Checking off Puerto (Port) de Veracruz

The city of Veracruz is known as Puerto (Port) de Veracruz to distinguish it from the state of Veracruz. We prepared for sweltering weather. Instead we had windy weather from the north. A particularly strong gust of wind threatened to blow us from the sidewalk into the street, as it did with John's backpack cover.

Before the conquistadors, the nearby site of Cempoala was the third largest population center in Mesoamerica. Cortes founded Vercruz. It was attacked numerous times by Brits, captured by the United States, occupied by the French, then again occupied by the US in 1914. Today the historical center does not exactly reveal all the potential the various foreign powers saw in Veracruz. None of the sights in the center are particularly compelling, even the much lauded Naval Museum was underwhelming.

On Saturday, the weather was nice. We were happy to see people enjoying the long weekend on the waterfront.

I was not surprised to see a person with a machine gun guarding the toll booth just northeast of Tlacotalpan as we headed north on the bus along the Gulf of Mexico to Puerto Veracruz on a very windy day.




The Veracruz skyline in the distance.


The Veracruz bus station is several kms south of Centro. As normal everywhere in Mexico, the locals helped us find the the right bus to Centro, and get off at the right stop. The fare was 11 pesos.




For both days in Veracruz the weather was breezy, clear, and much cooler than normal; but not unexpected when the wind blows from the north.


We could not get into our hotel room until 3pm so we set out walking to visit the local Art Deco architecture of course, and had lunch at El Árbol de la Vida Vegetarian Restaurant.


A very spiffy Fire Station.


Edificio Diaz with a cool streamline main stairwell.






Mercado Unidad Veracruzana and surrounds: junk man and avocado seller.






Friday Dance Night on the square was cancelled due to the high winds so it was empty.


Saturday morning was cool and cloudy. We set out directly to the Malecon (Waterfront) three blocks away. First, the lighthouse.


The actual port i.e. cargo ships, cruise ships, tugs, naval vessels, is right there as well.




The former train station is just a few blocks to the north. Now, only freight uses the tracks. ;-(


The Cathedral finally was open. There is a statue of St Sebastian just inside.


WE were happy to visit an ex-convento with an exhibition of Brazilian wood block prints.


Bastion Santiago is the only remaining part of the old city walls.


The Naval Museum was disappointing and not in "ship shape". For example, there were many burnt out lights.


Then back to El Árbol de la Vida for some Soya Tamales. Yummy. Then home for a rest.


Out at sunset. Here is the moonrise over the port as seen from our hotel room balcony.


And from the Malecon.




There were some new ships docked at the piers, and the locals were strolling around the waterfront and port.










The Saturday Night Dance in the Main Plaza was on! There were 100 observers for every dancing couple it seemed to me. ;-)












There was also a smaller outdoor dance nearby.