VERACRUZ, Mexico — Tourists and locals visiting the Veracruz-Boca del Río metropolitan area during this summer vacation season can explore the historic port city through a new, complimentary initiative combining local history with traditional coffee.
Organized by the Ministry of Culture of Veracruz, the “Rutas Culturales” (Cultural Routes) program offers free guided tours aboard “Cultura Bus” vehicles—vintage Ulúa-style buses—on Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2. To enhance the cultural experience, passengers receive a complimentary café lechero (Veracruz’s iconic milk coffee) accompanied by a fresh canilla pastry, courtesy of the historic Gran Café de la Parroquia.
The program features two curated itineraries designed to showcase key historical landmarks and cultural centers:
- Route 1: Running from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and again from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, this tour departs from the Gran Café de la Parroquia 500 Años on Gabriel Garzón Cossa. Stops include the Benito Juárez House, the Reform Laws Cultural Center, the Ex-Convent of Betlehemita Cultural Center, and the Atarazanas Cultural Center.
- Route 2: Operating between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM, this circuit leaves from the Gran Café de la Parroquia 200 Años on Ruiz Cortínez Boulevard. Passengers visit the historical Gran Café de la Parroquia 623 branch, the Veracruz Photographic Library (Fototeca), and the Agustín Lara House Museum, which honors the world-renowned Mexican songwriter.
State officials designed the free bus tours to make local heritage accessible to summer travelers and families. By pairing landmark visits with the region’s famous coffee tradition, the program aims to highlight the historical depth, architectural beauty, and vibrant identity of Veracruz.
Source: La Silla Rota
