Xalapa deserves its sobriquet, the Athens of Veracruz, for its culture if not its climate. At 1,427 metres above sea level, Veracruz’s hilly capital city has a bizarre climate of rain, sun, and fog. Once an important stagecoach stop between Mexico City and the port of Veracruz, modern Xalapa is one of the republic’s most entertaining capitals.

This university town offers art cafes, theatre, dance troupes, a fine symphony orchestra, and a world-class anthropology museum. Set on a series of verdant terraces, it is filled with pretty parks and lakes, and the surrounding countryside is famous for its coffee beans and exotic flowers.

For most, the highlight of a stay in Xalapa is a visit to the Museo de Antropologia. This modern masterpiece, imitating the city terraced cityscape, consists of nine staggered platforms surrounded by gardens. The collection is dedicated to Veracruz’s three most influential indigenous cultures.