Overview

Enter this seldom-visited region of northeastern Veracruz for a cultural, archeological, and natural adventure with a small group of travelers and Travelian’s expert guides!

Feel welcomed and embraced by the Totonac People, known as the people with three hearts: one for life, one for love, and one for happiness. You will feel their ancient wisdom and honest affection once you meet these sharing, creative, and proud people. 

Enter jungles, mountains, vanilla plantations, and beautiful beaches! Enjoy local Totonac cuisine and delicious fresh fish from the nearby coast. Tour a vanilla plantation on the way to the Costa Esmeralda and enjoy a relaxing beach resort. Visit the expansive archeological site of El Tajin with our knowledgeable private guide. Appreciate the coastal sites of Quiahuitztlan and Cempoala and expand your knowledge of the ancient Totonac Empire.  

Visit MAX (Xalapa’s Anthropological Museum, the 2nd largest in Mexico) for an insightful private guided tour.  

Stay comfortably at carefully selected modern hotels and ride safely in our van. Join Travelian for this unique and enlightening tour with our friendly expert guides!

 

Itinerary

DAY 1 - TRAVEL DAY TO COATEPEC

7:00 am Depart on a five-hour drive to Huamantla (box breakfast en route). Enjoy lunch* at a hacienda en route. Depart for Coatepec. Arrive at our hotel. Check in and get settled. Leave for dinner*.

Included Meals: Breakfast.
Overnight in Coatepec.

 

DAY 2 - XALAPA ANTHROPOLOGY MUSEUM (MAX) PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR 

8:00 am Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for the MAX (Anthropological Museum of Xalapa) for a private guided tour and visit its resourceful gift/book store. Depart for lunch* at a nearby Restaurant. Enjoy a private guided tour of Xalapa's historic center. Return to hotel. Meet in the hotel lobby to go to dinner*.

Included Meals: Breakfast.
Overnight in Coatepec.

 

DAY 3 - COFFEE MUSEUM AND EXPLORE COATEPEC

8:00 am Breakfast at our hotel. Depart for a guided tour of the Museum of Coffee in Coatepec and later have lunch there. That afternoon, we have the option to visit the Orchid Museum, explore Downtown Coatepec, or return to our hotel for downtime. Meet in the hotel lobby to go to dinner*.

Included Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.
Overnight in Coatepec.

 

DAY 4 - ACTOPAN COAST ~ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES OF CEMPOALA AND QUIAHUITZTLAN

6:30 am Breakfast at the hotel. Early check out and depart to visit the Cempoala Archeological site. We'll enjoy lunch* at a nearby restaurant and then depart for Monte Gordo. Stop to visit Quiahuiztlan Archeological site. Arrive at our hotel, check in, and relax. Meet at the restaurant of our hotel for dinner*.

Included Meals: Breakfast.
Overnight in Costa Esmeralda.

 

DAY 5 - CIENEGAS DEL FUERTE - FREE DAY TO ENJOY THE BEACH OR POOLS OF HOTEL

After breakfast at the hotel, we'll depart for an optional boat tour of the Cienegas del Fuerte Marshes (you can opt to stay at the hotel and have a leisurely day enjoying the beach and the pool). We'll meet in our hotel lobby that evening to leave for dinner*.

Included Meals: Breakfast.
Overnight in Costa Esmeralda.

 

DAY 6 - TOUR TO VANILLA PLANTATION – TRAVEL TO POZA RICA

8:00 am Breakfast at the hotel. Check out and depart for a guided tour of a vanilla plantation, then drive to Papantla for a traditional Totonac lunch*. After exploring Downtown Papantla, we'll depart for our hotel in Poza Rica. We'll meet in our hotel lobby that evening for drinks* and enjoy dinner* at our hotel restaurant.

Included Meals: Breakfast.
Overnight in Poza Rica.

 

DAY 7 - EL TAJIN ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE ~ CENTER OF TOTONAC INDIGENOUS ARTS

6:00 am Breakfast at the hotel. Early departure for a private tour of El Tajin Archeological site. Experience traditional Voladores flight. Have lunch* at a nearby restaurant. Depart for the Takilhsikut Indigenous Center and visit its diverse arts and crafts locations. Depart for the hotel to relax. Dinner* at the hotel.

Included Meals: Breakfast.
Overnight in Costa Esmeralda.

 

DAY 8 - TRAVEL DAY

7:30 am Breakfast at the hotel. Check out and depart for San Miguel de Allende. Stop in Tulancingo for lunch*. Arrive at San Miguel de Allende around 7:00 pm.

Included Meals: Breakfast.

* This itinerary is subject to changes without prior notification.
* Meals marked with an asterisk are not included in the tour's fee.

Our updated list of Recommended Items to Bring is available here.