Things to do in Northern Veracruz State
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Quiahuiztlán
You’d want to be buried here too: this pre-Hispanic cemetery is situated on verdant foothills with a sweeping vista of the coast and is guarded by a towering rocky outcrop, locally known as Cerro los Metates. The site has two pyramids, more than 70 tombs (each resembling a small temple) and some carved monuments. It’s a gorgeous, 25-minute walk to the part that overlooks the ocean. Plus, you can experience this sacred Totonac site in solitude and amid nature, unlike other, touristed ruins. If you want to arrive by a Hwy 180 bus, have the driver drop you at the Quiahuiztlán turnoff. From there it’s a pretty 3km walk uphill.
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Museo de la Amistad México-Cuba
The Museo de la Amistad México-Cuba has a room filled with displays on José Martí and pictures of Che Guevara and Castro as well as other memorabilia. Fidel Castro stayed in this suburban house in 1956 while planning the infiltration of Cuba. On November 26 a private yacht loaded with 82 revolutionaries set sail from here to Cuba to start the uprising. To get to the museum, take a boat (M$3) across the river, walk several blocks south to Obregón, then turn right – the museum is at the western end of Obregón on the river.
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Playa Norte
Tuxpan's beach Playa Norte, 12km east of town, is a wide strip stretching 20km north from the Río Tuxpan's mouth. It's still a chilled-out place to eat cheap seafood and take a break from the city. The hydro-electric plant in the backdrop takes away from the ambience, but the water and sand are fairly clean and - holidays and Sundays apart - it's usually empty.
Local buses (around $8, 25 minutes) marked 'Playa' leave regularly from the south side of Blvd Reyes Heroles and drop you at the south end of the beach.
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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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El Tajín site
The El Tajín site covers an area of about 10 sq km. To see everything, you’ll walk a few kilometers over a couple of hours. There’s little shade and it can get blazingly hot, so an early start is recommended. Most buildings and carvings here are labeled in English and Spanish, and some have information panels in German and French as well.
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Restaurant Atracadero
This barge-turned-restaurant docked on the river is a fabulous place to splurge, with its open-air, upscale ambience. Drink red wine while enjoying the house specialty: paella (M$300), which can feed three to four people and is made with all sorts of meat, mariscos and veggies.
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Barra de Mariscos
An enjoyable, atmospheric place near the Parque Reforma, where freshness is valued; try the pulpo con salsa de ajo (octopus in garlic sauce) or camarones a la plancha (grilled shrimp) or empanadas de mariscos, the specialty.
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Museo de la Ciudad Teodoro Cano
The city’s brand-new little Museo de la Ciudad Teodoro Cano displays traditional clothing, Totonac artifacts, snippets about Papantla’s history, and paintings by artists, including Teodoro Cano. It’s a short but worthwhile stop.
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Restaurant Totonaca
This air-conditioned hotel bar-restaurant aims to be a step fancier and has an extensive menu. There’s also a short wine list (M$80 to M$100), and it serves cocktails made with locally produced vanilla extract.
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Plaza Pardo
Eating enchiladas with a cold beer at a balcony table over the zócalo is the best way to enjoy a dying afternoon in Papantla. It has steaks (M$140) for the carnivorously inclined.
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Casa de la Cultura
The Casa de la Cultura hosts art classes and a display of local art work on the top floor. If you’re lucky, you’ll run into Maestro Teodoro Cano painting.
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Los Girasoles
This restaurant offers a varied menu, including pizza, Mexican favorites and pasta. Art decks the walls, wi-fi is available, and it has live rock music on weekends.
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Sr Mante
Located on a busy street corner near the ADO station where you can people-watch, this locals’ darling has tasty regional food and a buffet that scores for value.
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El Estudiante
You can’t get any more central than this. It serves fresh juices and huge fruit salads with granola and honey (M$26), which you can munch under shade umbrellas.
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