Xalapa, Veracruz
Xalapa is the capital of the state. It is a colorful city based on the cultivation of coffee and even today holds onto its identification as a small town. This makes for an interesting mixture of city and small town aspects. Here you will see sights that seem very curious for a capital city, like milkmen delivering milk by horse and corn tortillas being made by hand preserving the indigenous style and art of tortilla making.
The architecture displayed in Xalapa clearly shows the sober "porfiriato" phase, as well as the influence of the French architecture that was prominent at that time. Examples of this style can be found in downtown Xalapa. Almost every point in the city has a beautiful view of the Citlatepetl Volcano or Pico de Orizaba.
If you like music, Xalapa is an excellent place to enjoy it. Here you'll find salsa, jazz, classical, and big band as well as disco, rock and electronic music in some of the best night spots in the city.
The Xalapa Museum is known for its imposing contemporary architecture and its wealth of artifacts and vestiges of the Olmeca, Totonaca and Huasteca cultures. The Museum of Technology, the ancient mansion of General Antonio López de Santa Ana which goes by the name of Lucero Mansion, and the El Tajín ruins are other great places to visit.
Without a doubt, one of the most popular tourist attractions is the representation of the Rockets of Papantla. This representation involves 4 men, who at an approximate height of 35 meters, tie ropes to their ankles and fall in a spiral as a fifth man sings a melody and plays an instrument at the top of the tower. Definitely something to see!
Recommended hotels in Xalapa
