Fan Routes 2026: Tajín Route
Five days, four nights in fantastic Veracruz
We'll set off from the Mexico City International Airport for fantastic Poza Rica in the north of Veracruz. A historic city whose recent history is tied to the petroleum industry, it's a terrific place to start. You'll get time off, but also a complete tour of the city center and some of the most important sights and attractions.
After check-in, you can get some free time, and then a low-impact tour of the main points of interest so you get at least some orientation. Then most of the afternoon is free for exploring at your own pace. Dinner is always excellent, but especially after a day well spent.
Three World Heritage Sites in a single day! Day two sets you loose at the stunning El Tajín archaeological site on a trip that is sure to shake people out of their travel weariness.
The Totonac Cultural Route starts at El Tajín after breakfast. After plenty of time for exploring and learning, we set off for the Center for Indigenous Arts for traditional workshops where the best of the ancestral heritage of the region is still being produced. By lunch time, you will be glad to be in Papantla where the food is always exceptional. And by then, we're right in the historic center. A stop at the Teodoro Cano Museum gives you an even better idea of the town, people, and the rich traditions that still seem to grow and expand with the people.
The end of the day finds you back in Poza Rica where dinner is optional and there is still some time for evening exploring.
After breakfast we're heading to Zozocolco, a charming town of color and creativity. After a tour of the center streets, there's a Chinese paper balloon workshop that ends up setting your best vacation fantasy afloat on the wind. The paper balloons are a big, literally big, reason people come to the town every year.
From there we set off for a real working cinnamon farm. You get more than a sensory wake-up call, but actual insight into who, what, where and how. It's not just charming but something you're never going to witness anywhere else. And it smells good too.
You'll get free time to enjoy an outstanding, sometimes otherworldly, landscape before heading back to Poza Rica in time for (an optional) dinner. There's free time there, too.
We're setting out for Tlapacoyan, deep in the jungle of Veracruz for waterfalls, rainbows, and probably more charm than you can shake a snake at. It takes about two hours to get to El Encanto, simply one of the most majestic cascades in the country. The difference is, here you can have a swim or, if you're like most people you'll want to raft the better part of the river (below the falls.
After lunch, we're going direct to the coast and the fantastic Costa Esmeralda, the very best of the Totonaca beachfront. In fact, we booked rooms so you get plenty of time to take in the sand, sun, and the swimming pool. There's even spa services for those who spent too much time rafting. It's a boutique experience from top to bottom but kids are welcome too.
Dinner and a bonfire on the beach are optional but make for an unforgettable fourth night.
Depending on the season, lots of people wake up on this route to the sight of turtles coming back in from their long lives at sea. They come in super early, so you've got to wake up for it. Nearby the hotel, they'll also release new born turtle hatchlings! And this is all before your breakfast. Breakfast is light, with plenty of fruit, but we'll set off back to the Poza Rica airport and then to Mexico City.
The experience is entirely unforgettable, low-impact and perfect for families with kids, couples, or reunion groups.
More information about the route (Click here)
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