Both Cordoba and Orizaba were founded to protect colonial trade caravans along the Mexico City-Puebla-Veracruz road. They are located in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Oriental, and so are much cooler than the steamy coast and warmer than Xalapa. Geared toward industry and commerce, these two prosperous cities are separated by the luxuriant Metlac River ravine, with miles of hiking trails. From here, intrepid trekkers can assault Mexico’s highest peak which looms above the luxuriant landscape to the northwest.

The city’s most popular attraction is the Portal de Zevallos, a lovely arcade where people meet over locally grown coffee or refreshing mint juleps. A few miles west, Fortin de las Flowers is famous for its greenhouses and private gardens, best visited during the Fiestas de Mayo, when nursery tours can be taken. The area between Cordoba and Xalapa offers many opportunities for adventure tourism, including the country’s best rivers for white-water rafting.