VeracruzWhy Go?Taking up much of Mexico’s Caribbean coastline, the long and diverse state of Veracruz is where the Spanish con-quest of the Aztecs began. It was also the cradle of the aptly named Veracruz Mesoamerican culture at El Tajín and is home to Mexico’s highest peak, soaring, snow-capped Orizaba.

As a destination it’s routinely overlooked by travelers, and while it’s true that the beaches are better in the Yu-catán and the colonial towns more impressive in Mexico’s central and western highlands, Veracruz has a steady sup-ply of charms in both categories. It also lays claim to the World Heritage site of colonial Tlacotalpan, the impressive Biosphere Reserve of Los Tuxtlas and some gorgeous pueb-los mágicos (magical villages) including hilly Papantla, cob-bled Coscomatepec and the coffee-growing center of Xico.

Its biggest attraction, however, is its quietness. Wherever you go here, you’ll find yourself well off the beaten path, with discoveries just waiting to be made.

Best Places to Eat¨¨ El Brou (p222)

¨¨ Las Delicias Marinas (p217)

¨¨ Restaurante Mesón Xiqueño (p227)

¨¨ Los Canarios (p212)

¨¨ Ulúa Fish (p212)

Best Places to Stay¨¨ Posada del Emperador

(p232)

¨¨ Mesón del Alférez Xalapa (p220)

¨¨ Hotel Azúcar (p243)

¨¨ Hotel Posada Doña Lala (p246)

When to Go

Oct Cheap prices, bearable temper-atures and barely another tourist in sight.

Feb–Mar The Veracruz Carna-val kicks off the biggest party on Mexico’s eastern coast.

Nov–Feb Peak tourist season for non-Mexicans with less rain and balmy temperatures.

F DNOSAJJMAMJ

Veracruz City°C/°F Temp Rainfall inches/mm

0/32

10/50

20/68

30/86

40/104

0

8/200

16/400

24/600

Veracruz City . . . . . . 205Xalapa . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217Córdoba . . . . . . . . . . . .227Orizaba . . . . . . . . . . . 232Tuxpan . . . . . . . . . . . . 235Papantla . . . . . . . . . . .237El Tajín . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241Tlacotalpan . . . . . . . . 245Catemaco . . . . . . . . . . 251Reserva de la Biosfera Los Tuxtlas 253

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Tenochtitlán

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Coatepec

El Tajín

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Tlacotalpan

0 100 km0 50 miles

Veracruz Highlights1 Decipher a triumvirate of Mesoamerican cultures in Xalapa’s architecturally magnificent Museo de Antropología (p218)

2 Marvel at the many colors of colonial Tlacotalpan (p245), perhaps Mexico’s least known World Heritage site

3 imagine past glories at the extensive ruins of El Tajín (p241)

4 Take a boat across Laguna de sontecomapan for fresh fish on the beach at La Barra (p254)

5 sip gourmet coffee in the cloud forest–encased towns of Coatepec (p224) or Xico (p226)

6 Climb (or at least take the cable car) up Mexico’s highest mountain, magnificent Pico de Orizaba (p235)

7 Watch grown men fly at a one-of-a-kind voladores ceremony in Papantla (p237)