Panda, D. 1982 Journal Mexico Aug 24 Had been there in 1974 and it was about a 9 km. Rides up and of comes 9 km. back down. We had talked to the waiters at the Hotel de Frances, and and they indicated that it was now possible to drive most of the way. They also gave us directions of how to get there which made us happy because we have forgotten a Veracruz map. As it turns out the directions were either wrong or we misunderstood. In fact, we kept getting conflicting directions from everybody we asked. Some directed us thru Mendoza and some thru Xmatucor. The phrase for the day was "Desde La Perla", for Xmatela is found by driving up Pico de Orizaba from La Perla. We finally found La Perla at about 10:00, and we drove all the way to Xonetla. To get to Xantela take Calle 2 Norte out of Centro Orizaba toward Pico de Orizaba. This takes you to La Perda (~9 km). In La Perda, go past the church and square and up a bad rocked street. The road is very rocky and rough. It is ~13 km to Xantela.