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 lookout tower with a white statue of Christ on top. From here there are magnificent city and mountain views (it's best to go in the morning).
To get there, walk three blocks west from the main plaza on Lerdo, then north all the way up Independencia.
6.53 MILES
Attached to spacious gardens, 4km northwest of the center, this remarkable museum contains Mexico’s second-finest archaeological collection. The focus is…
4.52 MILES
From Xico, it's a pleasant, signposted 3km walk (or short drive along a potholed road) to the spectacular, plunging, 80m Cascada de Texolo. From the…
3.63 MILES
If you want to learn a bit more about the history of coffee in the region, visit this excellent museum, which displays antique coffee-making tools…
5.22 MILES
Xalapa's central main square doubles as a terrace, with its south side overlooking the valley below and, in clear weather, the snowcapped cone of Pico de…
9.65 MILES
Almost as old as New Spain itself, this former posada was initiated in 1525 by Juan Lencero, a soldier loyal to Hernán Cortés, and served as a resting…
14.58 MILES
A worthy day trip from Xalapa, Naolinco is a 33km drive north of the city. Apart from its Parroquía San Mateo, it has a viewpoint overlooking the…
5.3 MILES
A mélange of neo-Gothic and baroque, Xalapa’s cathedral lacks a second tower but still impresses with its scale and grandiosity. The architecture makes…
3.87 MILES
This excellent, colorful museum is devoted to the centuries-old history of Xico's costumed dances that take pride of place during the town's celebrations…
0.43 MILES
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…
0.59 MILES
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…
3. Basilica Menor de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
0.62 MILES
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…
1.1 MILES
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…
3.63 MILES
If you want to learn a bit more about the history of coffee in the region, visit this excellent museum, which displays antique coffee-making tools…
3.68 MILES
This small plantation, which produces almost-organic, shade-grown coffee, offers tours (call ahead) and sells delicious coffee and liquors.
3.87 MILES
This excellent, colorful museum is devoted to the centuries-old history of Xico's costumed dances that take pride of place during the town's celebrations…
3.99 MILES
Southwest of the town center, this attractive park has an expansive collection of subtropical and cloud-forest plants. The pines are particularly prolific.