2.04 mi (3.28km) from City Center
Ready to sip coffee, savor amazing food, and dance the night away? Seems like it’s time to head to Veracruz and experience the remarkable culture that envelops visitors with a welcoming attitude. The hard-working residents provide endless energy to an exploration of the city, where you’re sure to find the perfect IHG® hotel to suit your needs. Packed with things to do, this richly historical destination once known as the “Rich Village of the True Cross” is brimming with knowledge and experiences you won’t soon forget. Plan your trip and book now to see for yourself what Veracruz can provide.
Things to See
Most people in Veracruz wake up with a delicious cup of hot milk and coffee brewed with locally-grown beans, a product for which they are known for along with mangoes, vanilla, fertilizer, and more. Largely a working, hands-on town, many of Veracruz’s people either work on farms on in the fishing villages of Boca del Rio. When visiting the city, you can benefit from this by immersing yourself in local cuisine at farmers markets, cafes, and seafood restaurants.
Spend some time walking on the malecón, a seaside path where some of Veracruz's best exploring is done. From here, you can not only taste scrumptious traditional cuisine, but also see views of the San Juan de Ulúa fortress (famous as location in the Mexican War of Independence), lighthouse, and port to inspire where you will go next.
After a day of exploring the history and culture of Veracruz—a mixture of indigenous roots, Afro-Cuban influence, and Spanish origins—you may think you’d be too tired to continue on your feet. However, most find it impossible to resist the sounds of Cuban marimbas in the Zocalo, echoing from a saucy danzón where residents and visitors alike join together to mingle and dance the night away.
Hotels in Veracruz
Since Veracruz is not a large city, you’re likely to find hotels close to wherever it is you’d like to see while visiting. IHG hotels are located in both Boca del Rio and Centro Historico, making it easy to pick the best option that fits into how you planned your trip. These hotels offer great amenities to comfort you during your stay, including pools, beach access, fitness centers and more.
Where to Stay
The historic center of Veracruz is referred to as Centro Historico. By staying in this area of town, you’ll be close to the renowned Gran Café de la Parroquia, Veracruz Aquarium, Museo Naval and Museo de la Ciudad as well as local restaurants. If you’re travelling for business, you’ll find yourself situated near corporations like Pemex and port services companies. If you choose to stay in Boca del Rio, you will still not be too far from these locations, but will have easier access to downtown, the airport, the World Trade Center Veracruz and many shopping opportunities.
How to Get to Veracruz
The main airport in Veracruz is the General Heriberto Jara International Airport (VER). You can fly directly into the airport from Houston or Dallas, or fly into Mexico City and drive to Veracruz. The ADO bus is another option—cruise into Veracruz in about 4 hours when coming from Puebla for a little over 5 hours when travelling from Mexico City. Once you’re in the city, cabs are a common, cheap way to get around, yet not cheaper than walking around downtown or around the malecón.