Located in Mexico’s eastern region along the Gulf coast, Veracruz borders the states of Tamaulipas to the north, Oaxaca to the south, San Luis Potosi, Hidalgo and Puebla to the west, and Tabasco to the east. This state has a tropical climate and impressive natural scenery, such as the Citlatapetl Volcano and Pico de Orizaba, the highest peak in the nation. You’ll also see picturesque cities and towns that have preserved their local architecture.
In the city of Veracruz, an important commercial center, you can visit Fort San Juan de Ulua, which has been converted into an interesting museum. You can also take a stroll along the boardwalk, where every year Veracruz’s famous carnival takes place. In the city’s plazas, known for their beautiful gardens, you can watch couples dance to the rhythm of danzon, an experience that will take you back to another era.
In Xalapa, the state capital, you can walk down cobblestone streets full of music, color and folklore, while in Tlacotalpan, a town that lies along the Papaloapan River, you can enjoy its wonderful Historic Center, which was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. There you can witness the town’s famous Virgen de la Candelaria procession.
Along the coast you can visit the Costa Esmeralda, a 50-km (31-mi) beach strip north of the port. Finally, if you’d like to see some ruins, there’s no better place than the archaeological zone of El Tajin, which also was declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Veracruz
Veracruz, the nation’s most important port, is located in Mexico’s Gulf coast region, 140 km (87 mi) southeast of state capital Xalapa (on Highway 140), and 390 km (242 mi) from Mexico City (on Highway 150). The climate is tropical and the average temperature is 25º C (77º F).
This destination is famous for the music, dancing and festive atmosphere at its Carnival, the state’s most important event of the year. Here you’ll find beaches with calm waters that are ideal for doing all kinds of aquatic sports, particularly scuba diving along the coral reefs at the Parque Nacional Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano, which is inhabited by a wide variety of fish, coral and other marine species. Also of interest are the important historic buildings: El Faro (The Lighthouse), el Edificio de Correo (The Post Office), el Baluarte de Santiago (The Santiago Bastion), and the San Juan de Ulua Fort, which was built on the sea and is now an interesting museum that chronicles the history of the port, from the pre-Hispanic era to present day. You can also visit the incredible Acuario, which is Latin America’s largest saltwater aquarium. Along the boardwalk, you’ll find a wide array of shops selling all kinds of souvenirs. At night, near the boardwalk, you can dance to the music of harps and marimbas in the city’s squares, or you can drink a cup of delicious coffee at one of the traditional cafes.
In Veracruz’s surrounding areas you can visit the Cempoala archaeological zone; the town of La Antigua, where you can see the first Christian construction in Latin America and the first house of conquistador Hernan Cortes; Pico de Orizaba National Park, which has the highest volcano in the nation; and the picturesque town of Tlacotalpan, declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.
Xalapa
Xalapa, the state capital of Veracruz, is located 104 km (64 mi) west of the port of Veracruz, in a mountain zone with a temperate and humid climate. The average year-round temperature is 18º C (64º F).
This city, known for its eclectic architectural offering, has buildings that are a blend of neoclassic, Moorish and neogothic styles, as you’ll see in such edif |
