History, Traditions & Ancient Ruins of Veracruz

Day 1: Arrival in the city of Veracruz
Your bilingual trip guide will be waiting for you upon your arrival at the Veracruz Airport. From there it is just a short 45 minute ride the small seaside town of Chachalacas where you will be staying at a local family-owned hotel. Personalized service is the key as the owners also live there. Our hotel is located a short walk from the sandy beaches of the Gulf of México. The rest of the day is free to explore the town and begin to acclimate to the slower-paced life here in Veracruz.

Day 2: Explore the Ruins of El Tajin / See the Papantla Voladores (Fliers) /Tour the town of Papantla
After breakfast, you will journey north several hours to visit the ancient ruins site of El Tajin. Along the way, your guide will point out other interesting geographical features and explain some of the history associated with the areas you will be travelling through. The Totonacan people built over 150 structures including 17 ball courts and flourished there between 800 and 1150 A.D. The most famous structure at El Tajin is called, the Pyramid of the Niches. An onsite guide will escort your group on a tour of the major structures and answer your questions. The starting point of the tour will be at a small museum located near the entrance of the site. Later, you will have the opportunity to witness the ceremonial flight of the Voladores. Five men (Voladores or fliers) will reenact high above the ground an ancient ritual which was performed by the Totonacs to appease their god of fertility to bless the area with an abundance of food and water. After lunch, you will get the opportunity to take a tour of the interesting town of Papantla. This northern area of Veracruz is known for growing vanilla. You will overnight at a hotel in a small town near the ocean. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Quiahuiztlan Archaeological Ruins / Soak in Natural Thermal Water
Heading south this morning, your tour guide will take you to explore the ruins of Quiahuiztlan (Key-ah-wheezt-lan). This peaceful remote site is located at a higher elevation with a stunning backdrop of the Gulf of México coastline. One of the more interesting aspects of this site is the 70 small miniature temples or tombs used by the wealthy people as their final resting place. After lunch, you will travel to a small town where natural hot spring water flows from the ground. The locals have captured this water and channeled it into a swimming pool where you can relax and soak in these therapeutic waters. You will overnight again in Chachalacas. (B,L)

Day 4: Cempoala Ruins / Tracing the Footsteps of Cortez in La Antigua / Beach Time
Today you will travel to see the Cempoala Ruins. Back in the 14th and 15th centuries, Cempoala was the capital of the Totonacans as well as the largest city on the Gulf of México with over 30,000 people living there. This is also an important place because Cortez first struck an alliance with the Totonacan chief to help him defeat the Aztecs who had invaded that area. Then you will travel to the small town of La Antigua where you will see the remains of what is thought to be an administration building built by Cortez and his soldiers. Your guide will explain the known history of this complez as well as give you a tour of how this riverside town was laid out back in the early 1500s. It is also in Antigua that you will see the very first Church built in the Americas. There will be time in the late afternoon to enjoy the beaches of Chachalacas. Optional Activity: Experience a fun ATV Beach & Sand Dunes Ride. (B,L)

Day 5: Xalapa's Anthropology Museum / Tour of Xalapa / Temazcal Ceremony
After breakfast, you will travel to the bustling city of Xalapa (Ha-la-pa) which is the capital of Veracruz. This city is rich in culture with art galleries, interesting small shops, and is home to the University of Veracruz as well as the very modern Anthropological Museum. Here you will find the largest collection of artifacts from the people who once lived in the Mexican gulf coast region. One of the main attractions on display are the huge Olmec stone heads. After a tour of the main sites in Xalapa, you will then travel to the riverside town of Jalcomulco where your group will have the opportunity to participate in an ancient Temazcal Ceremony. This ritual was conducted to cleanse the body, mind, and spirit. Later, you will travel back to your hotel in Chachalacas. (B,L,D)

Day 6: City of Veracruz Tour / Harbor Boat Ride / Farewell Dinner
Your tour of the historical port city of Veracruz will include a visit to two different forts, the Naval Museum, and a walking tour of the market area and the main plazas. After lunch, your group will board one of the harbor ferries for a 45 minute tour of the city by boat. In the evening, everyone will get together for a farewell dinner at a nice restaurant in the city with your tour guide to celebrate the conclusion of a great trip. Your overnight accommodations will be at one of the hotels in Veracruz. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Travel day home

« back to tour details