2-week roadtrip in the heart of Mexico

🌲 You like discovering unique places and the authentic local culture ? You like getting lost in unknown places and love nature ? You have a 2-week vacation to plan ?
Then this itinerary is made for you !
Discover, in this road trip, Mexico in an unusual way, meet indigenous tribes, whimsical villages and fall for Mexico’s diversity.

Itinerary of this two weeks roadtrip in Mexico

Mexico City > Tlatlauquitepec > Cuetzalan > Papantla > Costa Esmeralda > Tlacotalpan > Catemaco > Córdoba

🚗 We recommend for this itinerary to rent a car from Hertz. , It’s possible to rent it in one city and return it in another without exorbitant prices and limiting hidden costs.

🗺 Need a road map to prepare your itinerary ? We recommend this one, the most detailed and the most pleasant to read !

📗 You want to buy a paper travel guide ? We recommend this one ! In our opinion, it is the most complete, the most visual and the most up to date !

The itinerary : step by step

What to do in Mexico City ?

The solar city of Mexico. 

• Visit the Palacio National, an impressive colonial palace where you can admire Diego Rivera‘s wall paintings representing the Mexican civilization. Facing the palace, check out the city bell, above Campana de Dolores‘ main door.
• Dive deep into the city’s history when exploring the ruins of Templo Mayor, a sacred Aztec building. Continue your discovery by going to the Temple Museum and admire its many artifacts. You will get a deeper understanding of the Aztec civilization also called Mexica.
• Do not miss the Museo Nacional de Antropología, a world famous museum located in an extension of the Bosque de Chapultepec. Learn about pre-hispanic Mexico and ancestral civilizations. Watch the voladores ritual in the clearing facing the museum. A unique show !
• Art lovers, head to the Frida Kahlo Museum built after her death in her family home : La Casa Azul. Discover this whimsical place and the many memories and family objects its is the home to.
• Visit the Palacio de Bellas Artes, a stunning white marble museum. It has many different artworks : Riviera’s « El hombre », Tamayo’s « Mexico de hoy », Orozco’s « La katharsis » … And many more !
• Be sure to go to the Secretaría de Educación Pública and more specifically go see its two backyards an their 120 paintings by Diego Rivera from the 1920s.  dans les années 1920.

From Mexico to Tlatlauquitepec :

• Stop at the forest in the North of « Rancho San Gabriel » and go zip linning or hiking between gorgeous mountains.

What to do in Tlatlauquitepec ?

Charming little village in the middle of the mountains. 

• Walk around Plaza de Armas, the village’s main square built in 1800. Enjoy the beautiful view of the Cerro Cabezon.
• Go see the women’s wool spinner cooperative for an unforgettable moment.
• Admire Parroquía de Santa María de la Asunción‘s beautiful pink stone sculpted arches.
• Head to Cabezon Hill, a hill ormed of limestone. Explore one of its many caves and appreciate the breathtaking scenery. If you like adrenaline, rope down, get a mountain bike, climb or hike down the hill.

What to do in Cuetzalan ?

Whimsical village in the forest. 

• Visit Guadalupe sanctuary and Jarritos church, inspired by the Lourdes basilica (France). The beautiful view point is really worth it !
• In the historic center, head to the City Hall near the neoclassical San Francisco church. A little further, relax in Celestino Gazca Park, where le locals meet.
• Do not miss the traditional market : Craft Market Matachiuj with its many local craftsmen.
• If you want to learn more about le local culture, go to the small ethnographic museum. Discover traditional outfits, pictures, archeological objets, ancient weaver jobs and even more.
• Visit the region’s fantastic caves. The Aventura caves where you will explore the depths of our planet, Atepolihui caves with and their underground walkway.
• If you like natural adventures, be sure to go to Las Brisas waterfalls where you will get a stunning view.
• Visit the archeological site of Yohualichan, dating back to the year 600. Discover typical Tan buildings, 5 pyramids and beautiful gardens.
• Get the chance to meet with indigenous women who still use traditional medicine.

EntreFrom Cuetzalan to Papantla :

• Go to the totonaque indigenous village of Zozocolco de Hidalgo. Discover its massive 17th century church from which you can get an amazing panorama over the surrounding mountains.
• Walk through the village and go visit a Chinese papper ballon.

What dot do in Papantla ?

Veracruz totonaque cultural capital.

• Stroll through the historic center of this quaint city with beautiful buildings and many traditions. Unwind in Parque Israel C. Tellez and admire its gazebo’s wall painting.
• Go shopping at Hidalgo Market, between the city’s main streets.
• Explore the archeological site of Tajin, which used to be the totonaque cultural capital. Do not miss the amazing pyramid and its 365 nooks. Go to the small museum and admire the Totonaque sculpted objects.
• Watch the stunning Voladores of Paplanta show. You will be speechless when looking at the 4 bird-men “flying” at the top of a pole.
• Head to the Regional Indigenous Art center (Takilhsukut theme park), meet the elders and step in the school.
• Go to a an almost unknown place : Cuyuxquihu’s archeological site, South of Papantla. Discover the pyramids !

What to do in Costa Esmeralda ?

Seaside area on the Gulf of Mexico. 

• Explore the Cienegas Del Fuerte, get on a boat and cruise across the mangrove or hike on the many trails and discover the wildlife and flora.
• Admire the natal beautify of the archeological site of Cuajilote. Discover the architectural blend of 3 cultures : Huastecos, Nahua et Totonac.
• If you like big thrills, go down Filobobos river from La Maison, Les Pyramides or Alto Filo.
• Help protecting the turtles when the new-borns head to the ocean from June to July.
• Discover the small marine museum and get to know about the local marine life.
• Be sure to go on a tour of El Pital, an archeological site on the Gulf of Mexico with over 150 pyramids covered in dense vegetation. An incredible place !
• Enjoy the endless beaches and their vibrant bleu water. Take a dip in the Gulf of Mexico or go diving near the reefs.

FromCosta Esmeralda to Teotihuacan :

• Stop at the totonaque cemetery of Quiahuiztlan, a sacred place for the local native Americans, on top of a little mountain.
• Stop in La Antigua and dissocier the first colonial chapel.

What to do in Tlacotalpan ?

Lovely calm city.  

• Discover the Candelaria Temple, a unique building in pastel colors.
• Want to buy local souvenirs ? Go to Casa Rafael Murillo, a house of handicrafts.
• Walk around Zaragoza Square, the city’s main square. Appreciate the important surrounding buildings : the Parroquia de San Cristobal, le Sanctuaire de Notre-Dame de Candelaria sanctuary, the Plazuela Agustin Lara and the Municipal Palace.

What to do in Catemaco ?

A small town with abundant vegetation on Petite ville à la nature luxuriante sur les terres des sorciers.

• Go for a day-trip on a boat on the Catemaco volcanic lake. Explore the monkey island, Agaltepec island, Arroyo Agrio, Nanciyaga, the jungle, Ojoxapan waterfall, El Porvenir or Punta Tepeyaga.
• Discover the ecological park of Nanciyaga in the middle of the jungle.
• In the Lagon de Sontecomapan communitecotourism center, go kayaking in the mangroves.
• Enjoy the beaches and their warm water : Montepío, Toro Prieto, Beautiful, les Orgues, Punta Puntilla, Roca Partida, Puerto Balzapote and Gold Coast.

What to do in Córdoba ?

An always busy city. 

• Stroll around the historic city center. Be amazed by the stories told by Córdoba’s streets. Take a break in front of the town hall and its 21 arches, step in the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, a blue baroque style cathedral. The city’s emblem.
• Get to learn more about the Mexican culture at the city museum, previously Jorge Cuesta’s house. Discover the ongoing story of the local tribes : olmec, maya, huasteca, teotihuacan and totonac through different exhibitions.
• Time to relax with a delicious coffee ! Sit under the arches of Portal de Zevallos, where many historic treaties were signed. Take the time to go to the Los Portales cultural center, a place where artists can come and display their art.
• Do not leave without stop by Parque de 21 de Mayo. Much more than just a place to see, it is a place to experience the true Córdoban life. Discover this iconic place where you will hear jazz music and be surprised by its liveliness. Take the time to enjoy the music while admiring the wall painting by Diego Rivera in the backyard of the Palacio Municipal.

To learning more…

• You want to know all the information about the country ? it’s here.
• Then, to rent a car at the best price, we advise you this website.
• Finally, to book a flight at the best price, we advise you this website.

If you have any information, good tips, or simply a comment about this itinerary, please don’t hesitate to leave us a comment at the bottom of the page! The whole team will be happy to hear from you !