Huaxteca, where you can find the hidden Eden
I signed up for an adventure trip in San Luis Potosi called “Earth’s Hidden Eden”. We were going to jump off waterfalls, go rafting, swimming, diving, and so on in the area called Huasteca Potosina. It all sounds great but what is San Luis Potosi (SLP), and where is this Huaxteca?
La Huaxteca is a geographic and cultural region in Mexico along the Gulf of Mexico. Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Puebla, Hidalgo, Querétaro, Guanajuato, and San Luis Potosi are sharing the area. And apparently, this is where we can visit the Earth’s hidden Eden.
We started our adventure by driving to Ciudad Valles, the main city of the region in SLP. First up, rafting on the Tampaon River. It’s one of the most scenic rivers in Mexico, that is only approachable by a boat (or raft). The river flows on the canyon called Santa Maria. This class III water is turquoise, but it was muddy on our day due to the raining overnight. We wooed and whoad whilst the while water slapped our faces. It was worth the trouble.
The next day was a full-on adventure. This was easily the most intense adventure day of my life. We started the day by jumping off waterfalls along the Micos River. The water was bright turquoise color. We jumped a total of eight, and one was about eight meters. It was probably one of a terrifying things I’ve ever done – the height! But we all did it, without any accidents. Next up was rappelling down a 45-meter cliff in Minas Viejas in El Naranjo. The stunning view of the waterfall right next to the cliff was especially beautiful after crawling down the cliff. Like this wasn’t enough, we embarked on another adventure at El Salto del Meco. We swam across the current of the waterfall (it was quite terrifying) and rode the current downstream. It sounds simple but it was physically and mentally challenging.
The trip wrapped up with fresh water diving in Media Luna in Rioverde on the next day. Swimming in the deep blue color water with fine algae was an experience I’ve never had before.
This adrenaline-full of adventures were done in Huaxteca – a small part of San Luis Potosi. The places we’ve seen are hard to explain with words. We crawled into the back of waterfalls at one point, and it was the definition of untouched nature. I truly understood what they meant about ‘hidden Eden’. This trip reminded me of how many great places on earth exist. I was fortunate enough to visit many countries over the years, but I realize every day that there are still vast places to visit.
#Thanks Huaxteca.com for the photos — water sports is challenging for photographers. This trip was organized as a part of ATMEX 2014. However, all the opinions are reflecting my own.
Wow!!! I just went white water rafting in Costa Rica which was amazing, but waterfall jumping?!! That looks insane and sounds incredible, has to be on the list of things to try now… that picture!!
Your trip looks THRILLING!
Good fun! I actually know about that place, though I haven’t been there…
Wow, that makes me desperate to back outside again! Looks so refreshing!
You look like you’re having so much fun in these pics. God I love Mexico!!
Wow! Yet another item to add to our bucket list!
Looks like fun jumping off the waterfall! Must have been scary!
Looks like so much fun!
That water looks amazing! I might take a jog up to San Luis Potosi after my time in Pureto Vallarta … Mexico is so amazing thus far!
When did you go? We are planning a trip early Sept this year but I’m reading that’s the rainy season.
We were there in late August. Are you planning to go to Huaxteca?
Yes. We went once before in May 2007 but it was only for 2 days and we’ve been meaning to go back since. Our vaca is Sept 3 – 12 and we plan on maybe camping at Media Luna. I saw another sites where people visited in Sept ’09 but the water was choppy (you couldn’t see the turquois) and they werent able to swim or jump off waterfalls as they had planned.
But your blog is more recent & gives me hope that we may get lucky! I know we are still visiting the castillo, media luna, and will go rafting if the rainy season is heavy. Any suggestions for adventures around there that may not involve swimming in case it’s very rainy & off limits?
I went diving in Media Luna!! It was a surreal experience. So different! First time diving in the fresh water. I can introduce you to the tour company there I worked with. They are really great – extremely well prepared and professional.