About Xalapa, Mexico
Xalapa, or Xalapa Enríquez, its official name, is the political, artistic, and cultural capital of the Mexican state of Veracruz. This city, whose name in Nahuatl means source of sand, was also dubbed as the city of flowers and is located in an area with diverse ecosystems, rich in flora and fauna.
Start your tour through the historic center, discover its cobbled alleys and admire the many colonial buildings. Among the attractions of this area you will find the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, with a combination of baroque and neogothic styles, where the remains of the fifth bishop of Veracruz, Rafael Guízar, are safeguarded. Visit the Temple of San José, the Preparatory School of Xalapa, and Benito Juárez Park, the central park where the landscape is framed by majestic araucaria trees. Take a walk through the alleys of Jesús Te Ampare, which was named after a legend of the colonial era, or the Diamond Alley, which is full of coffee shops, restaurants, bookstores, and craft stores.
Xalapa highlights for its intense cultural and artistic activity throughout the year and it has multiple venues enjoy it, including the various units of Universidad Veracruzana. Discover the development of this city, nicknamed the Athens of Veracruz, while admiring the mural and sculptural work in places such as the Government Palace, the faculties of Economy and Law, and the Central Library of Universidad Veracruzana, the Palace of Justice, and Stadium at Xalapa, among others. You can also attend a concert of the Symphony Orchestra of Xalapa in the State Theatre, stroll through Sculpture Garden, whose purpose is to promote three-dimensional art, and witness events at Patio Muñoz, or Los Lagos Cultural Center.
The city’s cultural offer includes several museums, including the Museum of Anthropology in Xalapa, which is the country’s second largest of its kind, with its collection of testimonies of three cultures that flourished in the entity; and the Interactive Museum of Xalapa with an Imax screen and a planetarium. You will also enjoy the exhibition at the Contemporary Art Gallery, the Diego Rivera Gallery, Agora of the City, or in the House of Crafts.
Parks and green areas abound in Xalapa, such as Paseo de los Lagos, consisting of three lakes where you can take a walk, a bike ride, or a weekend workshop, and Francisco Javier Clavijero Botanical Garden, immersed in the Bosque de Niebla forest that protects exotic species in danger of extinction. Similarly, there is Paseo de los Berros, the city’s oldest and largest park; Tecajetes Garden with ponds, canals, and green areas adorned with sculptures; Natura Park, with a bird watching tower; and Macuiltépec Ecological Park, located on the highest point of Xalapa with an observation deck and the Wildlife Museum on top. At the foot of the Macuiltépec Volcano you will find the Orchid Cave, which is believed to have been used for religious purposes and astronomical observation, and where nowadays guided tours are available.
Enjoy the most important festivities in the capital of Veracruz, which are even recognized internationally. There are concerts of different styles, dance, theater and art exhibitions during the Musical June International Festival; while world-famous artists are presented in the UV International Jazz Festival. The Day of the Dead and Christmas celebrations are also quite popular.
There are interesting places to visit in the vicinity of Xalapa, including the Magic Town of Coatepec, considered the coffee capital, and the town of Xico, famous for its natural attractions and its patronal celebration in which beautiful rugs of sawdust are elaborated. Other options include Jacomulco, a village where you can practice extreme sports such as rafting; Carrizal, a hotel with hot springs, pools, and slides; and Chachalacas Beach, with the famous Sabanal Dunes, which give the illusion of a large desert.
***The official currency of Mexico is the Mexican Peso (MXN).
