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Veracruz is a State full of History, traditions and cultural wealth, which is stressed by the joy of its people, its popular celebrations and delicious and varied dishes, based on seafood and fish accompanied by the traditional "toritos", a drink made with fruits, condensed milk and a little bit of brandy.
In order to visit the State easily, seven circuits, and each one with an ample range of entertainment and service possibilities have been created.
HUASTECA OF VERACRUZ
In the Northern area of the State you can visit the Port of Tuxpan port, with one of the best beaches in the area, with its smooth slope and almost 70 meters (229 feet) of dry beach, where water sports are available.
Teayo Castle. Archaeological area located near Tuxpan, visit the pre-Hispanic pyramid with Tolteca, Huasteca and Nahuatl influence. You must taste, in some corner of the Huasteca, the "zacahuilt" (a huge tamale prepared with pork, chicken or turkey, cooked in clay oven.).
THE TOTONACAPAN
This is one of the most attractive areas in Veracruz, where a culture of universal importance flourished: the Totonaca, whose main vestige is the City of El Tajin, located only 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the City of Poza Rica.
Tajin is considered Cultural Patrimony of the Humanity, on an extension of 10 square kilometers (6 square miles). Its main area extends over 144 hectares (355 acres) with approximately 180 structures. In this city the Ceremonial Center, the Administrative Area, 17 ball games, the Stream Plaza and the Palace of the Governing Lord of El Tajin are the most important buildings.
It displays a very particular architectural style, due to the fact that its buildings are made in a slope-board style with niches and cornices, which create a very special light and shade design.
Papantla. Located 15 kilometers (9 miles) from El Tajin. This beautiful Colonial architecture city, of worldwide fame due to its vanilla, with which they create beautiful figurines. Following the coast, you will find heavenly places between Tecolutla to Ursulo Galvan, where Emerald Coast is located, famous due to its calm beaches, adapted for leisure and water sports, such as scuba diving, sailing and skiing.
Some other tours are made by boat, through the " Cienegas del Fuerte", an extensive swamp surrounded by mangroves. The area includes other archaeological sites, such as Quiahuiztlan, where three cemeteries, the ball game set and a residential area are located.
Vega de la Peña and Cuajilote, in Tlapacoyan, as well as Zempoala, the last Capital South Totonacapan, have ceremonial centers, among others, the "Templo Mayor", the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, "The Caritas " and " The Chimeneas".
HIGH MOUNTAINS CIRCUIT
The mountain range offers scenarios ideal for free flying. In this area of Nahuatl influence and great agricultural and industrial growth, are located cities with Colonial architecture and nice weather. In addition, there are located two beautiful natural spaces: Pico de Orizaba (Peak of Orizaba) National Park and Rio Blanco Canyon.
In the City of Cordoba you should visit the Museum of the City, Pedro Diaz Temple, the Zeballos Portal, where the Treaties of Cordoba were signed in 1821, the Municipal Palace and the Immaculate Parish.
Fortin: Small town located only 7 kilometers (4 miles) from Cordoba, offers abundance of flowers in its provincial landscapes. Here, you will find gardens with gardenias and orchids.
Huatusco: This town is located only 46 kilometers (28 miles) from Cordoba, it offers a very pleasant weather and has vegetation with notorious coffee plantations.
Orizaba: One of the oldest cities in the State, offers the beauty of its temples and churches, The Constitution Plaza, the Art Museum and the old Municipal Palace, in addition to the natural beauty of the Hill of the Lamb and the Elephant Waterfall.
CULTURE AND ADVENTURE CIRCUIT
Unfolded in the central area of the State, this circuit includes the Capital of the State.
Xalapa: Beautiful city of pleasant weather, offers a Botanical Garden; the Museum of Anthropology; the Museum of Science and Technology; the Theater of the State, that always has activities; the House of Handicrafts; the Diamond Alley, full of life, with food and handicrafts stands, the "Jesus Te Ampare" Alley, typical, quiet and harmoniously beautiful, and the Watercress Park.
The Macuiltepetl National Park and the Lagos del Dique, as well as "El Lencero" Museum, which dates back to 1525, and was turned into Hacienda by Antonio Lopez of Santa Ana.
Coatepec. This town is located only 8 kilometers (4 miles) from Xalapa, , famous due to its coffee production and the exquisite beauty of its orchids and colorful landscapes. Its cobblestone streets, beautiful houses in Colonial style with inner patios, and its numerous churches, are very pleasant areas to enjoy its nice weather during most of the year. You should taste the ice cream at the gazebo located in the park and fruit liquors of the Bautista Galvez House.
The adventure tourism is a great option in this area. In Jalcomulco-Carrizal, La Antigua, Actopan, Atoyac-Cotaxtla and Filobobos, rafting is available. In Jalcomulco, 30 minutes from Xalapa, ecotourism and camping areas are available. Carrizal, located 45 kilometers (27 miles) from the Capital of Veracruz has bathing resorts and in the Filobobos River, you will go rafting, crossing a large Canyon you will arrive at "El Encanto" Waterfall. Additionally, fishing, long walks, speleology and hiking are available.
FIRST STEPS OF CORTES
The path starts in La Antigua, where the first contact between indigenous people and Spaniards took place, and where La Villa Rica de la Veracruz was founded in 1525.
The Port of Veracruz: It is the most important city of the circuit, due to the fact that it has a lot to show, starting with the Historical Center, the Municipal Palace, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Asuncion and the Plaza de Armas, heart of the city since the seventeenth century. Visit the San Juan de Ulua Castle, the Baluarte de Santiago, old defense constructions against pirate attacks.
In order to get to the port culture, we recommended the "Danzon" (dancing) afternoons in Zamora Park, a stroll by the oceanfront, where you will enjoy a traditional coffee with milk in La Parroquia Coffee shop, located next to the levee, as well as a visit to Los Portales at night, where tourist, sailors and inhabitants of the port get acquainted.
The beach, the Marine National Park, located across from the "Sacrificios" Island, the Aquarius -where an impressive fish tank lodges sharks, marine turtles and rays- are places that offer lots of fun. First-class tourist and lodging services are available, as well as nightclubs, shopping centers, and the suburb of Boca del Rio, where you will feel the cool mood of the locals. In February, you cannot miss the Carnival of Veracruz, the happiest in the country.
Another attraction in the Veracruz-Boca del Rio area is the modern Convention and Exhibit Center EXPOVER, which has 92,000 square meters (990,275 square feet) of construction and all the necessary infrastructure for great events.
South of the port, in Alavarado, Tlacotalpan and Cosamaloapan, you will see a strong Spanish influence in its architecture and its culture, with artistic expressions, musical and gastronomical, that create totally "jarochas" (a distinctive trace from the State of Veracaruz) expressions.
Tlacotalpan. City that was declared Cultural Patrimony of Humanity, where an annual celebration in honor to the Candelaria Virgin, is held from January 31 to February 2nd. It is a traditional festivity, home of the "Jaraneros" (musicians) annual meeting.
THE TUXTLAS, MAGIC AND BEAUTY
This is a surprising circuit, where you will find History, natural beauty, and magic. Here, the unique microclimate system of the world is located, that you will be able to see in the Ecotourism Nanciyaga Park, located within the forest of the Tuxtlas. In Catemaco Lake there are very original rustic facilities with a solarium, a wharf for kayaks and canoes, mineral water springs, "temazcal" (hot water and herbs) baths, food area and dormitories.
The most attractive towns in the area are Zapotes, with vestiges of the Olmeca culture, San Andres Tuxtla; Santiago Tuxtla, and Catemaco. In this last one, there are comfortable hotels on the edge of the lagoon, where ecotourism activities are available, such as tours to Monos Island. Also, visit the impressive Eyipantla waterfall, and the springs located in the area, with picnic facilities for picnics.
OLMECA CIRCUIT
Thus called as a tribute to the Olmeca culture, which inhabited this area, 1500 B.C. years This circuit displays magnificent archaeology, as well as ethnic groups that subsist.
The Soteapan and Huazuntlan waterfalls are beautiful landscapes that you can enjoy near the industrial area. In Coatzacoalcos, you will be able to take a boat ride or go paddling in the river. In open sea, the Shad Fishing International Tournament takes place in July.
In Minatitlan, the Manatee Lagoon offers a wonderful spectacle for nature lovers, due to the migration of birds, that takes place from November to March. And San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan is an archaeological site full of surprises, in which 10 colossal heads of the Olmeca culture ideal. |
