Activities in Central Gulf Coast
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Robert Straub
Local birding guide Robert Straub is a member of COAX (www.coaxxalapa.org), a conservation-minded birding club. He offers tours in the area. Straub authored a birding guide to Veracruz, Guía de Sitios, whose proceeds go to Pronatura, a conservation non-profit.
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'El Poder del Tigre' Botánicos y Ciencias Ocultas
If you want to visit a local brujo, there's 'El Poder del Tigre' Botánicos y Ciencias Ocultas. The brujo might pull up in his Ford Explorer and tell you to check out his website, or he might be available to see you.
Witchcraft traditions in this part of Veracruz go back centuries - mixing ancient indigenous beliefs, Spanish medieval traditions and voodoo practices from West Africa. Many of these brujos multi-task as medicine men or women (using both traditional herbs and modern pharmaceuticals), shrinks and black magicians (casting evil spells on enemies of their clients).
On the first Friday in March each year, hundreds of brujos (shamans), witches and healers from all…
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Ecobiosfera
If hidden waterfalls, kayaking, hiking, bird-watching or beautiful beaches interest you, Ecobiosfera will organize your excursion. Prices vary (about M$400 to M$800 per person), but the owner, Felix, is a biologist and knows the area very well. Ecobiosfera also has a satellite office in town where you can arrange a tour or check out Felix’s photos. Felix can take you to the deep-green Poza Reina (M$25 entrance), a swimming hole laden with cascades. It’s east of Laguna Catemaco and, though a local favorite, isn’t signed. The cabañas at the base camp have shared bathrooms and are charming in a Robinson Crusoe kind of way.
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Aqua Sports
Aqua Sports office is around 8km from downtown going toward the beach, runs an established scuba-diving operation with quality boats that offers dives on nearby reefs or Isla de Lobos, as well as fishing trips (M$800 to M$1000 per hour). Visibility is best between May and August, and from January to March you can fish for giant tarpon. Camping on the island (with all provisions provided) can be arranged with advance notice.
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Escuela para Estudiantes Extranjeros
The Universidad Veracruzana’s Escuela para Estudiantes Extranjeros offers short-term, accredited programs on the Spanish and Náhuatl languages and on Mexican culture – including cooking, dancing and guitar classes – and homestays (M$4790 for two weeks, M$9385 for a month).
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Amphibian
In addition to offering activity-based tours, Amphibian also conducts diving and snorkeling trips, rafting trips to nearby rivers, rappelling, and sightseeing trips to places such as El Tajín and Roca Partida – a rocky outcrop jutting straight out of the ocean.
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Catemacoturs
On the malecón,Catemacoturs is a palapa hut that rents beat-down adventure gear: low-end mountain bikes, sit-on-top kayaks and pedal-boats. It also offers tours to waterfalls and the coast.
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Aventuras Sin Límites
The well-recommended Aventuras Sin Límites is a rafting outfit that has high standards. It’s also the only outfit here that’s run by locals. The basic but clean accommodations are for guests only.
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Language Immersion School
An American-owned school, it offers Spanish courses centered around learning the city, traveling around the state, doing outdoor activities and taking Mexican cooking classes. Heads up – there is no sign outside.
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Dorado Buceo
Of the various PADI dive schools in the city, Dorado Buceo is a good choice. It has quality equipment and arranges diving and snorkel excursions from the Veracruz area. Guides speak English.
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Roy Dudley
With over 30 years living in Xalapa, this jovial ex-American known as the 'Gringo Xalapeño' has an excellent way of revealing the subtleties of the culture and has extensive knowledge of the area.
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Veracruz en Bicicleta
If you come with your own bike and equipment Veracruz en Bicicleta can set you up and guide you on a cyclo-tour which is a remarkable way to have a true experience of the countryside and culture.
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Harbor Tours
Boats from the malecón offer 45-minute tours of the harbor. They leave when they’re full (about every 30 minutes), so be prepared for a wait, particularly in the slow season.
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Veracruz Adventures
Veracruz Adventures will rent you a single or double sit-on-top kayak (prices vary). If you're up for it, you can kayak to Cancuncito or Isla de Sacrificios.
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MS Xpediciones
Offers sit-on-top kayaks trips, car rentals with driver/guide included (M$1250 per day) and myriad caving excursions and trips to waterfalls.
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Green Traveler Online
Offers organized tours of major sites, interesting towns and big cities in Veracruz state.
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Tranvías
Historical city tours in an open-air bus that looks like an old-fashioned wooden trolley.
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Aventours
They have a trip to El Cielo biosphere reserve and kayak tours around the area.
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Veraventuras
Veraventuras offers rafting excursions and trips to El Carrizal's hot springs.
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Aventura Extrema
Aventura Extrema offers rappelling, rafting and hiking in the area.
reviewed
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