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Attractions in Veracruz Port, Mexico: What to do and where to go

Mother Nature and history have been lavish with Veracruz. The streets of the first European founded city on the American continent are filled with admirable witnesses of the past: the surrounding rainforest, the intense wildlife and under the surface of the sea, one of the most amazing coral reef systems in the Gulf of Mexico.The city features many interesting museums, a modern aquarium, an amazing zoo and ecological park. It's also well-worth it if you have some time to stop in and visit the neighboring archaeological sites and towns. Those looking for sun and beach will not be disappointed for the closest beach is only minutes away in Boca del Rio, a suburb which has added to this port city's modernization andoffers first class tourist facilities.

Whether you decide to spend a day in the city or in its surroundings, there will always be activities or opportunities to relax, without lifting a finger.

Cathedral of Veracruz
The Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral is located in downtown, next to the Main Square and City Hall. It was built on the same place where an early XVII century chapel was constructedbetween 1807 and 1809. A great number of improvements followed, such as the construction of the chorus and the vault area. The original floor's blueprint design included five naves, the one in the middle being the highest of the altars. In 1963 it became regarded as the Cathedral of the new diocese in Veracruz.
City Museum
The City Museum is housed in a late 19th century neoclassical building.It was built to function as a hospice but could not open until after the English and the French interventions, which they used as an infirmary. The hospice was housed in this location for 100 years until it was moved to its new facilities. It was inaugurated as a museum on 450th anniversary of the founding of the city. It contains historic, artistic and cultural related collections.
El Baluarte deSantiango
El Baluarte de Santiago is a colonial military construction, built between the early18th and late19th centuries, to help prevent pirate attacks on the Port of Veracruz. Originally the project consisted solely of a large wall surrounding the city. Nowadays, there is also a small museum featuring exhibitions about the city's different historic periods.
Isla de Sacrificios
La Isla deSacrificios (The Island of Sacrifices) was inhabited since pre-Hispanic times by the Totonaca and Olmec cultures. In 1518, the Spaniard Juan Grijalva explored the Gulf of Mexico and discovered a small island and named it the "Island of the Sacrifices" because of the corpses they found with clear signs of having being sacrificed in worship to their gods.
With the conquerors, the area lost theindigenous inhabitants that were left. In time, the place only kept a few watchtowers and huts, which later became hideouts for pirates. The island remained in Spanish possession until the year 1825 and nowadays, there are tour guides that offer rides by boat around the Island, telling you the many stories that surround it. Over twenty years ago, official decree was instated pronouncing thatdisembarking on the Island is not allowed.
Jalcomulco and Actopan
These two "municipios" (counties) feature spectacular rapids and dense rainforests where rafting, canopy (or zip line), rappel, hiking and gotcha can be practiced. They also offer state-of-the-art ecological tourist facilities, that is both comfortable and attractive, that will bring you up close and personal with nature at its best. Bothplaces are great for a fun day trip or an exciting weekend. From the Port of Veracruz, Jalcomulco is one hour northeast and Actopan is one hour to the north.
La Antigua
This was the second settlement of the Villa Rica de la Veracruz and it is located 25 kms from the port. The house of Hernan Cortez is one of the most important sites, which is surrounded by huge trees and roots that give a...