Mexico

Veracruz

Region

Veracruz State stretches as a long strip along the Gulf Coast, rising west to Pico de Orizaba, at 5,636m, Mexico's highest peak. Between them lie coffee regions, cloud forests, and river valleys.

by Felix Gillen

Veracruz State stretches as a long strip along the Gulf Coast, rising west to Pico de Orizaba, at 5,636m, Mexico's highest peak. Between them lie coffee regions, cloud forests, and river valleys.Veracruz, a port city, offers colonial history and Son Jarocho music; capital Xalapa, a significant Anthropology Museum. To the north lies El Tajín, a major pre-Columbian Gulf Coast site known for the Pyramid of the Niches.

The state of Veracruz stretches for approximately 690 kilometers along the Gulf Coast. The eponymous **port city** was the gateway for the Spanish to Mexico since 1519 and today thrives on its port, Danzón, and carnival. In the hinterland lies the capital **Xalapa** with its Anthropology Museum, in the north the ruin city of **El Tajín**, in the south the colonial town of **Tlacotalpan** on the Río Papaloapan. To the west, the land rises to Pico de Orizaba, Mexico's highest mountain.

More places in Veracruz

Veracruz (City)

Veracruz is the most important port city on the Mexican Gulf. Here, in 1519, Hernán Cortés founded Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz, the first Spanish settlement on the American mainland to receive a coat of arms. After a relocation, the city returned to its current site around 1600, opposite the fortress San Juan de Ulúa.In the evenings, Marimba groups play on the Zócalo, couples dance Danzón, and at Gran Café de la Parroquia, guests tap their spoons on glasses to order their Lechero.

Sights in Veracruz

Discover the most important sights and attractions

Museum

Archaeological Zone El Tajín

The ancient city near Papantla in the north of the state flourished from approximately 900 to 1100 and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1992. Its most famous structure is the Pyramid of the Niches, originally with 365 niches; at the entrance, the Voladores perform their ritual mast dance.

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Park

Tlacotalpan

The small town on the Río Papaloapan, about 90 kilometers southeast of Veracruz, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1998. Its one- and two-story houses with arcades, inner courtyards, and colorful facades are grouped around Plaza Zaragoza; from January 31st to February 2nd, the Virgen de la Candelaria is celebrated here.

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Museum

Museum of Anthropology of Xalapa

The Museum of the Universidad Veracruzana, opened in 1986 in the state capital Xalapa, exhibits in a multi-level building with extensive gardens finds from the Gulf Coast cultures – Olmec, Totonac, and Huastec – including an Olmec colossal head from San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán.

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Attraction

Archaeological Zone of Cempoala

Cempoala, in the coastal plain north of Veracruz near the Río Actopan, was a principal Totonac settlement; in 1519, its ruler Xicomecoatl received Hernán Cortés. Highlights include the Templo Mayor (with battlements) and the Templo de las Chimeneas (with semicircular pillars).

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Food and Drink

Along the coast, fish and seafood dominate, while in the highlands around Xalapa and Coatepec, coffee is grown. Many dishes combine Spanish ingredients like olives and capers with chili and corn.

Huachinango a la veracruzana

Red Snapper in tomato sauce with olives, capers and garlic.

Arroz a la tumbada

Juicy tomato rice with seafood, seasoned with Epazote.

Picadas

Thick corn patties with a raised edge, with salsa, onions, and cheese.

Torito

Cold liqueur of sugarcane spirit and condensed milk, often with peanut, originally from Tlacotalpan.

Best Time to Visit

When is the best time for your trip?

November

December

January

February

March

April

21–26°C·13–40 mm(little rain)

From November to April, it rains little and temperatures are usually between 21 and 26 degrees. This time also features Carnival and Candelaria in Tlacotalpan. From June to October, it is hot and wet, with July being the rainiest month at almost 400 millimeters.

These values apply to the port city of Veracruz. In the highlands around Xalapa, it is significantly cooler, and Pico de Orizaba experiences a high-mountain climate. Between autumn and spring, cold northerly winds, the Nortes, occasionally bring storms and cooler days to the coast. The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June to November.

Seasons

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Dry season

Crossing

Wet season

Best Time to Visit

▶Show detailed monthly data

Month	Temp (°C)	Rain (mm)
January	21.2	38
February	21.6	18
March	23.4	13
April	25.6	24
May	27.4	74
June	28.0	196
July	27.6	385
August	28.0	321
September	27.6	293
October	26.5	131
November	24.5	32
December	22.5	40

Culture and Traditions

Pre-Hispanic CulturesOn the Gulf Coast lived the Olmecs, later the Totonacs and Huastecs. Their traces can be found in El Tajín, in Cempoala, where Cortés encountered the Totonacs in 1519, and in Xalapa's Anthropology Museum.Music and FestivalsSon jarocho, with its harp, jarana, and zapateado dance, originates from southern Veracruz; in the port city, Danzón is danced in the squares. In Papantla and El Tajín, the Voladores perform their ritual mast dance. Major festivals include the Veracruz Carnival and the Candelaria in Tlacotalpan in early February.ExcursionsEl Tajín and Papantla: Ruined city with the Pyramid of the Niches in the northern part of the state.Tlacotalpan: World Heritage town on the Río Papaloapan, about 90 kilometers southeast of the port city.Xalapa: State capital in the highlands with an Anthropology Museum and coffee cultivation in the surrounding area.

Traveling in the State of Veracruz

Flights arrive at the airport of the port city of Veracruz; long-distance buses connect the port city with Xalapa, Tlacotalpan, Papantla, and Mexico City. For the ruins of El Tajín, it's best to travel via Papantla or Poza Rica. A rental car is practical for excursions into the hinterland.Plan overland journeys during daylight hours and check the current UK FCDO Travel Advice for Mexico before you go.