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 Monte Gordo - Veracruz
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Tranquil and lushly beautiful, this hot new tropical destination exudes a warm Mexican-Caribbean flair reflecting its many cultural influences — indigenous, Spanish, Afro-Caribbean and French, in particular. While everything and everyone here is laid back, the regional music, dance and its many other unique aspects give it a charmingly spicy character.
Monte Gordo´s history The birthplace of Post-Columbian Mexico, Veracruz is where the Spanish first set foot in the New World in 1518. Predating that, Meso-America´s first civilization, the Olmecs, thrived here hundreds of years before Christ. The Totonacs followed, and their capital, El Tajin, which is now a very interesting archeological site, reached its zenith between AD 600 and 900. It seems that winning ball games was even a bigger deal back then than it is today. Life and death in fact, since the losers were sacrificed. Many pre-Columbian ball courts and ritual objects associated with the game have been found here. And in the last century, the nearest town of any size to Monte Gordo, San Rafael, was settled by French immigrants. Today, their descendants still produce the wonderful cheeses, breads and pastries that European country is known for, using the same old-fashioned methods as their ancestors.
Where is Monte Gordo Monte Gordo is on the Emerald Coast — a 50-kilometer-long stretch of blue-green waters and sandy beaches fringed with super-lush vegetation on Mexico´s Gulf Coast in the state of Veracruz. Sugar plantations and bounteous nature abound, jungle rivers and lagoons home to a dizzying variety of exotic flora and fauna.
How to get to Monte Gordo The closest international airports are Veracruz (two and a half hours away) and Poza Rica (one and a half hours away). From Mexico City´s international airport the drive takes five hours. And most convenient of all, small planes fly right to Monte Gordo from Mexico´s Atizapan and Toluca airports in 45 minutes.
How to get around in Monte Gordo Car and bike rentals are available.
What should you taste? And then of course there´s the exquisitely fresh seafood: blue crab, oysters, shrimp, crayfish prepared in different sauces — which is a regional not-to-be-missed specialty called acamayas — and more delectable offerings from the sea prepared in myriad ways at the many neat little restaurants lining the shore. Try fish a la Veracruzana or crab in a variety of manifestations. And a strong French influence means lots of sidewalk cafés to sit at and watch the world go by over wonderful fresh cheeses, breads, pastries and a steaming glass of lechero - rich espresso with hot milk. The ritualistic way it is served is a cultural experience in itself!
What should you buy? In nearby Casitas you will find wooden crafts, shell necklaces and clay items. In Papantla, unique figures crafted out vanilla beans, as well as an interesting vanilla liquer called Xanath and premium vanilla extract. Rocking chairs, fans and coral combs are just some of the other interesting souvenirs available in this area.
What´s the weather like in Monte Gordo The average annual temperature is 23.6 C with high humidity and a fair amount of rain, especially in October and November. Tropical warm weather most of the year. Humid but breezy.
Great tours and excursions Side Trips from Monte Gordo
The archeological zone of Tajin 35 minutes away with its Totonaca pyramids in the jungle is a must.
The vanilla-producing town of Papantla half an hour away is home to an interesting ancient spectacle, the world-famous Papantla Flyers. To summarize what happens, four men in colorful traditional costumes led by a flautist ascend a 90-foot pole, honor the four directions, then fall to earth backwards, spiraling around the pole as the ropes attached to them slowly unwind.
An hour-and-a-half tour of the mangrove swamps 10 minutes away is an ideal opportunity to see creatures and flora you have only heard about, up close and in an absolutely pristine environment.
Lots of little beach towns all along the Emerald Coast invite exploration. Then take in a swim and some sun and enjoy seafood as fresh as you will ever find it.
If you crave a good French restaurant, he town of San Rafael less than 10 minutes away has several.
Special Events Veracruz is known for its year-round festive atmosphere, with a party always going on somewhere.
Cumbre Tajin: To recharge energy for the spring solstice by dancing and chanting.
Carnaval de San Rafael: A typical pueblo celebration in July, with food, music, pinatas and more.
Who would Monte Gordo appeal to? Anyone into history, bird watching, fishing, rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, cycling, or looking to just kick back in a hammock to enjoy real peace and quiet.Boutique Hotels in Monte Gordo:
Sorry, No Listings Found.
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