Mexico Tour Towards Gulf Beaches

Overview

Take our 15-day self-guiding tour from Mexico City to the Gulf of Mexico and back to see & experience the best of local nature, culture & traditions & more! During this trip you will be able to visit 5 Mexican states - each with its own landscapes, traditions, and gastronomy; see various wonders of nature (national parks and reserves, mountains, jungles, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, sea, etc.); do numerous outdoor activities (white water rafting; swimming in the waterfalls; hiking the tallest pyramid in Mesoamerica; taking boat trip among the mangroves, crocodiles, and birds; visiting a coffee plantation, etc.); learn local culture and, of course, make local friends & have fun.

Highlights

• Get to know Mexico City - the largest city in Latin America and a world-class cultural hub with a huge variety of museums, galleries, and architectural gems, along with bustling nightlife and diverse gastronomic culture.
• Immerse in an impressive natural landscape of Grutas Tolantongo with its beautiful views of a majestic ravine, pools, caves, and springs of thermal water.
• Relax at the beach, see the first building constructed by Spanish in the Americas, and enjoy the history of medieval Veracruz.
• See stunning waterfalls, take a boat trip to a monkey island, and enjoy surrounding tropical wildlife in Catemaco.
• Take a cable-car or hike up the Cerro del Borrego and experience the great panorama of Orizaba Valley.
• Feel the evening vibes of Puebla - the city that except UNESCO-protected Historical Center features one of the best music and party scenes in Mexico.
• Watch the sunset from the top of The Great Pyramid of Cholula, the world's largest pyramid by volume topped by the 16th-century Virgen de Los Remedios church.
• Discover the most beautiful Mayan murals outside of Yucatan in Cacaxtla & Xochitécatl Archeological Zone.

Itinerary

Day 1: Mexico City

Arrive in Mexico City at any time and get transferred to your accommodation. Check-in, have some rest, or go out to discover this wonderful city. In the evening, start your "Mexico: Towards the Gulf Tour" by a welcome meeting with our representative who will give you practical tips & instructions about the upcoming trip.

• Accommodation: a private room in a conveniently located hotel/B&B/guest house in Mexico City
• Activities: welcome meeting with our representative

Day 2: Mexico City

In the morning, take a hop-on-hop-off bus to explore Mexico City at your own pace. Afterward, free program.

• Accommodation: a private room in a conveniently located hotel/B&B/guest house in Mexico City
• Activities: hop-on-hop-off bus (the ticket is valid 24h)

Day 3: Mexico City - Pachuca

In the morning, take a bus to Pachuca - a charming, brightly painted capital of Hidalgo state scattered over steep, wide hills and crowned with a massive Mexican flag and a towering statue of Christ. Upon arrival and check-in, meet our guide who will help you explore this impressive city, known as the "Bella Airosa", renowned for its cultural and historical beauty. Free evening program.

• Transportation (Mexico City-Pachuca): 1st class inter-city bus with AC/WC/WiFi; morning departure (buses every 30 min)
• Accommodation: a private room in a conveniently located hotel/B&B/guest house in Pachuca
• Activities: private walking tour in Pachuca

Day 4: Pachuca

Make your own program: explore the town or visit some of the nearby attractions: thermal waters in Grutas Tolantongo, rappel in Xoxafi Caves, or "Magical Town of Mineral del Chico.

• Accommodation: a private room in a conveniently located hotel/B&B/guest house in Pachuca

Day 5: Pachuca - Xalapa

In the morning, take a bus to cross picturesque Sierra Madre Oriental Mountains and reach Xalapa - the homeland of the world-famous super-hot green chili that was named after it.  Xalapa's highland location makes the city temperate and often quite cloudy. Thanks to its alternative vibe and large student population, the city is lively at night and has a thriving cultural scene. Upon arrival and check-in, meet your guide to explore this beautiful city and learn about its history and stories. Free evening program.

• Transportation (Pachica-Xalapa): 1st class inter-city bus with AC/WC/WiFi; departure time - 10:45am (5:45 hrs trip)
• Accommodation: a private room in a conveniently located hotel/B&B/guest house in Xalapa
• Activities: private walking tour by a local guide in Xalapa

Day 6: Xalapa

Make your own program - explore the town or visit some of the nearby attractions: a "Magical Town" of Coatepec & its coffee farms; La Granada and Bola de Oro waterfalls or Filobobos Natural Reserve that is famous for its rafting & caves.

• Accommodation: a private room in a conveniently located hotel/B&B/guest house in Xalapa

Day 7: Xalapa - Veracruz

In the morning, take a bus to Veracruz - the oldest port in the country defined by its history, traditions, joyful people, and delicious food. Upon arrival and check-in, meet your guide to explore this beautiful city and learn about its history. Free evening program.

• Transportation (Xalapa-Veracruz): 1st class inter-city bus with AC/WC/WiFi; departure time - morning (~1:45 hrs trip)
• Accommodation: a private room in a conveniently located hotel/B&B/guest house in Veracruz
• Activities: private walking tour by a local guide in Veracruz

Day 8: Veracruz

Make your own program - explore the city, relax on the beach or visit some of the nearby attractions: Chachalacas beach with its 550 acres of sand dunes and spectacular views of the ocean; a charming small town of La Antigua or Cempoala - an archaeological site that was the capital of the Totonac civilization at the time of the arrival of the Spaniards.

• Accommodation: a private room in a conveniently located hotel/B&B/guest house in Veracruz

Day 9: Veracruz - Catemaco

In the morning, take a bus to Catemaco - a sleepy town on the shore of the same-named lake in Veracruz State and a witchcraft capital of the country. The ecotourism is really big in the region around here. Lakes, rivers, waterfalls, Gulf of Mexico, mangroves, bird-watching, all abound, and ready for you to enjoy. Upon arrival and check-in, meet your local guide to explore the town, learn about its history and traditions, and get some tips on what other cool things you could do in the area. Free evening program.

• Transportation (Veracruz-Catemaco): 1st class inter-city bus with AC/WC/WiFil; departure time - 9:30 am (3:50 hrs trip)
• Accommodation: a private room in a conveniently located hotel/B&B/guest house in Catemaco
• Activities: private walking tour by a local guide in Catemaco

Day 10: Catemaco

Make your own program -  explore the town or do some other cool activities: take a boat trip to Lake Catemaco or Lake Sontecomapan; rent a bike and explore the surroundings; see and learn Huapango -  a Mexican folk dance alluding to a wooden platform on which dancers can make zapateado dance steps; visit Salto de Eyipantla - a spectacular 50m-high, 40m-wide waterfall that can be reached by a 250-step staircase, etc.

• Accommodation: a private room in a conveniently located hotel/B&B/guest house in Catemaco

Day 11: Catemaco - Cordoba - Orizaba

In the morning, continue our "Mexico: Towards the Gulf Tour" by taking a bus to Orizaba with a 3h transfer in Cordoba - a city with an illustrious history and a justifiable sense of civic pride. It is the place where Mexico’s independence was signed in 1821.  In the evening, upon arrival and check-in, meet your local guide to explore and learn the history and nowadays of Orizaba. Guarded by the spectacular snowy Pico de Orizaba, and nestled high in the mountains, this city has created its own personality combining colonial architecture with green and colorful natural landscapes. Free evening program.

• Transportation (Catemaco-Cordoba-Orizaba):  1st class inter-city buses with AC/WC/WiFi; departure time - 10:00 am from Catemaco (5:10h trip) / 6:20 pm from Cordoba (0:50h trip)
• Accommodation: a private room in a conveniently located hotel/B&B/guest house in Orizaba
• Activities: private walking tour by a local guide in Orizaba

Day 12: Orizaba

Free day - explore the town or visit some of the nearby attractions: take a new cable car ("teleferico") up to the top of Cerro Borrego from where you get a great view of Pico de Orizaba; hike Los 500 Escalones ("the 500 Steps") to 34-m high "Cascada del Elefante" waterfall. You can also walk to Los Siphones spring for a cool swim too.

• Accommodation: a private room in a conveniently located hotel/B&B/guest house in Orizaba

Day 13: Orizaba - Puebla

In the morning, take a bus to Puebla - the capital of a same-named state. Once a bastion of conservatism, Catholicism, and tradition, Puebla has come out of its colonial-era shell. The city retains a fantastically well-preserved center, a stunning cathedral, and a wealth of beautiful churches, while younger poblanos (people from Puebla) are embracing the city’s increasingly thriving art and nightlife scenes. Upon arrival and check-in, meet your local guide to explore and learn the history of the region and get useful tips for some cool things to do in the area. Free evening program.

• Transportation (Orizaba-Puebla):  1st class inter-city bus with AC/WC/WiFi; departure time - 10:00 am from Orizaba (2:45h trip)
• Accommodation: a private room in a conveniently located hotel/B&B/guest house in Puebla
• Activities: private walking tour by a local guide in Puebla

Day 14: Puebla

Free program - explore the city or do some other interesting activities: take a hop-on-hop-off bus tour around the city - an easy way to get a quick view of the main attractions; rent a bike or take a tour to explore Puebla on the wheels; visit "Magical Towns" of Atlixco (31 km) & Cholula (14 km) or go to the Popocatepetl or La Malintzi National Parks to spend the day hiking.

• Accommodation: a private room in a conveniently located hotel/B&B/guest house in Puebla

Day 15: Puebla - Mexico City

Last day of our "Mexico: Towards the Gulf Tour" tour: breakfast & departure to Mexico City.  If you decide to extend your vacations, we can always book you extra nights, or even take you on our next adventure.

• Transportation (Puebla-Mexico City):  1st class inter-city bus with AC/WC/WiFi; departure time depends on your flight (~2:45h trip)

Why go with us

• Small groups of up to 13 travelers: closer communication, easier coordination, more adventures & fun!
• Off-the-beaten-track tours with maximum immersion in local nature, culture, and traditions.
• The easy-going atmosphere of our tours is perfect for informal travel & making new friends among co-travelers and locals.

Logistics

• ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE: This tour does not include airport pick & dropoff. The best way to arrive at our accommodation in Mexico City is by taxi/car-hauling services like Uber or public transport (more information on this topic will be sent with trip notes).
• ACCOMMODATIONS: An exact list of accommodations is sent together with trip notes 2 weeks before the departure date. All accommodations are centrally located, tourist-class, locally-owned properties with private facilities in each room. We can arrange pre- & post-tour accommodations but not earlier than 2 weeks before the departure when we send you final trip notes.
• ROOM TYPES:
  • Shared Twin Room: Single bed in a twin room shared with another co-traveler of the same gender. This option is specifically designed for solo travelers and applies just to group departures.
  • Double/Twin Room: Private room for 2 people. You can choose between 1 double bed or 2 single beds.
  • Triple Room: Private room for 3 people. It normally has 1 double bed for 2 people and 1 single bed for 1 person.
  • Quad Room: Private room for 4 people. It normally has 2 double beds for 2 people each.

  If none of the room types above fits you, please contact us and we will send you a personalized quote.

• TRANSPORT: The type of vehicle depends on the size of the group and may include car, 7-seater, minivan.
• PHYSICAL CONDITION: This tour involves a decent amount of walking. Therefore, travelers should have moderate physical fitness condition.
• ACTIVITIES: Participation in all activities is optional - just be sure to be in time for daily departures. Extra activities can be booked by your Tour Leader for an extra fee.
• WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU: Comfortable clothes & shoes; swimming suit & slippers; a smaller backpack for daily tours; hat/cap, sunglasses & sunscreen; travel insurance; good mood & curiosity.
• NOTES: The price of the tour/person depends on the number of travelers & room option you choose.