Xalapa

The capital of Veracruz state, a misty mountain city home to Mexico's second-largest anthropology museum, easily combined with the coffee town of Coatepec and nearby waterfalls and canyons.

Xalapa (also spelled Jalapa) is the capital of the Mexican state of Veracruz, set at about 1,400 m on the eastern slopes of the Sierra Madre Oriental, with the Cofre de Perote volcano to the west and the Gulf of Mexico port of Veracruz about 100 km to the east. Home to the Universidad Veracruzana, it's a college town with a strong arts scene, and its humid climate and lush vegetation have earned it the nickname "City of Flowers"; the jalapeño pepper is named after it. The city's top sight is the Xalapa Museum of Anthropology, Mexico's second-largest archaeological museum, where the colossal Olmec heads are a must-see. The old town centers on Parque Juárez, the cathedral and Callejón del Diamante and is best explored on foot, while the Paseo de los Lagos and Macuiltépetl hill offer green walks. South of the city lies coffee country: the Pueblos Mágicos of Coatepec and Xico and the Texolo waterfall make an easy day trip. To the southeast, Jalcomulco is one of Mexico's best-known rafting hubs, and to the north, Naolinco is famous for leather goods and its Day of the Dead celebrations. Climate: mild year-round but often misty and drizzly (locals call it chipi-chipi). October to May is the relatively dry season, with March–May the sunniest; June–September is the rainy season with frequent afternoon showers, so bring rain gear and a jacket. Getting there: ADO buses from Mexico City's eastern bus terminal take about 4.5 hours, about 3 hours from Puebla and about 2 hours from Veracruz. The nearest airport is El Lencero (very few flights), so most visitors fly in and out via Veracruz or Mexico City. Taxis around town are cheap, and frequent minibuses serve the surrounding towns. Plan on 2–3 days: one for the museum and old town, one for the coffee towns and waterfall, and an extra day for rafting or Naolinco.

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