Veracruz Geography

The state of Veracruz is one of the most geographically diverse states in all of México. It has two distinct borders - one on its western boundaries and one on its eastern side.

Gulf of México Shoreline

To the east you will find over 400 miles of Gulf of Mexico shoreline. Long stretches of sandy beaches are occasionally interrupted by sections of rocky cliffs and coastal towns. Many of the beaches are mostly uninhabited with only the warm waters of the Gulf lapping at its shores. Tropical birds and sand crabs are dominate creatures here. Human activity is mostly limited to some families playing on the beach and fisherman setting out to catch the array of seafood found in the depths of the Gulf of México. And yes, palm trees can be found running up and down the length of Veracruz.

Sierra Madre Oriental Mountain Range

The western boundary is defined by the tall and rugged north/south running Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range. Forested canyons, valleys, cold mountain rivers and streams can be found throughout the slopes of this mountainous area. Rising above all the other peaks is the impressive Pico de Orizaba volcanic mountain with a permanent glacier capping its crown. Many compare this peak to Mt. Fuji found in Japan because of its towering presence. The difference is that Pico de Orizaba is more than 6000 feet taller than Mt. Fuji (12,400' / 3,776 meters). At 18,500 feet or 5,637 meters, "Pico" is the tallest mountain in Mexico and ranks as the 3rd tallest mountain in all of North America behind Mt. McKinley in Alaska and Mt. Logan in Canada.

Some of the towns/cities found nestled in the higher altitudes and in the shadow of Pico de Orizaba are Córdoba, Orizaba, Fortin de Las Flores, Coscomatepec, and Huatusco.

The state of Veracruz is the northern-most area in the western hemisphere where tropical rain forest conditions exist.

Los Tuxtlas Region

The Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve found in southern Veracruz only comprises about 3% of the total landmass making up the country of Costa Rica yet it contains 55% of all the plants, animals, and insects you will find there. Within the 380,000 acres/155,122 hectares Biosphere Reserve, there are over 1300 species of flowering plants, more than 550 different species of birds, 1100+ insects, 172 species of butterflies, and 139 species of mammals. No wonder it is a recognized Biosphere Reserve!

Tropical jungle forests pretty much color the entire state in green, green, and more green - especially in the Los Tuxtlas area found 100 miles/162 km south of the port city. Here you will find one of the largest freshwater lakes in México called Lake Catemaco. It has 32 miles/52 km of shoreline and is about 7 miles/11 km in diameter with dormant volcanic hills surrounding the lake.

Another nearby lake which flows into the ocean is called Lake Sontecomapan. The combination of fresh water and salt water make this the idea location for the twisted mangrove trees to grow and thrive.

In the Los Tuxtlas region, many untouristed beaches are found in small coast towns with such names as Montepio, Playa Hermosa, and La Barra. After a swim, these are great places to grab a hammock and take a siesta. Small palapa-style family owned restaurants can be found right on these beaches for some fresh seafood and a cold cerveza.

Note: During the 2 weeks around Christmas, 2 weeks around Easter, and the summer months of July and the first 2 weeks in August, these beaches tend to be overrun with Mexican families vacationing in Veracruz. When the kids are out of school, thousands of Mexican nationals head to Veracruz for some beachside fun.

Why? They are beautiful beaches and the food and accommodations are a lot less expensive then going to the more commercial destinations populated by foreign tourists - Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta, Zihuatanejo, and Cabo San Lucas to name a few.

At all the other times of the year, you can just about have a whole Veracruz beach to yourself.

Chachalacas

One hour north and up the coast from the port city of Veracruz is another one of this state's crowning assests - Sand Dunes! Miles of it! Up and down - this is a great place for sand boarding and ATV rides. And the best part is that these towering dunes are adjacent to a long stretch of fine sand beach found here. The views from the top of some of these dunes are fantastic with the blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico shimmering in the distance. This is also a great place for picnicking and swimming - especially for families with young children. The reason is that a sand bar keeps the warm waters shallow for quite a distance out into the ocean. In some places, kids can walk 20 or more yards out (18+ meters) into the sea and still be in knee-deep water.

Costa Esmeralda (the Emerald Coast)

Located just 3 hours north of the city of Veracruz, the area known as Costa Esmeralda is a mini "Miami Beach" without all the glitz, high-rise accommodations, fancy restaurants, and active nightlife. OK, so it's not really like Miami Beach at all!

The best way to describe this 23 mile/35 km stretch of beautiful Gulf of México coastline with its calm waters, wide sandy beaches, abundance of small restaurants, fruit stands, small clean lowrise beachside accommodations (many with modest pools), and RV campgrounds are by using only 3 words - Laidback Beach Vacation. There is nothing fancy here. It's just you, your traveling companions, the ocean, fresh seafood, and time to relax. Want to try your hand at kitesurfing? You can find classes here to teach you. The brisk afternoon winds usually blow steadily from October thru June.