14 Best Sights in Veracruz, Mexico

About 4 km (2½ mi) south of Playa Mocambo is Boca del Río, a small fishing village at the mouth of the Río Jamapa that is quickly getting sucked into Veracruz's orbit. A taxi from the city center costs about $4.

The massive orange-trimmed church on the north side of Plaza Zaragoza is the Capilla de la Candelaria, constructed in 1779. It houses the town's patron saint, the Virgen de la Candelaria. The saint is honored each year with a festival that runs from January 31 to February 9; a parade with hundreds of horses is followed by the running of the bulls through the streets. The most famous image of the festival is a statue of the Virgin Mary drifting down the river, followed by a flotilla of little boats. The buildings in Plaza Zaragoza are helpfully marked with snippets of history printed in Spanish and English.

The neoclassical Casa de Cabildo, which houses all the governmental offices, is painted vivid shades of red and green. The huge arch in the center of the building leads to the old port, and all newcomers once passed through this portal.

Although locals call it Casa de Cortés, the 16th-century customs house actually had nothing to do with the conquistador. Little is left of the structure, which once housed 22 rooms surrounded by a huge courtyard. Its crumbling masonry has been reclaimed by clinging vines and massive tree roots.

Xico is known for its natural wonders, notably the Cascada de Texolo, a majestic waterfall set in a deep gorge of tropical greenery. The lush area surrounding the falls is great for exploring; paths lead through forests of banana trees to smaller cascades and crystal-blue pools, perfect for a refreshing swim. There's also a steep staircase that will take you from the observation deck to the base of the falls.

The falls are about 3 km (2 mi) from the center of town. To reach them, start from the red-and-white church where Calle Zaragoza and Calle Matamoros meet and follow the cobblestone street downhill, bearing right when you reach the small roadside shrine to the Virgin Mary. Continue through the coffee plantations, following the signs for "La Cascada" until you reach the main observation deck. It's a long walk, so if it's a hot day you might want to take a taxi from the main square. Entry is free, though there's a small fee for parking.

Heading toward the river on Calle Ruiz Cortés you'll see a tree with tentacle-like branches blocking the road. This is the Ceiba de la Noche Feliz. It's said the river once extended to this tree and that Cortés tied his boats here when he arrived.

Mandinga is 8 km (5 mi) south of Boca del Río, and is less frequented by tourists.

Museo Casa Lara is filled with photographs and other items that belonged to Augustín Lara, a musician and movie star. Look for stills from films such as Los Tres Bohemios and Los Tres Amores de Lola. The best reason to visit, though, is the chance to poke around a lovely colonial-era home.

Across the river from downtown is the grandly named Museo Histórico de la Amistad México–Cuba. This one-room house, bare save for black-and-white photos and a few threadbare uniforms, is where Fidel Castro lived for a time while planning the overthrow of Fulgencio Batista. To get here from the dock, walk three blocks south to Calle Obregón, then head west for several blocks until you reach the end of the street.

The petite Parroquia de Santa María Magdalena, at the end of Avenida Hidalgo, was built on the highest spot in town, so you have to climb some steep stairs to get to the entrance. Behind the altar is a traditional depiction of the crucifixion with Mary Magdalene, showing a bit more shoulder than usual, lying prostrate beneath the cross. A more demure statue of her is dressed in a different outfit for every day of the festival in her honor. The small museum behind the church has a display of her ensembles.

Everyone seems to come here at night, from cuddling young couples in search of a secluded bench to parents with children seeking the best place for ice cream. Drop by during the day and you'll find boats that will take you out into the harbor for about $5 per person.

The first and most accessible beach from Tuxpan is Playa Tuxpan. The surf here isn't huge, but there's enough action to warrant breaking out your surf- or Boogie board. There are inexpensive hotels and restaurants along the beach, and many have bathrooms and showers that you can use for a dollar or two. Of the open-air restaurants along Playa Tuxpan, the most established is El Arca, which has a branch at the main beach entrance called El Velero. Both have an extensive menu of freshly caught seafood, and fresh coconuts.

The Casa de Cabildo faces Plaza Zaragoza, the town's main square. In the square's shady center you'll find a bandstand decorated with ornamental lyres.

The Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe hardly has a surface that isn't covered with some precious metal. Make sure to take a look at the dome, which is cleverly painted to look much taller than it actually is.