We’ll tell you what to do in Orizaba, Veracruz. Discover the natural beauties, the buildings, and the traditions of this Magical Town.
What to do in Orizaba Veracruz?
Learn what to do in Orizaba and let yourself be enveloped by its magic. But, before that, you should know that this Magical Town is also known as “City of Happy Waters”. In addition, due to its Nahuatl origin, it is one of the largest cities in the state of Veracruz. The first settlers of this city were of Totonac origin. In the conquest, Hernán Cortés visited this city after his first visit to Tenochtitlán.
During the viceroyalty, the Orizaba Valley became one of the most important towns for trade in New Spain. As you can see, history and nature live in perfect harmony in Orizaba, that is why it is worth traveling to this destination.
Next, we tell you which are the must-see places and the activities that you can do during your trip to this Magical Town.
1 . This is a town that has experienced the development of our country. What better way to learn about the history of Mexico than by visiting the places where it was formed? That is why you must go to the Municipal Palace, where you can see the only mural in the Mexican Southeast and that was made by José Clemente Orozco.
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2 . The State Art Museum is a building from the 18th century. Here 700 pieces are kept in which the history of Mexico is reflected. It should be noted that the place is the depository of the most complete collection of paintings by Diego Rivera, as well as works by José María Velasco and part of the legacy left by Alexander von Humboldt.
3 . Visit the Paseo del Río de Orizaba and admire the oldest bridges in the state. Some of them were built in 1550 and are still in use.
4. Tour the Animal Reserve, located on the Paseo del Río. Along the riverbank, you will find a large number of animals such as deer, tigers, dromedaries, crocodiles, coyotes, and even a jaguar. We recommend that you wear comfortable shoes as this route extends for 5 kilometers.
5 . If the heights don’t bother you, we suggest you take the cable car. This is the third-longest cable car in Mexico. It departs from the Paseo del Río and will allow you to have the most spectacular view of the city and its surroundings from the Cerro del Borrego (it is a small park and has museums, a chapel, and a food area).
6 . Visit the Ex Convent of San Juan de la Cruz and the Cathedral of San Miguel. These buildings have a Churrigueresque style that will transport you to a colonial Mexico. In addition, inside the church, you will see the clock made by Napoleon Bonaparte III’s watchmaker.
5 . Get to know the Palacio de Hierro, this place is an icon of the city since legend has it that the site was designed by Gustave Eiffel, the same one who built the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Although the locals prefer that this place be known more for being the headquarters of the Museum of Beer, football.
6 . Visit the 500 Escalones National Park and give your trip a bit of adrenaline. Within the national park, you can do bird watching, see the Elephant Waterfall or admire the White River Canyon from its three viewpoints.
7.- Get to know the Museum of Legends. On the site that is located in the old Town Hall next to the Palacio de Hierro, you can admire more than 22 scenarios where life-size figures are telling some of the main legends that are told in the city, some of the main ones are that of the siren of the water hole, the condemned of the Town Hall, the Cross of the Skulls or the Orizaba Tunnels.
8.- The Mier y Pesado Foundation. The place that was formerly a nursing home and that was known as the Castle of Orizaba is now a large center that includes several museums, an area of portals with international food restaurants, as well as a forum.
9.- Go to the Cri-Cri Museum. You should know that the singer and composer Francisco Gabilondo Soler was born in this Magical Town. And, to celebrate this fact, within the Mier y Pesado Foundation you can find a museum in which hundreds of songs from the singing cricket are performed; Accompanied by its lyrics and music, a journey that children will love.
10.- Get to know the former convent of San José de Gracia. This is one of the last convents in New Spain to be built in Mexico; the place is undergoing renovation, but its cloisters and the tour of the ruins is a unique experience.
11.- Don’t miss a night tour of the Municipal Cemetery. This will be a journey through the legends and traditions of this Magical Town.
12 . The Picardy Orizabeña is a drink made with condensed milk, coffee liqueur, and a shot of espresso. Wake up with this drink that is also known as bonbon coffee.
13 . It is normal for a city full of culture as Orizaba to develop local gastronomy with exquisite flavors. Delight your palate with the chileatole, the Polish meat pambazos, the picaditos, the molotes and the memelas.
14 . Visit the Cerritos Market, here you can buy hammocks, ceramics, jewelry made with coffee beans, pieces of clay, sweets, and many other things that you can take with you.
15. Do outdoor activities at Pico de Orizaba. This volcano is the highest elevation in Mexico and, on its slopes, you can observe the flora and fauna, have picnics or hikes.
How to get to Orizaba, Veracruz?
If you leave from Mexico City, you can go by the Mexico-Puebla Highway and then by the Mexico 150D. The approximate time of the journey is 4 hours.
Orizaba Map
Source: mexicodesconocido.com.mx
