Xalapa
MexicoCfa
© OpenStreetMap, CARTO
La Atenas Veracruzana | The Athens of Veracruz
Why visit
The Museum of Anthropology of Xalapa (MAX) is the obvious draw, ranked second in Mexico after the Mexico City Anthropology Museum, with the world's finest collection of colossal Olmec stone heads. The historic center has a vast central plaza with the Cathedral and pastel colonial buildings cascading down hillsides. The misty Parque Los Tecajetes and the Cofre de Perote and Pico de Orizaba volcanoes nearby offer spectacular cloud-forest hiking and waterfall trips. Xalapa is the unofficial coffee capital of Mexico, try a cafe lechero (steamed milk poured tableside from height). Local cuisine includes chiles rellenos with the original jalapeño.
When to avoid
The Mexican cartel violence that affects coastal Veracruz has touched Xalapa periodically, check your government's travel advisory before booking and stick to central tourist zones. The cloud forest climate means the chipi-chipi (persistent fine drizzle) can hang around for days. Pack waterproofs even in 'dry' months. The hilly topography is hard on knees, wear good shoes. Don't drink tap water. Bottled is everywhere. Public transport is overcrowded. Consider Uber.
