Huasteca Potosina: 3-Day Adventure Tour with Rafting & Waterfalls

Summary

Huasteca Potosina adventure with rafting, waterfalls, surreal gardens and local flavors

You’ll jump waterfalls in Micos, rappel beside Minas Viejas’ roaring drop, wander Xilitla’s surreal garden with stories from your guide, taste local bread and ice cream in small towns, raft Tampaón River’s blue canyons — all starting from Ciudad Valles with hotel pickup and included lunches. The moments linger longer than you expect.

What’s the experience like?

“If you’re scared, just look at the water, not down!” That’s what our guide, Memo, shouted over the roar of Minas Viejas. I laughed — mostly to hide my nerves. The first morning started with us squeezing into helmets and life jackets by the Micos waterfalls. The air was cool but sticky, and I could smell wet earth and sunscreen (someone brought coconut-scented stuff; it was everywhere). We lined up for our first jump — seven waterfalls in a row. My knees wobbled but the water was so clear you could see your toes hit the rocks below. Honestly, I didn’t expect to love that rush as much as I did.

After a snack by the river (tamarind candy and something salty I still can’t name), we drove out to Minas Viejas for rappelling. That cliff looked taller than it had any right to be. Memo gave us a safety talk that was half instructions, half pep talk — he’s done this hundreds of times but still grinned like a kid every time someone went over the edge. My hands shook on the rope but halfway down, mist from the falls cooled my face and I just sort of floated for a second. Lunch after felt earned — rice, chicken in spicy sauce, tortillas that tasted like they’d just left someone’s comal.

The next day started slower: hotel breakfast (eggs with chorizo if you want them) before heading towards Xilitla. There’s this bakery on the way where we stopped for cinnamon bread and coffee — both warm enough to fog my glasses. In Edward James’ surreal garden, everything felt dreamlike; mossy sculptures poked out of jungle vines and our guide spun stories about James’ wild ideas. Later in town, we tried ice cream made from some fruit I’d never heard of (Li laughed when I tried to say it in Spanish — probably butchered it). Then came the walk through thick jungle to Sótano de las Huahuas; birds swooped overhead at sunset while everyone fell silent for a minute.

I’m not sure what I expected from rafting Tampaón River but paddling between those blue-green canyon walls felt unreal — like floating inside an old postcard. Our guide cracked jokes in Spanish and English while we crashed through rapids; at one point he splashed us on purpose just to see who’d shriek loudest (me). Every night back at Hotel Valles felt like sinking into soft sheets after being wrung out by nature itself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Waterfalls jumping and rappelling

• 9:00am Pick-up at hotel or office
• 9:30am Travel to Micos waterfalls
• 10:00am Activity briefing and safety instructions
• 10:30am Jump seven waterfalls
• 12:30pm Snack by the river
• 1:30pm Rappelling briefing and safety instructions
• Rappel 150 feet down Minas Viejas waterfall
• 3:30pm Lunch included
• 5:30pm Return to Ciudad Valles
• 7:00pm Rest at hotel

Day 2 — Xilitla garden and Huahuas Abyss

• Breakfast included at hotel
• 9:30am Pick-up for Xilitla trip
• 10:30am Taste cinnamon bread and coffee (optional)
• 11:15am Tour Edward James surrealistic garden
• 1:30pm Lunch included in Xilitla Pueblo Mágico
• 3:00pm Free time in town
• 4:00pm Meet guide and travel to Huahuas Abyss
• 4:30pm Stop for local handcrafted ice cream
• 5:30pm Walk 1200 meters through jungle
• 6:15pm Birdwatching
• 7:30pm Return to vehicle
• 8:00pm Travel back to Ciudad Valles
• 9:00pm Arrival and hotel drop off

Day 3 — Rafting and local lunch

• Breakfast included at hotel
• Travel to rafting location on Tampaón River
• Rafting adventure
• Lunch included at local choza

Top questions

How many days is the Huasteca Potosina adventure tour?

The tour lasts 3 days with daily activities returning each evening to Ciudad Valles.

Is hotel pickup included in Ciudad Valles?

Yes, daily hotel pickup and drop-off are included for all activities.

What activities are part of this adventure tour?

You’ll jump waterfalls at Micos, rappel at Minas Viejas waterfall, visit Xilitla’s surrealistic garden, hike to Sótano de las Huahuas abyss for birdwatching, and go rafting on Tampaón River.

Are meals included during the tour?

Breakfasts at your hotel and lunches during activities are included each day.

Is accommodation provided?

Yes, two nights’ accommodation at Hotel Valles are included in Ciudad Valles.

Do I need prior experience for rappelling or rafting?

No prior experience is required; professional guides provide safety briefings for all activities.

What fitness level is needed?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended due to active outdoor activities.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Children can join if accompanied by an adult; minimum drinking age is 18 years.

What’s included

Your three days include hotel pickup and drop-off in Ciudad Valles every morning and evening, two nights’ stay at Hotel Valles with breakfast each day, all guided adventure activities like waterfall jumping at Micos, rappelling at Minas Viejas waterfall, rafting on Tampaón River plus snacks and hearty regional lunches along the way before returning each night to rest up for more.