Veracruz
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Veracruz - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Acuario de Veracruz
Veracruz is home to one of Latin America's biggest and best aquariums. One tank alone has 2,000 species of marine life native to the Gulf of Mexico, including manta rays, barracudas, and sea turtles. Other tanks display tiger sharks and gentle manatees that enjoy interacting with the crowds. The entry also has a space where birds, including toucans, fly freely. Kids love the touch tanks. A guided immersion tank ($7 adults; $3.50 kids) provides daring visitors the chance to go nose to nose with the sharks.
Veracruz, Veracruz, 91910, Mexico229-931–1020Sight Details
Rate Includes: $6 general, Mon.–Thurs. 9–7, Fri.–Sun. 9–7:30 -
2. Baluarte de Santiago
The small fortress is all that's left of the old city walls. Like the Fuerte de San Juan de Ulúa, the colonial-era bulwark was built as a defense against pirates. The 1635 structure is impressively solid from the outside, with cannons pointed toward long-gone marauders. Inside is a tiny museum that has an exquisite exhibit of pre-Hispanic jewelry—Spanish plunder, no doubt—discovered by a fisherman in the 1970s.
Veracruz, Veracruz, 91910, Mexico229-931–1059Sight Details
Rate Includes: $4.10, Tues.–Sun. 10–4:30 -
3. Boca del Río
BeachAbout 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.
Veracruz, Veracruz, Mexico -
4. Cempoala
Cempoala (sometimes spelled "Zempoala") was the capital of the Totonac people. The name means "place of 20 waters," after the sophisticated Totonac irrigation system. When Cortés arrived here under the cover of night, the plaster covering of the massive Templo Mayor (Main Temple) and other buildings led him to believe the city was constructed of silver. Cortés placed a cross atop this temple—the first gesture of this sort in New Spain—and had Mass said by a Spanish priest. The city's fate was sealed in 1519 when Cortés formed an alliance with the Totonac leader. Chicomacatl—dubbed "Fat Chief" by his own people because of his enormous girth—was an avowed enemy of the more powerful Aztec, so he decided to fight them alongside the Spanish. The alliance greatly enlarged Cortés's army, and encouraged the Spaniard to march on Mexico City and defeat the Aztec. The strategic move backfired, however. The Totonac could protect themselves against the Spanish swords, but were powerless against the smallpox the invaders brought with them. The population was devastated. Upon entering the ruins, you'll see Círculo de los Gladiadores, a small circle of waist-high walls to the right of center. This was the site of contests between captured prisoners of war and Totonac warriors: each prisoner was required to fight two armed warriors. One such prisoner, the son of a king from Tlaxcala, won the unfair match and became a national hero. His statue stands in a place of honor in Tlaxcala. Another small structure to the left of the circle marks the spot where an eternal flame was kept lighted during the Totonac sacred 52-year cycle. At the Templo de la Luna (Temple of the Moon), to the far left of Templo Mayor, outstanding warriors were honored with the title "Eagle Knight" or "Tiger Knight" and awarded an obsidian nose ring to wear as a mark of their status. Just to the left of the Moon Temple is the larger Templo del Sol (Temple of the Sun), where the hearts and blood of sacrificial victims were placed. Back toward the dirt road and across from it is the Templo de la Diosa de la Muerte (Temple of the Goddess of Death), where a statue of the pre-Hispanic deity was found along with 1,700 small idols. There's a small museum near the entrance that contains some of the minor finds the site has yielded. Well-trained guides offer their services, but tours are mainly in Spanish. Voladores from Papantla usually give a performance here on weekends. To get here from Veracruz, drive 42 km (26 mi) north on Carretera 180, past the turnoff for the town of Cardel. Cempoala is on a clearly marked road a few miles farther on your left. If you are coming by bus, take an ADO bus to Cardel. The terminal for Autotransportes Cempoala buses is at the corner of Calle José Azueta and Avenida Juan Martinez, two blocks from the ADO station. A ride directly to the site costs about 80¢ each way.
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5. Fuerte de San Juan de Ulúa
During the viceregal era Veracruz was the only east coast port permitted to operate in New Spain and, therefore, was attacked by pirates. This unique coral-stone fort, the last land in Mexico to be held by the Spanish Royalists, is a monument to that era. The moats, ramparts, drawbridges, prison cells, and torture chambers create a miniature city. Fortification began in 1535 under the direction of Antonio de Mendoza, the first viceroy of New Spain. A few centuries later it was used as a prison, housing such prominent figures as Benito Juárez. After independence it was used in unsuccessful attempts to fight off invading French and Americans. You can explore the former dungeons, climb up on the ramparts, and wander across grassy patios. A tiny museum holds swords, pistols, and cannons, but signs are in Spanish only. Guides wander around in the site until about 3 pm—an English-speaking guide will charge around $25 per group. The fort is connected to the city center by a causeway; a taxi here should cost about $5.
Veracruz, Veracruz, 91910, Mexico229-938–5151Sight Details
Rate Includes: $4.10, Tues.–Sun. 9–4:30 -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Mandinga
BeachMandinga is 8 km (5 mi) south of Boca del Río, and is less frequented by tourists.
Veracruz, Veracruz, Mexico -
7. Mocambo
Veracruz City's beaches are not particularly inviting, being on the brownish side of gold, with polluted water. Decent beaches with paler, finer sand begin to the south in Mocambo, about 7 km (4½ mi) from downtown, and get better even farther down. The beach in front of the Fiesta Americana hotel is particularly well maintained. (Although it may appear to be claimed by the hotel, it's public.)
Veracruz, Veracruz, Mexico -
8. Museo de la Ciudad
This museum in a lovely colonial-era building tells the city's history through artifacts, displays, and scale models. Also exhibited are copies of pre-Columbian statues and contemporary art. There are no explanatory materials in English, however.
Av. Zaragoza 397, Veracruz, Veracruz, 91910, Mexico229-989–8872Sight Details
Rate Includes: $3, Tues.–Sat. 10–6, Sun. 10–3 -
9. Museo Histórico Naval
In an impressive set of buildings that once housed navy officers, the Naval History Museum tells how the country's history was made on the high seas. Veracruz has been dubbed the city that was cuatro veces heróica, or "four times heroic," for its part in defending the country against two attacks by the French and two by the Americans. The museum tells of those wars, as well as the life of revolutionary war hero Venustiano Carranza. Explanatory materials are in Spanish only.
Veracruz, Veracruz, 91910, Mexico299-931–4078Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Tues.–Sun. 10–5 -
10. Paseo del Malecón
Marina/PierEveryone 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.
Northern extension of Calle Molina, Veracruz, Veracruz, 91910, Mexico -
11. Zócalo
Also known as the Plaza de Armas, this square has distinctive portales (colonnades) and bells that compete for your attention. The hands-down winners are the deafening chimes of the Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Asunción, which sits on the square's southwest corner. It dates from 1721. The runners-up are the bells of the 1635 Palacio Municipal, which have a fainter but no less insistent tune. The tower originally did double duty as a lighthouse.
Veracruz, Veracruz, 91910, Mexico
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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