About Veracruz
Veracruz, also known as Heroica Veracruz, is a major port city and municipal seat for the surrounding municipality of Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico and the most populous city in the Mexican state of Veracruz. The city is located along the coast in the central part of the state, 90 km (56 mi) southeast of the state capital Xalapa.
Places to visit in Veracruz
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San Juan de Ulúa
Historic · 2 mi from centreA Spanish colonial fortress on an island in the harbor, once a prison and the city's main defense. Go with a guide to learn about its history and dungeons.
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Veracruz Aquarium
Zoo · 2 mi from centreOne of the largest aquariums in Latin America, with sharks, manatees, and local sea life. It sits on the waterfront, so pair it with a walk on the boardwalk.
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Cathedral of Veracruz
ReligiousA white colonial cathedral facing the Zócalo, the city's main square, framed by palm trees and arcades. Come back in the evening, when the square fills with marimba music and couples dancing danzón.
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Baluarte de Santiago
Historic · 1 mi from centreThe last surviving bastion of the city's colonial walls, now a small museum of pre-Hispanic gold jewelry. It is close to the center and quick to visit.
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Boca del Río
Beach · 7 mi from centreA resort area south of the city with beaches, seafood restaurants, and hotels. Eat at the riverside seafood stalls where the Jamapa River meets the sea.
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Cempoala
Historic · 24 mi from centreThe ruins of a Totonac city north of Veracruz, where Hernán Cortés found allies in 1519, with temples built of river stones. Go in the morning to avoid the heat, and bring water and a hat.
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Veracruz Reef System
Nature · 24 mi from centreA marine park of coral reefs off the coast, good for diving and snorkeling. Book trips through a certified dive center in Boca del Río.
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La Antigua
Historic · 17 mi from centreA quiet riverside village with one of the oldest churches in the Americas and ruins wrapped in tree roots. Try the local seafood by the river.
Things to do in Veracruz by type
30 tours, tickets and experiences across 5 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Day Trips & Excursions 17 experiences 5 Attractions Pack Veracruz City - Full-Day Tour -
Outdoor activities & Adventure 6 experiences Aquatic Park with transfer -
City tours 4 experiences 5 Attractions Pack Veracruz City - Full-Day Tour -
Tickets & Attraction Passes 3 experiences Catemaco and Los Tuxtlas Tour -
Zoo, Aquarium & Nature 2 experiences Aquatic Park with transfer
- Over 6 hours 6
- 3-6 hours 2
- 1-3 hours 1
- Families 8
- Youth 8
- Couples 6
- Senior 6
- Families with kids 2
- Small group 13
Top experiences in Veracruz
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 30 available.
5 Attractions Pack Veracruz City - Full-Day Tour
From $60 per adult
Catemaco & Los Tuxtlas Full Day Tour
From $74 per adult
Tajín & Papantla Full Day Tour
From $90 per adult
Veracruz Tour - 8 Attractions
From $62 per adult
Turibus Boca del Río Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
From $8 per adult
Chachalacas Beach, Quad and Dune Tour
From $106 per adult
Magical Towns of Coatepec and Xico
From $88 per adult
Veracruz City Tour
From $57 per adult
Cultural Day Trip to Xalapa
From $105 per adult
Discover Mandinga, Isla de las Conchitas and the Mandinga Riviera – Half-Day Tour
From $22 per adult
Discover Orizaba and Córdoba – Full-Day Tour
From $105 per adult
Tlacotalpan and Alvarado Tour
From $88 per adult
Where to stay in Veracruz
Popular hotels in Veracruz, out of 116 properties you can book.
Hilton Garden Inn Boca del Rio Veracruz
From $64 per night
Emporio Veracruz
From $73 per night
Galería Plaza Veracruz by Brisas
From $79 per night
Veracruz Centro Historico
From $56 per night
City Express By Marriott Tuxpan
From $81 per night
City Express Jr by Marriott Veracruz Aeropuerto
From $62 per night
Yes Inn
From $52 per night
Hotel Ziami
From $38 per night
Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Veracruz Boca Del Rio
From $97 per night
City Express Veracruz
From $96 per night
DoubleTree By Hilton Veracruz
From $59 per night
Villamar
From $23 per night
Best time to visit Veracruz
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Veracruz is January to March, when average daytime highs are around 76–83°F and rain falls on about 4 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Veracruz weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 83° 73° 65%
- Thu 22 Oct 83° 74° 55%
- Fri 23 Oct 81° 73° 67%
- Sat 24 Oct 81° 73° 46%
- Sun 25 Oct 82° 71° 52%
- Mon 26 Oct 81° 72° 39%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Mexican peso (MXN)1 US dollar ≈ $18.4
- Language
- Spanish
- Calling code
- +52
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/Mexico_CityUTC−6
- Capital
- Mexico City
Upcoming public holidays in Mexico
- Revolution DayDía de la Revolución
- Christmas DayNavidad
- New Year's DayAño Nuevo
- Constitution DayDía de la Constitución
- Benito Juárez's birthdayNatalicio de Benito Juárez
- Labour DayDía del Trabajo
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Veracruz
These are the airports closest to central Veracruz. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- VER Q32747994 mi (6 km) from the city centre
Getting around Veracruz
Arriving at the bus station, you can buy a voucher for a taxi. The station is located on Salvador Diaz Miron Street. The bus station is only about 10 blocks (1 km) from one of the main tourist attractions of the city, Villa del Mar. It is about a 40-minute walk from the Zocalo.
Taxis
Taxis are very inexpensive. A journey costs between US$2.50 and 5.00 according to the your zone destination. Passengers are advised to agree to the cost before entering a taxi.
Walking
The cheaper way to know the city is walking in the downtown and after that walk to the Malecon where several boats, historical buildings as well as tourist facilities and stores are located.
By bus
One very interesting possibility is to take the Bus "Boca del Rio", because it traverses the downtown area of the city to "Boca del Rio", a neighboring municipality with better hotels, modern infrastructure, and nicer beaches. The other public buses are not recommended for tourists, because they are old, in bad condition, and often very crowded and its paths are not easy understandable for new people in the city.
Veracruz travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Veracruz?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Veracruz is January to March, when average daytime highs are around 76–83°F and rain falls on about 4 days a month.
What is the weather like in Veracruz?
May is usually the warmest month in Veracruz, with average highs of 93°F (34°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 67°F (20°C). The wettest month is typically June, with about 412 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Veracruz?
Q3274799 (VER) is the closest airport, about 4 miles (6 km) from the centre of Veracruz.
What currency is used in Veracruz?
Veracruz uses the Mexican peso (MXN). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ $18.4.
What time zone is Veracruz in?
Veracruz uses the America/Mexico_City time zone (currently UTC−6). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Veracruz?
Arriving at the bus station, you can buy a voucher for a taxi. The station is located on Salvador Diaz Miron Street. The bus station is only about 10 blocks (1 km) from one of the main tourist attractions of the city, Villa del Mar. It is about a 40-minute walk from the Zocalo.
What are the best places to visit in Veracruz?
Top sights in Veracruz include San Juan de Ulúa, Veracruz Aquarium, Cathedral of Veracruz and Baluarte de Santiago. A Spanish colonial fortress on an island in the harbor, once a prison and the city's main defense. Go with a guide to learn about its history and dungeons.
What are the top things to do in Veracruz?
Popular experiences you can book in Veracruz include 5 Attractions Pack Veracruz City - Full-Day Tour, Catemaco & Los Tuxtlas Full Day Tour and Tajín & Papantla Full Day Tour. Destina Holidays offers 30 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Veracruz?
The most popular types of experiences in Veracruz are day trips & excursions (17), outdoor activities & adventure (6), city tours (4) and tickets & attraction passes (3). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Veracruz?
Popular areas for hotels in Veracruz include Veracruz. Well-reviewed options include Hilton Garden Inn Boca del Rio Veracruz and Emporio Veracruz.
How many hotels can I book in Veracruz?
Destina Holidays currently lists 116 properties in and around Veracruz, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
