Translating from Nahuatl as “Four Places”, Nautla is a small coastal town in the Mexican state of Veracruz. It lies between the Misantla and Filobobos rivers, both of which empty into the Gulf of Mexico nearby. Nautla is renowned for its family-friendly beach and delicious seafood and is a gateway to the mangrove forests of Parque Estatal Cienega del Fuerte.
Things to do in Nautla
In the heart of town are the Letras Turísticas Nautla, a series of colourful letters spelling out the town name. After having your photo taken in front of the sign, take note of the statue depicting a fisherman, which honours the role of anglers in the local economy. In the surrounding park, you’ll find antique cannons and a well-tended garden.
For a day on the sand, head to Playa Maracaibo, a spacious beach dotted with thatched umbrellas and sun loungers for rent. A paved promenade backs the sand and features a colourful sign spelling out “MARACAIBO”. There are several restaurants where you can feast on locally caught seafood or enjoy a cold beer at the end of the day.
A short drive north of Nautla is Parque Estatal Cienega del Fuerte, which encompasses 800 hectares of ancient trees and mangrove forests that provide an important habitat for wildlife. The birdwatching here is particularly impressive, with kingfishers, cormorants and herons regularly spotted. While exploring the park’s waterways by wooden boat, keep an eye out for crocodiles, armadillos and raccoons.
Getting around Nautla
Nautla is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Poza Rica and 2.5 hours from Veracruz International Airport, which has flights to destinations across Mexico and the United States. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting to Nautla and exploring the surrounding area. The town centre is small enough to explore on foot.