Veracruz
A 40-year labor of love by the late botanist Dr Contreras Juárez, this orchid garden features 5584 species of orchids from around the world, including…
Must-see attractions in Veracruz
Veracruz
For a pleasant nature walk aim for this waterfall about 5km north of central Coatepec. Follow Calle 5 de Mayo north to a bridge, continue north on Calle…
Veracruz
The ‘Enchanted Lagoon’ occupies a small volcanic crater 3.5km northeast of San Andrés in jungle-like terrain. A dirt road goes there, but no buses do…
Xalapa
Veracruz' state government occupies a palatial neoclassical building. On its north and east facades, under the arcades, are superb murals depicting…
Veracruz
Dominating the main plaza, this stone monolith is known as the ‘Cobata Head,’ after the estate where it was found. Thought to be a very late Olmec…
Xalapa
Xalapa has several contemporary art galleries and this one, in a renovated colonial building 1km east of the center, shows an interesting range of…
Veracruz
Tlacotalpan is well known for its locally made cedar furniture, including rocking chairs. Drop by this workshop in business since 1944 to see it being…
Veracruz
This 23-hectare reserve, which was created in 2009 with the planting of thousands of trees, is 2.5km from Laguna Encantada on the road to Ruíz Cortines…
Veracruz City
This colonial-era warehouse has been beautifully converted into an exhibition space and sports a striking mural by Melchor Perado. Worthwhile temporary…
Veracruz
Do drop in to the on-site museum at the entrance to El Tajín (included in your ticket price) to see an excellent model of the site. It also displays a…
Juego de Pelota de Las Pinturas
Veracruz
The Juego de Pelota de las Pinturas (Ball Court of the Paintings), to one side of the Pirámide de los Nichos, is so called as it has two very impressively…
Basilica Menor de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
Veracruz
This salmon pink neo-gothic beauty of a church was completed in 1853. If you think the exterior is pretty jazzy, wait until you go inside where the wall…
Veracruz
This small plantation, which produces almost-organic, shade-grown coffee, offers tours (call ahead) and sells delicious coffee and liquors.
Instituto Veracruzano de Cultura
Veracruz City
A converted church and cloister house some excellent temporary exhibitions as well as works by local contemporary artists.
Museo de la Amistad México-Cuba
Veracruz
This modernist house is now a small museum commemorating the colonial histories of Mexico and Cuba and their significance to Fidel Castro's ill-fated…
Veracruz
On the northeast side of Parque de 21 de Mayo, this 1687 building is the former home of the condes (counts) of Zevallos. Plaques in the courtyard record…
Veracruz
Tuxpan’s beach, 12km east of town, is a wide strip stretching 20km north from the Río Tuxpan’s mouth, though local holidaymakers tend to bunch up at its…
Veracruz
You don't come to Córdoba’s main plaza to tick off a list of 'sights.' You come here to live life. The square vies with Veracruz city's as the region’s…
Veracruz
Formerly a 4-hectare abandoned lot overrun by ‘delinquents,’ this eco-conscious park is now patronized by cordobeses, who run and walk trails that snake…
Xalapa
Xalapa's oldest church was founded back in 1535, with the current building completed in 1770. Architecturally, it displays an unusual blend of baroque and…
Museo de la Ciudad de Veracruz
Veracruz City
Housed in a charming colonial-era building, this museum recounts Veracruz’s history from the pre-Hispanic era. Standout exhibits include some Totonaca and…
Xalapa
Xalapeños escape the monstrous traffic just south of Parque Juárez in this serendipitous park, which has 3km of delightful lakeside paths, most commonly…
Xalapa
Atop a hill north of the city, this 40-hectare park is actually the heavily wooded cap of an extinct volcano. Spiraling to the top, the park’s paths are a…
Veracruz
Cerro de las Culebras (Snake Hill; Coatepec in the Náhuatl language) is easily accessible from the town center. The walk takes you up cobbled steps to a…
Parque Alameda Gabilondo Soler
Veracruz
This leafy park doesn’t lack activity. Aside from the obligatory statues of dead heroes, you’ll find an outdoor gym, a bandstand, food carts, shoe-shiners…
Veracruz
There are fine view's from the hill atop which towers this 1988 statue by Teodoro Cano portraying a volador musician playing his pipe and preparing for…
Veracruz
Stretching for miles, this black-sand beach is extremely popular with Mexican holidaymakers. On weekends and holidays it's packed with families picnicking…
Veracruz
Watch as the torcedores (cigarmakers) speedily hand roll and finish puros at this cigar factory, on the highway, a block or so from the bus station…
Veracruz
This museum has a modest collection of artifacts including a fine Aztec ball-court marker, some Olmec figurines, and a replica of the statue of El señor…
Veracruz
This museum features old photos of Tlacotalpan, and those of tlacotalpeño Agustín Lara (1900–70) – a legendary musician, composer and Casanova – as well…
Veracruz
Cordoba's neoclassical municipal palace, built in 1905, is worth a quick look for its stairway covered by a historical mural created in 2010 by Jaime…
Veracruz
Smaller than your average Mexican city plaza, Parque Castillo is watched over by the 17th-century Catedral de San Miguel Arcángel and the neoclassical…
Veracruz
Basically a room in a house, come here to view the Xico craft of making intricate and detailed figures from hojas de maiz (maize leaves): the dolls in…
Xalapa
For a quick exposé of Xalapan history, head to this museum in an old colonial house close to Parque Juárez. Exhibits (in Spanish) run the gamut from…
Veracruz
At the center of Coatepec’s lush green main square stands a glorieta (bandstand), which doubles as a cafe. Set back from the road on the eastern side is…
Veracruz
Lovers of the utterly bizarre should hotfoot it to the home of Don Pío Barrán. He keeps several enormous crocodiles and a range of artifacts, including a…
Veracruz City
A monument to one of Veracruz' most famous musical icons, this museum displays a range of Agustín Lara’s personal belongings, furniture and memorabilia in…
Veracruz
Named after a Tlacotalpan artist, this is the best of Tlacotalpan's handful of mini-museums based within a charming old colonial mansion. Its exhibits are…
Veracruz
This compact whitewashed building is believed to be the oldest church in Mexico. Parts of it date back to 1525, but the church was expanded to its present…
Veracruz City
On the southeast side of the zócalo, this small arts center has rotating photographic and video exhibitions. It’s spread over three floors of a restored…
