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Cancun may have the all-inclusive hotels, Puerto Vallarta the golden sand beaches, and there really is no better wellness tourism in Cabo, but this season Veracruz that is steal the spotlight in Mexico as one of the country’s fastest growing destinations.
Located on the Gulf Coast, it used to be one of the country’s most popular beach getaways before slowly fading into the background as the Mexican Caribbean and Pacific resorts boomed in popularity, but it is now making an unlikely comeback.
As Iván Martínez Olvera said, Veracruz is broken a series of tourist records this year with a 100% increase in visitors, and a an even more impressive growth of 470% in regional investment and development in tourism.
Numbers aside, this means tourists are returning to Veracruz in droves after years of blatantly ignoring it, and it’s time we looked at the reasons why.
Veracruz is one of the cultural capitals of Mexico!
First of all, it may have something to do with the fact that Veracruz is one of the most culturally important cities in the country, as it is the oldest and largest port in Mexico, founded by the Spanish as early as the 16th century.
It has an architectural wealth that rivals Mexico City and Merida monumental historic center where you will find large squares that have remained virtually untouched since Europeans settled in the area, beautiful churches and pedestrian-friendly streets.
Think of the monumental Castle of San Juan de Ulúa, a European-style fortress that guards the entrance to the port, the Municipal Palace dating back to the year 1608, or the historic Venustiano Carranza Lighthouse, a neoclassical building with a palatial design.
Completed in 1731, the whitewashed Veracruz Cathedral is another of Veracruz’s top attractions, distinguished by its five naves, richly decorated domelined with tiles sourced from Puebla, another colonial gem of Mexico, and an interior lit with crystal chandeliers.
Sandy beaches for miles…
Aside from its obvious historical value, Veracruz sits on the clear blue Gulf of Mexico, with locals malecon (the popular Mexican word for promenade) that extends for several kilometers from the colonial center to the outskirts of the city.
It offers breathtaking vistas of the oceanand the taco and tamales stalls, souvenir shops and laid-back restaurants make it an incredibly vibrant area to stroll day and night, and if you’re looking for pristine beaches, look no further:
- Playa de Chachalacas, a quiet sandy strip hugged by the warm waters of the Gulf, with tall dunes and limited development along the coastline
- Costa Esmeralda, an off-the-path beach strip lined with tall palm trees stay on the beach starting at one shockingly cheap $52
- Playa Martí, a short drive from the city center, with clean sand and serene waters, often preferred by families with small children
- Playa Mocambo, one of the best-equipped beaches near Veracruz, with a wide range of amenities from spas to campsites to tourist-friendly restaurants
- Isla Sacrificios, an island near the city harbour, surrounded by a colorful coral reefwith a handful of white sandy beaches
How cheap is Veracruz to visit anyway?
If you’re wondering how much cheaper Veracruz is compared to other Mexican beach hotspots, we don’t have an exact average to suggest, but we can say it’s on the more economical side, especially when combined with Cancun:
It has not yet been converted into a refuge for Americans and others gringos come from abroad, and the majority of the clientele are Mexican families escaping the overpriced, overcrowded Caribbean and Pacific coasts, so prices tend to to reflect local purchasing power.
Of the seven five-star hotels listed on Booking.comGran Hotel Diligencias on the Veracruz Promenade is the most affordable this season, with a double room rate of $64, while the Camino Real Veracruz with Pool and Beach Views costs a reasonably priced $129.
The most expensive option is Grand Fiesta Americana Veracruz, where a deluxe king room costs $212 per night: with 2 pools, 3 restaurants, fitness center, pool bar, private beach access, and airport shuttle included. it’s the closest you can get to a Cancun-style stay.
Direct flights to trendy Veracruz are available this winter from two US airports, Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston Intercontinental, on American Eagle and United Airlines respectively, with one-way fares averaging $249 for the former and $317 for the latter.
When it comes to safety, the Gulf city is one of the least dangerous destinations south of the border, officially ranked as a Level 2 destination in the US Department of State, on par with Cancun and Los Cabos, and with ‘moderate’ levels of crime as seen on Numbeo.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
