Difference between revisions of "Xalapa"

Revision as of 08:06, 30 November 2010

Xalapa is the capital of Veracruz in Mexico.

Understand

Xalapa is a college town that enjoys some fine colonial architecture as well as a nice climate in the highlands above the hot and humid Veracruz coast. It is a hilly town with a smart population hence it is sometimes considered to be the San Francisco of Mexico. Home to a considerable number of expatriates and foreign exchange students, the town really isn't on the typical backpacker/tourist path through Mexico.

Get in

By plane

The Lencero Airport is a very small airport. It is situated outside the city but it is used only for helicopters and very small planes. The closest airport is the Veracruz international airport. It's about 2 hours from Xalapa.

By train

There are no passenger trains in 99% of Mexico since January of 2000. The only important exception is Chihuahua Pacifico betwen Chihuahua and Los Mochis.

By car

By bus

Almost-hourly buses go from Mexico City to Xalapa in several bus lines (ADO, AU), departing from TAPO station. The trip takes 4 hours aproximately.

Get around

Hilly, densely constructed Xalapa is one of the world's great scooter cities. Rent one and the back areas of the city really open up for exploration.

See

Museo de Arqueología (Archaeology Museum): a beautifully-designed museum of the cultures of Veracruz. Avenida Xalapa. A worthy rival to the more famous archaeological museum in Mexico City.

Do

Learn

Work

Buy

Eat

Budget

• Yerba Buena, Xalapenos Ilustres 22, Centro Historical, Veracruz (CP 91000) Tel. 01-228-8187508 - A tranquil and inexpensive popular eatery with friendly staff. Serves a daily set lacto-vegetarian menu, typically a salad and a choice of two soups and main dishes with bread, natural fruit juice and a coffee or a tea for dessert. 33 pesos. (Dec 07). Open 13:30-18:00.

Mid-range

Splurge

Drink

Sleep

Budget

Xalapa has a wide choice of budget hotels. The city should really be a lot more popular with backpackers than it is. The fact most stay on the pacific and carribbean coasts is their loss and can be your gain.

   * Los Lagos(228)818-2000. 13 de Septiembre No.23. 22 rooms. 
   * Mision de las Americas(228) 814-1145. Av. Xalapa No. 172. 15 rooms. 
   * La Moderna (228) 817-3586. Leona Vicario No. 21. 39 rooms. 
   * El Arebe (228) 817-1777. Av. 20 de Noviembre No. 535. 13 rooms. 
   * Limon (228) 817-2204. Revolución No. 8. 49 rooms. 
   * Yalta (228) 815-0833. Av. Lazaro Cárdenas No. 696. 60 rooms 
   * Araucarias (228) 818-9038. Av. Avila Camacho No. 60. 16 rooms. 
   * Oasis (228) 815-0360. Av. Xalapa No. 1120. 25 rooms. 
   * Bugambilias (228) 814-5863. Av. Miguel Aleman No. 277. 20 rooms. 
   * Atenas (228) 812-8944. Av. Lazero Cárdenas No. 1181. 49 rooms. 
   * El Mirador(228)815-1655. Av. Xalapa No. 1106. 44 rooms.
   * Tecajetes (228) 812-4973. Bustamante No. 24. 43 rooms.

Mid-range

Splurge

Contact

Stay safe

Cope

Get out