Veracruz Magic Towns: Coatepec, Xico & Xalapa Day Trip

We loved the knowledgable and inspirational guide. Highlights were coffee museum, artisan bakery, lively atmosphere.

Let me begin this review by saying that our tour guide, Rafael, was WONDFERFUL. He was knowledgeable, kind and a very safe driver. The following is in no way reflective of Rafael’s character. Additionally, Viator is not responsible for what this company has done. That being said, DO NOT TRUST THIS PARTICULAR TOUR COMPANY (MEXITOURS; MARCO POLO OPERADORES SA DE CV)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THEY ARE DISHONEST, SNEAKY AND GENERALLY UNSCRUPULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THEY ARE NOT WORTHY OF YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY!!!!! PLEASE GO ELSEWHERE!!!!!!!! I am certain that they will write a counter to this review, but know that my husband and I are VERY honest people who have taken many tours over the course of many years with many different companies, and although we may not have always been completely happy with a tour, we have never had to do this. Let me explain. We called Viator to book a tour that we read about online. The company’s own website lists all of the activities that were to be included on the tour. Viator confirmed the itinerary using the information from the company’s website. We booked the tour for our very last day in Veracruz, Mexico. We were excited about visiting the pueblo magicos and doing the other activities, but the main event for us was that the tour included a visit (3 hours listed) to the Anthropological Museum of Veracruz. We paid for the tour through Viator, and then contacted the tour company to confirm our pick up time AND to confirm that we would be going to the Anthropology museum; BOTH WERE CONFIRMED by Luis Medina, the tour company contact. We were excited to finally be able to visit the museum. The next day we met Rafael, our guide, in the designated location, and we began the tour. When we didn’t go to the Anthropology museum first, we just figured we were going to the other sites first then the museum afterward. We were having a great time. However, around 12:30 pm both my husband and myself thought we needed to ask Rafael about when the Anthropology museum visit would happen. When we did so Rafael was stunned. He showed us written notes from the company stating that we were only doing the pueblo magico part of the tour. He was not aware that the Anthropology museum was a part of this tour BECAUSE THE COMPANY GAVE HIM HIS DIRECTIVE FOR THE DAY. Of course, we politely responded that that was not what was listed on the website nor was that what Luis Medina told us on the phone. We pulled up the website and showed this to Rafael, and he immediately called his office. He then agreed to take us to the museum, but then someone called back from his office and told him that the museum was closed due to a holiday. We are fairly certain that this information was known prior to us booking this tour and being told that we were going to the Anthropology museum. Rafael did not stop there. He called the actual museum several times to see if it was really closed. It was in fact closed. He apologized over and over again for everything that was happening. AGAIN, THIS WAS IN NO WAY RAFAEL’S FAULT. At that point, we told Rafael that someone in his company was very dishonest, and that they would hear from us the next day. We continued on with the tour because at that point the day was half done. Rafael took us to a few other places that we found out later were not on that normal tour circuit. Perhaps this was to try to make up for the missed Anthropology museum visit; we don’t know. Again, they were wonderful places to visit, BUT THEY WERE NOT THE ANTHROPOLOGY MUSEUM. We ended the day having had fun, but being greatly disappointed that we were not able to see the Anthropology museum. The next day we sent a note to the company rep, Luis Medina and then immediately called the office. We were asking for a partial refund of the money we paid since the tour did not offer us what was advertised. He repeatedly stated that we were offered an alternative, but NO WE WERE NOT OFFERED AN ALTERNATIVE. We didn’t have a choice- the museum was closed due to a holiday (that we are sure they had to have known about), and we were halfway through the day on the tour that we were MADE to take without knowledge of the exact locations we were going to visit because the website listed something different. Luis Medina informed us that his company could not authorize any type of refund. He told us to contact Viator. We did just that after traveling back home the next day. Upon calling, we were told by Viator that this tour company had contacted them already and offered their version of what happened. Needless to say, this version was not what actually happened. Viator listened to our complaint and then contacted the tour company to request some type of refund. They responded to us in an email several days later saying that the company would refund $6 usd for the museum entrance ($3 for each of us). Now, the money is really not the point here. What is important is the fact that this company advertised (falsely) a tour that was supposed to take place, confirmed that the itinerary was as stated on their own website, and they did not provide that service. Dishonesty in their advertising, unscrupulous business practices of confirming something that they knew what incorrect, and working hard to get ahead of a customer to make a false claim about what we were going to make a complaint about is absolutely, positively unacceptable from any company that is worthy of a good reputation. AGAIN, WE CONCLUDE AS WE BEGAN- DO NOT TRUST THIS TOUR COMPANY!!!!!!!!! THEY ARE NOT WORTHY OF YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY!!!!! PLEASE GO ELSEWHERE!!!!!!!!

Rafael is an amazing English speaking guide. Gladly tells detailed history of sights in easily understood animated stories. He’s a treasure!

There are cobblestone streets, fantastic views, magical cities, tasty cuisine and a lot to visit, do it, you won't regret it.

Do not miss this warm and attractive magical town of Xico, in Veracruz. Just 40 minutes from Coatepec is Xico, who dresses up throughout July there to celebrate her Patron Saint Mary Magdalene. All month there is a procession with the image of the Saint, whom they take home for the prayer of the Holy Rosary. In addition, each family that receives the images, frames the event with rockets and distributes coffee, chocolate, bread, tamales, or what can, among the attendees. Days before the big party (22), people can be seen in the street wearing cowbells, clown locker room... On the 19th, it is the passage of these groups, where they also join the bulls that burn during the nights of the party. On the 20th, the Arch passes, made with a plant called "spoon", and carrying around 200 volunteers. On the 21st, the main street is decorated with beautiful multicolored mats, made with painted sawdust. Hundreds of volunteers gather in the street from the early hours, who, with stencils, sawdust and love for their Patron, take the task of decking the street, where the image will pass, very decked, at night. On the 22nd, the attraction will be the xiqueñada, with bulls that are released in a street and that are bulled by duly registered fans. In the afternoon there is a bullfight with bullfighters. It is worth mentioning that there is also cultural program in various points, such as the town square, house of culture, town house and other places. And, religious activities in the temple of the place. So, it is a party that can be enjoyed by kids and big and with a family atmosphere.

Personally I can say that both places are cute, very picturesque, however, personally Coatepec seemed to me to be a nice little village but it lacks a bit of tourist investment. Xico on the other hand I liked a very very nice place we touched the mole fair, so there was a lot of life in the center, but from the moment you start entering its streets you can feel that magic that has the place.

Since you enter the city center you are invaded by the aromatic smell of coffee, there are many coffee houses, as well as excellent restaurants, has a humid climate

If you want to have fun, refresh, distract you spend it with the family don't think about it anymore come to know Xico, the rafters, Coatepec (the best coffee in all Mexico) you won't regret this fabulous experience is a magical town that what you do in these days that dress you take extraordinary images to simrpre, the typical food of the places above Veracruz from sopes, grenachas the most exquisite cravings there are for all tastes from the most demanding to the most simoles. The little hotel by the river is the best an unmatched hospitality excellent service in all its places. You can’t miss a visit as soon as you have the opportunity and forget about the daily hustle and bustle of the polluted city.