Gulf of Mexico Tour: a Journey Across Sierra Madre Oriental Cities (8 Days)

Day 1: Tampico

Bienvenidos a Tampico – a historical port city where different architectural styles create a unique and special urban landscape. Arrive at any time before meeting your group and Tour Leader in the evening: welcome meeting, orientation walk of Tampico, optional dinner, and get-together with the rest of the group.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Tampico
• Activities Included: welcome meeting, orientation walk of Tampico

Day 2: Tampico - Tuxpan Coral Reef /Tuxpan Mangroves - Tuxpan

After breakfast, continue our tour from Mexico Coast Cities heading to Tuxpan where we’ll either take a snorkeling boat tour to a nearby Tuxpan Coral Reef (Apr-Sept) or take a mangrove boat tour (Oct-Mar). In the evening, we’ll be back to the nearby sleepy beach town of Tuxpan: check-in at our accommodation, orientation walk of the town, optional dinner and get-together with the rest of the group.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Tuxpan
• Meals Included: breakfast
• Activities Included: snorkeling in Tuxpan Coral Reef (Apr-Sept) or mangroves boat tour (Oct-Mar); orientation walk of Tuxpan

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

After a swim in the sea and breakfast in Tuxpan, go to El Tajin – a majestic UNESCO-listed archaeological zone with impressive pyramids and sumptuous buildings. On the way there, see a giant statue of Cristo Redentor and enjoy majestic views that arise from the hill. Afterward, continue to Papantla – a nearby “Magic Town” known for its downtown square and cathedral, where voladores (“flyers”) perform the unique ritual considered a UNESCO Intangible Heritage. Check-in at our accommodation, orientation walk of Papantla, optional dinner and get-together with the rest of the group.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Papantla
• Meals Included: breakfast
• Activities Included: photo stops at Cristo Redentor statues; guided visit to El Tajin Archeological Zone; orientation walk of Papantla

Day 4: Papantla - Xicotepec - Pahuatlán

On this day we’ll visit two beautiful “Magic Towns”. Firstly, we’ll head to Xicotepec – a picturesque “Magical Town” that lives in the communion of pre-Hispanic and colonial times. There, we’ll visit one of the local family coffee farms where we’ll about the whole process of elaboration of this aromatic drink. Then, we’ll go to Pahuatlán. Situated in the middle of the Puebla mountains, among numerous coffee and pahua (local type of avocado) plantations, this region with a high percentage of the indigenous population breathes an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. Therefore, once there, you’ll be surrounded by Nahuatl and Otomi cultures, which still carefully preserve their traditions. Check-in at our accommodation, orientation walk, optional dinner, and get-together with the rest of the group in Pahuatlán.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Pahuatlán
• Meals Included: breakfast
• Activities Included: tour of a family coffee farm with tastings; orientation walks of Pahuatlán and Xicotepec

Day 5: Pahuatlán - Cascadas Paraiso - Basaltic Prisms of Santa María Regla - Huasca de Ocampo

After breakfast, we’ll continue the tour of Mexico Coast Cities by going to explore Cascadas Paraiso – a complex of 10 breathtaking waterfalls located in a beautiful mountainous area frequently covered with fog. Afterward, continue to Basaltic Prisms of Santa María Regla. This imposing 40-meter geological structure is made of shining rocks formed thousands of years ago and washed by four waterfalls. Finally, we’ll finish the day in Huasca de Ocampo – a charming “Magic Town” at the edge of the mountains where the bonanza of old times still reverberates, times when several ranches were built to make the Count of Regla the richest man of his time. Check-in at our accommodation, orientation walk, optional dinner, and get-together with the rest of the group in Huasca de Ocampo.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Huasca de Ocampo
• Meals Included: breakfast
• Activities Included: guided visit to Cascadas Paraiso and Basaltic Prisms of Santa María Regla; walking tour in Huasca de Ocampo

Day 6: Huasca de Ocampo - El Chico National Park - Mineral del Chico

Firstly, in the morning go hiking in El Chico National Park – one of the oldest protected areas in Mexico founded in 1898. After this, move to a nearby Mineral del Chico – a “Magical Town” whose rich nature and mining history will heighten your senses and fill you with energy as you walk along its steep narrow streets. Check-in at our accommodation, orientation walk of the town, optional dinner, and get-together with the rest of the group.

• Accommodation: conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Mineral del Chico
• Meals Included: breakfast
• Activities Included: hiking in El Chico National Park; orientation walk of Mineral del Chico

Day 7: Mineral del Chico - Real del Monte - Pachuca

Day 8: Pachuca - Teotihuacan - Mexico City

In the morning, go to see the UNESCO-listed Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque – an impressive 16th-century construction that stretches for 45 km. Afterward, head to explore majestic Teotihuacan – a complex of impressive pyramids, set amid what was once Mesoamerica’s greatest city. Finally, arrive in Mexico City around 3 pm.

• Meals Included: breakfast
• Activities Included: guided visit of Teotihuacan Archeological Zone and Aqueduct of Padre Tembleque