In and around Xalapa, extreme sports are undeniably popular. On the outskirts of the city, you’ll see tourists equipped with life jackets, helmets, ropes, paddles, and other adventure gear. The Filobobos River is frequented mostly by rafting enthusiasts during the rainy season (between June and November). For those familiar with the technicalities of rafting, the river is ideal for 15-mile trips on Class 2 and 3 rapids.

Zip-lining between mango trees, climbing and mountain biking are just some of the outdoor attractions on offer at Jalcomulco, an outdoor center near Xalapa. The town of Jalcomulco is home to one of the largest adventure tourism operators in the country, so if outdoor pursuits and extreme sports are your thing, this is the place for you.  Jalcamulco has received national and international awards recognizing the safety standards it operates and the quality of activities on offer.  During the day, there are powerful currents perfect for rafting on the Actopan river; by night, you can take a gentler, atmospheric trip along the river, accompanied by the sounds of nocturnal animals, the intensely starry sky and thousands of fireflies lighting the way.

Around Xalapa, there are also a number of ravines, waterfalls and caves ideal for rappelling. Surrounded by forests, mist and wispy clouds, rappelling in this area is made all the more exciting by the lack of visibility. In the town of Jalcomulco, just a few miles from the state capital, you can find expert service providers who cater for tourists of all levels of experience. On the Actopan River, the waterfall known as El Descabezadero is one of the best places to enjoy rappelling, but is certainly not for the fainthearted: you can rappel a massive 115 feet over the waterfall! The walk to the waterfall is a treat all of its own: stroll 20 minutes along winding paths, crossing fields peppered with fruit trees, until the roar of the falls tells you you're close.