A described Chalán crossing, a cave story, and the turtle coast near Chaparrales give La Encantada and its surrounding area distinct points of interest. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing the town itself from nearby places of interest: the cave story is about La Encantada; the beach and turtle camp are in Chaparrales.

Getting there via the Cazones River

A 2019 travel account describes reaching La Encantada by road after crossing the Cazones River. It names a Chalán—a ferry powered by its operators using a wooden lever arm—as the means of crossing. The crossing took approximately 15 minutes in this account. This approximate time comes from the report at the time; river conditions and operations can affect the duration. Check local conditions and the availability of the crossing before your trip if it is essential to your arrival.

Route and access near Chaparrales

The main access to the proposed polygon section called “Playa Chaparrales” of the Santuario Playas del Totonacapan begins at the Ramal a Cazones federal highway. The described access route passes through La Encantada. Check road and transport conditions locally before setting out.

An official listing from 2021, based on a 2020 field visit, includes the rural route “Ruleteros de la costa” through Coyol Norte, La Encantada, La Divina, San Román, La Vega, and Chaparrales. This names several places along the route, but is no substitute for current travel information: check operating schedules and fares if you plan to use the service.

Turtle coast in the surrounding area

Playa Chaparrales is a natural beach near La Encantada. Sea turtles come ashore there to dig their nests. A 2019 travel account describes the possibility of seeing turtles arriving in spring and summer, including Kemp’s ridley, green sea, and loggerhead turtles. This is a seasonal opportunity for observation, not a guarantee of a sighting.

At the Totonacapan Turtle Camp in Chaparrales, nesting activity is monitored daily, eggs are moved to a safe place, and they are cared for until they hatch. The possibility of seeing turtles arrive at the beach and the conservation work at the camp are two distinct aspects of the sea turtles here.

The 13th Sea Turtle Festival took place from July 31 to August 2, 2026, at Playa Chaparrales. It supported sea turtle conservation through environmental education, recreational activities, and community participation. If you would like to plan a trip around a future festival, check the dates separately.

Coastal Totonac context and oral tradition

La Encantada is one of the Coastal Totonac settlements listed under Cazones. An oral tradition from the town tells of a cave said to descend from the top of a hill to the level of the Cazones River. In the story, the cave motif connects the hilltop with the river level.

Dishes in Coyol Norte

Nearby, a 2019 travel account names Coyol Norte as a place where visitors can try red enchiladas or pipián with fried Chucumite, mojarras, shrimp, or crab claws. If you plan to have a meal there, check what is currently available locally.

Discover more destinations: Jáltipan de Morelos, Acayucan, Coscomatepec De Bravo, El Tamarindo, Tecolutla, Tuxpan De Rodríguez Cano, Coatzacoalcos, Tihuatlán.

See the broader travel overview: Veracruz.