Matacanes canyoning: 27 jumps, rappels and natural slides

You'll make multiple water jumps of varying heights, with only a few mandatory and the highest quite substantial.

Matacanes canyoning is a full-day activity in Mexico where you jump into water, rappel down canyon walls, swim through aquatic caves, and slide on natural rock formations. The tour includes a live guide in English or Spanish, all safety gear, meals and snacks, and covers roughly 27 jumps (most optional), 2 rappels, and multiple natural slides in turquoise pools. Children from age 12 are welcome.

The experience

What makes Matacanes rank among the world's 10 best canyoning tours is the sheer variety packed into one day: you'll jump into the water from heights between 1 and 12 meters (most of them optional, though 7 are mandatory with the highest at 5.5 meters), then walk and swim through aquatic caves, slide down natural rock formations, and descend two rappels of 27 and 18 meters using a harness system. The canyon's turquoise pools and narrow passages mean you're swimming and wading as much as climbing.

The full day runs 9 hours, which accounts for the setup, safety briefing, and the time it takes to move through the canyon itself. Halfway through, you get a tuna snack and energy bar. At the end, tacos with regional seasoning. You'll wear a helmet, wetsuit, life jacket and harness throughout. Everything is provided. A live guide leads the group in English or Spanish and manages the rappel systems and safety checks at each jump and descent.

This is a high-intensity physical activity. You need to be comfortable swimming, climbing, and exerting yourself for hours in water and on rock. The tour is not suitable for people under 12 or over 55, or for anyone with spinal injuries, recent operations, poor cardiovascular health, high or low blood pressure, or obesity. Strong fitness is required.

What’s included

• Live guide in English or Spanish.
• helmet, wetsuit, life jacket and rappelling harness with descent system.
• tuna snack and energy bar halfway through.
• tacos with regional seasoning at the end.

Before you book

Days and timesSaturday and SundayDeparts at 05:00

Book up to18h before

AgesAdult (28 to 50 years) · Youth (18 to 27 years) · Child (12 to 17 years) · Under 12: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Demanding physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Camaleón Trips

Is this one for you?The 9-hour commitment means this tour fills most of a day and leaves little room for other activities. Book it if you can dedicate the full morning and afternoon to canyoning and have no other plans that day. It's not a half-day add-on to a busier itinerary.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (18 to 27 years); Child (12 to 17 years). Under 12: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How many of the water jumps are actually mandatory?

Seven of the roughly 27 jumps are mandatory. The rest are optional. The highest mandatory jump is 5.5 meters, and the optional ones range up to 12 meters, so you control how much air time you take.

What's included in the meals during the 9-hour tour?

Matacanes provides a tuna snack and energy bar halfway through the day, and tacos with regional seasoning at the end. Water and basic nutrition are covered. Bring extra snacks if you prefer them.

Do I need to know how to rappel before I book?

No prior rappelling experience is needed. The guide manages the harness and descent system and briefs you on technique before each of the two rappels (27 and 18 meters). Safety gear and instruction are included.

Is this tour suitable for someone who's not a strong swimmer?

Matacanes involves extended swimming through caves and between pools, so you should be comfortable in water. A life jacket is provided and worn throughout, but the activity requires active swimming ability and high overall fitness.