Veracruz isn’t just home to Mexico’s oldest port and most legendary Carnival celebrations; it’s also the gateway to the Gulf of Mexico’s top attractions. On a Veracruz day trip, you can explore pre-Colombian ruins hidden in the jungle, journey into the High Mountains to visit Mexico’s pueblos mágicos, and stroll the colorful streets of UNESCO-listed colonial towns. Or perhaps you want to escape the traditional tourist trail, swim at secluded beaches, tour a local coffee or vanilla plantation, or go birdwatching at an ecological reserve.