Orizaba is a remarkable little city cut across the middle by a most charming river. In the Veracruz High Mountains region, the town is often visited together with Córdoba. A coffee town, Orizaba is alive with color and texture that comes from years being washed in the Veracruz rain and scrubbed by the mountain wind.
The name comes from the Nahuatl ahuilizapan or ahauializapan meaning place of joyful waters. Many of those who live here speak the Orizaba Nahuatl language even to this day. Historically, they were preceded by Totonac and Toltec peoples.
The Paseo del Río is the most apparent man-made part of town. The river is celebrated in the winding and climbing streets, and in a big animal reserve that draws visitors from all over. There\'s also the fantastic old State Art Museum and the climb to Citlatepetl and the magnificent Biori Botanical Garden.
Orizaba was also the site of a historic Palacio de Hierro department store, a magnificent old monastery called San José de Gracia, and a dozen other obviously historic and important buildings and sites.
People eat pambazos and more fmously the tacos orizabeños. And rain or shine, there is a festival or street celebration happening practically all year round.
Getting to Orizaba takes about five hours from Mexico City. The trip from Veracruz or the Veracruz Airport is just a little over two hours. Both ADO and AU run regular daily buses from all of these locations.
Coscomatepec de Bravois about one hour to the north and day trips are highly recommended.
