Tuxpan

Tuxpan is a small port city on the Gulf Coast of the northernVeracruz. It may be that the city is most famous for being the closest port to Mexico City, but it's also a famous beach town on a heavenly stretch of coast, and with the famous modesty and personality of Veracruz. It's vastly underrated, but lots of residents of the capital will still take off for Tuxpan on a secret and very discreet weekend away. 

The name comes from the Nahuatl, meaning simply place of rabbits. In some sense, it's better known for the places around, like Tajin and many more places up and down the coast. The town's roots extend all the way back to the ancient period, including cultures like the Huastecan Teenek peoples. But Totonaca and Nahua cultures came later and are still here especially in the Tumilco and Tábuco communties.

People come to stroll the many beaches. The Playa Azul, Playa Esmeralda, and Playa de Mis Amores are likely the best known and most popular. The Isal Lobos is just offshore and offers what are likely the most beautiful of beaches in the region. But Tuxpan is home to a very nice historic center, too. The mural Alegorías de los Orígenes (Allegories of Origins), relates the city's history in colorful detail. The Assumption Cathedral, begun in 1752, only adds to the city's deep and meaningful history. There is also a museum of the history of Mexico-Cuba relations, Tuxpan having been an important touchstone for the Cuban revolution. 

But perhaps Tuxpan is best known as a place of fantastic seafood. Fish from the Tamiahua Lagoon ends up in the fabulous and giant Enrique Rodríguez Cano municipal market, right on the river front. It's a fantastic place to visit and a good way to learn about the city's agricultural, culinary, and artisan histories, too. 

People get to Tuxpan from points all over Veracruz. But it is probably most easily reached now from the El Tajín airport in Poza Rica. The airport is a bit closer, but Poza Rica is about one hour to the south. Bus service is widely available from these points, or from Mexico City which is generally said to be about five ours inland (southwest) from this attractive stretch of coast.