Whitewater in Veracruz

Dario Lopez Vives at K360 in the town of Jalcomulco has been running the three stretches of river – the Pescados, Antigua, and Barranca Grande – for 15 years, and he specializes in teaching whitewater kayak skills. His giant smile and elegant skill have made him a popular guide and revered in the rafting world.

Mauricio Morales, a legend and pioneer in the Mexican whitewater world, has created a self-contained ecolodge across the way at Mexico Verde, where everything from leaves to gray water is recycled or composted.

On the other side of town, check out Rio y Montana and Okavango, and find out about the hike to the village of Chopilapa on your day off from the river.

And down to the ocean breezes…

Fly in and out of Veracruz City, a port city with a lively colonial downtown, complete with a traditional coffee drink from La Parroquia. The Costa Esmeralda north of the city offers a chance at a great sport with one of our favorite guides: Peppi Stunkel from Elemental Kite School. After dinner head out to the beach to assist on a turtle conservation project; patrols are needed nearly year round for multiple species of turtles that nest along the beaches of Costa Esmerelda.