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MEXICO

Exploring Xalapa
by Ron Mader

MEXICO WIKI

Para mí sólo recorrer los caminos que tienen corazón, cualquier camino que tenga corazón. (I only trek the paths that have heart, whatever path that has heart.)
- Mexico Notebook

mexico me gusta

FLICKR ALBUM: Lessons from Mexico


Two hours inland from the coast is Xalapa (elevation: 1,427 meters), the capital of Veracruz and a strong contender for the greenest city in Mexico.

NATURAL WORLD

Xalapa has a pleasant climate year-round and receives rain, the light chipi-chipi mist, most of the year. Vegetation includes a mix of sub-tropical species. You'll easily spot the banana trees and coffee plants en route to town.

In the Náhuatl language of the Aztecs, the name 'Xalapa' means 'springs (of water) in the sand.' It is spelled as Xalapa and Jalapa.

Two mountains dominate the town: Mexico's highest peak, Pico de Orizaba, in the south, and closer to town, Cofre de Perote, a volcanic mountain whose summit is covered with radio antennae. Cofre de Perote is Mexico's eighth highest peak (4,200 meters) and is at the southern end of the Sierra Madre Oriental.

CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS

Xalapa is sometimes called the 'Athens of Veracruz' because of the strong cultural tradition -- a symphony orchestra, three major universities and a number of museums. The city has been home to the University of Veracruz since 1944.

The city's stand-out attraction is the striking, terraced Museo de Antropología (Museum of Anthropology). The L-shaped building displays seven of the Olmec heads, as well as Totanac and Huasteca art. If you've come to Veracruz to see the Filobobos ruins, this museum is a great place to start. It is located off of Avenida Xalapa, about 4 kilometers (2.4 miles) from downtown. Closed Mondays.

CITY PARKS

Parque Juárez is located at the cenetr of the city. Terraced gardens feature views of Pico de Orizaba.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ECOLOGY

A 10-minute taxi ride southwest of the city on the old road to Coatepec leads to the National Institute of Ecology, a regional research center, and its famous Clavijero Botanical Gardens, which boast an amazing display of plants native to Veracruz.

CHILE TRIVIA

Jalapeño peppers are pickled serrano chiles that were first commercialized here.

NEARBY

A few miles away the town of Coatepec has been the center of the rich, shade grown coffee since the early 1800s. The Casa de la Ciudad hosts a lively and quite friendly Saturday market from 10am-3pm.

Other places to visit include the waterfall at Naolinco, the pine-covered forests of Las Vigas and thermal baths of Carrizal.


VISITING?

LOCATION -- 19°32?24?N, 96°55?39?W

Xalapa is located 313 kilometers (192 miles) east of Mexico City and west of Veracruz City.

Travel!

TIPS - Eco stores include Casa Verde.

TRANSPORTATION -- There are frequent buses to Mexico City, Córdoba and Veracruz City.


AUTHOR

Ron Mader is the responsible travel correspondent for Transitions Abroad and host of the award-winning Planeta.com website.


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