Veracruz Travel Guide
Veracruz has a wide assortment of tourist activities and is not centered only on the Port. The surroundings have an endless array of natural resources, landscapes and climates that go from soft beach breezes on the gulf to snow-capped peaks on the Sierra Madre Oriental. These are factors that have enticed the state tourism sector to invest in and develop ecological and adventure options. The city features many interesting museums, a modern aquarium, an amazing zoo and ecological park as well as being in close proximity to other important archaeological sites and towns. Beaches are also minutes away, whether it be for some fun in the sun or some exploration of the coral reefs.
Among some of the things that Veracruz is famous for, it is also known for its coffee, seawall and sherberts. Carnaval is also a large draw to the city, holding the largest of its kind in the country, and along with its danzon (a Caribbean dance, something akin to a waltz) that is danced in dance halls and plazas. The laid-back atmosphere of this city contributes to its charm and always attracts the attention of travelers looking a little "out-of-the-way" sort of place.
Being a port city with intense trade activity, Veracruz is an authentic melting pot of ethnicities, cultures and art. The state's musical tradition has its origins in the ethnological fusion of African, Native American, Spanish and other cultures. In terms of architecture, the sober and age-old Spanish fortresses coexisted with modern shipyards. The city is a place of many contrasts but the typical "Jarocho", (the word for Veracruz locals) who are known for their friendliness, Veracruz is home to carefree attitudes and a love of life.
