Day trips

Day trips worth making

Xalapa’s best asset may be what is around it. The coffee towns and waterfalls nearby are close, cheap to reach, and a good use of your second day, weather permitting.

Coatepec (about 30 minutes)

Worth it. The heart of the region’s coffee country, a small, pretty town of cafes, roasters and old streets. Easy to reach by short bus or cab, and the natural pairing with a Xalapa base. If you do one trip, do this.

Xico (about 40 minutes)

Worth it. A quiet cobbled town just past Coatepec, home of the mole xiqueño and a short walk from the Cascada de Texolo, a tall waterfall you may recognize from old films. Combine Coatepec and Xico in one day.

Cofre de Perote (about 1 hour, longer to the summit)

For the fit and lucky. A high volcanic peak with cold, forested slopes. Rewarding if the sky is clear, but the weather is fickle and the top is genuinely cold. Only worth it on a good day.

Veracruz city and the coast (about 1.5 to 2 hours)

Worth it if you want the beach and heat. A complete change of pace: hot, humid, seafood, malecón, port-city energy. It is far enough that it works better as an overnight than a rushed day trip.

All times are approximate and depend on the mountain weather, which can turn a quick drive into a slow, foggy crawl. Keep these plans flexible.