Guided tours

Boquillas morning canoe trip

The Boquillas morning float canoe trip on the Rio Bravo/Rio Grande navigates the boundaries between Big Bend National Park and Maderas del Carmen Natural Protected Area in Mexico.  This trip combines the scenic beauty of the towering bluffs of Sierra del Carmen, with the cultural experience of a remote Mexican village. 

The trip begins on the Mexican side of the river, where Boquillas Adventures guides will meet you and then drive to the Boquillas Warm Springs where we launch our canoes.  For a small additional fee, you can ride a burro!  This location is also a significant Paleoindian archeological site, with dozens of rock mortars where ancient peoples ground native grains and seeds for centuries.  We have time to enjoy a dip in the warm thermal water before launching our canoes. Just prior to launch, our guides will give safety instructions and tips on how to successfully navigate a canoe if you are a beginner.

During the trip, the majestic views of the Sierra del Carmen will impress even the most jaded world traveler.  Pico del Carmen rises almost 7000 feet above river level, a vertical relief significantly deeper than the Grand Canyon. Chances are we will see a variety of birds along the river as we slowly wind our way downstream.

We conclude our voyage at Arroyo Fortino, just upstream from the entrance to Boquillas Canyon. Our truck will be waiting to return us to Boquillas and will bring lunch provided by Boquillas restaurant.  After lunch, we will take a short walk to view the entrance of Boquillas Canyon and other nearby points of interest.  On the way back to the village, we stop to explore the site of the original town of Boquillas, which was destroyed by a flood in 1906. The current village of Boquillas is the 2nd site created by the miners and workers who developed the Puerto Rico silver mine a few miles south. Upon arrival in downtown Boquillas, we have time to walk around town with the opportunity to purchase local crafts.  We return to Boquillas Crossing by 3:30 pm to allow time to pass through Port of Entry before it closes at 4:00 pm.

Boquillas Adventures provides:

All equipment including canoes, paddles, life jackets and waterproof bags
Certified professional guides with at least modest English skills
Local ground transportation. For an extra fee, guests may take a burro to the launch location
Lunch and bottled water
River crossing fee
Entrance fee to Maderas del Carmen natural protected area

Guests bring:

Clothing appropriate to weather, including hat for sun
Sun lotion as needed
Shoes that will get wet, dry shoes for after the trip
Full water bottle(s)

Boquillas Adventures provides a waterproof bag for carrying personal items, extra clothing, cell phones and cameras. With notice, we can provide a hard case for expensive or delicate items

Trip price is $95 plus 8.25% sales tax. We require a $25 per person deposit to reserve a trip, payable by credit card via digital invoice from PayPal.  Balances by credit card are due 48 hours before the trip departs, or payable in cash on the day of the trip. Guests will sign a standard release of liability form before the trip begins

Tours on land by vehicle, on foot or on 4 legs

With sufficient notice we can arrange land based tours to nearby scenic attractions and small villages.  These itineraries are flexible, and include either a picnic lunch or lunch with a local family. The Village of Boquillas is heavily impacted by tourism, but the nearby villages of Las Norias, Jaboncillos, and Ojo Caliente rarely see visitors, and offer a glimpse of authentic Mexico. These tours can also be customized to include burros or horses.