Acayucan

​San Martín Acayucan is a beuatiful little town of some 50,000 people in the south of Veracruz. Roughly a one hour drive from the Minatitlán airport, it's a place of deep Olmec history, and a modern treat for travelers seeking something authentic in a walkable small town of great color and culture. 

Acayucan stands as a meeting point along the transit route from the highlands of central Mexico coming down to the coastal plains. The name comes from the Nahuatl for place separated from the reeds. People come to visit the Salto de Ixtagapa, a low waterfall that plunges into a clean lake of fresh water. It's a relaxing swimming hole surrounded by inviting parkland. People come for the afternoon, and to hike the surrounding country. It's about a half hour to the north of the center of the little town. The falls at Soteapan are a little further, at about an hour away, but also taller and even more windswept and beautiful. 

The little town itself is centered around the Church of San Martín Obispo. The magnificent local market is just a block or so away. Someone there is cooking every day and there are loads of little eateries and vendors peddling everything one could want for a trip to the falls. Even sitting around the town square starts to sound a lot better. Artisan communities also take up their share of market space selling textiles and embroidery and traditional methods to make the most exquisite of works. Food options usually mention beef barbecue, black corn empanadas, chipilín tamales, but everything is generally cooked fresh to the surprise and delight of people who spend a lot of time in airports.

Acayucan will come to life for regional fairs and cultural events to celebrate the local music, dance, and folklore of this part of southern Veracruz. There are a wide range of lodging options in and around the town.

Importantly, the Interoceanic train station, Jáltipan, is about midway between Acayucan and Minatitlán. It's a good way to get here if you're traveling on the Interoceanic. Buses do leave Coatzacoalcos to get to Acayucan. ADO runs an hourly service, and both Ecobus and AU run less frequent services.