Catemaco and Los Tuxtlas day trip: Boat ride with monkeys

The spider monkeys here are found nowhere else in Mexico.

A full-day tour from Veracruz to the jungle of Los Tuxtlas and Catemaco lagoon, with hotel pickup and a Spanish-speaking guide. You'll see the largest Olmec head in southern Veracruz at Santiago Tuxtla, visit a 50-meter waterfall in San Andrés Tuxtla, and take a boat ride through Catemaco lagoon to watch endemic spider monkeys and macaques up close. The tour runs about 12 and a half hours and includes round transportation, entry tickets, and the boat ride.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Catemaco and Los Tuxtlas

• Arrive at Santiago Tuxtla center
• See largest Olmec head and parish
• Visit El Salto de Eyipantla waterfall
• Boat ride to Catemaco monkey islands

The experience

How do you get from the port to the jungle without renting a car? This tour picks you up at your hotel in Veracruz or Boca del Río and handles the drive inland to Los Tuxtlas, a region of waterfalls and lagoons about two hours away. Your guide speaks Spanish and travels with the group the whole day, so you're not navigating on your own or piecing together separate activities.

The route hits three stops. First is Santiago Tuxtla, where you stand in front of the largest Olmec head carved in the southern part of the state: a stone monument from an ancient civilization, set in the town center near the Parish of Santiago Apóstol, built in 1890. Then you drive to San Andrés Tuxtla to see the Salto de Eyipantla, a waterfall over 50 meters high that drops into a jungle ravine. The waterfall is the kind of place that justifies the long drive: it's not a roadside stop but a real destination set deep in the forest. From there, the tour heads to Catemaco, known locally as the Enchanted Lagoon, where you board a boat and motor out to the islands where the monkeys live. The spider monkeys and macaques here are endemic to this region (you won't see them anywhere else in Mexico), and the boat ride gets you close enough to watch them move through the trees.

The day is long, so bring water and wear comfortable shoes. Children from age 2 can come along. Infants sit on an adult's lap. You'll need a moderate level of fitness for the walking at each stop, especially around the waterfall. Food and drinks aren't included, so plan to eat before you leave or bring snacks for the road.

What’s included

• Round transportation from your hotel.
• entry tickets to each site.
• a Spanish-speaking guide for the full day.
• a boat ride through Catemaco lagoon to see the monkey islands.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years)

GroupUp to 20

Live guideSpanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Turiticket.com - Tours y Experiencias

Is this one for you?Book this if you have a full day and want to see three distinct landscapes (Olmec ruins, jungle, and lagoon wildlife) without coordinating your own transport. The group moves at a set pace through all three in one outing.

Traveler reviews

4.62★★★★★★★★★★

29 verified traveler reviews

5 ★25

4 ★1

3 ★1

2 ★0

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is the Olmec head at Santiago Tuxtla?

The Olmec head at Santiago Tuxtla is the largest one carved in southern Veracruz, a stone monument from an ancient Mesoamerican civilization, displayed in the town center near the 1890 Parish of Santiago Apóstol.

Can I actually see the monkeys up close on the boat ride?

Yes, the boat takes you to the islands in Catemaco lagoon where the spider monkeys and macaques live, and you get close enough to watch them in the trees, though they move freely so sightings depend on where they are that day.

How high is the waterfall at San Andrés Tuxtla?

The Salto de Eyipantla waterfall is over 50 meters high and sits in a jungle area, making it one of the most striking natural sites in the region.

Does the tour include food or drinks?

Food and drinks are not included, so you should eat before departure or bring snacks for the day. The tour runs about 12 and a half hours.

What time does the tour pick me up?

The tour includes hotel pickup from your accommodation in Veracruz or Boca del Río. Confirm your pickup time when you book.