This charismatic city on the coast of Veracruz hosted the sixth edition of the National Tianguis of Magical Towns. Discover it in this travel guide.
Boca del Río is a city in the metropolitan area of the port of Veracruz. This year, it was chosen as the venue for the sixth edition of the National Tianguis of Magical Towns, after Orizaba declined as the meeting point for this tourist fair. In addition to continuing such an important event, Boca del Río takes the opportunity to showcase its attractions.
Its territory was first inhabited by the Olmecs from the 10th century; then it was occupied by the Mexicas at the beginning of the 12th century. The latter called it Tlapamacytlan, which means ‘broken land,’ due to the course of the Jamapa River, which ‘splits’ the region.
What to do in Boca del Río, Veracruz?
Beach clubs, restaurants, good gastronomy, historical buildings, museums, and tours: these are the must-sees.
Historic Center
The main meeting point for locals is the historic center. It consists of the Benito Juárez Civic Plaza, with some palm trees offering shade for those who want to sit on its benches and spend time feeling the sea breeze.
It is surrounded by 19th-century historic buildings. The most prominent is the municipal palace, with two levels of arches and a pair of towers; very similar to that of the port of Veracruz.
Its arcades are home to restaurants and cafes with terraces, making them a good spot to enjoy the varied local cuisine.
Across the street, next to the municipal palace, stands the Parish of Our Lady of Santa Ana. Built in a neoclassical style in 1776, it was initially dedicated to the Virgin of Carmen, but according to legend, some fishermen found the image of Santa Ana on the beach. It was July, so they decided to place it inside the temple. Since then, it is said that this is the best place to fish, and Santa Ana became the patron saint of Boca del Río.
Every July 26th is the patronal feast, with religious, cultural, and musical events. Highlights include the parade of boats decorated with flower arches and images of Santa Ana along the Jamapa River; the preparations of seafood-stuffed fillet and torito (a typical drink made with cane alcohol and peanuts), which each year aim to break the world record as the largest in the world (in size) in their category.
Museums
Don’t forget to set aside a few hours to visit its museums.
The Pirate Museum is inspired by Laurens de Graaf, known as Lorencillo, a Dutch pirate famous for attacking Veracruz in 1683.
It is divided into seven rooms that display more than 10 themed sets, scale models of galleons from the 16th to the 20th centuries; costumes of kings, such as those of Louis XIV and Philip V; and pirates, such as Francis Drake and Blackbeard. It also exhibits replicas of original 18th-century weapons and swords, as well as original chests and navigation instruments.
The exhibition is complemented by an art gallery showcasing 12 oil paintings and a silver engraving of the Battle of Barlovento.
If you like numismatics, visit the Municipal Coin Museum (MUMUMO), located inside the municipal palace.
This site invites you to take a journey through paper and metal over more than 500 years of Mexican history, through the art of coin minting and banknote creation.
It features an interesting collection of more than 500 original pieces that take us back to pre-Hispanic times, the Viceroyalty, Independence, and the empires; as well as commemorative items and pieces from the Bank of Mexico.
Boca del Río: Travel Guide to the Coast of Veracruz
This charismatic city on the coast of Veracruz hosted the sixth edition of the National Tianguis of Magical Towns. Discover it in this travel guide.
Boca del Río is a city in the metropolitan area of the port of Veracruz. This year, it was chosen as the venue for the sixth edition of the National Tianguis of Magical Towns, after Orizaba declined as the meeting point for this tourist fair. In addition to continuing such an important event, Boca del Río takes the opportunity to showcase its attractions.
Its territory was first inhabited by the Olmecs from the 10th century; then it was occupied by the Mexicas at the beginning of the 12th century. The latter called it Tlapamacytlan, which means ‘broken land,’ due to the course of the Jamapa River, which ‘splits’ the region.
To continue with the historical theme, the Patria y Libertad Museum reflects on how Mexico became the country it is today and pays tribute to the national heroes of Independence and the Revolution.
It is divided into three exhibition rooms: the first displays 18 replicas of the country’s historical flags; the second is dedicated to ‘Heroes, Fragments of the Homeland,’ a collection of 14 paintings and a mural created with various techniques that depict the country’s political and social struggle. The last room is a compilation of documents and objects from key moments in Mexico’s history.
*he last museum is a tribute to Agustín Lara, one of the most recognized composers nationwide, originally from the state of Veracruz.
To the north of Boca del Río is the so-called ‘Casita Blanca,’ inhabited for a short time by the ‘Golden Skinny.’ Currently, it has eight exhibition rooms with personal items of the artist, paintings, furniture, portraits, musical instruments, and infographics that narrate his life and work.
Enjoy the Beach
Along the beaches of Boca del Río and Mocambo, there is a wide range of services: restaurants, bars, hotels, and even a water park.
A good place to enjoy the sun, a festive atmosphere, and, of course, very good food, is the Xkatlén beach club in Mocambo. It is small but ideal for bringing the whole family.
Under two giant palapas, you can enjoy all the comforts. It has a restaurant-cafeteria that serves breakfasts and a brunch of regional specialties, including the delicious high-altitude coffee from the state, Veracruz bombs, and Xiqueño mole. In the afternoons, the menu focuses on local seafood and fish. It also has a bar with cocktails and spirits.
It has a pool, umbrellas, and modern-style loungers on the beach.
The day pass costs 600 pesos per person and includes access to changing rooms, towels, pool, loungers, and 300 pesos for consumption in its restaurant. Phone: (229) 590 5396.
If you are looking for a more relaxed spot without much noise, escape to Los Arcos and Delfines beaches. They are not far from the historic center, and occasionally, you will see vendors offering typical food and boat and banana rides.
Nature and Adventure
Enjoy the nature of Boca del Río during a kayak ride on the Jamapa River and its artificial channels called El Estero, which flow into the Gulf of Mexico.
The tour operator 360° Descubre México offers a sunset tour. In addition to exploring the mangroves and relaxing, you can get to know the legendary Castle of the Countess of Malibrán up close, an 18th-century construction that is now in ruins but, according to locals, is haunted. It is said that the cries of a baby, screams, and strange noises can be heard.
On the guided tour, you pass by a couple of islands: Burro Island and Love Island, with lots of vegetation and palm trees typical of the region.
Keep paddling through its channels, along whose banks you will see residences and restaurants, as well as palm trees. This tourist attraction has been nicknamed the ‘Venetian Veracruz.’
The activity costs 700 pesos per person. It includes a life jacket and kayak equipment. It lasts three hours. There are also yacht tours starting at 1,299 pesos per person, including a visit to Salmedina Island in the Veracruz Reef System. Phone: (272) 159 8202.
Add to your agenda stand-up paddleboarding, a yoga session or sup yoga, surfing lessons, boat tours, or snorkeling with the tour operator Kaná Ecoturismo. For these experiences, the staff takes you to the beach of the boutique hotel Xka-n or to nearby destinations such as Sacrificios Island or the Mandinga lagoon.
Foro Boca
A few steps from the zócalo, right at the mouth of the Jamapa River and at the southern end of Boca del Río beach, Foro Boca is the home of the Boca del Río Philharmonic Orchestra and the most modern cultural space in the city. Inaugurated in 2017, its design was by renowned Mexican architect Michel Rojkind, who was inspired by the concrete cubes that are part of the breakwaters, the large anti-wave dikes.
This multidisciplinary forum presents classical music concerts and dance and theater performances in its two halls. It has an attractive terrace with a sea view, a café, and a bookstore. We can’t deny that it’s very Instagrammable.
El Dorado Park
For children, there are also recreational spaces in Boca del Río. A couple of minutes from the historic center, on the other side of the Jamapa River, is the El Dorado shopping center, with the indoor amusement park El Dorado Park.
Its colorful interiors have many attractions: a trampoline area, arcade machines, climbing walls, bumper cars, aerial challenges with hanging bridges, sliding ramps, mechanical rides with extreme spins and turns, a baby zone, and several food and beverage outlets.
You can also enjoy other attractions such as virtual reality experiences, simulators, augmented reality, and 7DX projections.
Admission is free. However, you must pay for each of the rides. These range from 25 to 75 pesos per person. The good news is that on Wednesdays, you can ride all the rides as many times as you want for 390 pesos per person (doradopark.com).
Traveler’s Guide
How to get there?
– By bus: Daily departures from the Mexico Norte or TAPO terminals with ADO. From $878 pesos per person. [ado.com.mx](https://www.ado.com.mx/)
– By car: The toll for seven booths is $742 pesos. The travel time from CDMX is about five hours.
– By plane: From AICM, there are daily flights to Veracruz with Aeroméxico. Round trip ticket from $3,300 per person.
Where to eat?
– La Luna Sul Mare: Elegant Italian restaurant on the banks of the Jamapa River.
– Restaurante La Isla del Amor: Local fish and seafood, on the shores of El Estero.
– Mariscos Villa Rica Mocambo: Palapa-style with live jarana music and regional seafood.
– Cava de Rolo: Mexican and international specialties, cocktails, and wine. In front of Playa Delfines.
– Restaurante Paradise: Veracruz cuisine at Playa Vicente Fox.
Where to stay?
– Grand Fiesta Americana: Luxury option at Playa Penacho del Indio. From $3,170 pesos per night for two people. [grandfiestamericana.com](https://www.grandfiestamericana.com/)
– Hotel Mocambo: One of the most traditional hotels in Boca del Río. Rooms from $1,800 pesos per night for two people. Tel. (229) 922 0200.
– Hilton Garden Inn: At Playa El Destape. From $1,300 pesos per night for two people. [hilton.com](https://www.hilton.com/)
– Hotel Galería Plaza: Next to the World Trade Center and Las Américas shopping center. From $1,395 pesos per night for two people. [galeriaplazahotels.com.mx](https://www.galeriaplazahotels.com.mx/)
– Hotel Boutique Xka-n: Adults-only with rooms inspired by Totonac culture. At Playa de Oro. Rates from $3,300 pesos per night for two people. [xka-n.com](https://www.xka-n.com/)
Source: El Universal
