Veracruz Magic Route
TOTONACA REGION, HIGH MOUNTAINS, CULTURE, AND ADVENTURE
Meet and greet at the Veracruz Airport and transfer to the charming city of Papantla. We’ll begin with a city tour to admireTeodoro Cano’s imposing muraland explore the colonial parish church—symbols of local art and history. Afterward, check into your lodging in Papantla, ready to rest and prepare for the next day’s adventures.
After breakfast, we’ll head to the charming “Pueblo Mágico” of Zozocolco, where you can admire the Parish Church of San Miguel Arcángel, visit artisan workshops, and learn about the cinnamon harvesting process—all while experiencing the living traditions of the locals in their traditional Totonacapan attire.
If your visit coincides with November, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the colorful Balloon Festival, a unique cultural experience. Afterward, return to Papantla and check into your lodging to rest up for the next day’s adventure.
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After breakfast, depart for the El Tajín Archaeological Zone, one of Veracruz’s most iconic sites. Here you’ll be able to admire the famous Pyramid of the Niches, the ancient ball courts, and other pyramidal structures that reflect the grandeur of the Totonac culture. The visit will also include the spectacular ceremony of the Papantla Flyers, a tradition that combines ritual and art in a unique performance.
At the end of the day, transfer to Xalapa, the state capital, and check into your lodging, getting ready to continue the adventure in the next stage of the tour.
We head to the mountainous region in the center of the state, passing through picturesque towns and communities surrounded by farmland, ranches, and green landscapes. In the town of Jilotepec, you’ll see how the locals offer their farm produce—squash, beans, corn on the cob, and seasonal fruits—delighting both the eye and the palate as we travel through mountains, meadows, and cloud forests.
Our first stop is in the village of San Miguel Aguasuelos, known as the “Town of the Potters,” where every home holds its own history and rich artisanal heritage. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to create your own clay piece and admire the pottery designs—characterized by their natural yellowish color and reddish decorations—carefully crafted by skilled artisans.
Next, we arrive in Naolinco de Victoria, a town known for its colonial architecture and historic mansions, which preserves its traditions and ancestral festivities. It is renowned for its diverse leather crafts, such as bags and boots, as well as wood-carved masks and paper “catrinas,” especially during the Day of the Dead celebrations. Its local cuisine is another must-see attraction.
During the tour, we’ll stroll through its cobblestone streets, visiting leather boot workshops, the Botica La Purísima, the Church of San Mateo Apóstol, and the Mirador de la Cascada viewpoint, and there will be time to shop for local handicrafts.
At the end of the day, we’ll return to Xalapa and check into our lodging, ready to continue the adventure on the next leg of the tour.
After breakfast, we’ll begin a scenic tour of The state capital, visiting the main points of interest: the Government Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the University District, Paseo de los Lagos, and Callejón del Diamante.
Our next stop is the Ex Hacienda el Lencero, the former residence of former President Antonio López de Santa Anna, where period furniture and personal belongings of this historical figure are on display. The site is surrounded by beautiful gardens, a lake, and coffee plantations, offering a unique setting to admire the architecture and nature.
Visit to Xico: This charming “Pueblo Mágico” (Magical Town) is located at 1,320 meters above sea level, surrounded by green hills and mountains. Here we’ll discover ancestral traditions and legends, visiting the 16th-century Santa María Magdalena Parish Church, the Costume Museum, and the Dancer’s Museum, which showcases local culture and festivities. We’ll also enjoy the area’s traditional cuisine, notably the famous mole xiqueño.
Visit to Coatepec: Nationally renowned for its high-altitude coffee (1,250 m above sea level), Coatepec offers a tour of the Orchid and Exotic Plants Museum, as well as the Coffee Museum, where we’ll learn about the coffee-making process and participate in a tasting, in addition to exploring local plantations.
At the end of the day, we’ll travel to the “Pueblo Mágico” (Magical Town) of Córdoba, wrapping up a day filled with culture, history, and the flavors of Veracruz coffee.
After breakfast, we’ll take a city tour of Córdoba, known as “the City of the 30 Knights,” the founders of this colonial city steeped in history. We’ll visit the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception with its majestic golden high altar, and La Favorita—now the House of Culture—which once hosted distinguished guests such as Iturbide, Maximilian, Benito Juárez, and Madero. Don’t miss the famous Portal de Zevallos, designated a National Monument for its architecture and for being the site where the treaties that ended the War of Independence were signed.
The tour combines aromas, flavors, beautiful landscapes, colonial architecture, and the warm, provincial atmosphere of one of Mexico’s oldest cities.
In the afternoon, visit the “Pueblo Mágico” (Magical Town) of Coscomatepec, nestled among mountains and overlooking the Citlaltépetl volcano. Here you’ll experience living culture and tradition, where the market still preserves the custom of bartering.
We’ll tour the Tetlalpan Site Museum, the Historic Center, the Church of San Juan Bautista with its religious paintings dating back to 1640, and a saddlery workshop where saddles are crafted for export.
At the end of the day, return to Córdoba and check into your lodging.
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