In Veracruz, where you’ll make a detour, you’ll get a glimpse of Mexico’s proud history

👆The first European church in the American continent

The Charm of Veracruz

Veracruz is a state and a city in Mexico. For Mexico, Veracruz is an unforgettable and significant region.

Located in the central east part of Mexico along the Gulf of Mexico, Veracruz is a long and narrow state. In the north, it holds the Huastec and Totonac cultural areas, in the center lies Veracruz City, the eastern gateway to Mexico with its important port, and in the south, it was the region where the Olmec civilization, the first great culture of Mesoamerica, thrived.

To the west of the state stands the majestic Citlaltépetl Mountain, also known as Pico de Orizaba, the highest peak in Mexico at 5636 meters. The humid air flowing from the Gulf of Mexico meets the Sierra Gorda Oriente mountains, causing rain in the region, while dry air flows to the western side, resulting in different climates between the east and west of the long state.

In the Sierra Gorda mountains, due to its altitude and moderate rainfall, coffee production flourishes, and “Veracruz coffee” is renowned for its high quality, along with Chiapas and Oaxaca coffees.

While famous sites like Teotihuacan and Chichen Itza are well-known worldwide, Veracruz does not have famous resorts like Cancun or Los Cabos. Therefore, it might not be part of the typical tourist route for foreign travelers visiting Mexico. However, it is highly recommended for those who want to explore Mexico more deeply, feel its history, and have intermediate to advanced experience in traveling Mexico. Of course, we also offer tours for first-time visitors to Mexico to enjoy.

 

Things to Do in Veracruz

The birthplace of the first European presence in the American continent

You might not immediately grasp the significance, but it’s true. The place we now call the American continent, including Mexico, the United States, Central, and South America, was not known by those names just around 500 years ago.

In 1519, during the age of exploration, Hernán Cortés and his Spanish expedition, renowned as “conquistadors,” landed on the coast of Veracruz. From this very moment, the Europeanization of the American continent began.

The Spanish brought not only their language, Spanish, but also their Catholic religion, splendid and decorative church architecture that entices tourists, and various aspects of their food culture. Nowadays, when we think of the American continent, it’s common to hear English, Spanish, Portuguese, and to some extent French being spoken, but the first European languages and cultural elements were introduced right here in Veracruz, where the first European settlement on the American continent was established.

Coffee plantation work experience

Mexican coffee might still be considered relatively minor in Japan, but globally, it ranks among the top 10 coffee-producing countries. Mexican coffee is known for its balanced acidity and refreshing taste that never gets tiresome.

Veracruz state is one of the major coffee-producing regions, along with Chiapas, Puebla, and Oaxaca.

During the work experience, you’ll participate in the entire process of coffee bean harvesting, which might make you wonder about the people behind the coffee you always enjoy at cafes and the amount of effort involved in the process. Through this hands-on experience, you can truly appreciate the “hard work” behind it.

After the main tasks, you can observe other steps like the husking process similar to rice dehusking, cleaning, drying, and roasting, until the coffee beans are ready for sale.

Olmec Culture Museum & Archaeological Sites

When people think of Mexico and archaeological sites, Teotihuacan and Chichen Itza are likely the first that come to mind.

To fully enjoy archaeological site visits in Mexico, it’s important to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. The essence of visiting archaeological sites lies in the grand pyramids, but first, you should take a look at the map. Mark the locations of Teotihuacan, Chichen Itza, and the capital of the Mexica Empire, known as the Aztecs, and then try to connect the dots.

For example, although these three “archaeological sites” are from completely different time periods and locations, looking at the history of Mesoamerica reveals connecting points. Understanding this will make your archaeological site visits in Mexico 120% more enjoyable.

In Veracruz, there are regions reflecting both the Totonac culture and the important Olmec culture. The Olmec culture was the first great culture that flourished in Mesoamerica, dating back to around 1800 BCE. Some elements that developed during that time indirectly influenced various cultures that continued for the following 3000 years across Mesoamerica.

It is recommended to visit the region reflecting the Olmec culture, the site of the first Mesoamerican major city (archaeological site), and the museum displaying the original artifacts unearthed from there.

 

Tour Routes

Due to the characteristics of tourist resources and logistical reasons, it is more efficient to add 1 to 2 days to other tourist routes rather than having a standalone trip to Veracruz.

1. Combining with the route from Mexico City to Oaxaca
2. Combining with the Mexico City & Teotihuacan route
3. Combining with the Mexico City & Puebla-Cholula route
4. Combining with the Olmec & Chocolate route
5. Combining with the Palenque, Lacandon & Olmec route

For example, it could be a route like this.

Route 1: Mexico City – Veracruz – Oaxaca

• Route 3: Mexico City – Veracruz – Puebla – Cholula

• Route 5: Veracruz – Olmec – Palenque – Lacandón

 

Tour Duration

The tour route can be adjusted based on your preferences and available time. For a round trip from Mexico City to Oaxaca, with a detour through Veracruz, a 4-day itinerary allows for a comfortable journey. If it’s not feasible to travel by land both ways, it’s possible to drop off in Oaxaca. With a land route, it’s also possible to make different detours on the outbound and return journeys.

 

Photo Gallery

Veracruz is where the Europeanization of the American continent began

The Mesoamerica-European Encounter & Veracruz Coffee Plantations

 

Especially recommended for

Of course, everyone is welcome, regardless of whether they fit into the above categories!