Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Veracruz
A driver will pick you up at Veracruz airport and take you to your hotel in a comfortable vehicle. From there, the day is open for you to do what you want. You could check out local museums, spend time on the beaches, try some traditional jarochan food, or just relax at the hotel and get settled in.
Optional Activities
- Visit museums in Veracruz
- Enjoy beaches
- Taste traditional jarochan food
- Explore the city
- Day 2
El Tajín and Papantla
Meeting starts at 8:00 am for the drive to El Tajín, the most important ceremonial center of the Totonaca culture. You'll walk through precolonial buildings like palaces, temples, and ceremonial structures spread through the jungle, including the Pirámide de los Nichos which is really something to see. After that, you head to Papantla, a town known as the birthplace of vanilla and where you can watch the Voladores de Papantla ritual performers. Fair warning: it's a 4-hour drive each way, but this tour is one of the most popular ones available.
Included Activities
- Visit El Tajín archaeological zone
- Explore Papantla (Pueblo Mágico)
- See Pirámide de los Nichos
- Learn about Totonaca culture and history
Optional Activities
- Watch Voladores de Papantla ritual
- Visit vanilla plantations in Totonacapan
Landmarks/POIs El Tajín Pirámide de los Nichos Papantla 
- Day 3
Veracruz Aquarium, San Juan de Ulúa, and Mandinga
Starting at 10:00 am, you'll go to the Veracruz Aquarium and walk through nine different areas with local fauna like jellyfish, sharks, manatees, and the dolphinarium. Then you'll tour San Juan de Ulúa, a 500-year-old coral fortress that's now a museum where you can learn about the port's history and local legends. Later, you travel to Mandinga village surrounded by mangroves and take a boat tour to Isla de las Conchitas, Isla de las Garzas, and the Alley of the Kiss. There's time to eat at a typical Mandinga restaurant (though meals aren't covered). The day wraps up with a sightseeing bus tour through Veracruz's historic downtown area.
Included Activities
- Veracruz Aquarium entrance and visit
- San Juan de Ulúa guided tour
- Transfer to Mandinga
- Boat tour in Mandinga mangroves
- Visit to Isla de las Conchitas
- Visit to Isla de las Garzas
- Waiting time at Mandinga restaurants
- Downtown Veracruz sightseeing bus tour
Optional Activities
- Lunch or dinner at Mandinga restaurant (seafood and fish dishes available)
- Additional exploration of the Historic Center of Veracruz
Landmarks/POIs Veracruz Aquarium San Juan de Ulúa Mandinga Isla de las Conchitas Isla de las Garzas Historic Center of Veracruz - Day 4
Departure from Veracruz
Your final day in Veracruz is free to do what you want. You could walk through downtown, visit city hall, or take part in a danzón workshop at the zócalo if that interests you. Before your flight or bus departure, a pickup will come to your hotel. If you're flying, that's 2.5 hours before departure; if you're taking a bus, it's 1 hour before.
Optional Activities
- Walk through downtown Veracruz
- Visit City Hall
- Attend danzón workshops at the zócalo
- Other activities as recommended
