See the sights of Veracruz, a port city on the Gulf of Mexico and the first Spanish settlement in Mexico. On this 3-hour tour you’ll enjoy a drive around this lively city, accompanied by a professional guide. The Spanish conqueror, Hernan Cortes, first landed here in 1519 and, not long afterward Veracruz became the base from which the Spaniards conquered Mexico. When you leave from your hotel, you’ll first see the malecón, or boarwalk, that stretches for kilometers along the Gulf of Mexico. During the tour, your guide will provide commentary about all of the sites on the itinerary. Without stops, you’ll see the Island of Sacrifices, the Pemex Tower, the Monument to Sailors, and the Carranza statue. A highlight of the tour is Fort of San Juan de Ulúa, a great fortress that was constructed for the defense of the port of Veracruz. It has also served as a prison. You’ll also pass by the Ships Workshop, Café de la Parroquia, the Benito Juarez Lighthouse, and more.

This package is ideal to visit the places you should not miss in Veracruz. We start with a tour of the Veracruz Aquarium, where you can admire the representative fauna of the state. At noon, we will visit the fortress of San Juan de Ulúa, which was built by orders of Hernán Cortés, as it protected Veracruz from pirate and corsair attacks of the time. A guide will tell you all about the history and legends of the oldest prison in Mexico. At the end of this visit, we will transfer to Mandinga, where we will enjoy a boat ride through the mangrove area and also have time to eat delicious freshly cooked seafood in Mandinga's restaurants. To finish the tour, we will tour the historic center of Veracruz aboard a traditional streetcar, from where we will be able to observe the most important and beautiful places of the city.

Start the tour with pick up at your hotel at 8 AM and travel for 3.5 hours to the archaeological zone. Arrive at the most important ceremonial center of the Totonaca peoples, the archaeological area of El Tajín which combines history, knowledge, and beauty in one setting. Next, admire the pre-colonial buildings in the middle of the jungle including a palace, temple, and soccer fields. Marvel at the amazing pyramid of Los Nichos which is considered to be an agricultural, civic, and sun calendar, due to its 7 levels and 365 niches. After this, continue the tour to Papantla, also known as Pueblo Mágico, located a few kilometers away in Totonacapan. This place is where vanilla originates from and where local men performed fertility rituals. Learn about how the precolonial and Spanish melting pot of cultures led to the mixing of folklore and taste; a heritage that still lives on in the region. Explore the historical center of Papantla and take in panoramic views of Papantla from the observation deck. Return to Veracruz at 6 PM where you will be dropped off at your hotel.

Start the tour at the Coffee Museum and learn about the history of Mexican coffee. Then head to Cordoba, the renowned 'City of the 30 Knights'. See the main square where most of the buildings of architectural and historic value are located included the City Hall, La Parroquia, and the Zevallos Portal where the Treaty of Cordoba was signed. Continue on to the historic center of Orizaba which was founded in the 16th-century. Visit the art museum and the Palacio de Hierro, a building structure that was brought from Belgium. Ride the cable car for a panoramic view of the city.

Make the most of your time in Veracruz with an insightful visit to one of the most important historical monuments in the city. Explore the San Juan de Ulua Fortress with a skip-the-line ticket, tour its mysterious tunnels, and learn about its remarkable history and impact. Built on an islet to defend the port from pirate attacks, step into a mystical site overlooking the Veracruz ocean. Enjoy panoramic views from the top and get lost in its dark hallways as you travel back in time through its many phases, including the many years it served as a prison. Take in the striking Italian-style architecture of this 16th-century site. In addition to exploring the facilities, you can also browse through a collection of archaeological pieces gathered from the Gulf of Mexico region.

Start the tour at 12:00 PM and set off for the fortress. When you arrive, begin the experience in a colorful tram ride, which will take you to San Juan de Ulúa. Upon arrival, a certified tour guide will be waiting for you to share the incredible facts of this fortress. From the first step you make in the fortress, you will feel as if you travel through time, as you begin to explore this incredible building which hides more than 500 years of history. Find out how, at first, the place was a sacred temple where the natives venerated their gods prior to the Spanish conquest. Years later, the Spanish conquistadors built the fort and a pier, galleons that came from Europe, becoming a gateway to Mexico. Later, it became the most feared prison in Mexico, where the legends of Chucho "El Roto" and "Mulata de Córdoba" were created. Before the tour ends, see the port of Veracruz from the San Juan de Ulúa fortress and take incredible photos, so that you can take great memories of this historic place home with you. Take the tram back at around 2:30 PM. The tour ends at 3:00 PM in Aquarium Plaza.

Discover the pre-Hispanic City of “El Tajín”. During this guided tour, you will be able to admire the impressive architecture of the Totonac city north of Veracruz. Its interesting architecture consists of pyramids, palaces, and several ball game courts. Explore the sites' museum, exhibiting pieces found in the area, as well as a pleasant garden with tropical plants. At the end of the visit, you can enjoy the fabulous pre-Hispanic ritual “Los Voladores de Papantla” or “Dance of the Flyers” and buy typical crafts of the region. You will also visit a factory where you'll see the vanilla plantations and how this orchid is processed. The plant is native to this region, and at one time, the municipality of Papantla was the only place in the world where vanilla could be produced — gaining the name “The city that perfumes the world”.