Veracruz Cities: Tour Ancient Ruins, Majestic Sea and Watch Papantla Flyers (Small-Group / 4 Days)

Overview

Get on our adventure tour to the Gulf Coast from Mexico City and enjoy 4 days full of discoveries, adventures & fun. Explore the natural & cultural gems during the day while hanging out & having fun in the evening!

Highlights

• Enjoy wide sandy beaches of Tuxpan.
• Snorkel & observe underwater life in crystal-clear waters of the Tuxpan Coral Reef.
• Go out & dine the best of Veracruz seafood dishes.
• See original UNESCO-protected danza de los voladores in a "Magic Town" of Papantla.
• Visit breathtaking UNESCO-protected pyramids of El Tajin and Teotihuacan.

Itinerary

Day 1: Mexico City

Bienvenidos a Ciudad de Mexico - the largest city in Latin America where ancient and modern coexist in harmony. Arrive at any time before meeting your group and Tour Leader at your accommodation at 2 pm. After a short welcome meeting, go for a walking tour around UNESCO-listed Historic Center, followed by a guided visit to the National Anthropology Museum. In the evening, join an optional dinner & get-together in one of the local restaurants/bars.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-own hotel/B&B in Mexico City
• Activities: walking tour in Mexico City; guided visit to the National Anthropology Museum

Day 2: Mexico City - Teotihuacan - Xicotepec - Tuxpan

In the morning, after breakfast, go to visit Teotihuacan - a complex of awesome UNESCO-listed pyramids, set amid what was once Mesoamerica’s greatest city. After a tour around the archeological zone continue to Xicotepec - a "Magic Town" hidden among the clouds and mountains, famous for its coffee production and unique combination of the pre-Hispanic and colonial cultures: optional lunch & walking tour around the town. Afterward, we will go to Tuxpan - a quiet fishing town known for its excellent seafood, wide sandy beaches, and nearby coral reefs. Upon arrival to our accommodation on the beach, take your time to enjoy the weather & sea, before going out to Tuxpan center in the evening: orientation walk, optional dinner & get-together in one of local restaurants/bars.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-own hotel/B&B in Tuxpan
• Meals & Drinks: breakfast
• Activities: a visit to Teotihuacan Archeological Zone (entrance & explanation); orientation walks in Xicotepec & Tuxpan

Day 3: Tuxpan - Tuxpan Coral Reef - Cristo Redentor - El Tajin - Papantla

Firstly, in the morning, we will take a boat trip to nearby Tuxpan Coral Reef  - a perfect place to see colorful corals and practice snorkeling. Afterward, we will go to visit the impressive pyramids of El Tajín (UNESCO) - one of the best-preserved and important pre-Hispanic cities in Mesoamerica, visiting a giant statue of Christ the Redeemer on our way. After exploring the archeological zone, we will continue to nearby Papantla, a "Magic Town" famous for its indigenous heritage and vanilla-growing traditions. There you'll see Totonacs wearing traditional clothing, "voladores" performing their "flying dance" and local artisans peddle handicrafts in the attractive main square. Check-in, walking tour around the historic center, optional farewell dinner & get-together in one of local restaurants/bars.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-own hotel/B&B in Papantla
• Meals & Drinks: breakfast
• Activities: guided visits to El Tajín Archeological Zone; Christ the Redeemer; walking tour in Papantla

Day 4: Papantla - Mexico City

Breakfast, check-out, and departure to Mexico City arriving there early afternoon.  On your way back, enjoy impressive panoramic views while crossing a 225 meters high San Marcos Bridge (12th highest in the world), which when it’s foggy, make you feel like you are among the clouds.

• Transportation: private vehicle
• Meals & Drinks: breakfast

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

• DEPARTURE: We will leave our accommodation in Mexico City on Day 3 morning.
• ARRIVAL: We will be back in Mexico City on Day 4 afternoon.
• ACCOMMODATIONS: An exact list of accommodations is sent together with trip notes 2 weeks before the departure date. Most of the accommodations are centrally located, tourist-class, locally-owned properties with private facilities in each room (unless otherwise specified in the itinerary). We can arrange pre- & post-tour accommodations but not earlier than 2 weeks before the departure when we send you final trip notes. However, this time is normally enough to arrange it with normal pricing & enough availability.
• 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 private vehicle for inter-city transfers depends on the size of the group and may include car, 7-seater, minivan. Inside urban areas, walking is the most common way of transportation.
• ACTIVITIES: Participation in all activities is optional - just be sure to be in time for departures. Both walking tours (>2h, normally in historic centers of bigger cities) and orientation walks (<2h, normally in smaller towns & villages) focus on local history, culture & gastronomy and are led by a Tour Leader.
• FOOD: Food & drinks included in the tour (be it breakfasts at our accommodations, Market Food Experiences, lunches, or dinners) can normally meet most of the common dietary restrictions. However, due to the active program of the tour and different menus in each place, satisfying a special diet or food preferences of a particular traveler will depend on circumstances and cannot be fully guaranteed.
• PHYSICAL CONDITION: This tour involves a decent amount of hiking & walking. Therefore, travelers should have at least moderate physical fitness condition.
• WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU: Comfortable clothes & (preferably hiking) shoes; swimming suit & slippers; a smaller backpack for daily tours; hat/cap, sunglasses & sunscreen; travel insurance; good mood & curiosity.
• PRICING: The price of the tour/person depends on the number of travelers & room option you choose.
• GROUP VS. PRIVATE TOUR: Group Tour: take a trip with other travelers. Private Tour: take a trip on your own, with friends, couple, or family. While offering more privacy and exclusivity such tours may cost more than group ones. If you wanna take a private tour with a group that is bigger than 4, please contact us and we will send you a personalized offer. For private tours, the dates of departure (and in some cases the itinerary & activities) can be customized to your request.