by Will McGough
Last updated: 6:00 PM ET, Wed January 3, 2018
Looking for adventure? Consider Chiapas, Mexico, where a home-base in Tuxla Gutierrez leads to an undiscovered world of natural scenery.
Here are five can't-miss experiences to do this destination right:
Caving at the Chorreadero
If you've visited coastal Mexico before, you're probably familiar with the country's abundance of cenotes (i.e. underground rivers) that provide easy access into the underworld. If you've been there done that, a next-level cave experience awaits you outside of Tuxtla at the Chorreadero.
At first glance, it looks like a timid park and a mellow waterfall-just a place for a quick swim. But beyond the waterfall is an extensive cave system that can be explored in 6-hour (short tour), 14-hour (long tour), or 2-night/3-day (really long tour) expeditions.
Picture the slot canyons of Southern Utah. Now picture navigating them in pitch black.
Wearing a headlamp, wetsuit and lifejacket, you tackle a series of rappels and rock slides between swimming holes as you follow the river through the cave. Guides from Petra Vertical ensure safety and assist you with the technical descents. It is one of the most easily-accessible, complex cave systems in the world, and an extreme adventure not to be missed.
Boating at Sumidero Canyon
Pictured on the State Seal, Sumidero Canyon is the crown jewel of Chiapas. With walls soaring up to 3,300 feet tall, it is an adventurer's playground, with many hiking and biking routes along its rim.
But the best way to experience it is by boat. Starting from the town of Chiapa de Corzo, crafts cruise up the river into the canyon on 2-hour tours. You can also book a combination town tour/boat ride with Ecoexperiencias.
Agua Azul
The waterfalls of Agua Azul in Southern Chiapas are famous for their bright blue (aqua) turquoise water.
Though the water level is lower in the dry season (November - May), the water is brighter and bluer, whereas the rainy season brings higher water levels but more discoloration (mud and runoff) along with it. Thus, shoot for the shoulder seasons, when you get the best of both worlds.
The earthquake in Novemberaltered the course of the famous falls, but it has since returned to normal. Regardless of when you are able to visit Agua Azul, it is regarded as one of the most picturesque series of waterfalls in Mexico.
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