Planning a trip to Veracruz City
Visitor Information -- The tourism office (tel./fax 229/200-2071) is downtown by the zócalo, on the ground floor of the Palacio Municipal (City Hall). It's open Monday through Friday from 9am to 8pm, Sunday from 10am to 6pm.
City Layout -- Downtown Veracruz is a jumble of streets. The social center of town is the zócalo, or town square (formally Plaza de Armas), where you'll find the tourism office. Two short blocks away is another landmark, el malecón, a long promenade fronting the harbor. Starting at the malecón and running south along the coast is Bulevar Avila Camacho, known as el bulevar. It connects downtown to Veracruz's hotel and restaurant zone, which stretches along the coast all the way to the one-time village of Boca del Río.
Public Insecurity -- Lately, local attitudes have been slightly less carefree, as the violence raging in the bordering states of Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon has spilt over into this state. The principal cause of the violence is a gang war between two formerly allied criminal organizations -- the Zetas and the Gulf Cartel. Travelers haven't been targeted, but there have been shootouts in the street including one in the modern hotel zone to the south of downtown. You should exercise caution when visiting this port city.
Getting There
By Plane
Continental (tel. 800/523-3273 in the U.S., or 01-800/900-5000 in Mexico) has nonstop service to and from Houston. Aeroméxico (tel. 800/237-6639 in the U.S., 01-800/021-4000, 229/935-0283, or 229/34-1534) and its affiliates offer service to and from Mexico City and other domestic destinations.
The airport is 11km (6 3/4 miles) from the town center. Getting there by taxi costs 150 pesos. Major rental car agencies with counters at the airport and locations in downtown hotels include Avis (tel. 800/331-1212 in the U.S., or 229/931-1580), Dollar (tel. 800/800-4000 in the U.S., or 229/935-5231), and National (tel. 800/328-4567 in the U.S., or 229/931-7556).
By Car
From Mexico City (6 hr.) and Puebla (3 1/2 hr.), take the autopista (toll Hwy. 150D) into Veracruz. From Xalapa (1 1/2 hr.), take Hwy. 140 to coastal toll Hwy. 180 south.
By Bus
The ADO first-class bus station is 20 blocks south of the town center on Díaz Mirón between calles Orizaba and Molina. There is frequent service to Mexico City, Puebla, Xalapa, and other cities. Taxis wait in front of the terminal; the trip to the center costs around 30 pesos. You can buy a bus ticket downtown at the Ticket Bus agency (tel. 01-800/702-8000 in Mexico), at the corner of Mario Molina and Independencia. It's open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm.
Fast Facts
Area Code -- The telephone area code is 229.
Climate -- Veracruz is hot and humid most of the year, but the hottest months are May and June. In the winter, strong winds, known as nortes, occasionally bring cool, even chilly, weather.
Drugstore -- Farmacía Las Torres, Av. Díaz Mirón 295, at Cañonero Tampico (tel. 229/923-5807), is open daily 24 hours.
Emergencies -- Dial tel. 060.
High Season -- The peak tourist times are Carnaval, Easter, July and August, and December. Veracruz is more popular with Mexicans than with foreigners.
Hospital -- The Hospital de María is at Alacio Pérez 1004, between Carmen Serdán and 20 de Noviembre (tel. 229/931-3626 or -3619).
Post Office -- The correo, on Avenida de la República near the Maritime Customs House, is open Monday through Saturday from 8am to 4pm.
Getting Around
Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive. Getting from the downtown area to the restaurant and hotel district to the south takes 5 to 10 minutes.
