Must See Sights in Veracruz, Mexico

While the beach is typically the first thing that comes to mind when you're planning your Veracruz vacation, it's important to know Veracruz is full of several sights and sounds aside from their glistening beaches. The City of Veracruz provides you with numerous vacation adventure opportunities and shopping aside from beaches. The sights and include everything from the ancient Totonac people of the area to the house that the Spanish Conquistador Hernan Cortex occupied during his stay in Veracruz. There are numerous settings in and near the city that capture the beauty of this part of Mexico as well as the rich cultural history that exists here as well.

If you like to be in the hubbub of the city, then you're going to enjoy downtown Veracruz. Here you'll be in walking distance from the main market as well as the central square. Here you'll find music and dancing that goes on well into the wee hours of the night.

Looking for something a little more unique and rich in culture, then the Isla de Sacrificios is where you'll want go next. The Isla de Sacrificios was first inhabited by prehistoric peoples who utilized the area for ceremonies and rituals. The area has been the source of numerous archeological findings including burial artifacts and a pyramid base that remains of the Totonacan temples. During the colonial period, the island was used for ship repairs as well as attack repairs. The island has been occupied by both the French and the United States during war times. The island is only 1 kilometer away from the mainland and is easily accessible by tourists.

La Antigua is a city in the highlands of Guatemala and is famous for its architecture. The area has a number of spectacular churches and it has also been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Three large volcanoes are located around La Antigua. The largest is to the south of the city and is the Volcan de Agua or "Volcano of Water."  The volcano stands some 12,356 feet high. It gained its unique name from a mudslide that buried the second site of the capita, which prompted Spanish authorities to relocate the city to where it is now.

Papantla is the principal producer of vanilla in Mexico and is located in the northern part of Veracruz. The city was founded by Totonacs Native Americans around the year 1200. Papantla is a home to a museum on this unique culture. Each Sunday and during the holidays, the Totonac people hold "fiestas" and a local group of flyers known as the "Los Voladores de Papantla" perform a ritual on the city's cathedral's grounds called "palo volador." After dancing, the group climbs up an 80 meter pipe and jump from the top with a rope. This is an agricultural, religious and astronomical ritual of the culture and is a truly unique experience. Papantla is unlike any other city that you will visit in Veracruz and you will find the fragrant aroma of fresh vanilla tantalizing and refreshing.

Veracruz is full of many unique opportunities that allow you to experience the culture first hand. It is well worth your time to travel around the state and experience all of the unique sights that the area has to offer.