It is also famous for its nightlife, and its spacious downtown area near the harbor or zocalo comes alive with music and dancing with a strong Cuban influence. Highlights are the annual carnival celebrations around February when the party atmosphere is particularly raucous and hotel rooms become difficult to find.
Veracruz also known as Heroica Veracruz, is a major port city and municipality on the Gulf of Mexico in the Mexican state of Veracruz. The city is located along the coast in the central part of the state, 90 km (56 mi) southeast of the state capital Xalapa along Federal Highway 140.
It is the state's most populous city, with a population that is greater than the municipality's population, as part of the city of Veracruz extends into the neighboring Boca del Río Municipality.
At the 2010 census, the city had 554,830 inhabitants, 428,323 in Veracruz Municipality and 126,507 in Boca del Río Municipality. Developed during Spanish colonization, Veracruz has been Mexico’s oldest, largest, and historically most significant port.
Because of its importance as Mexico's principal Caribbean and Atlantic sea port, Veracruz has always been a locus for the mixture of different cultures, particularly native Mexican, Spanish and African.
During the colonial period, African slaves were imported to work in the fields and shipyards. Since Mexico's independence from Spain in 1821, immigrants from Italy and Cuba have settled in the city.
Sugar and rum production have been mainstays as commodities; during colonial times they were produced by slave labor and later, immigrants often entered labor and industrial jobs. Together these ethnic groups have created rich cultures.
The Naval Academy of Mexico attracts both Mexican and international sailors and officers, adding to the cosmopolitan mix of the city. The city has a reputation for being lively, with many people out in the squares listening to music late into the night.
In the morning, they frequent sidewalk cafes for their morning coffee.
Veracruz recipes use corn, beans and squash as staples, a practice dating to the indigenous peoples. Local diets also include indigenous tropical foods such as chili peppers, tomatoes, avocados, pineapples, papaya, mamey, sweet potatoes, peanuts and sapote fruit.
The Spanish introduced the use of herbs such as parsley, thyme, marjoram, bay laurel and cilantro, as well as saffron, wheat, rice, almonds, olives/olive oil, garlic and capers.
A signature dish of the area, Huachinango a la Veracruzana or red snapper Veracruz-style, uses local fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, chili peppers and Spanish ingredients like olive oil, garlic and capers.
Other popular dishes include arroz a la tumbada, a rice dish baked with a variety of seafood and caldo de mariscos, a seafood soup reputed to cure hangovers.
Coffee houses are a center of social life in the city, and the Gran Cafe del Portal and the Cafe de la Parroquia are the two best-known establishments. To request a refill, customers clink the sides of their glasses not cups, with their spoons.
This clinking can be heard from the early morning to late at night. The story behind this custom is that a trolley driver used to ring his bell when he was a block away from the Gran Cafe del Portal to let the waiters know he was coming.
When the driver died, his casket was borne on the trolley and when it passed the establishment, the customers and waiters tapped their glasses in his honor.
The song La Bamba, made famous by Ritchie Valens, has its roots in the Veracruz son style of music, which originated in southern Veracruz state. It has African and Caribbean influence and is popular throughout Mexico, Latin America and the United States.
Traditional Veracruzian music is called Son Jarocho. Although there are many types of son music found in Mexico, the Son Jarocho is typically associated with the city of Veracruz.
Other types of son include Son Comercial. This style is faster and flashier than the traditional Son Jarocho and can be heard in Mexican folkdance exhibitions, when Veracruz women with long white dresses and fans dance with partners also dressed in white.
The Son Comercial developed in the 1940s from the Son Jarocho; in the 21st century it is so pervasive that many mistakenly believe it to be the first version. The Casa de Cultura has a workshops for traditional music and son singers can be heard just about anytime on the main plaza known as Zocalo.
The Veracruz Carnaval has been celebrated every year since 1866, during the empire of Maximilian I of Mexico. At that time, a request was made to sponsor the Festival of Masks, which would consist of dances at the principal social gathering sites of the city such as the main theater.
While the events were officially held at these locations, many residents took advantage of the celebration on the streets near these sites. Eventually, the event became based in the historic center of the city and focused on the Carnaval Parade of Veracruz.
Today, the event begins with the - Burning of Bad Humor and ends with the - Burial of Juan Carnaval. Carnaval here is the largest celebration in the country.
Veracruz has also become a popular location for filming.
Veracruz is bordered by the states of Tamaulipas to the north, San Luis Potosí and Hidalgo to the west, Puebla to the southwest, Oaxaca and Chiapas to the south, and Tabasco to the southeast. On its east, Veracruz has a significant share of the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico.
The state is noted for its mixed ethnic and indigenous populations. Its cuisine reflects the many cultural influences that have come through the state because of the importance of the port of Veracruz.
In addition to the capital city, the state's largest cities include Veracruz, Coatzacoalcos, Cordoba, Minatitlan, Poza Rica, Boca Del Rio and Orizaba.
The primary sector of the economy - agriculture, forestry and fishing has been important since pre-Hispanic times and continues to be important both as a source of income as well as culturally. The state has abundant rainfall and extremely fertile soils, as well as a long coastline and forest containing a wide variety of trees and other plants.
There is about 1 million hectares of cultivable land, half of which is in private hands and 43% is ejido or communal land. The rest is occupied by human settlements. There are 3,620 ejidos parceled out to 270,000 ejido members. 52.5% of agricultural land is used for the growing of crops or used as pasture and 43.1% is forest or rainforest.
Chief agricultural products include coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, tobacco, bananas, coconuts, and vegetables, but local farmers depend mainly on corn and beans. Two corn crops per year are generally produced, planted on 644,936 hectares with a production of 1,114,325 tons.
The state is the leading national producer of coffee, sugarcane, corn, and rice. Coffee is grown on 152,993 hectares producing 400,575 tons. Export earnings from this crop are about 232 million USD annually.
Most coffee is grown in the mountain areas of Cordoba-Huatusco, Coatepec-Teocelo-Cosautlan and Misantla-Tlapacoyan-Atzalan. Sugarcane is cultivated on 254,000 hectares, producing 16,867,958 tons annually.
Veracruz is the largest producer of rice with 24,000 hectares producing 120,000 tons. Much is this crop is protected by import bans from Asia.
The state grows half of the country's citrus fruit and grows the most kinds. This occupies 180,577 hectares and produces 2,575,140 tons annually. Varieties include oranges, tangerines, mandarins, limes and grapefruit.
Most citrus is grown in the north of the state, and much of the lime crop is exported, supporting a packing and shipping industry. Veracruz is the largest mango producer in the country, grown on 31,640 hectares producing 287,000 tons. Most of this is the manila variety, which is preferred in Mexico.
95% of this crop is consumed fresh within Mexico although exports to Canada have begun. Vanilla beans are native to the state, which is the primary producer for Mexico. Most of this crop is grown in an area known as Totonacapan in and around Papantla.
Livestock raising is an important activity. There are over 300,000 units of production most of which raise cattle, with Veracruz being the main beef producer for the country at 14% of the total. In addition to beef cattle, dairy cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, horses, domestic fowl, and bees are raised.
From the tropical forests of the inland regions come dyewoods, hardwoods, and rubber. About 20% of the state's territory is forested, with 220,000 of temperate forest and 1,200,000 hectares of tropical forests. Logging in the state produces 128,254 m3 of wood products per year.
The most exploited species include pine, oyamel, cypress and oak. Some tropical hardwoods are harvested as well.
Veracruz's long coastline supports a large fishing industry, producing one-fifth of Mexico's catch. Most of the country's mojarra, oysters and shrimp come from here. Other major fish catches include crab, sea bass and red snapper.
Agroindustry focuses on the processing of coffee and sugar products, with citrus packers holding an important position as well.
Today, the state of Veracruz, rich in natural resources, is an important component of Mexico's economy. Approximately 35% of Mexico's water supply is found in Veracruz. There are a number of metallic and non-metallic mineral mining but the most important resource is oil.
The mountains contain relatively unexploited deposits of gold, silver, iron, and coal. Although Veracruz is an important source of metals such as iron and copper, a great deal of its mining involves non-metallic minerals as sulfur, silica, feldspar, calcium, kaolin and marble.
The state is ranked fourth in the nation for this kind of mining production. However, mining only accounts for 1.5% of economic activity for the entire state.
Veracruz was a pioneer in both the extraction and refining of petroleum products. The state has about one-fourth of Mexico's petroleum reserves and ranks third in petroleum production. Most of this production is concentrated in the northern part of the state.
Approximately 40,000,000 barrels (6,400,000 m3) of oil are produced each year and 109,870,000,000 cubic feet (3.111×109 m3) of natural gas.
Petrochemicals represent 28.1% of the state's manufacturing and ranks first nationally. There are 22 petrochemical plants, with the most important being La Cangrejera, Jaltipan de Morelos, Poza Rica, Cosoleacaque, Pajaritos and Minatitlan.
In the more rural and indigenous areas of the state, a number of handicrafts are still made and sold both to local buyers and to tourists. Many of these crafts are produced by communities that specialize in one or more types.
Wood furniture and other items are made by the Huasteca people, mostly using cedar and palm trees. The best work comes from the towns of Ozulama and Castillo de Teayo. Teocelo and Monte Blanco are known for bamboo furniture and other items.
Musical instruments of wood such as a guitar called jarana are constructed in the Los Tuxtlas area, especially in Catemaco, with flutes made in Papantla. Wooden masks are made in Teocelo, and items made with the wood of coffee plants are made in Misantla, Coatepec, Huastusco and Xico.
Corn husks are used to make decorative figures, often religious, in Nautla and Naranjos de Amatlan. Palm fronds are woven into fans, shoes and baskets in Jalcomulco, Ozulama and Tlalixcoyan.
Ceramics have been made in almost all parts of Veracruz since the Olmecs. One area known for its work is Papantla which also includes life sized representations of folk dancers from the area along with more mundane items of glazed and unglazed pottery.
Minatitlan is known for its production of ceramic cooking utensils which are also popular in the neighboring municipalities of Actopan and Naolinco. San Miguel Aguasuelos and Jalcomulco are known for their white clay wares which include water jars, toys, nativity scenes, bells and more.
Traditional clothing and embroidery can be most easily found in the La Huasteca area, where elaborately decorated women's blouses can be seen, especially in the El Higo and Tlalixcoyan area. In Totonacalpan, men are still often seen in white shirts and pants with a bag to hold personal items.
This dress dates back to the early colonial period and had not changed much since then. Other areas specialize in wool items such as Naranjos de Amatlan, Minatilan and the city of Veracruz where items such as dresses, skirts and jackets.
These and other textils such as tablecloths and napkins are often decorated with cross-stitch. Leather items include shoes, jackets, bags, wallets, belts and boots and are usually made in the La Huasteca region, Teocolo, Citlaltepetl and Naolinco.
The gastronomy of the state is unique in Mexico and mixed Spanish, indigenous, and other influences. From the pre-Hispanic period, the cuisine of the state was unique. The staple triumvirate of corn, beans, and squash was supplemented by tropical fruits, vanilla beans, and an herb called acuyo or hoja santa.
Another important native contribution is seafood, which is featured in many dishes such as, arroz a la tumbada and caldo de mariscos a seafood soup.
After the conquest and during the colonial period, many other spices and ingredients were brought and have had a greater influence in the cooking here than in other parts of the country. From Europe, the Spanish brought saffron, parsley, thyme, marjoram, bay laurel, and cilantro as well Asian spices such as cloves, cinnamon, and black pepper.
The Spaniards also brought wheat, rice, almonds, olives and olive oil, garlic, and capers. The latter three are essential ingredients in what is perhaps the most famous specialty of the region, huachinango a la veracruzana, red snapper in a spicy tomato sauce.
Caribbean imports such as sugar cane and pineapple were adapted as well as the peanut, brought from Africa by the Portuguese, although the peanut is originally from South America.
Veracruz cuisine divides into six regions called Sotavento, Centro Norte, Centro Sur, Sierra, Costa Norte, and Los Tuxtlas. The Sotovento area is in the south of the state, and the dishes here are heavily based on rice.
Common dishes include arroz a la tumbada, which is rice cooked with seafood or meat and rice with fried bananas. Seafood dishes are also prominent based mostly on fish and shrimp. A common ingredient in dishes is a herb called hoja santa or hierba Santa, which is a plant of the Piperaceae family.
The Centro Norte is centered on Xalapa. Dishes here tend to be more indigenous in nature, heavily flavored with mild chili peppers. Common dishes here include Chilehuates, similar to a tamale, stuffed chile peppers, and enchiladas. Less seafood and more pork and domestic fowl are consumed.
The Centro Sur area is mostly indigenous and encompasses the area of, Huatusco, Coscomatepec, Cotaxtla, Orizaba, Amatlan, Huilango y las espanolas Cordoba y Fortin de las Flores, la negra Yanga and San Lorenzo de los Negros.
Dishes here are similar to Centro Norte, but chayotes appear more often as this region is a major producer of the vegetable. Meats in adobo sauce are common as well. The Sierra and Costa Norte encompass the northern part of the state, such as the Panuco River area and Totonacapan.
Tamales are often made with banana leaves. The area is also known for its breads, especially anise flavored rolls. The Los Tuxtlas area is centered on the communities of Santiago, San Andres and Catemaco, which were the center of the Olmec civilization.
The cuisine in this area features yucca, chocos a type edible flower, fish, especially mojarra, and exotic meats such as monkey, and iguana.
The state capital of Xalapa is also home to a number of important museums. The Museum of Anthropology contains the second most important collection of Mesoamerican artifacts in the country. It was built beginning in 1959 over six hectares.
The complex is divided into various halls and galleries by theme, focusing on the Olmec and Totonac cultures. The Patio Olmeca contains the colossal head found in 1945 and known as El Rey or The King. Other important artifacts include giant stelae and San Martin Pajapan Monument 1.
The Museum of Science and Technology is in Xalapa. It contains more than 400 exhibitions in eight halls: Life, Ecology, Space, Transportation, Sciences, Energy, Water and Earth. The Pinoteca Diega Rivera was established by the state in the former Monastery of San Francisco in Xalapa.
Its primary function is to preserve and display Rivera’s works owned by the state, but it also contains early works by Jose Maria Velasco, Jorge Cuesta and Teodoro A. Dehesa.
Near the city is the Hacienda del Lencero, which was the home and headquarters of President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna in the 19th century. It has been preserved and turned into a museum.
In Tuxpan is the Regional Museum of Anthropology with more than 400 pieces from pre-Hispanic groups in the region, displayed in four halls. Most of the pieces come from the center of the state and from the Huasteca region.On the edge of the Tuxpan River.
The city also has the Mexican-Cuban Museum. It contains a collection of photographs from the Cuban Revolution as well as a statue of Jose Marti .
Other museums are scattered in other parts of the state. The Salvador Ferrando Museum is located in Tlacotalpan and contains many everyday items and art from the 16th to the 19th centuries.The Tuxteco Regional Museum in Santiago de Tuxtla contains Olmec and Totonac artifacts including art objects, farming implements, utensils and more.
In the garden area, there are giant stone sculptures from the Tres Zapotes site. The Jardin Central or Central Garden of the municipality of Tierra Blanca has a number of Totonac archeological pieces on display.
The Archeological Museum of Cordoba is in the city of the same name with three exhibition halls containing artifacts from the Maya, Olmec, Toltec and Huastec cultures. There is also a collection of historical photographs of the city.
The Veracruz State Art Museum or Museo de Arte del Estado de Veracruz is located in Orizaba in what was the monastery associated with the Concordia Church. Its collection includes works by Diego Rivera, Ignacio Rosas and Gonzalo Argüelles.
It also contains a collection of historical photographs related to Veracruz and art. The Malintzin Archeological Museum is in the municipality of Nogales. It is a small museum with one hall, with photographs and documents. It is located in the church where Malinche and Juan de Jaramillo were supposedly married.
The state is noted for its quantity and variety of festivals. The most important of these is Carnival in the city of Veracruz. This city's version of the event begins with the burning of bad humor, which is represented in effigy.
A number of kings and queens are crowned including categories for children but the most important is the Rey Feo or Ugly King and the Reina del Carnaval or Queen of the Carnival. The latter is accompanies by cadets from the Naval Academy during the parade.
This celebration is repeated all along the Veracruz coastline with other significant festivities taking place in Alvarado, Coatzacoalcos, San Rafael and Villa Jose Cardel. Minatitlán's celebration draws people from the nearby states of Oaxaca and Tabasco.
Day of the Dead is celebrated in almost all of Mexico from 31 Oct to 2 November but there are local twists in the state. In some places, it is commemorated during the months of August and September.
In Papantla, boards or tables are placed on rooftops, which have been adorned with flowers, plant matter and more. In Tantoyuca, it is commemorated with costumes and music, similar to Carnival.
The Christian celebration of Candlemas is fused with traditions associated with Chalchiuhtlicua, the goddess of water, rivers, lakes and ocean.
She was replaced by the Virgin of Candlemas, the protector of fishermen, making this celebration particularly important on the coast, especially in Tlacotalpan, where it is celebrated with much pomp.
In Jaltipan de Morelos, ethnic Nahuas and Popolucas dress in elaborate costumes and arrange their hair in intricate styles. In Santa Maria Magdalena, on 22 July, bulls are set free to roam the streets.
Corn harvest festivals are prominent in the Huasteca region in municipalities such as Chontla, Chicontepec, and Ixhuatlán de Madero. These generally include native dances and foods based on corn.
The state is well known in the country for its music and dance. The fandango is a dance brought over from Spanish. Today the state has two varieties: the jarocho and the huasteco. Indigenous and folk dances in the state are most often associated with rituals and religious festivals.
These include one called Los Lisceres also called the Tigres from the Los Tuxtlas region. Participants wear Olmec style masks which represent the rain god Tlaloc. Another is Los Guaguas in which the participants pay homage to the sun, and Los Santiagos, which is related to the veneration of Saint James, patron saint of Hernán Cortes.
One last one is called Los Negritos or The Little Black Ones which was created by African slaves. According to tradition, the origin of this dance lies in a story about a boy who was bitten by a snake and the rituals his family held to heal him.
Tourism mostly centers on the port city of Veracruz but there are other destinations. There are over 1,000 hotels in the state, over half of which are small, family-owned enterprises. Almost all of the four and five-star establishments are in metropolitan area of Veracruz.
Many of the state major historical and cultural monuments are located in the port of Veracruz. Some of these include the Aquarium, the Museum of the City or Museo de la Ciudad, The Agustin Lara Museum, the Santiago Fortress or Baluarte de Santiago the Las Atarazanas Museum and the San Juan de Ulua Fort.
To the north of the port city is the Sierra or Totonacalpan area of the state, home to the Totonac people. This is home to the important pre-Hispanic city of El Tajin and the present-day city of Papantla.
The modern city is best known as the home of the Totonac version of the danza de voladores; there, the dancers spin from 80 ft (24.4 m) high poles. The area is also the native habitat of the vanilla bean.
To the south of the port is on the coast, is Catemaco. This is in a tropical area. The area's two main features are Lake Catemaco, which is located in the crater of an extinct volcano and Isla Tanaxpillo just off the coast.
This island is also called the island of the monkeys or baboons due to a group of feral monkeys that escaped and found refuge here.
Inland is the coffee-growing region in and around the cities of Coatepec and Xalapa. Orizaba is best known for the volcano nearby but also has a large waterfall called El Elefante and a Canon (Canyon) de Rio Blanco.
The state contains numerous remains of pre-Hispanic Olmec, Totonac, and Huastec cities. El Tajín, a ruined city that reached its apex between the 9th and 13th centuries ad, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992.
El Zapotal is an archeological site which was discovered in 1971 in a region known at Mixtequlla between the Blanco and Papaloapan Rivers. This site is noted for its clay figurines with smiling faces, part of an extremely large offering in honor of the god of death Mictlantecuhtli.
Cempoala is an archeological site located on the coast between the modern settlements of La Antigua and Ciudad Cardel. It was occupied when Hernan Cortes arrived, and he managed to form an alliance with the Totonacs here against the Aztecs.
In the center of the site, there is a large plaza surrounded by temples and the palace of the Totonac chief. The site also has a small museum.
Quiahuiztlan is on the coast on a small mountain named Bernal. It is cut into the mountain as a series of terraces. It is located very close to where Cortes founded the initial Spanish settlement of Villa Rica de la Vera-Cruz.
The Castillo de Teayo or Teayo Castle is really a pyramid, whose original name was Zapotitlan. It is located on the border between Huasctec and Totonac lands. It was abandoned in the 19th century.
The largest and most important site is El Tajin, located near the city of Papantla. The name is from the Totonac language and means thunder, but no one knows what the true name of this city was. It is also unknown if the Totonac built it, but since they have dominated the region for centuries, they lay claim to it.
The city developed from the end of the Classic period and the beginning of the Post Classic period, between 800 and 1150 C.E. It is divided into five zones, the Plaza del Arroyo Group, the Central Zone, the Gran Xicalcoliuhqui, Tajín Chico and the Column Complex.
Its signature building is the Pyramid of the Niches, named after the 365 niches built into the levels of the structure. The site has a large number of Mesoamerican ball game courts, one with details reliefs showing the beheading of a ballplayer and his role in the afterlife.
The Tres Zapotes site is located the community of the same name. Covering 1.5 hectares, the main building has a square base, which is surrounded by gardens and trees. The most important find from his is Stele “C” which is on display at the Museo Nacional de Antropología in Mexico City.
El Pital is a site in the municipality of Martinez de la Torre. It consists of a mound with a pyramid base and stairs on the east side.The site's culture is considered to be a link between the coastal and highland cultures of the region.
Los Idolos is a site in the municipal city of Misantla, and was an important ceremonial site for the Totonacapan region. It consists of four rectangular patios linked by platforms and flat-topped mounds. Many of the structures are decorated with smooth river stone, thought to have come from the Misantla River.
The Centro Ceremonial Cuajilote is located on the Bobos River. It consists of a large plaza 400 meters long lined with structures. In the center of the plaza there are three shrines, one of which contains phallic figures.
Veracruz has a rich history. It has been the main gate of the country for sea travelers and products since its foundation. In this region, the Spanish first entered Mexico in the 16th century and remained for three centuries, forever changing the region.
About 20 km northwest from Puerto Veracruz, in a town known as La Antingua Veracruz, Hernan Cortes first landed in Mexico. Veracruz would be one of the main ports of the Spanish Treasure Fleets.
From its harbor, Mexican silver and the Asian silks, porcelain and spices of the Acapulco-Manila galleon trade were loaded onto galleons for transport to Spain. San Juan de Ulua fortress, located on an island off the city's coast, was built in the 16th century to guard against pirate attacks.
It was the scene of the final stand of Spanish colonialism in the New Spain, being occupied by Spanish soldiers for four years after Mexico's War of Independence. Veracruz has witnessed four foreign invasions, earning the city the title Cuatro Veces Heroica or Four Times Heroic.
Despite its status as the oldest European settlement on the American mainland, much of the colonial city was destroyed by invasions. The city walls were demolished during the era of Porfirio Diaz.
However, there is some significant historic architecture, including two historic fortresses, several museums, and historical buildings in the Malecon.
A few beaches can be found north of Veracruz, but the beaches and water are not very clean; beach lovers might want to go north to Tecolutla or south to Los Tuxtlas.
Local language is, of course, Spanish. More than half but not all of the hospitality workers speak English. Local people are known as jarochos. This denomination is not only for the people of the city but for the whole region of the State of Veracruz, known as Llanuras de Sotavento.
The jarochos are friendly people who love to be outdoors. The weather is mild, averaging between 25 and 32 degree Celsius, but between January and March high winds from the north known as "nortes" can reach up to 120 Km/h.
Veracruz is served by General Heriberto Jara International Airport (VER). The only direct US flight is from Houston via United Express or United Airlines, a journey of 2 hours and 13 minutes. American Airlines used to fly directly from Dallas, but apparently no longer.
There are many options from other Mexican cities, including Mexico City. The airport is about 10 km west of downtown.
The ADO bus station is located a short distance from the city centre. The bus trip from Mexico City TAPO terminal located next to the San Lazaro metro station takes 5 1/2 hours. The bus trip from Puebla takes 3-4 hours.
Railway has not been in operation for passengers since about 1995.
Arriving at the ADO bus station, there are dozens of cabs in front 24 hours a day; they are lined up in rotation so always go to the cab to the right. Cab drivers are helpful but few speak English. Have your destination address written down and show it to the driver.
It is easier for both of you. As anywhere, ask how much before you get in the cab. The station is located on Salvador Diaz Miron Street. The bus station is located only about 10 blocks (1 km) from one of the main tourist attractions of the city, Villa del Mar. It is about a 40-minute walk from the Zocalo.
Taxis are very inexpensive. A journey costs between 2.50 and 5.00 USD according to the your zone destination. Passengers are advised to agree to the cost before entering a taxi.
Taxis to other cities: There are always taxis in front of the bus station hawking transportation to Xalapa, Cordoba and other cities near Veracruz. Yes they are safe, BUT, they are expensive. Check at the bus station ticket counter for the next bus to your destination and save your self $50-100 dollars US.
There are some really good and cheap local-style restaurants across the street from the station toward town center if you have to wait an hour or so. Depending on the time of day, there is also a large outdoor flower market that is worth a walk through.
The cheaper way to know the city is walking in the downtown and after that walk to the Malecon where several boats, historical buildings as well as tourist facilities and stores are located.
One very interesting possibility is to take the Bus Boca del Rio, its path almost goes across the Boulevard of the City to the downtown of Boca del Rio, a city joined with Veracruz that has better hotels, modern building and beaches.
Almost all the other public buses are not recommended for tourists because they are old, in bad condition, often very crowded and the paths are not easily understandable for new people in the city.
Veracruz's brightly painted US school buses are used for city buses. Fares are M$ 9 pesos. Here it helps if you can speak at least a little Spanish and/or have your destination written down to show the driver if you are unsure.
Attractions in Veracruz
San Juan de Ulua Castle, Zona portuaria. Tu - Su, 9:00am - 5:30pm. , the entry fee is 41 pesos, group or student rates are also available. Last fortress of the Spanish Empire, later used as a prision during Porfirio Díaz' government, known as one of the most cruel prisons of that time, you can hear horror stories of torture.
The castle is located near the piers. While it is physically quite close to downtown, it is not possible to access it on foot. You will need to take a tour or get there by taxi, this will cost around 50 pesos.
Baluarte de Santiago. Last standing part from the wall that used to surround the old city.
Museo Agustin Lara. The former house of famous music writer Agustin Lara, now is made a museum.
Downtown. To watch people dance danzon a traditional cuban music adopted in Veracruz. You can see the cathedral and enjoy a drink at Los Portales.
Boulevard. Walk seeing the sea, or run, skate, bike by the boulevard.
Visit Malecon, City Museum, Culture Hause (IVEC), Atarasanas Building, USBI, Acuarium, Villa del Mar
Acuario de Veracruz, Blvd. Manuel Avila Camacho s/n Col. Flores Magon C.P. 91900. Veracruz. This is a very impressive collection of different fish and sharks in the Gulf of Mexico. They have a dolphin show at 11.00 and 13.00. 100 Adults.
South Beaches are cleaner and better especially on Fox boulevard in Boca del Rio. If you really want cleaner and less crowded beaches try Mata de Uvas on the other side of the naval base in Anton Lizardo.
Plaza America is the most popular mall with the most stores.
Plaza Dorada, one of newest and most luxurious
Buy Handicrafts at Malecon strip of locales along harbour
Market beside first pier also has many handicrafts perhaps cheaper
Plaza Acuario has more expensive but nicer handicrafts
Meals depend on where you eat, you can eat great sea food in Boca del Rio and Mandinga and Alvarado, but for this last one you have to travel about 45 minutes. Look for the Palapas or huts and you can have a great meal for little money.
Jarocho cuisine is unique among Mexico's regional cuisines in its pronounced Spanish and Afro-Caribbean influences. The long coastlines make Veracruz a seafood paradise. Seafood dishes include octopus and red snapper or huachinango prepared a la veracruzana a tomato-olive based sauce, arroz a la tumbada or tumbled rice and caldo de mariscos.
Baked plantains are a ubiquitous side. Other foods of Afro-Caribbean origin are pollo encacahuatado (chicken in peanut sauce) and mondogo a tripe soup. Veracruz is famous for its cafe con leche. Visit the cities famous coffee houses, El Gran Cafe de la Parroquia and El Gran Cafe del Portal.
In Veracruz, as in most Mexican cities, you won't notice much difference in taste between tacos from a fancy restaurant on the plaza and tacos from a street cart, it all more or less tastes fantastic. If you're on a budget, it's best to stay away from restaurants on the plaza, where you'll pay a premium for location.
Street carts are definitely the cheapest option, but if you like to sit down and eat, a good compromise that's still dirt-cheap is any of lunch counters at the Mercado Hidalgo.
Helados El Malecon, Guero Guero Guera Guera good ice cream sorbets. If you are very hungry, or have a companion, try a champola de guanabana, a huge milkshake of guanabana ice cream and condensed milk.
Gran Cafe de la Parroquia - Try the lechero, or espresso with fresh and creamy milk. The picadas y gorditas con huevo (fried, handmade tortillas topped with salsa and scrambled eggs) make a good breakfast. The rest of the food is overpriced.
El Bayo it's on the road to Xalapa, by the exit to San Juan de Ulua. Excellent seafood, especially the seafood cocktails and arroz a la tumbada red rice with seafood.
Rio de la Plata It is a traditional Mexican Cantina, where you can find delicious and fresh fish. Waiters usually make rifas of Sea Food Salads. The ticket costs about USD 3.00 and it is really funny. It is located two blocks away from Plaza de Armas.
Night clubs are the most expensive places. They will ask you to buy a bottle of whiskey, rum, vodka, whatever in order to give you a table to seat. If you don't mind standing you can drink single drinks around 13 USD for a Cosmopolitan, for example.
Besides men have to pay at the entrance 5-10 USD, women enter for free.
Bar Titos, on the corner of Aquiles Serdan and Jose Ma. Morelos. A great local bar, but be prepared for an awkward silence if you're a gringo walking in the door. Relax and be polite and the regulars will undoubtedly warm to you and try to get you to salsa dance with them.
Beer and drinks are much less expensive than in more touristy bars. Also, unlike many Mexican dive bars, the clientele is coed and well-mixed. Plus, there's usually a late-night taco cart right outside for a snack when your night's over.
Hotel Amparo, Aquiles Serdan No. 482. Excellent location and a great value. Nice clean rooms with private bathrooms two blocks from the Zocalo. Secure attached parking for your vehicle, also.
Hotel Trianon, Nacozari 76. Located in downtown near the coast. Private bathroom and air conditioning. Ask for special prices and an cable for internet.
Hotel Bello Veracruz. Great hotel, reasonable prices, swimming pool but no beach.
Hotel Villas Dali. Also great at reasonable prices.
Hotel Veracruz Centro Historico is located just around the corner from the Zocalo. Rooms are clean, comfortable and reasonably priced.
NH Veracruz Luxurious hotel offering a spa, swimming pools and a fantastic view of the ocean.
Fiesta Inn Malecon. Located near downtown in front of the pier and the Venustiano Carranza lighthouse. A good place to stay but no beach or swimming pool. Prices around $100 US.
The Fiesta Americana Veracruz and Fiesta Inn Veracruz are located in front of the beach but more expensive. It has a world class swimming pool, it's modern and clean, and is a nice upscale place to stay with kids. It has wired Internet,no wireless, so bring your own RJ45 cable.
Hotel Camino Real. Great hotel, but expensive.
Gran Hotel Diligencias is in a great location right on the Zocalo. It has large rooms and free internet.
Although Veracruz was once a safe haven from drug related crime prevalent in Northern Mexico, as of 2011 violence has steadily increased and the region is among the most dangerous in the world for journalists.
That being said, Veracruz is as safe as any large city in the US or otherwise if you use common sense: don't walk around non-main streets late at night, especially if you've been drinking; don't flash or carry large amounts of cash.
If in doubt, always take cabs late at night, they are safe and cheap. Use good travel sense. If you don't go looking for the drug culture, you are safe from it as a tourist or local.
The picturesque lakeside town of Catemaco lies nearby. The bus takes around 4 hours and you'll find some nice beaches, water activities and more.
Tourism Observer
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