Major city · Mexico
Coatzacoalcos
Skip as a destination: use Coatzacoalcos as a bus or rail transfer point, one night at most, unless you are here for petrochemical work.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MXN
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- avoid Apr–Jun (hot, humid), Sep–Oct (rain and storms)
- Airport
- MTT
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
Coatzacoalcos is an industrial port at the southern tip of Veracruz, on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. It is a transport hub between central Mexico, the Yucatán and Guatemala, not a beach town. The malecón, the Olmec museum and the Jaguaroundi reserve fill a day; most travellers pass through on an ADO bus or the Tren Interoceánico.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Coatzacoalcos, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $).Mexico-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities.Mexico-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.Mexico-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.Mexico-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mexico-wide
- SafetyDaytime in the Centro and on the malecón is fine; after dark take taxis, avoid empty streets and the port edges…
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10.Mexico-wide
- Emergency numbers911 All emergencies · 078 Tourist assistance (Ángeles Verdes / SECTUR)
- Sundays & holidaysMost museums and many archaeological sites close on Mondays; banks close on public holidays.Mexico-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckMTT Minatitlán International Airport (About 30–40 min by road from central Coatzacoalcos; Aeroméxico flights to Mexico City, schedule check).
- Getting aroundTaxis are plentiful and cheap; Uber also works.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeM$30–60 (≈ US$2–4)
- Street or quick mealMarket breakfast or lunchM$80–150 (≈ US$5–9)
- Beerdraught / bottle at a shopM$60–90 (≈ US$4–5)M$25–40 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miTaxi across townM$60–100 (≈ US$4–6)
- Metro or bus rideADO bus to VeracruzM$600–900 (≈ US$35–50)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekM$200–400 (≈ US$11–25)
- Budget bedHostel or budget room, a night, per roomMX$550 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomMX$1,100 (≈ US$60)
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomMX$1,600 (≈ US$90)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$700 (≈ US$40) · Mid MX$1,300 (≈ US$75) · High MX$2,500 (≈ US$140)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MTT Minatitlán International Airport (About 30–40 min by road from central Coatzacoalcos; Aeroméxico flights to Mexico City, schedule check)
Weather and climate
Coatzacoalcos: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
27°C81°F
20°C68°F
8 rd
Feb
28°C82°F
20°C68°F
6 rd
Mar
31°C88°F
22°C72°F
5 rd
Apr
33°C91°F
24°C75°F
4 rd
May
34°C93°F
25°C77°F
6 rd
Jun
33°C91°F
25°C77°F
14 rd
Jul
32°C90°F
24°C75°F
17 rd
Aug
32°C90°F
24°C75°F
18 rd
Sep
32°C90°F
24°C75°F
19 rd
Oct
31°C88°F
23°C73°F
15 rd
Nov
30°C86°F
22°C72°F
11 rd
Dec
28°C82°F
21°C70°F
9 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Taxis are plentiful and cheap; Uber also works. Distances are long and the heat is heavy, so walk the Centro and malecón only, and take a taxi between the centre, the bus station and the airport road.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Minatitlán
skipDoor to door: About 45 min
Taxi or local bus south along the isthmus road
Refinery town with no visitor draw; only useful if your flight leaves from MTT.
Veracruz
overnightDoor to door: About 5–6 h
ADO bus on the toll highway
Too far for a day return; go for the port city and stay there.
Palenque
overnightDoor to door: About 10–12 h
Tren Interoceánico passenger service, a few runs per week
Scenic and cheap, but slow; check days and book ahead.
Salina Cruz
cautionDoor to door: About 6–7 h
Tren Interoceánico across the isthmus
Passenger service suspended after a derailment, expected back in 2027: check first.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Centro / Malecón
Walkable to the seawall, market and Olmec museum; best for one night without a car.
Tierra Nueva / bus station area
Budget hotels and the ADO terminal; practical for early departures, little to do at night.
El Tesoro / Universidad
Chain budget hotels on the main road; needs a taxi for everything.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- M$600–1,000 (≈ US$35–55) excl. bed
- Mid
- M$1,000–1,800 (≈ US$55–100) excl. bed
- High
- M$1,800 (≈ US$100)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 1 night × MX$1,100 | MX$1,100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × MX$1,300 | MX$2,600 |
| Taxi across town, one way1 × MX$80 | MX$80 |
| Olmec museum entry2 × MX$10 | MX$20 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × MX$250 | MX$500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MX$430 |
| Trip total≈ MX$2,365 per person per day, bed included | MX$4,730≈ US$300 |
2026 estimate in pesos; long-distance buses and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | M$30–60 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Market breakfast or lunch | M$80–150 (≈ US$5–9) |
| Seafood plate on the malecón | M$180–350 (≈ US$10–19) |
| Beer: draught / bottle at a shop | M$60–90 (≈ US$4–5) / M$25–40 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Taxi across town | M$60–100 (≈ US$4–6) |
| ADO bus to Veracruz | M$600–900 (≈ US$35–50) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | M$200–400 (≈ US$11–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- This is a working petrochemical port: air quality and industrial smells are part of the deal, and flaring is visible at night.
- Tren Interoceánico passenger service toward Salina Cruz has been suspended after a derailment, with resumption expected in 2027: check before you plan around it.
- The Coatzacoalcos–Palenque passenger line runs only a few times a week: check the schedule and buy on the official site.
- Summer heat and humidity are severe; plan sightseeing before 11:00 and after 17:00.Summer heat and humidity are severe; plan sightseeing before 11:00 AM and after 5:00 PM.
- Crime in southern Veracruz is a real concern after dark: keep to lit main streets, use taxis at night, carry a copy of your passport.
Emergency numbers
- All emergencies
- 911
- Tourist assistance (Ángeles Verdes / SECTUR)
- 078
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
CoatzacoalcosCoatzacoalcos
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- All emergencies911
- Tourist assistance078
Embassy
No US or UK consulate here; the nearest US consulate-general is in Veracruz, and embassies are in Mexico City. For a lost passport, call your embassy in Mexico City first.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi Centro → bus station: M$60–100 (≈ US$4–6)
- Taxi to Minatitlán airport (MTT): M$400–600 (≈ US$25–35)
- ADO bus Coatzacoalcos → Veracruz: M$600–900 (≈ US$35–50), about 5–6 h
Say or show
- Disculpe / Perdón — Excuse me / Sorry (dees-KOOL-peh / per-DON)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-syahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (PWEH-doh pah-GAR kon tar-HEH-tah)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the toilet? (DON-deh es-TAH el BAH-nyoh)
Cash is king outside hotels and chain restaurants; carry small notes for taxis and the market.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Coatzacoalcos. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Mar · avoid Apr–Jun (hot, humid), Sep–Oct (rain and storms) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for MTT: taxi times, last flights, overnight rung.
- Walking cluster for Centro and the malecón with rescue anchors: market, museum, seawall.
- Place pages with verified hours for the Olmec museum and Jaguaroundi park, plus eat pages with last orders.
- Tren Interoceánico status fixture so the rail verdict can go green when service resumes.