Mexico Towards the Gulf

Mexico Towards the Gulf

HIGHLIGHTS

Get to know Mexico City - the largest city in Latin America and a world-class cultural hub.

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.

Itinerary

Day 1: Mexico City

Stop At: Zocalo, Calle Plaza de La Constitucion S/N Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Mexico City 06000 Mexico
Arrive in Mexico City at any time and get transferred to your accommodation. Upon check-in and some rest, go out to discover this wonderful city. In the evening, meet our representative who will give you some practical tips and instructions about the upcoming trip.

Included:

Transportation: airport pick-up according to your arrival

Accommodation: private room in a conveniently located hotel/B&B/homestay in Mexico City

Activities Included: welcome meeting with our representative at your accomodation
Duration: 1 day

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Conveniently located, locally owned hotel/B&B/guest-house in Mexico City.

Day 2: Mexico City

Stop At: Zócalo, Plaza de la Constitución S/N, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06010 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
In the morning, take a hop-on-hop-off bus to explore Mexico City at your own pace. The largest city in Latin America where ancient and modern coexist in harmony, it is a world-class cultural hub that offers a huge variety of museums, galleries, and architectural gems, along with bustling nightlife and diverse gastronomic culture.

Included:

Accommodation: private room in a conveniently located hotel/B&B/gust house in Mexico City

Activities Included: hop-on-hop-off bus (the ticket is valid 24h)
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Conveniently located, locally owned hotel/B&B/guest-house in Mexico City.

Day 3: Mexico City - Pachuca

Stop At: Pachuca de Soto, Centro, Jardin independencia, Pachuca 42000 Mexico
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.

Included:

Transportation: 1st class public bus with AC/WC/WiFi

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

Activities Included: private walking tour in Pachuca
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Conveniently located, locally owned hotel/B&B/guest-house in Pachuca.

Day 4: Pachuca

Stop At: Pachuca de Soto, Centro, Jardin independencia, Pachuca 42000 Mexico
Make your own program: explore the town or visit some of the nearby attractions:

Grutas Tolantongo. In this place, you will enjoy an impressive natural paradise, with beautiful views of a majestic ravine, pools, caves and a spring of thermal water that rises from the bottom of the earth and whose temperature ranges between 35 ° C and 38 ° C.

Xoxafi Caves. Located in a small country town and managed by its local community, Xoxafi offers its visitors three different courses to discover its caves, where you can do anything from taking a relaxing stroll in the sun, to zip lining and rappelling underground.

Mineral del Chico. The charming old mining village in the middle of 3000-hectare Parque Nacional El Chico, which was established as a reserve in 1898.

Included:

Accommodation: private room in a conveniently located hotel/B&B/gust house in Pachuca
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Conveniently located, locally owned hotel/B&B/guest-house in Pachuca.

Day 5: Pachuca - Xalapa

Stop At: Museo de Antropologia de Xalapa, Av. Xalapa S/N Unidad Magisterial, Xalapa 91017 Mexico
In the morning, take a bus to cross picturesque Sierra Madre Oriental Mountains and reach Xalapa (also spelled Jalapa) - 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.

Included:

Transportation: 1st class public bus with AC/WC/WiFi

Departure time: 10-45am (5:45 hrs trip)

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

Activities Included: private walking tour by a local guide in Xalapa
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Conveniently located, locally owned hotel/B&B/guest-house in Xalapa.

Day 6: Xalapa

Stop At: Museo de Antropologia de Xalapa, Av. Xalapa S/N Unidad Magisterial, Xalapa 91017 Mexico
Make your own program - explore the town or visit some of the nearby attractions:

Coatepec, a magic town that started its real history in 1808 when the first coffee bean from Cuba arrived. Currently, it is a popular travel destination famous for its ubiquitous aroma of roasted coffee, Andalusian-style architecture and numerous parks and estates surrounded by mist and sense of mystery.

Coatepec's coffee farms. Coatepec is a coffee region with great tradition and quality in our country since the last century. It has earned international recognition thanks to the excellent natural conditions that are ideal for producing first-rate high-elevation, shade-grown coffee.

Nearby La Granada and Bola de Oro waterfalls, walk on the trails and enjoy the nature that is exposed to your senses.

Filobobos Natural Reserve. You can choose from several outdoor activities including river rafting, hiking, visiting local caves and waterfalls.

Included:

Accommodation: private room in a conveniently located hotel/B&B/gust house in Xalapa
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Conveniently located, locally owned hotel/B&B/guest-house in Xalapa.

Day 7: Xalapa - Veracruz

Stop At: Malecon, Veracruz 91700 Mexico
n 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.

Included:

Transportation: 1st class public bus with AC/WC/WiFi

Departure time: morning (1:45 hrs trip)

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

Activities Included: private walking tour by a local guide in Veracruz
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Conveniently located, locally owned hotel/B&B/guest-house in Veracruz.

Day 8: Veracruz

Stop At: Playa Veracruz, Carretera Veracruz, Panama City Panama
Make your own program - explore the area, 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. It is a perfect site to ride 4x4 motorcycles, slide yourself from the sand dunes and feel the adrenaline in throughout your body.

La Antigua - a charming small city located by the shore of the Huitzilapan river. La Antigua is an important spot in the history of Veracruz, as it was the first European village founded in Mexico, in 1519, by the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés.

Cempoala - an archaeological site that was the capital of the Totonac civilization at the time of the arrival of the Spaniards. It was the first city that Hernan Cortes and his men visited in Mesoamerica.

Mandinga - a charming fishing village where you can experience an afternoon of traditions, folklore, and gastronomy. Take a boat tour in the lagoon to feel the fresh breeze and admire the exotic birds resting on the mangroves.

Included:

Accommodation: private room in a conveniently located hotel/B&B/gust house in Veracruz
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Conveniently located, locally owned hotel/B&B/guest-house in Veracruz.

Day 9: Veracruz - Catemaco

Stop At: Catemaco Lake, Catemaco Mexico
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 of what other cool things you could do in the area. Free evening program.

Included:

Transportation: 1st class public bus with AC/WC/WiFi

Departure time: 9:30 am (3:50 hrs trip)

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

Activities Included: private walking tour by a local guide in Catemaco
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Conveniently located, locally owned hotel/B&B/guest-house in Catemaco.

Day 10: Catemaco

Stop At: Catemaco Lake, Catemaco Mexico
Make your own program - explore the town or do some other cool activities:

Take a boat trip on Lake Catemaco or Lake Sontecomapan.

From Catemaco's waterfront take a boat tour around the Lake Catemaco to visit the nearby island with numerous monkeys, alligators, and waterbirds.

In the town of Sontecomapan, 15km north of Catemaco, there are some lagoonside eateries where you can hire a boat (for up to six people) for an hour-long jaunt through the beautiful mangroves or for a trip to La Barra.

Rent a bike and explore the surroundings of Catemaco.

See and learn Huapango - a Mexican folk dance alluding to a wooden platform on which dancers can make zapateado dance steps. Especially at the weekend, you can see this typical traditional dance at the Zocalo. A guitar is been played, someone sings and two people are dancing on a wooden platform. It is very rhythmic and well-known in Catemaco.

Salto de Eyipantla (15 km). A spectacular 50m-high, 40m-wide waterfall that can be reached by a 250-step staircase. To avoid the steps (and a soaking), you can also enjoy it from a mirador (lookout).

Ecobiosfera (12 km). Located in the great rainforest this ecological park offers different kinds of tours, some require heavy preparation, some are just in a 4x4. For example, you can take a bird watch tour or make a half-day walking tour in Sontecomapan.

Reserva Ecológica Nanciyaga (7 km). Here, in the jungle, you can take some nice activities do a walking tour over a hanging bridge which crosses a freshwater spring, make some natural mud masks and spiritual cleanings, make a tour with some kayaks and watch the nearby nature. In the restaurant, the typical food out of the Tuxtla region is served.

Check out nearby beaches of the Gulf with coves and small bays awaiting your discovery ranging from. Almost all of them are on a desolate territory with wide strands alternating with rocky cliffs and hidden beaches.

Go to San Andres Tuxtla to see its Laguna Encantada located a few minutes north of the town. The lagoon is known because during the rainy season it lowers its water level and when it is very hot it rises, but yes, with little or much water you will always enjoy a beautiful natural spectacle.

Included:

Accommodation: private room in a conveniently located hotel/B&B/gust house in Catemaco
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Conveniently located, locally owned hotel/B&B/guest-house in Catemaco.

Day 11: Catemaco - Cordoba - Orizaba

Stop At: Palacio Municipal de Cordoba, Calle 1 Entre Avenidas 1 y 3 s/n Av. 1 y 3 Col. Centro C.P, Cordoba 94500 Mexico
In the morning take 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.

Included:

Transportation: 1st class public buses with AC/WC/WiFi

Departure time: 10:00 am from Catemaco (5:10h trip) / 6:20 pm from Cordoba (0:50h trip)

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

Activities Included: private walking tour by a local guide in Orizaba
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Palacio Municipal de Orizaba, Colon Poniente #320 Colonia Centro, Orizaba 94300 Mexico
Private walking tour around the historic center.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Conveniently located, locally owned hotel/B&B/guest-house in Orizaba.

Day 12: Orizaba

Stop At: Palacio Municipal de Orizaba, Colon Poniente #320 Colonia Centro, Orizaba 94300 Mexico
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. You get a great view of Pico de Orizaba and there is also a zip-line.

Los 500 Escalones ("the 500 Steps"- its actually about 210 steps). A traditional ride for locals. This a very long stair (almost 500 steps) which takes you close to 34 m high waterfall known as the "Cascada del Elefante" or "Cascada de Barrio Nuevo". You can also walk to Los Siphones spring for a cool swim too.

Pico de Orizaba, or Citlaltépetl (from Nahuatl citlal(in) = star, and tepētl = mountain). This is the highest mountain in Mexico and the third highest in North America.

Included:

Accommodation: private room in a conveniently located hotel/B&B/gust house in Orizaba
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Conveniently located, locally owned hotel/B&B/guest-house in Orizaba.

Day 13: Orizaba - Puebla

Stop At: Zocalo, Puebla Mexico
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 of some cool things to do in the area. Free evening program.

Included:

Transportation: 1st class public bus with AC/WC/WiFi

Departure time: 10:00 am from Orizaba (2:45h trip)

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

Activities Included: private walking tour by a local guide in Puebla
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Conveniently located, locally owned hotel/B&B/guest-house in Puebla.

Day 14: Puebla

Stop At: Zocalo, Puebla Mexico
Free program - explore the city or do some other cool activities:

Take a hop-on-hop-off bus tour around the city - an easy way to get a quick view of some of the coolest attractions. It also is a way to get a good bearing before you decide to set off and dive into some of the attractions the city has to offer.

Rent a bike or take a tour to explore Puebla on the wheels.

Visit Atlixco (31 km). A small, cozy town that shares its landscape with the Popocatepetl volcano and is proud to have the best climate in the country, with fruit trees, plants, and a great many flowers wherever you look.

Visit Cholula (14 km). The oldest city in America, inhabited without interruption since its origins. It is also a place of the largest man-made pyramid in the world that sits buried in the earth with a Spanish church set on top. If you like nightlife, this is also a right place as the town has abundant life music and party scene with numerous bars and antros (clubs) that often don't charge a cover and offer acceptable prices.

Go to the Popocatepetl or La Malintzi National Parks to spend the day hiking.

Included:

Accommodation: private room in a conveniently located hotel/B&B/gust house in Puebla
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Conveniently located, locally owned hotel/B&B/guest-house in Puebla.

Day 15: Puebla - Mexico City

Pass By: Zócalo, Plaza de la Constitución S/N, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06010 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Breakfast and departure to Mexico City, transfer to the airport. If you decide to extend your vacations, we can always book you extra nights, or even take you on our next adventure.

Included:

Transportation Puebla-Mexico City: 1st class public bus with AC/WC/WiFi; airport drop-off time depending on your departure time

Departure time: depends on your departure time (cca 2:45h trip)

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.