Veracruz, a capital full of history

Veracruz ´s Aquarium View

The capital of Veracruz is the main commercial port of Mexico, and it is also the main tourist destination of the state. Mainly take one of the flights to Veracruz, it translates into traveling to one of the best beach destinations on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, it is a seafaring city that keeps and maintains its traditions. It was through Veracruz that Hernan Cortés arrived to begin the conquest and colonization of Mexico, hence it has a strong colonial past that can still be seen today through its streets.

The Zocalo of the city

This is a public space partially surrounded by the Cathedral and the Municipal Palace, this is where people meet at all hours, especially after nightfall, to enjoy music, dance and have fun with the many options available. The most imposing building in this area is the Cathedral, which was built in 1721 with a neoclassical style; in the area, there are several works of art that are worth admiring.

Boulevard Manuel Ávila Camacho

This street is one of the most interesting for tourism in the city, so it almost always has people walking at all times of the day, it is also full of outdoor cafes, restaurants, bars, gives access to the Aquarium of Veracruz and can be reached by it to several beaches, making it a great place to walk, meet people, spend time, visit the various craft markets and admire the rich history of the city through the monuments and statues that can be found along the boulevard. It is also possible to rent kayaks, take boat rides through the bay or get diving and snorkeling excursions in the Veracruz Reef System, a protected underwater area and part of one of the largest coral reefs on the planet.

Aquarium Mexico

Veracruz’s aquarium

Opened in 1992, it is the most important aquarium in Mexico and probably in Latin America, considered today as one of the main tourist attractions of the city. The aquarium has 8 exhibition areas with an approximate distance of 500 m in total and an outdoor terrace facing the sea of 300 m long, which turns out to be a popular attraction.

San Juan of Ulua

Located at the northern end of the port, its construction began in 1535 making it one of the oldest and largest fortresses in America. Its initial function was to protect the Port of Veracruz from the attack of pirates and corsairs, but throughout it is nearly 500 years of existence it has fulfilled various functions and had important roles in the history of the city and Mexico. Nowadays it is a museum and it is almost a must see place.

The beaches of the capital

The beaches are an inseparable part of Veracruz, and in fact, this city is the main destination of sun and beach of the state, perhaps not so much for what you will find on its beaches, but for the infrastructure of services they have and the entertainment options what you can find.

Don´t hesitate to take any of the flights to Veracruz and thus be able to visit one of the most important ports in Mexico that has enough to offer to all types of travelers.

 

 

The magic of the towns of Veracruz

Veracruz has many magical towns that are somewhat enigmatic, but beautiful. Each of these towns has its own essence, so knowing them becomes a very entertaining and enriching adventure, because any of the flights to Veracruz can ensure a trip full of beautiful things to admire.

 

Papantla

Surely, you have heard of the “Voladores de Papantla”, five men who climb to the top of a post from which 4 of them hang down gradually, while the fifth seated on the top plays an instrument. This tradition is Nahuatl, it was a ceremony destined to invoke the fertility for the land, and the community, besides that dance, Papantla has some archaeological zones like El Tajin and Cuyuxquihui.

Coscomatepec

If you like sports, this is the magical town you should visit, especially if you love mountain biking or if you are looking for more ecotourism you should know that it is between two ravines, so expeditions are made to place while a guide tells you the history of the site and tells you about the importance of staying alive, is located near Cordoba so it is very easy to stay.

 

Coatepec

This is a small coffee town, so the quality of this drink in the place is unparalleled, and to celebrate this plant there is a ceremony in May in which the queen of the coffee is crowned, and to honor her they are taken to held musical events, which end in massive dances. However, it is also the place with the highest production of orchids and has several species, here there is nothing like walking along the hill of the Culebras until you reach the viewpoint and see the town from the top. In some tours, they offer coffee and liqueur tests derived from it that will make you fall in love with this place completely.

 

Orizaba

It is known as the City of the Cheerful Waters since it crosses a river that takes its name and that is born from the skirts of the Peak of Orizaba. Every year it receives a large number of visitors who seek to completely explore the place, making it the second most visited destination in Veracruz. However, this place not only has the huge mountain in its territory, since you can also admire the area of historical monuments, which are 8 mainly highlighting the houses of important people in Mexican history.

 

Zozocolco de Hidalgo

The waters of the Tehuantepec River moisten the shores of the place, this site is one of the main producers of crafts with cedar and silver, and so in addition to seeing high quality artisan pieces, you can also buy some and support the local economy. Its people say that the traditions and cultural activities are centered on gastronomy, so you should taste the barbecue and the mole, which are usually prepared differently in each place. In addition, to cool off a bit, you can visit the pools and streams that surround the town.

Delight yourself with each of these towns in any of the flights to Veracruz and know more about the riches that each one protects so that all its visitors enjoy them.

The delights that Veracruz hides

food veracruz

There are plenty of places where you can enjoy a delicious meal in Mexico, but there are only some states of the Republic that can be presumed as cradles of the national cuisine, because many of their dishes today are tested in almost any part of the country. This time we will recommend some dishes that you should taste the next time you take one of the flights to Veracruz, a city of great gastronomic wealth with pre-Hispanic roots, enriched with Spanish, French and other people’s contributions that will leave you surprised.

Fish to the Veracruzana

The first Spanish settlements in Mexico were in Veracruz and the fish Veracruzana is a dish that symbolizes the meeting between the two cultures, European and American. The secret of the recipe is the sauce with which the fish fillet is bathed, preferably of a white meat specimen, such as grouper, sea bass or red snapper, in the sauce you can find native elements such as chiles güeros and xictomatl, name that Aztecs and Mexicas gave to the tomato, with Spanish contributions such as olives, capers and oregano, traditionally served with white rice and a mixed salad.

Rice to the tumbada

There are at least two versions regarding the origin of the name of this dish based on rice and seafood, which is a culinary symbol of the Veracruz city of Alvarado and the most consumed food in the state during Holy Week. One version says that the pot practically has to be “knocked down” from the fire at the precise moment to prevent the preparation from passing through. The other indicates that years ago a group of fishermen walking along the coast of Veracruz touched down to make food, a person who lived there prepared a rice with seafood that was broth and before the complaint of his companions, he told them that he had made the food to the “aventón” or to the “tumbada”.

arroz veracruz

Crab Chilpachole

The veracruzanos call chilpachole a soup prepared with chile of chilpaya, a round fruit originating from the center of the state similar to chile piquín. There are chilpacholes of chicken, shrimp, octopus, clams, crabs and any land or marine species that they have on hand. Chilies, tomatoes and other ingredients give the broth a bright red color and an intense flavor, which harmonize very well with the crab and the aromatic magic touch are given by the leaves of smell.

Vuelve a la Vida

During Lent, Jesus Christ fasted in the desert for 40 days and surely regained strength with a few pieces of bread and a little wine, the Mexicans are more fortunate since in Lent, although they don´t fast, they recover with a “Vuelve a la Vida”. This is a cocktail of seafood in which each region of the country puts its own signature, the “Vuelve a la Vida” jarocho usually carries ingredients similar to those of any other part, but has something that distinguishes it from the others and gives it its particular personality.

You don´t need to read more about the state kitchen, the best thing is that as soon as you take one of the flights to Veracruz and arrive at the port, ask for some of the dishes so that you can begin to truly know those delights.