After arriving at Mexico's east coast Ruta 180 we began the drive south through lush vegetation and banana plantations towards Veracruz. We left Tampico, Tamaulipas early in the morning for Veracruz. As we exited Tampico we crossed over the spectacular Tampico Bridge, which has been in service since 1988. The Tampico Bridge spans the Pánuco River to connect the Mexican states of Tamaulipas and Veracruz. From Tampico it was a full day's drive, through the tropical lowlands, to Veracruz.
The route to Veracruz
Ruta 180 from Tampico to Veracruz did not measure up to the driving comfort we have experienced on Mexico's other main highways. We also encountered frequent security checks along this highway. At all times the police and solders doing the security checks were friendly and quite professional. While we got waved through at the majority of checkpoints there were a few inspections. Traveling with Amadeus, our cat was always an icebreaker at the checkpoints. We always had to introduce our cat. This always led to questions and good conversations.
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| Tropical lowlands along Ruta 180 south of Tampico © Spaswinefood |
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| Banana planatations along Ruta 180 south of Tampico © Spaswinefood |
The route to Veracruz
Ruta 180 from Tampico to Veracruz did not measure up to the driving comfort we have experienced on Mexico's other main highways. We also encountered frequent security checks along this highway. At all times the police and solders doing the security checks were friendly and quite professional. While we got waved through at the majority of checkpoints there were a few inspections. Traveling with Amadeus, our cat was always an icebreaker at the checkpoints. We always had to introduce our cat. This always led to questions and good conversations.
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| Lighthouses along Ruta 180 south to Veracruz © Spaswinefood |
Veracruz
After a long
day’s drive we finally arrived in the city of Veracruz. Veracruz is the oldest, largest and historically significant port in Mexico. It
is Mexico's major port city for the Caribbean and the Atlantic. Locals call the city "Puerto" (port) to distinquish it from the state of Veracruz. While Veracruz is a beautiful seaside city it is not as popular tourist attraction as some Mexican cities. We found the
town very inviting, especially its historic old town and seaside promenade. Veracruz is a must visit east coast port city. The state of Veracruz also has much to offer visitors.
Sampling Veracruz's Cuisine
Veracruz cuisine is a blend of cultural influences (indigenous, Afro-Cuban and Spanish). In Veracruz you will also find a complete range of restaurants to meet all your needs. For dinner we just walked down the street from our hotel and discover a wonderful restaurant, El Cabrito Español. The restaurant offers both outside and inside seating. Once we found El Cabrito Español we decided to look no further.
The waiter presented us with a number of Spanish wine options for dinner.
We ordered a Rioja wine, Marqués de Cáceres, Crianza 2007. While we enjoyed our margaritas at the end of the day enroute it was great to sit down, with a bottle of wine. We started dinner with an Ensalada Española to share. Our entrée choices were Tortilla Española and Chipirones en su Tinta.
Diner was quite delightful. It was so nice to have a good cuisine with wine. In future visits Spaswinefood will explore other cuisine options.
Sampling Veracruz's Cuisine
Veracruz cuisine is a blend of cultural influences (indigenous, Afro-Cuban and Spanish). In Veracruz you will also find a complete range of restaurants to meet all your needs. For dinner we just walked down the street from our hotel and discover a wonderful restaurant, El Cabrito Español. The restaurant offers both outside and inside seating. Once we found El Cabrito Español we decided to look no further.
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| El Cabrito Español © Spaswinefood |
The waiter presented us with a number of Spanish wine options for dinner.
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| Great choice in wine at El Cabrito Español © Spaswinefood |
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| Crianza 2007 at El Cabrito Español © Spaswinefood |
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| Dining at El Cabrito Español © Spaswinefood |
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| Dining at El Cabrito Español © Spaswinefood |
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| Ensalads de Española, El Cabrito Español © Spaswinefood |
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| Tortilla de Española, El Cabrito Español © Spaswinefood |
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Chipirones en su Tinta, El Cabrito Español © Spaswinefood
Diner was quite delightful. It was so nice to have a good cuisine with wine. In future visits Spaswinefood will explore other cuisine options.
Finding Veracruz accommodations
Veracruz is a big city so it took us some time to find the hotel zone. Veracruz offers a complete range of accommodations. However, with so many choices it is a tough to decide on where to stay. We settled on a Howard Johnson on the promenade. Before leaving Tampico we had checked out hotel locations online, such that we knew where to drive after a long day on the road.
Veracruz is a big city so it took us some time to find the hotel zone. Veracruz offers a complete range of accommodations. However, with so many choices it is a tough to decide on where to stay. We settled on a Howard Johnson on the promenade. Before leaving Tampico we had checked out hotel locations online, such that we knew where to drive after a long day on the road.
Getting to/from Veracruz
Most visitors
to Veracuz will arrive and depart at the Veracuz International Airport. You will have no problem getting flights to and from major
North American and European cities. Car rentals, taxis and shuttle services are
also easily available.
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| Veracruz's promenade © Spaswinefood |
Staying
safe in Veracruz
Since health and safety are often concern for travelers to Mexico I strongly recommend that you check U.S. Department of State for the
latest update before you travel.
We enjoyed our brief stay in Veracruz. We discovered too late that Mexico's Gulf Coast has fabulous lighthouses. The lighthouses can be visited along the route. Next, we were onto Villahermosa. Check out my travels in Mexico and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
Sharon
October 2012
Veracruz Mexico
October 2012
Veracruz Mexico
© Spaswinefood
The squid was excellent.
ReplyDeleteExcellent restaurants are there to be discovered.
ReplyDelete