Are you ready? Ok, it's time to start your tropical adventure in the state of Veracruz. 

After checking out of your hotel, your host guide will steer you south on a scenic 3 hour drive to the rural coastal region known as Costa del Oro.  Please note the emphasis on "rural." 

Today you will start to feel your body release its normal daily stress from back home as you begin to unwind in this laidback Robinson Crusoe-type natural setting. There is something about walking barefoot on a semi-deserted beach and feeling the warm Gulf of Mexico sea breeze kiss your face. 

Be forewarned - You have just switched over to Mexico's, "Mañana Time."  Or as Jimmy Buffet would say, "Changes in Lattitudes, Changes in Attitudes."  Yep, he got that right! 

Your local boat guide will be waiting for your group to head out on a scenic ocean boat ride to discover a secret pirate sea cave and an island rookery with hundreds of sea birds. From the ocean, you will be able to view the lush tropicalness of this area. No wonder Stephen Spielberg considered using this region as a backdrop for his now famous Jurassic Park movies.

After lunch on the beach, it will be time to check in at your small rural hotel and then have time to explore this coast paradise on your own.  (B,L)

If you have never tried this before, don't worry. Your guide will give you instructions. Plus, you will be on an easy slow-moving tropical river. If you want, you can even kneel or sit and paddle. The water is warm and clear . . . and most likely, you will have the whole river to yourself. 

The afternoon will be free to relax and explore as you wish. Once again, you will overnight at the same rustic hotel.  (B,L)

Today you most likely will be able to capture some National Geographic-looking photos and video as you meander through the channels of mangroves in a small boat. Tropical birds and cute little crabs can be spotted along the way. And if you are lucky, you may be able to see a flock of colorful parrots flying overhead. 

Nearby, there is a natural swimming hole with crystal clear water which the local kids like to play in. Since we are all just "Big Kids," you will have the opportunity to enjoy this peaceful natural setting and splash around a bit.  

Then your host guide will take you to the town of Catemaco where you will encounter the 4th largest lake in all of Mexico. It has 32 miles of shoreline and interestingly, you will see very few boats on this tranquil lake. 

You will overnight in a local hotel here for the next 3 nights.  (B,L)

After a scenic drive around Lake Catemaco on a rural road, you will reach a small village where a local "jungle guide" will be waiting to lead you on a hike into the rain forest. There is a path which is uneven, rocky, and sometimes wet from rain and the mist of the several waterfalls which you will encounter along the way. 

Your jungle guide will explain some of the uses of the various plants and trees you will pass. 

There will be time if you like, to swim in one of the pools below a cascading waterfall.

Then later, your group will be invited to eat at a local family's rustic rural home. The floors are hard-packed dirt, the dining chairs are mismatcheds, and the food is cooked over a wood stove. You are welcome to help prepare the tortillas in the kitchen. 

On this afternoon, your guide will take you all back to your hotel in Catemaco.  (B,L)

We hope you are not tired of boat rides. That is a part of the transportation here in southern Veracruz. 

This morning, it will be time to head out into Lake Catemaco to a few islands where from your boat, your group will search for howler and spider monkeys hidden in the trees. You may also spot colorful macaws (Guacamayas, in Spanish). Actually, you may hear them first as they are very noisy birds. 

At one point, you will dock to meet a shaman who will give each of you a spiritual cleansing in their time-honored traditional way. 

Lunch will be at a horse ranch followed by a trail ride up into the low volcanic hills with great panoramic views of Lake Catemaco below you. 

Once again, you will overnight in Catemaco.  (B,L)  

Whether you smoke them or not, we think you will enjoy a tour of a cigar manufaturing company. After checking out of your hotel, just a few minutes out of town, your group will take a short tour of this company to actually watch the many workers as they cut, roll, weigh, and package each individual cigar. This tropial area of Veracruz is conducive to growing tobacco. These cigars rival the ones produced in Cuba.

Then everyone will travel to view what we like to call, the "Niagara Falls" of Veracruz. This gigantic waterfall was made famous by director, Mel Gibson in his adventure movie, Apocalypto.

After lunch, it will be time to head north and back toward the city of Veracruz. However, there is one more stop, to see one of the original gigantic Olmec heads which were uncovered in this area of Mexico. There have only been 17 found. The Olmecs are considered to be the oldest known civilization in the Americas. Many think they are descends of travelers from Africa. You can decide for yourself. 

This evening back in Veracruz city, everyone will gather for a final farewell dinner at a nice local restuarant. 

You will overnight in the city.  (B,L,D)

You can make arrangements with the front desk at your hotel to secure a taxi to the airport at the appropriate time. 

Note: There are no hotel shuttles and the city of Veracruz does not have Uber service. So taxis are the way to go. 

Buen Viaje!  (B)