'''Tecolutla''' is in Veracruz, a state of Mexico.

Get in

Tiny Tecolutla is a laid-back beach town located 190 km north of the city of Veracruz along the Gulf of Mexico coast of Mexico. It is located close by Papantla and Poza Rica, cities placed near interchanges of highways that link to Tampico to the north and Mexico City to the west. Tecolutla is easily accessible by car or by buses linking to Papantla or nearby Zamora. The local language is Spanish, and almost no English is spoken by locals. For bus service check out www.ticketbus.com.mx Just a days drive from Brownsville or Mcallen Texas.

Get around

The town is very walkable with a small downtown core.

See

The town square has some picturesque colored buildings and a small park. On the far end of the beach locals operate short boat tours of the nearby mangroves, where a few exotic birds can be seen.

Do

Do swim in the water, which has a gentler surf than most pacific Mexican beaches, and which is warm enough for swimming most of the year. Great sport fishing for King Mackrel, Dorado (MahiMahi), Barracuda, Snook, Tarpon, Tuna, and varios Jacks. There is an annual tournament in May for Tarpon in which the winner, whose catch is usually in excess of 80 kilos, drives away in a new car. Great beach casting for Pompano, Grunts, and Whitings. Fantastic dive sites on virgin reefs but only one person has gear for rent. Visit Fernando Manzano who collects 20,000 sea turtle eggs a year, hatches them, and then releases them.

Buy

The main streets are full of knick-knack stores selling cheesy souvenirs, although there are some local crafts and vanilla liquor from nearby Papantla.

Eat

Tourist restaurants abound, although it's mostly fish dinners. A local specialty is fish with Veracruzana sauce, a delicious sugary, spicy tomato-based topping. Another local favourite is Mojo de Ajo which is a garlic sauce that is very tasty on fish or shrimp.

  • '''Restaurant El Manglar''' is very popular. As well as the food being excellent the owners speak English and are very helpful. The grilled marinated fish with slices of onion, tomatoe, chile jalapeno, and pineapple is delicious.
  • Drink

    There are a few bars or nightclubs. Most tourists tend to drink on the beach, which is well served by people pushing carts with food or drink. On weekends there are often street bars.

    Sleep

    Tecolutla can be crowded during Semana Santa (Easter), when it is popular with Mexicans on holiday. At other times the small town is fairly quiet, and finding lodging in one of the many small hotels which line the beach is not difficult. With the exception of Easter you can just show up and easily find accommodation ranging in price from U$18 - U$55 a night, and even less expensive for longer term rentals.

    Stay Safe

    Leaving possessions unattended on the beach isn't wise, but generally this is a safe place and the locals are friendly. Even the hawkers are usually quite laid-back. Camping on the beach at night is not recommended.

    Get out