Other Mexican coastal cities may offer luxury resort accommodations or ocean water with shades of turquoise, but cities like these are often overrun by foreign tourists and lack in character.
In Eastern Mexico's coastal city of Veracruz, visitors can experience a place with old-world charm that lights up with authentic jarocho or native Veracruz culture.
Sometimes going off the Mexican beaten path brings the best travel rewards. And after visitors enjoy all of Veracruz's top sights, it's time to sit back and savor the food and music that makes Veracruz special.
Music in Veracruz City's Historic Downtown District
Street musicians fill many Mexican public spaces, but Veracruz is perhaps the only main square or zócalo in Mexico where visitors can listen to the melodies of a harpist player that's on the go. Live music is part of the city's charm, and there's no better place to listen to all of the diverse Mexican music than at the city's palm-tree lined humble zócalo in the historic downtown district.
Saturdays on the plaza are reserved for the dozens of couples who gather to indulge in an evening of danzón dancing to the rhythm of a live band. This slow and controlled dance has Cuban, French, African and even English roots, but Mexico's danzón headquarters is undoubtedly in Veracruz, where a National Danzón Championship takes place every year.
Among the plethora of sounds heard in and around the Plaza de Armas are marimba music and the traditional son jarocho. Many visitors may be familiar with the traditional son jarocho tune, La Bamba, which was adapted as a rock song by Chicano musician Ritchie Valens. Visitors can hear the original version throughout the tropical city. Neighboring plazuelas or smaller squares often feature live music ranging from salsa to Andean tunes with a latin twist.
Veracruz's famous Carnival celebration, which takes place before the Lent season (period of 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter), can be compared to Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The festive atmosphere revolves around Afro-Caribbean music and dancing.
Veracruz Cuisine
Cuisine in Veracruz focuses naturally on seafood, given the state's privileged position on the Gulf of Mexico. Several dishes native to the state have become staples throughout Mexico such as the huachinango a la veracruzana or the veracruz-style red snapper. The flavorful dish is bathed in a delicious sauce of tomatoes, onions, olives, bay leaves, limes, oregano, and garlic.
While in Veracruz, make sure to taste the:
- Arroz a la tumbada — a seafood soup filled with rice and the freshest shrimp, octopus, fish, and clams
- Shrimp empanadas — a flaky crust filled with grated shrimp
- Pulpo al ajillo — delicate pieces of octopus fried in butter and garlic
- Picadas — a thick corn tortilla topped with various ingredients such as cheese, beans, and sometimes a fried egg
Wash these fine seafood dishes down with the local liquor called Torito. This creamy beverage is made with pure cane alcohol mixed with flavors like peanut, coffee, and tropical fruits.
Nancy Flores - My freelance work, which ranges from writing articles, producing and editing online video and shooting photos, focuses on Mexican travel, ...
