Veracruz Port and City, Full of History and Traditions
Located in the Midst of the Gulf of Mexico
The City and Port of Veracruz is located right in the midst of the Gulf of Mexico, on the Eastern part of The Country. For Centuries, it was the Major Port connecting Mexico’s Foreign Trade with Europe, the Eastern Coast of the United States and later the Caribbean and South America. Veracruz is an Icon in the History and Traditions of Mexico with many attractions for Tourism and Business Travelers. The State of Veracruz is where the Spanish Conquers led by Hernan Cortes, first set foot on the Continent, as part of the Discovery of the Americas. Veracruz is the place where the army landed and found rich vegetation, rivers and plenty fresh water. So they named it “Villa Rica de la Veracruz” which in English means “The Rich Village of the True Cross”. The new lands seemed like a present from God.
Attractions, things to see and to do
Moving south the Colonizers discovered the huge basin of the Papaloapan river, as well as the spread out Culture of the Chichimec’s. Since Veracruz Port and City was nestled right in the Center of the State, as well as the center of the Gulf of Mexico, the Spaniards set their supply center as well as the place where they shipped out the looted precious jewels, Gold and Silver taken from the conquered aborigine societies. With the previous experience of the Caribbean Islands, some African slaves where brought inn to work on the sugar plantations. The Spaniards, the different tribes, and later the slaves formed a new and unique race, the “Jarocho”. These are hard working people that labor all along the State of Veracruz. People of Veracruz produce through Agriculture, all sorts of tropical fruits, sugar cane and vegetables. Fishing is an important activity supplying most of the Highlands demand for sea food, Coffee is also a major product and all over the state you will find live stock rising; as well as, many different industries, in addition to Petroleum all along its Coast line.
Veracruz Special Folklore and Traditions
Although the State Capital “Jalapa” is 108 Kilometers west, on the first slopes of the Sierra Mountains, Veracruz was the number one Port of the Country for Centuries and the center of the Export-Import trade with the rest of the world. Veracruz experienced a very important development and played a very special role in the History of the Country. Veracruz is one of the 36 Major Cities of Mexico and as such, has many activities that give her a special ranking in this distinguished group of towns. Tourists arrive in the hundreds of thousands every year. Veracruz is a City with its own personality. People are specially hospitable and enjoy welcoming visitors to share their music, fiestas, Carnival and serenades. The Caribbean mixes in their blood are present in their joy for Salsa and Merengue, but Veracruz is also the shrine of Danzon, a cool and nice slow romantic dancing Music. The second most popular folkloric music in Mexico after the Mariachi band, is represented by The Son Jarocho with its fashionable presentations that have a slight touch of influence from the Spanish Gypsies. Veracruz has its own cuisine which still keeping present the habits of its aborigine roots, merged with the influence of the Spanish immigrants during and after the Colonial Stage, as well as the contact with the chefs of hundreds of vessels that would anchor during several days at the Port during their loading or disembarking maneuvers.
Veracruz Places to Visit and to stroll around.
The City of Veracruz has adjacent to its Historic District, a fortress built to defend the Port, as well as walls that would defend the City against pirates wanting to attack the Spanish Naval Facilities, today the Headquarters of the MNavel Infantry. Veracruz has a City Hall and a Cathedral from the 17th and 18th century. All around the town main square, you will see the legacy of the Centuries gone by. The Light House hosting the Port Authority office, is one of the many attractions worth catching among your most memorable vacation pictures. Along the Malecon, not very far from the Port Area, you will find the Veracruz Aquarium a must to acknowledge the richness of these Golf Waters.
Veracruz Down Town Shopping and hanging out.
The Historic District has Hotels that have survived the boom of the New Beach Hotel Zone. They are Close to the Malecon and around the main Square; as well as, close to the traditional attractions of historic Buildings and to the Thursday and Sundays’ Serenades, with different Folkloric events plus the Performance of the Municipal Band. These serenades, as well as shopping downtown or strolls along the Malecon, are treats that the local people and families enjoy in the evenings. As the City boomed in the last 3 decades, a totally New Hotel Zone was developed in the neighbor and merging municipality of Boca del Rio. You now have State of the Art Resorts and Convention Centers on the Beach, such as Fiesta Americana Mexico’s biggest and leading Hotel Chain. Adjacent and around this new area you have superb dinning and excellent Night Life. Boca del Rio has contributed to improve Veracruz’s position on the Tourist Map of Mexico.
Veracruz Dining a most memorable gastronomic experience
Dining in Veracruz will be a most memorable gastronomic experience. People will start by having breakfast, regional cuisine or just Coffee at Café La Parroquia on the Town Square reputed for Coffee, a favorite of locals. Lorencillo’s a Must for Haute Cuisine Sea food. El Gaucho is an Argentinean Steak House very popular among large steak eaters. Akelare offers cuisine from Spain with the very famous paella and sea food specialties. Antojitos Janet an authentic Mexican Restaurant with Regional Veracruz dishes that have a special touch. The Italian Coffee Shop although a Nation wide Franchise has got to the taste of locals in this fine coffee growing State. Il Veneziano with a very nice and varied Italian Cuisine. French La Crepe et La Lune, Assorted International cuisine at Marina’s and many other nice restaurants adding up to over 77 reputed places.
Veracruz Excursions, Tours and Sightseeing
If you want to tour around Veracruz, “La Antigua” is a quiet village, only 28 Kilometers North, where you will see the place where the Spaniards landed to start the Conquest of Mexico and the house that was Built for Hernan Cortes in the 16th Century, the town square, the church and at the same time a typical rural village. 12 Kilometers Further North, you can visit the extended beaches of Chachalacas, with small shacks cooking catch of the day sea food and which all around have many birds that concert the early morning or the sun down hour. If you want to stay in this isolated area, there is Hotel Chachalacas. If you want to drive 2 hours further along a highway bordering the Coast and showing the rich agriculture on the countryside, you can go to the archeological area of El Tajin.
If you go South from the City of Veracruz you will reach Tlacotalpan, which due to its Historic Values and conservation of its heritage, was registered by the UNESCO as a treasure of mankind. Spaniards encountered strong resistance by the Totonacs and stayed there as a stronghold part of the Conquest. Later in the 17th and 18th century the town organized to repeal pirate attacks. Today a fishing and agricultural community, Tlacotalpan has many colonial attractions, its town square, its parks, The House of Culture, City Hall, a Theater and many more attractions. On your way back, go through Alavarado, founded by one of Cortes’ Captains. Today you will find historic buildings with a nice architectonical touch and a traditional sea food cuisine in a series of small restaurants. Another day, if you drive west, got to Cempoala 43 kilometers from Veracruz, which was a ceremonial center for the Totonacas with pyramids and an astronomical observatory and an altar dedicated to worship the moon.
