Veracruz

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Introduction

East Entrance to the Zocalo in Veracruz

© All Rights Reserved Lavafalls

The medium sized port city of Veracruz, with deteriorating city centre, has a charm to it that is hard to miss. Located in the state of Veracruz in Mexico, it seems to lack all the hustle and bustle of the larger and more popular tourist destinations at the same time it does have a certain bit of seediness to it, making it all the more interesting. The city is located right on the water making for fun urban beaches, sadly with the view of container ships and oil rigs off in the distance. Its main claim to fan is being the site of where Cortez landed his first ship in 1519.

In general most of the travellers in Veracruz are middle class Mexicans or business men in the import-export/oil trade making for an interesting place. If looking to break up the long journey from the south to the north Veracruz is a great place to spend 2 nights just to stretch your legs.

Neighbourhoods

Sights and Activities

Zocalo

The Zocalo in Veracruz is small but has lots of charm. The square is lined with the main cathedral, which was built in the 18th century, a few government buildings and some old hotels that are some of the oldest hotels in all of the New World. In the evening the hotels set up cafe's on the square offering good food at an ok price. Musicians also show up in the evening and others set up stalls to sell crafts to locals. This is also a great place to watch local couples enjoy the evening air.

Beaches

Beach at Veracruz, Playa Mocambo

© All Rights Reserved Lavafalls

Although urban beaches lacking the romance and beauty of some of other beaches in Mexico, these beaches do offer a good chance to relax. In general the further south you go the better the beaches will be along the coastline of the city.

• Playa Mocambo is located in the far south of the city and is a nice beach. During the day several people sell fresh fish and the life guards keep a close watch. It is about a 40 peso cab ride, one way, from the Zocalo.
• Playa de Hornos and Playa Villa de Mar are smaller urban beaches located near the city centre. They do not have that much charm but it is sand and water, what else do you need?
• Cancuncito is a sand bar off the coast and the best beach in town. Also in the water is the Isle de Sacrificios, which at one time was an island for human sacrifice during the Totonac times, then turned into a leprosy colony and today is a bio reserve. To get to these places take a launch from the aquarium for 120 pesos.

Other Sights and Activities

• Waterfront Walk Way is located right on the port and is charming but not so charming. You can watch the ships unload and at the same time look at the anceint fort across the bay. The waterfront walk way is located just north and east of the Zocalo.
• San Juan De Ulua is the fort that protected Veracruz for several generations. Orginally on an island it is now connected to the land by a causeway. It costs about 50 pesos to take a taxi there or take a boat from malecon for 25 pesos. Admission is 40 pesos, open tuesday to sunday 9 am to 4:30 pm.
• Acuario De Veracruz is a good aquarium located 2 km from the Zocalo with some nice exhibtis. For an additional 300 pesos for adults, or 150 pesos for children, it is possible to be lowered into a tank of feeding sharks called the Tiburoneria. Admission is 60 pesos for adults and 30 pesos for children. Open everyday of the week 10 am to 7pm

Events and Festivals

Weather

Getting There

By Plane

By Train

By Car

By Bus

• ADO Bus station is located on the edge of town and has service to almost every city and town in the country.

By Boat

Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

By Foot

By Bike

Eat

Drink

• Hotel Imperial on the zocalo is a great place to grab a drink in the evenings

Sleep

Budget

• Hotel Amparo is a nice budget hotel located in the zocalo area. This large hotel offers clean rooms with 24 hot water. It is a great place to leave your bags and hit the town. The hotel is located at Serdan 482. Single rooms: 150, Double Rooms: 220, Triple Rooms: 320.

Mid-Range

Upscale

• Hotel Imperial is one of the oldest luxury hotels in the new world. Located right on the Zocalo at Calle Miguel Lerdo #153, this hotel has a charm that only the 18th century can bring. The lobby is an amazing elevator, one of the first in Mexico, that truly has style. The cafe the hotel runs on the Zocalo is a great place to grab a late dinner or drinks in the evening. Rooms range from 600 pesos a night for a basic standard to 2,500 pesos for an imperial suite.

Work

Learn

Keep Connected

Internet

Several of the photo processing shops around the zocalo have internet for 2 pesos an hour.

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

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