The state of Veracruz, along the mountainous strip of the Sierra Madre Oriental, has a series of basins where it is possible to develop activities that transcend nationally and internationally.
More than a decade ago in Mexico the practice of alternative tourism began, where extreme sport (rafting, rappelling or climbing) coupled with less risky activities such as walks, horseback riding, bird watching or visits to archaeological sites, They have found an excellent space in Veracruz that has made it one of the most visited and consequently the most developed corners of this field, since tourists are being attracted to these new activities and they come for much of the year.
One of the most important sports is rafting, which due to the conditions of the rivers can reach varied levels of difficulty, covering the demands of all types of tourism, from the least trained to professionals seeking to venture into high-risk currents and turbulent waters that seem to encourage them to overcome new and big challenges.
OVER THE RIVERS
Of rivers the most visited we can mention The Philobobos, which is used to descend in two sections: the High Edge, tour that starts from the town of Cuetzapotitlan in the municipality of Atzalan, where in addition to enjoying an exciting walk with the rafts on your back, you will delight in the beauty of its canyons, crystal clear water and navigable caves. In the second, you can visit two pre-Hispanic settlements: El Cuajilote and Vega de la Peña, monumental sites that tell us about a glorious past full of magic and splendor. Then there is the waterfall of The charm, where the visitor refreshes and rejoices at its sparkling descent.
Another very visited river is that of The fishes or The old one, that can be covered in two sections: the first begins in the town of Barranca Grande, located in the deepest part of a canyon near the municipality of Cosautlán, where the landscape changes from the majestic pine trees to the humid tropical vegetation, characteristic of the lowlands. Given the difficulties of the terrain, this journey takes two days, being necessary to camp. The second section begins precisely on the bridge of the same name, this part the largest that contains 17 fast, and ends in Jalcomulco, population where there is 14 Adventure companies and that also offers the exhausted visitor a well-deserved rest through a bath of tematic acid and exquisite cuisine based on seafood. Another of the activities that take place in this place is climbing, rappelling, mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking or kayaking.
The Actopan offers less risks, the output takes place in The Descabezadero, place where there is a beautiful waterfall, ideal for kayaking. This river, like the previous ones, has a series of rapids that make this sport a true adventure.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES
Another type of alternative activities is the visit to the island of En Medio, located off the coast of Anton Lizardo, where the diving on the coral banks and walks in kayak to admire much of the landscape.
Another region is that of Los Tuxtlas, an ecological reserve where groups of indigenous popolucas. This space is ideal for observing flora and fauna. The expeditions contemplate crossings in kayak among the exotic mangroves and in the lagoon of Sontecomapan. Hiking and rafting at Gold Coast river; abseiling in Split Rock, by the sea; camps by the sea in Arroyo de Lisa and themes, next to the Catemaco lagoon, ending with a visit to Tlacotalpan. When you visit Catemaco, don't forget to eat exquisite smoked meat on the shores of its lagoon.
The Ciénagas del Fuerte, located in the region of Emerald coast, They are one more attraction that will surprise you. It is an extensive area of estuaries that, when entering, form a complicated network of channels full of mangroves, where a large part of the marine fauna and exotic birds. The route in these waters is made in cayucos, common boat of the region. For those who like the climbing and the abseiling of medium and high mountains, Veracruz has two important sites: the mountain of Perote's Chest in whose ecological park, Valle Alegre, species of wild animals live in freedom and where they are carried out hiking, horseback riding and camping; and the Pico de Orizaba, undoubtedly one of the volcanoes in Mexico where the experienced athlete practices his hobby, while camping and preparing to admire the cold and mute landscape that surrounds him.
The places mentioned are a small part of the multiple sites used by the industry without chimneys in the alternative tourism branch, which offers fun, while promoting the preservation of the natural resources of Veracruz.
