The Gulf Coast
The lowland area of Mexico’s Gulf Coast is nestled between the Bay of Campeche and the mountains and has a strong Afro-Caribbean influence compared to the rest of the country. The Gulf Coast was the center of the Olmec civilization, the first great Mesoamericans, and then became home to vanilla and coffee plantations nestled in the foothills of the steep mountains of the region during the colonial era. While often overlooked by travelers for the better know coasts of the Pacific and Caribbean, Mexico’s Gulf coast has miles of wild coastline, ancient ruins, spectacular flora and fauna, and picturesque fishing towns.
Highlights:
- The Port of Veracruz- A vital piece of the Spanish conquest of Mexico, this vibrant port town began as a gateway to the silver mines exploited by the Spaniards. The city is known as “Four Times Heroic” in reference to the expulsion of the Spanish in 1815, and a series of foiled conquest attempts by France and the United States.
- Fort of San Juan de Ulua- This great fort was originally built in the 1500s by the Spaniards to fend off pirate attacks on the port. In the 1800s, the island fort was used as a prison to hold well-known prisoners such as Benito Juarez.
- Beaches- South of Veracruz, nice beaches begin around the fishing town of Boca del Río and all the way down to the beach of Montepío, three hours south. While these beaches are not the white sands of the Caribbean, their remote nature and wild coast make them an adventurous discovery.
- El Tajin- This extensive site, discovered in 1785 by a Spanish engineer, remains partially buried under thick jungle growth. The pre-Colombina ruins are thought to have been a significant religious center and one of the largest cities in Mesoamerica.
- Tlacotalpan- The town of Tlacotalpan was chosen as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998 because the architecture of Tlacotalpan represents a fusion of Spanish and Caribbean traditions of exceptional importance and quality.
- Lake Catemaco- This lake is nestled in the peaks of volcanic mountains along the coast. The town by the same name offers a quaint mountain experience and access by boat to Monkey Island, Garza Island, and Crocodile Island.
