Ecotourism and adventure tourism activities in Nuevo León
In Nuevo Leon, there are impressive mountains, canyons, rivers, and forests that invite you to practice ecotourism and adventure tourism activities, especially canyoning and rock climbing.
One of the most striking characteristics that Nuevo León possesses is the important strength of the business that takes place in this state, as well as the coverage of its infrastructure for conventions and other feverish sources that bring together important groups of businessmen and international organizations that do business in the state.
Sui generis, dynamic and avant-garde: that is Nuevo León. A state where great mountains, deserts, caves, and forests offer a wide range of fun and adventure to visitors, sports that give free rein to adrenaline and exploit the enormous potential in canoeing and rock climbing, as well as camping, that opportunity that nature presents to the adventurer, as a unique and unrepeatable magical mosaic.
The exact conjugation between colonial architecture, which shares the rest of the Republic with beautiful postcards, as well as the owner of the diverse contemporary tendencies in industrial and architectural design, that is Nuevo León. Santiago, Magical Town, an enigmatic place that preserves and fully complies with the requirements to have such an honor. A place that combines the beauty of its landscapes with the mysticism of the magical town itself, Nuevo León offers a special range of attractions for its visitors.
Ecotourism and adventure tourism activities in Nuevo León
Nuevo León has impressive mountains, canyons, rivers, and forests that invite you to practice ecotourism and adventure tourism activities, especially canyoning and rock climbing.
Sierra Madre de Nuevo Leon
It is an extensive mountain range that runs from the central-western part of Nuevo León, within the metropolitan area of Monterrey to the southern part of the state, through 13 municipalities. In this mountain range, some canyons are catalogued by the practitioners of this activity as the best in the American continent.
Matacanes
Considered by experts as one of the most spectacular canyons in the world; it consists of the descent of a canyoned river, over obstacles such as rappels, waterfalls, natural slides, jumps, and swimming in turquoise blue water pools, as well as the crossing of two caves created by the flow of water over time, where we will appreciate natural formations such as sprinklers, which are called Matacanes.
Hydrophobia
This aquatic tour begins with a walk that takes us to the imposing Chipitín Waterfall, 75 meters high, from there follows the course of a river through an impressive canyon with dozens of waterfalls, fun waterfalls up to 8 meters high, and natural slides.
Rock climbing and rappel
Walls and rocks up to 600 meters high, difficulty levels from 5.8 to 5.14 on limestone rock. Where to practice it in Nuevo León?
San Cristobal Canyon
It is becoming famous among climbers from all over the world for its towering rock walls and tremendous potential for unexplored routes. This canyon is located at 1540 m.a.s.l. which makes it an ideal place for climbing both for its temperature that averages 20°C and for the flora of the place composed mainly of pines and oaks.
Huasteca Canyon
Located in the metropolitan area of Monterrey, this park is an ideal and exciting scenery, a challenge for climbers of all levels. It has more than 180 documented climbing routes.
Via Ferrata
Inside La Huasteca Park, it consists of climbing on summits of up to 600 meters through a path equipped with ladders, suspension bridges, and zip lines.
Mountain biking
Routes for all levels are properly marked. Where to practice it in Nuevo León?
Santiago Mountain Range
This mountain range has several trails that are among the favorite destinations for experienced cyclists.
Chipinque Ecological Park
The park has more than 36 km. of trails, a challenge to overcome.
Caving
Exploration of caves and underground rivers with specialized equipment. Where to practice it in Nuevo León?
Gavilan Well
Unique cenote in northeastern Mexico, 80 meters deep and 67 meters in diameter, at the bottom we find turquoise crystalline waters. The Cenote is connected subway with the Labradores Lagoon.
Bustamante Caves
They are an unavoidable attraction when visiting Nuevo Leon. It is a route that crosses subway tunnels of surprising beauty; most of the structure of the caves is made of limestone rock of marine sediment, characterized by being porous and of soft dissolution, it is abundant in all the mountains and is highly vulnerable to the action of water through fractures and fissures.
Get to know them
Pieces of calcite and fine grains of sand were gradually deposited at the bottom of the cave, creating strong molecular bonds that gave rise to the whimsical shapes of stalactites and stalagmites, from the union of these formed the columns, which despite its apparent white wax color, at a distance, with the reflection of light and shadows capriciously presents other very bright colors. The tour begins by crossing a tunnel 100 meters long and 3 meters wide. The caves have a length of approximately 256 meters on a linear walkway and a temperature that oscillates 18º C.
How to get there
Traveling approximately 107 kilometers from Monterrey on State Highway No. 1 to Colombia, take the road to the municipality of Bustamante, N.L., and in the center of the municipality take the road known as "Camino al Cono", traveling approximately 7 kilometers.
Location
The Grutas de Bustamante, also known as the Grutas del Palmito, is located in the Sierra de Gomas, 107 kilometers from Monterrey and seven kilometers southeast of the town of Bustamante, in the northwestern part of the state, the Sierra de Gomas, also called Sierra de Gomez, crosses Bustamante and limits to the south with the valley where Golondrinas is located. The entrance is approximately 350 meters above sea level at the lower part of the canyon known as Cono and approximately 940 meters above sea level.
Santiago, Magic Town
What enriches Santiago, named Magical Town, is the diversity of places where one can spend good and intense moments, constantly in contact with the beauty of nature, its architecture, and its people, some people associate this place with various myths and legends, some about giant fish that inhabit its waters, others about UFOs and even bird-men that fly over the area. Located a few kilometers from Santiago, this place has become perhaps the most visited by locals and residents of Santiago. Jet skis, boats, and other watercraft are seen in the waters of the dam.
Only 30 minutes from the city of Monterrey, on Highway 85, is the historic center of the Villa de Santiago, whose colonial buildings, streets, and houses, invite you to travel back in time, where Pancho Villa shot bullets or even further back when the Guaxuco native walked through the great valley that today comprises Santiago, characterized by its picturesque landscape and architectural beauties, beautiful natural landscapes, a real treat for those who visit it.
La Boca Dam
A place where water sports are practiced, mainly jet skiing and jet skiing. It is also a place where people gather to go on tours in the boats and catamarans.
Cola de Caballo Waterfall
It is part of the Cumbres de Monterrey National Park, whose name comes from its crystalline waters that plunge from a height of 25 meters, resembling the airy tail of a horse. Hikers frequent the Pozos del Chipitín wells and the Potrero Redondo waterfall. In the same area are Matacanes and Hidrofobia, both of which are extreme hikes for extreme hikers.
Festivities
Its most popular celebrations are La Feria de la Manzana, which is held from August 16 to September 1, and the Fiestas de Santiago Apóstol, from July 25 to 27.
Gastronomy
Santiago is diverse in all its aspects, it has a vast gastronomic diversity, restaurants with international class: Italian, Spanish, etc. To restaurants with typical local and regional dishes among which stand out: braised pork leg with fine herbs, roast pork, dried beef stew, pork ribs with zucchini and corn, northern beef cortadillo, pork leg ranchero (pernil ranchero de puerco), among others.
Monterrey's recommendations for you
In the State of Nuevo Leon, there is no lack of adventures and places to have fun any day of the year. And as it is well known, the kindness that the people of Nuevo Leon show will make you feel at home! Proof of this, in Monterrey, you will find 10 places that will surprise you and that you will enjoy every moment of your visit.
The Paseo Santa Lucia is a one hundred percent family place. It is a circuit that runs through the center of Monterrey, to Fundidora Park, is a 2 km canal, which can be traveled on foot or in comfortable and safe boats. Along the walk, fountains, gardens, sculptures, walk with us and at night the spectacular lighting makes the tour magical.
The Fundidora Park is considered a Museum of Industrial Archeology Site, it manages to combine in its facilities the old structures of the Iron and Steel Foundry of Monterrey with history, art, and entertainment.
Inside the Fundidora Park, there is a space of valuable cultural contribution, the Steel Museum, Furnace 3, built in the structure of the Blast Furnace # 3, was conceived to promote the knowledge of science and technology interactively, live the red-hot experience!
The Museum of the Northeast (MUNE) is one of the specific cultural infrastructure projects in Nuevo León, a dynamic space that reflects the regional forging of the Northeast, which includes the states of Nuevo León, Coahuila, Tamaulipas, and Texas, United States, with an integrating vision.
The Cerro de la Silla ("Hill of the Chair"). Undoubtedly one of the most famous icons of Monterrey decreed since 1991 as a Natural Monument; this natural attraction can be seen from almost any point in Monterrey.
Bishop's Palace and Viewpoint: from the most important colonial historical monument in northeastern Mexico, you can get an impressive panoramic view of the city.
Macroplaza and Barrio Antiguo ("Old Neighborhood"): framed by monuments and buildings that reflect the history of Monterrey, a few steps from the Barrio Antiguo, considered the social and cultural heart of the city, where during the day you can admire the architecture and cobblestone streets, and at night the nightlife with its music and light give life to the neighborhood.
Cultural Tram Ride: Through a streetcar, a replica of those that circulated in the early twentieth century, the passerby who gets on, gets to know the main attractions of the city. A guide always explains the places they visit.
Canopy Tour at Hacienda Cola de Caballo or the Via Ferrata in La Huasteca. They are ideal for those seeking adventure and contact with nature, the first consists of 600 meters of ziplines surrounded by a majestic landscape, while the second is a ride 700 meters above the ground with suspension bridges, zip lines, vacuum ladders, rappel lines, and a breathtaking view of the Huasteca Canyon.
And finally, if golf is your thing, in the downtown area you can find the Golf Parque Rio. It has 9 fully lighted holes, so you can practice even at night, and the best thing is that it is open to the general public. It has qualified professionals who give individual and group lessons.
