La Candelaria In Tlacotalpan, Veracruz Janice Carraher

50 weeks out of the year Tlacotalpan sits in its torpid tropical slumber, but starting late January and running for two weeks it celebrates the Fiesta de la Candelaria. For most of these two weeks the Feria (fair) is made up of a carnival, bailes tropicales (salsa dances), and a very large tianguis (temporary market). Then – in stark contrast to its normal tranquility — on January 31st through February 2nd the town explodes into a religious and secular frenzy, its streets stuffed with true believers and joyful revelers. read more

Fish filets in Mexican hoja santa: Filetes de pescado en hoja santa Karen Hursh Graber

Fish filets in Mexican hoja santa is a specialty of Veracruz, where hoja santa is often called acuyo. It combines the fresh seafood for which Veracruz is famous with the anise-scented herb that grows a... read more

fish main-dishes Veracruz

Mashed plantains with pork rinds: Machuca de platano con chicharrones Karen Hursh Graber

This variation on traditional machuca uses crispy chicharrones (pork cracklings), which give a good texture to the dish and impart the taste of pork without having to use the traditional lard. A cousi... read more

fruit meat main-dishes Veracruz

Mexican plantain empanadas with picadillo: Empanadas de platano Karen Hursh Graber

This recipe is adapted from Alquímias y Atmósferas del Sabor, by Doña Carmen Titita Ramírez, proprietress of Mexico City's famed El Bajío restaurant. The plantains should be cooked a day in advanc... read more

fruit meat main-dishes Veracruz

Better than a Cuban cigar: Mexico's Santa Clara Puros William B. Kaliher

Puros Santa Clara number among the world's finest cigars. In fact, these fine Mexico cigars rival — and surpass — Cuban cigars in flavor and quality. Señor Jorge Ortiz Alvarez Many articles ... read more

Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz

The state of Veracruz, Mexico - resource page Mexconnect Staff

The Mexican State of Veracruz brings to mind beautiful Gulf of Mexico waters, steamy jungles and mouth-watering ocean-fresh seafood. The State of Veracruz is all this and more. The following articles... read more

exploring-tourism index-page Veracruz

Mexican coffee flan: Flan de cafe Karen Hursh Graber

Mexican coffee flan comes from the Coatepec region of Veracruz. Instant espresso powder is a boon to the dessert maker, since it dissolves easily and has an intense flavor. Ingredients For the carame... read more

eggs desserts Veracruz

A German cigar produced in Mexico: Puros Sihuapan William B. Kaliher

Still cool, in the early tropical morning, I pulled to the curve to savor a coffee at the Fractal to enjoy the early morning activities on the malecón along Laguna Catemaco. The Fractal had been an ac... read more

Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz

Catemaco, Mexico: home to an eclectic group of international expats William B. Kaliher

The producer of Medicine Man, starring Sean Connery, found Los Tuxtlas, as did Mel Gibson when he filmed Apocalypto. Being the home of the mysterious Olmec civilization, which predated the Mayans, make... read more

food-drink lifestyles retiring Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz

Retirement in Paradise: a '50s burger drive-in on Mexico's Emerald Coast William B. Kaliher

Retiring in Mexico means different things for different people. But an American couple in tiny Tecolutla on Mexico's Emerald Coast have forged a unique and fulfilling lifestyle by taking the road less ... read more

lifestyles retiring Veracruz

Scouting Mexico retirement scenes Marvin West

There are several famous David Frosts loose in the world. One is the excommunicated Canadian hockey coach and agent. Another is Sir David, distinguished Englishman with TV connections to the late Richard Nixon.
My pick is the David Frost, American computer programmer, banjo-picker and adventurer, currently encouraging or coaxing his wife Jo to hop-scotch around Mexico, scouting possible retirement scenes. read more

exploring-tourism retiring Veracruz

Alberto Turrent and Te-Amo: Six generations of Mexican cigars William B. Kaliher

Mexico's famous Te-Amo cigar comes from Sihuapan, near Catemaco, Veracruz. The producer — Turrent, Nueva Matacapan Tabacos, S.A. de C.V. — takes its name from the owner, Alberto Turrent, the fifth ... read more

geography Catemaco, Veracruz

Tabacalera Alberto: What's smoking with Mexico's leading cigar maker? William B. Kaliher

Driving to Yucatan, I made a wrong turn and wound up in the town of Catemaco. A shady beach drive along a huge lake provided a tranquil setting reminiscent of Hollywood's 1930s America. I pulled to the... read more

exploring-tourism food-drink Catemaco, Veracruz

The Brownsville-Matamoros Ferry: crossing the Rio Grande from 1818 to 1929 Maggie Van Ostrand

Old is good, especially when it's a freshly discovered newspaper from April 1929. It's exciting to read things that happened even before the stock market crash was to occur that coming October, leading America into one of the bleakest periods in our history. That sad period also saw the close of the oldest institution on the lower Mexican border: the Brownsville-Matamoros ferry.

The ferry (chalon) was an efficient means of transportation between the U.S. and Mexico for 110 years but, in 1929, it took its last trip across the Rio Grande. read more

border-crossings Matamoros, Tamaulipas

Vela Sud America: tall ships sail to Veracruz Thaddeus J. Koza

What could be more beautiful than tall ships with sails billowing in the wind as they surge across the ocean? These wonderful sailing ships carry a sense of history and adventure. In June of 2010, many elegant vessels come together in a regatta that will culminate in the port of Veracruz, Mexico from June 23rd through the 28th — a great opportunity to see them in action. read more

recreation Veracruz, Veracruz

Mexican cold avocado soup: Sopa fria de aguacate Karen Hursh Graber

Originally from the tropical coastal state of Tabasco, where a chilled dish is always welcome, this soup is a perfect first course for a light summer meal, such as grilled chicken or fish. Try adding a tablespoon of sherry for a delicious, unusual twist. read more

vegetables soups Tabasco

Wild Bill discovers Mexico's Costa Esmeralda — the Emerald Coast of Veracruz William B. Kaliher

Wild Bill is a seventy-six year-old expatriate enjoying his motor home and life in relative seclusion at Quinta Alicia Trailer Park on the palm covered coast of Costa Esmeralda, Mexico. Retired from bo... read more

lifestyles retiring Veracruz

Catemaco: Mexico's cradle of sorcery and witchcraft Diodora Bucur

Magic-filled stories abound in Mexico: curanderos claiming to cure illness with herbs and special oils and sorcerers insisting they can bring back straying spouses or cast evil spells on enemies. A Mex... read more

Catemaco, Veracruz

A perfect Mexico camping spot on the Costa Esmeralda of Veracruz William B. Kaliher

The term Costa Esmeralda covers a stretch of highway about fifteen miles long from Hotel Riachuelos to Casitas. Five tiny beach towns, occasionally broken by cattle farms and small rivers running down to the sea, enliven the stretch. These Mexican Gulf beaches are veritable tropical gardens. The location is 259 kilometers south of Tampico and 205 kilometers north of Veracruz on Highway 180. read more

beaches exploring-tourism Veracruz

Expat living in Mexico: Xalapa vs. Ajijic Donald J. MacKay

Reports written some years ago about Jalapa, (or Xalapa as the locals prefer to spell it) Veracruz in MexConnect caught my eye. These tout the pleasant climate, cultural attractions, the presence of un... read more

lifestyles real-estate Xalapa, Veracruz Chapala Ajijic, Jalisco

There's a lot to see and do in Veracruz, Mexico Roberta Sotonoff

Rafting on the Pescado River in Veracruz Veracruz offers some awesome adventure sports in a pristine area near the village of Jalcomulco, about 90 minutes from Veracruz City.... read more

exploring-tourism Veracruz

Clickable interactive map of Tabasco, Mexico: Villahermosa, La Venta, Comalcalco, Frontera Tony Burton

Clickable interactive map of Tabasco state, Mexico. read more

maps Tabasco Villahermosa, Tabasco

A driving tour from Oaxaca to San Cristobal de las Casas and Palenque: Part Two Alvin Starkman

The countryside in Southern Mexico is tropical and beautiful. There are "must sees" all along the way as you drive from San Cristobal de las Casas to Oaxaca. read more

driving-routes travelogue Oaxaca Palenque, Chiapas Veracruz

Fish in spicy tomato sauce: Pescado a la veracruzana Karen Hursh Graber

This is one version of the Veracruz classic traditionally made with huachinango, red snapper. It has everything you could want in a healthy Mexican dish -- bright flavors and lean protein, without sacrificing regional authenticity. read more

fish main-dishes Veracruz

Two weeks in Veracruz: a travel diary David Frost

I was the only passenger they patted down looking for AK47s and rocket launchers. The sombrero made me look like Clint Eastwood. I'm sure that's what it was.