Experience Veracruz

Discover Veracruz

Southeast of Mexico City, on the Gulf Coast, you’ll find the exuberant port city of Veracruz. Hernán Cortés, the Spanish conqueror, first landed here on Good Friday 1519 and, soon after, Veracruz became the first Spanish settlement and base from which the Spaniards explored and eventually conquered Mexico.

Veracruz is an easy-going, friendly and bustling port-city. Locals are known as jarochos, and they have a reputation for partying. Its leisure fame stems from Arican-and Caribbean-influenced music, lively dancing and an annual Carnaval that according to some, rivals Rio and New Orleans.

Three hundred years of Spanish colonial rule also ended in Veracruz, as the Spanish fled to the fort of San Juan de Ulua; once on an island offshore, it’s now connected by a road. The years that followed were not easy ones for Mexico and, again, Veracruz was a key center of historical events. The city’s title: “Four times heroic city of Veracruz” refers to the expelling of the Spanish and three other military triumphs: one against the French and two against the Americans.

The state of Veracruz derives its wealth primarily from the huge amounts of trade and cargo ships docking at the city’s extensive ports; it also has rich, arable lands where fine coffee and tobacco are grown. The country’s oil stocks, drilled from wells beneath Mexico’s Gulf waters, is also managed from here. As a result of these lucrative industries, Veracruz has never striven to become a big tourist attraction; so it’s not as widely known by foreign tourists as other destinations in Mexico.

Veracruz is a coastal city which has a strong and distinctive colonial feel to it. Palm trees line the streets and the zocalo (main plaza) where, at night, Marimba (Afro-Caribbean) music fills the streets and people meet to talk, dine, dance and just watch the world go by.

This city is a hidden gem if you’re looking for an experience which is distinct from the traditional ‘tourist circuit’ of colonial cities. Besides being a place of character, it’s also colorful, lively and easy-going.

Nearby Veracruz you’ll also find one of Mexico’s finest archaeology parks: El Tajin. The state is host to Mexico’s highest volcano, “Pico de Orizaba“, the second highest volcano in North America. Other adventure tours including mountain climbing, white-water rafting and sports fishing are all easily accessible from here, too.

Veracruz is a surprising city. Away from the traditional tourist trail, it offers a unique experience in Mexico: a relaxed atmosphere with a lively heart and soul. Some people spend their whole vacation here and enjoy the stress-free ambiance; some pass through for a few days as part of a wider travel experience. Either way, a visit to Veracruz will reward you with an enjoyable, fascinating and authentic insight into Mexico.

The high-speed toll road which connects Veracruz to Mexico City (also passing the colonial city of Puebla), makes Veracruz easily accessible from the capital in addition to regular flights to/from Mexico City and elsewhere.

Key Attractions

Colonial Center

Veracruz’s main plaza, the Plaza de Armas (Plaza of Arms), is situated in the middle of the city; it is a handsome place, featuring palm trees, a colonial fountain and beautiful arches.

The cathedral faces the Plaza de Armas, as does the Palacio Municipal, and various other majestic civil buildings including the Correos y Telegrafos (post office) building and the Aduana Maritima (Maritime Customs) building.

The plaza is also the hub of Veracruz’s social scene, and at night, when the temperature cools, the plaza comes alive with music, dancing and street entertainers.

Acuario de Veracruz

One of Latin America’s largest aquariums is a major attraction in Veracruz. It is host to nearly 25 tanks, some containing saltwater, some containing freshwater. You’ll see species of marine life native to the Gulf of Mexico, including barracudas, sea turtles, manta rays, tiger sharks and manatees. Called simply, El Acuario, you’ll find this on the south-eastern edge of town.

Paseo del Malecon

A visit to Veracruz wouldn’t be complete without a leisurely stroll along the boardwalk. This is a great place to watch the locals as they engage with family and friends. Enjoy some ice cream as well, vendors are everywhere.

Fort at San Juan de Ulua

If you’ve ever watched the late 1980’s film “Romancing the Stone” with Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner, you’ve already seen parts of this fort (towards the end of the film, in the scenes leading up to the alligator swallowing the jewel).

The fort was built by the Spanish (the original construction began in 1565 and was expanded several times) to protect against pirates and, later, was also a defense against foreign invaders. This fort was also the Spaniard’s last foot-hold on Mexico: the last Spanish troops retreated to here before being finally expelled by the Mexicans circa 1825.

After Mexico’s war of independence, the fort later became a notorious prison, especially during the Porfirio Diaz era. Many of the prisoners sent here never lived to be released, because of the harsh conditions, including tuberculosis and yellow fever that were rampant at that time.

Today, the fort complex has been converted in a museum and is a major tourist attraction in Veracruz. It’s easy to get to and is well worth a visit when you are in Veracruz. For a small admission fee you can wander around the fort and old prison and get a feel for the history that unfolded around its walls. English-speaking guides are on hand and, for a small additional fee, will give you a guided tour which may well include a good dose of folklore in addition to historical facts.

Museums and Art in Veracruz

The Museo de la Ciudad de Veracruz (City Museum) houses excellent displays about the city’s colonial history through to present day.

Originally a Naval Officer’s school, the Museo Naval (Naval Museum) was restored and open in 1997 to record Mexico’s Naval History and Evolution.

Beaches and Diving in Veracruz

The beaches here are not that attractive—you’ll have to travel about 4 miles south of the Veracruz to Playa Macambo to see improvements in the beaches. If you are at Playa Macambo, also be sure to visit Boca del Rio, a fishing village that has some of the best local seafood to be had. What better way to finish off a day at the beach than fresh seafood and a cold drink. For divers, some of the waters in this area have been listed as national parks and, besides the reefs, you’ll also be able to explore some underwater shipwrecks.

Adventure Experiences

Adventure holidays from Veracruz are becoming more and more popular, given the regions excellent natural climate and topography. River rafting and mountaineering are two favorites.

Sports Fishing

Local sports fishing is a popular activity here and is becoming more popular with each passing year.

Getting There & Around

By Air – You can fly to Veracruz from the US and and other points in Mexico including Mexico City and Oaxaca. The international airport is about 5 miles (8 km) south of the city center. Ground transportation is available from the airport into town; buy your tickets from the booth inside the terminal building. For detailed information about flights and flying, see the Mexperience guide to Air Travel in Mexico.

By Bus – You can travel to Veracruz on a luxury bus from Mexico City – the trip takes around 5.5 hours. Veracruz is a major bus hub for the eastern Gulf coast of Mexico and you’ll be able to travel efficiently by bus around Mexico’s entire Gulf region from here if you want to. For detailed information about bus transportation read the Mexperience guide to Bus Travel in Mexico.

By Car – Driving to Veracruz is very fast and efficient using the many high-speed toll roads which connect this region. See additional information about Driving in Mexico and Mexico’s Toll Roads on Mexperience for more details.

Car Rental – To explore Mexico’s colonial towns and cities, consider renting a car for your visit. Having your own car will give you more flexibility than using public transport options and, in some cases, offer you access to places which are otherwise difficult to visit without the use of a car. Read our guide to Car Rental in Mexico to learn what you need to know about car rental in Mexico and connect to the Mexperience Travel Center to reserve your Rental Car.

Taxis – Taxis in most of Mexico’s colonial towns and cities are not metered, so agree your price before you get in. Taxi travel is very affordable in Mexico, in comparison to the USA, Canada and Europe, and so provides a viable means of public transportation in Mexico. Your hotel can arrange taxis for you; some post their rates on a board in the lobby; taxi hotel rates are usually higher than cabs you hail off the street. If you speak Spanish, you will have a distinct advantage and be able to negotiate a price with the driver. For detailed information, read the Mexperience guide to Taxi Travel in Mexico.

Local Buses – City buses run regularly and are a reliable means to see the city. There are also touristic buses (Tranvia La Bamba y La Marimba and Turibus) that hit all the city highlights and also allow you to hop-on and off as you wish.

Veracruz Essentials

Telephone: Connect to the guide about Communications in Mexico on Mexperience for detailed information about keeping in touch and the latest table of national dialing codes.

Exchanging Currency: Banks with ATM machines are found throughout the downtown area of Veracruz; some hotels also have ATMs (additional fees may apply), and you can also find them at the shopping center next door to the World Trade Center in Veracruz. During business hours, they and the local Casas de Cambio will buy traveler’s checks and cash from you as well. For detailed information about exchanging and managing your money, read the Mexperience guide to Money in Mexico.

Travel Insurance: We recommend that you are adequately covered with travel medical insurance and/or travel assistance insurance when you are visiting Mexico. Read the Mexperience guide to Travel Insurance in Mexico for full details and links to specialist insurance suppliers.

Internet Access: Internet cafes can be easily found in towns and cities across Mexico and WiFi is increasingly commonplace–from cafes, shops, hotels, and some cities even offer free WiFi in some defined public spaces.

Holiday Periods in Veracruz: A lot Mexican people holiday in Veracruz; you are likely to see very few foreigners here! This means that during the school holidays (December-New Year, Easter, Summer between end of June and September) Veracruz is very busy indeed. It’s quite possible that your travel plans may coincide with some of these dates, especially if you have a family and take your holidays during school breaks, so be sure to book well ahead of time during these peak periods.

Local Climate

As a city on Mexico’s Gulf Coast, Veracruz enjoys mostly, hot, sultry and humid weather. In the winter months, ice-cold winds blowing down from the north (popularly referred to as “nortes“) can cool the temperatures right down and make the city quite cold. It’s especially hot in May and June. Humidity drops a little further inland. The climate is ideal for taking part in a variety of outdoor activities and for taking in the local culture, architecture and scenery; be sure to keep yourself hydrated. The rainy season is April thru November, but as with most monsoon areas, rains tend to be fierce and brief in the late afternoon, leaving the evenings dry and cooler.

Weather & Climates in Mexico

Learn more about the weather and climates through the seasons and regions by connecting to the Mexperience guide about Weather and Climates in Mexico