Tell people you’re headed to Mexico and you’ll likely be warned to be careful, to reconsider, or even encouraged not to go at all. However, after living and working in Mexico for the past five months, I am happy to report that the country remains a warm, welcoming, and, with the exception of a few cartel hotspots, a safe place to visit. 

But don’t just take my word for it. Follow the lead of more than 600 travel professionals (myself included), representing some 50 countries, who gathered recently (October 16-20, 2011) in San Cristobal de las Casas, a quaint colonial-era mountain town in the highlands of Chiapas, Mexico, for the industry’s most important annual event, the 2011 Adventure Travel World Summit*.

In place of fear-inspiring headlines, greeting us in Chiapas and across the country, were hospitable locals, colorful colonial-era cities, culturally-rich indigenous communities, lush tropical rainforests, cloud-cloaked mountain ranges, deep river canyons, cattle-dotted ranch lands, and pristine coastal plains.

For those ready to journey beyond the headlines and discover the real Mexico, here are eight hand-picked adventures from trusted adventure outfitters.