the bottom at river level, you will get to Y like intersection. You can either take a left or a right. - If you take a left you will get to the bridge which has amazing views of the river and the canyon. The bridge is about 1.5km away from where you start. - If you take a right you will get to the uphill railway, which is the demanding part of this hike. We personally took a left first and checked out the bridge. Which I truly recommend doing. If you are tight on time, then you can go straight to the right and get to the uphill railway. 4. For the uphill railway you must be very careful of where you step as you go up. I recommend brining sunblock and of course hydration. The hike is not easy. It is demanding if you are not used to it. There is part that is incredibly inclined, and you must use your hands to help yourself up. I recommend bringing gloves to prevent getting scratches, cuts and pull yourself up. Also, it is important to wear gloves in case there is any sort of bug. I must call out that there can sometimes be scorpions behind the rails, so just be careful about that. Nothing to worry about. Just common sense. 5. Most people call out taking about an hour and a half to get all the way to the top. I would say this is a fair assessment if you decide to take breaks. Hydrate yourself, eat a granola bar, have a banana. The main objective is to have fun, exercise and enjoy. Don’t try to push it to hard if you need a break. You’ll improve your times as you become more experienced. 6. There are parts of the hike where there are openings between the rails. Make sure that you are very careful as you go through these parts of the hike. Do not want to fall and end up injuring yourself. 7. There are 3-4 ways out as you are going up. That will take you to the same dirt road that brought you down. Have to call out though that once you start the biggest incline you are stuck in the path and have to finish or go back down. At this point though it is totally worth it to just finish. It is the most demanding but most fun part of the hike. 8. You can stop at any point to take pictures. Just make sure that if you are in a big incline that you sit down and turn around. You do not want to end up falling and rolling down for several meters. 9. Once you make it all the way to the top feel proud of yourself. You’ve made it. On your way out make sure to stop by the fruit stands to get a refreshing reward. There are stands that sell coconut water mixed with pineapple juice. It is called “Coco piña”. Totally recommend it. Refreshing and delicious. It takes a total of 3 hours to complete the entire journey at a pretty good and safe pace. Make sure to get out there and give it a try. If you are from Guadalajara, this is a more entertaining way to exercise. If you are visiting and have the time, make sure to enjoy this fun and beautiful hike to add something different to your experience. I know that I will try to do this as often as possible.
5. Parque Nacional Canon del Sumidero
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,285 reviews
Reviewed By johnpB3780YQ - Guadalajara, Mexico
While visitingTuxtla Gutiérrez in Chiapas, I was told I absolutely had to experience a boat trip through the nearby Cañon del Sumidero, whose vertical walls tower up to 1000 meters above the rather narrow Grijalva River. Trips up the river are organized from several docks alongside the little town of Chiapa de Corso, which, I was surprised to learn, had for a brief time been the state capital. The word chiapa, by the way, appears to be a short form of the word tepechiapan, which means “water below the hill,” a fitting description of the Grijalva river flowing through kilometer-high walls of rock. “It’s better to take that boat ride in the morning, rather than later in the day,” a local taxi driver told us. “The boat men won’t leave until they have enough customers to fill every single seat, so people who go to Chiapa de Corso late in the afternoon may find themselves sitting around forever waiting for their tour to start.” As for us, we only had to wait half an hour. Then life jackets were assigned to each of us. Although it looked like it was going to rain, we learned that umbrellas were forbidden. Since these boats are uncovered—to allow for a good upward view of the canyon walls—I would suggest you bring along a waterproof poncho if rain seems likely. A warm jacket is another good idea. Even on a sunny day, the boats travel at high speeds along much of the river, generating a strong breeze with plenty of spray. Here you may be wondering: is it all worthwhile? The answer, in my opinion, is a resounding sí que sí: absolutely yes! There is much more to this canyon than high walls. The farther you go upriver, the more obvious it becomes that there is something wonderful, something magical about it. One moment you are overwhelmed by majesty and grandeur and the next you’re seduced by a spray of wildflowers and then your heart is touched by the affection and clowning antics of child-like spider monkeys who are obviously fast friends with the boatmen who ferry us tourists up and down the river. You are mesmerized by rocky crags high, high above you, but when you glance back down at the river you see an elegant white egret posing on a slender wand protruding from the water or suddenly discover a big brown pelican floating right next to you. Another glance and you spot a huge, lazy crocodile sprawled over a rocky outcrop, taking the sun. And if you brought along those binoculars, you may even get to see a cinnamon hummingbird pollinating the wildflowers. Some 120 boats carry visitors along the 30-kilometer stretch between the docks at Chiapa de Corzo and the Chicoasén Hydroelectric Dam upriver. These boats are sturdy, the guides are very well trained, and everyone on board is obliged to wear a life jacket. In addition, there are ambulance boats anchored along the riverside, on call all day long. As a result of these high standards, around 300,000 people take the boat ride up the Grijalvo River every year, making the Cañon del Sumidero the second most popular site in Chiapas, after Palenque. Our voyage up the river ended much too soon at the foot of the dam, which, all by itself, generates over thirty percent of all the hydroelectric power produced in Mexico. Here we found two “floating Oxxos” awaiting us with junk food. The magic spell was broken. Back to business. But I returned home slightly changed. I may not be able to voice it, but I did experience something unique in this tall river canyon and before we debarked all of us applauded our guide as we would the conductor of a symphony orchestra, for he had been instrumental in making our lives just a little bit richer. Oh, yes, the Sumidero Canyon is well worth it.
6. Peguis Canyon
7. Nacapule Canyon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 118 reviews
Reviewed By 818annw - Dover, United Kingdom
We wanted to hike and see something of the countryside here - where desert meets the sea. Being on The San Andreas fault the rock formations are incredible. So pleased we went to Enrike’s Adventures (which I think may be called St Carlos Adventures now) . Such a lovely guy who is really passionate about the environment.. Very informative about the geology and flora and fauna of the area and the effect of the micro climate created by the canyon. This was the best day of our holiday - even though I was shaking like a leaf going up and down THE LADDER! I don’t like heights. The tranquility and connection with nature made it worthwhile....... You can climb, abseil and go on on a zip line in the canyon, too,if that’s your thing.
8. El Salto Canyon & Waterfall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By X2548MUkatieb - San Diego, United States
Hop around a few boulders, and splash in collecting pools as you hunt down some waterfalls. My husband and I found this spot while exploring the wine region in Valle de Guadalupe, so we certainly weren't prepared to hike (okay...we were wearing sandals, so we did it barefoot). It was a magical addition to a day. We passed several camping spots on the way into the canyon that we are sure to try soon. They even had tire swings on a few of the mature trees that made me feel like I was 7 years old again :)
9. Tres Molinos
10. Miradores Canon del Sumidero
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 434 reviews
Reviewed By rachelxo43
We went to visit this beauty on a boat ride, it takes you thru the river and while you are watching the beauty of nature you are listening to the most amazing stories from the tour guide... I will go again to this breathtaking tour, I will recommend this place, don’t go to Chiapas without visiting
