where to go in veracruz? 5 day trip.
Replies: 15 - Last Post: Nov 13, 2012 1:14 PM Last Post By: RJ_1
jump to
where to go in veracruz? 5 day trip.
So I will be visiting Veracruz for 5 days or so and I would like to know what are some places that I must visit! I really like colonial, traditional, bohemian, Caribbean places. I know Veracruz is quite big and bio-diverse, I don't want to be rushing but I know I can see a place in maybe a day and then move on. (Like Cordoba) I'm going with a friend and its kinda like a backpacking trip but with money haha. So what are some places I must see to know what Veracruz is all about? I was thinking Puerto and Xalapa since many people have made that recommendation . I also heard Catemaco is cool but I think thats really far and will spend too much time traveling by bus.1
"Colonial, traditional, bohemian, Caribbean..." That Veracruz all right! The city itself is all of those... I always tell U.S. visitors it's a cross between San Francisco and (pre-Hurricane) New Orleans — where good Mexicans go to be bad :-)With only five days, yeah, I suppose you can also hit Cordoba and Xalapa, but the Port itself might occupy you the whole time.
2
With only five-days, Puerto Veracruz would be a good start with its huge Fuerte de San Juan Ulua, excellent aquarium, and live music and nightlife in the Plaza del Consitucion. You could take an interesting day-trip to the runs of El Tajin from Veracruz or boat tour at Boca del Rio.If you had at least a couple days left over after all that, you could:
Visit the colonial town of Talcotalpan on the way to Catemaco to see Los Tuxtlas besides getting your palm read by a bruja.
or
Visit Xalapa maybe seeing nearby towns of Coatepec and Xico.
3
John Todd lists a number of things to do in Veracruz. Living in Xalapa, I've never thought of Xalapa being a tourist destination. However, Coatepec and Xico are places to visit. Hit Coatepec on the weekend. With a variety of restaurants and coffee shops to try and then back to the zocalo in the evening - the pueblo comes alive. In Xalapa, the streets of Murillo Vidal and Araucarias are full of restaurants, coffee shops, and clubs.5
Personally I think it's be a mistake to blow the 5 days in Puerto (this coming from someone who just spent a mostly enjoyable week there last month). Definitely try to catch a couple of days in Xalapa if you can, if just to show you two completely different sides of the state.6
If you go to Catemaco from Pto Veracruz and like shrimp/seafood, try to get a meal at Alverado. It's about half way.Santiago Tuxtlas is a good base to explore from. Make sure to do the loop road along the coast
past Roca Partida.
You could spend 5 weeks in the state of Veracruz and not see it all.
8
northwind - OP could easily fit in a tour to El Tajin/Papantla.When in Veracruz in 2010 we took an all day tour from Veracruz to Papantla and El Tajin and return same day. We had plenty of time, saw the voladores perform, bought a bunch of vanilla beans, had plenty of time to tour El Tajin and had a great seafood dinner on the way back. All in all a great day. Made arrangements with the travel tour lady in the Holiday Inn near downtown (even though we weren't staying there - she has a kiosk inside).
9
good suggestions by all..pehaps best - "With only five-days, Puerto Veracruz would be a good start with its huge Fuerte de San Juan Ulua, then check out the aquarium (and add) & adjourning beach and "boardwalk". Evenings are live music and nightlife in the Plaza del Consitucion. (zocalo) You could take an interesting day-trip to the runs of El Tajin"
In addition to the above, I would suggest a day trip to Xalapa to visit the archeolgical museum and a visit to the central park Benito Juerez.. lot of good food and and tourist shopping in nearby "diamond alley".. You may want to overnight - if not will make a long day being about 2 hr bus ride each way from Ver to Xalapa.
Or if you skip the el tajin trip, go to Xalapa area and do the museum, downtown area with a day and night trip to Xico and Coatepec.. Only drawback to Xalapa area is their "winter" weather.. not sure when that starts, but may be chilly of evenings with some chipichipi (drizzle)
If you want to skip the Xalapa part of the trip head south to Catemaco.. Not an over abundance ot things to do there, but is worth a day and night there.. launch trip on lake to Nanciyaga, monkey island,, pleasant little central park. I especially recomend you stop in at "La Casa de Los Tesoros" for local information - good food and a variety of shopping items..
10
Yes jonw, the string of palapas near the aquarium. I purposely left them off my recommendations since the pescado frita we ate in them was super expensive and the "beach" is so polluted and muddy.Still, we had a good time there when the musicians were amazed that I knew all the lyrics to La Bamba (and jokingly asked them for $50 pesos after singing it with them):
quisiera tener la dicha, la dicha que el gallo tiene
de tener muchas gallinas, pero a ninguna mantiene
Yo no soy marinero por ti seré por ti seré por ti seré
Bamba La Bamba
11
I agree with your observations. and as you may have noticed, I didn't recommend swimming or eating along there.. However it does add a certain something to the ambiance and good for a look around while your at the Acuario plaza.. There are also some opportunities for boat rides to isla sacraficia / snorkeling if your so inclined.Highest bacteria count occurs during hottest weather, gradually declining as gulf cools off. If swimming is part of your itinerary while in town, probably best go to Playa Macombo..
13
Thank you all for the information! I can't wait for my trip, I will definitely go to Puerto and Xalapa and Tajin. I wanted to go to catemaco to see the waterfall but im still not sure, it might be too far14
Everyone has different likes and dislikes. If you have never been to Veracruz the Forum is always a good source of information. I have traveled a lot thru Mexico and try to find a blog that expatriots use to dish out their photos and what their places are like. For Veracruz area you may try Vivaveracruz.com and frostiinmexico.com which will help you on your decision making. Have a nice trip.ADVERTISEMENT
Hotels & Hostels
-
Book now
-
La Quinta Inn & Suites New Orleans French Quarter
New Orleans(3 star Hotel)
From US$99.00 per night
Book now
-
Book now