Travel advisory · MexicoSome governments advise against travel to parts of Mexico.The warnings cover only these areas: Colima, Guerrero, Sinaloa, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Federal Highway 199 San Cristóbal de las Casas–Palenque, Guanajuato, south of Highways 43D and 45D, Guatemala border region, Chiapas, Lagunas de Zempoala National Park, Michoacán, Nayarit, within 20 km of Sinaloa and Durango border, Nuevo León, except Monterrey, Piedras Negras, Route 85 Monterrey–Nuevo Laredo, Sonora, Tamaulipas, Tecate, Tijuana, US border region, Zacatecas.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Colima · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, France, UK
- Guerrero · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, New Zealand, UK
- Sinaloa · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, New Zealand, UK
- Chiapas · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Spain, France
- Chihuahua · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, France, UK
- Federal Highway 199 San Cristóbal de las Casas–Palenque · avoid non-essential travel · France, UK
- Guanajuato, south of Highways 43D and 45D · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, New Zealand
- Guatemala border region, Chiapas · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, France, New Zealand
- Lagunas de Zempoala National Park · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, New Zealand
- Michoacán · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Germany, New Zealand, UK
- Nayarit, within 20 km of Sinaloa and Durango border · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, New Zealand
- Nuevo León, except Monterrey · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, New Zealand
- Piedras Negras · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France
- Route 85 Monterrey–Nuevo Laredo · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France
- Sonora · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, New Zealand
- Tamaulipas · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, France, UK
- Tecate · avoid non-essential travel · France, UK
- Tijuana · avoid non-essential travel · France, UK
- US border region · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, Spain, France
- Zacatecas · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, UK
Also named by one government: Celaya–Irapuato–Salamanca triangle, Guanajuato (France), Culiacán and surrounding area (France), North of Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas (Germany), Route 129 Martinez de la Torre–Teziutlán (France), Route 131 Tapacoyan–Perote (France), Route 180 Martinez de la Torre–Papantla secondary roads (France), Route 40 Monterrey–Reynosa (France), Southern Michoacán from Uruapán to the coast (France), Acapulco (France), Baja California, except Tijuana and Tecate (France), Ciudad Acuña (Spain), Ciudad Juárez and surrounding area (Spain), Ciudad Obregón (France), Coahuila, except southern part (New Zealand), Coatzacoalcos (France), Colonias north and north-east of the Zócalo, Mexico City (France), Durango (France), East Nuevo León, bordering Tamaulipas (France), Guanajuato (Spain), Guanajuato, Highway 45 between León and Irapuato (New Zealand), Guanajuato, south-west of Highway 45D (UK), Jalisco, within 50 km of Michoacán border (Canada), Monclova (Spain), Morelos (France), Nayarit (France), Nogales (France), Non-tourist rural areas of Baja California (Spain), Non-tourist rural areas of Chihuahua (Spain), Non-tourist rural areas of Coahuila (Spain), Non-tourist rural areas of Durango (Spain), Non-tourist rural areas of Sonora (Spain), Northern municipalities of Jalisco (UK), Northern Tamaulipas from San Fernando to US border (Spain), Northern Veracruz bordering Tamaulipas (Spain), Northern Veracruz from Martinez de la Torre (France), Route 150D Puebla–Orizaba (France), Route 190 Oaxaca–Santo Domingo Tehuantepec (France), Route 85 and 83 Monterrey–Ciudad Victoria–Tampico (France), Route 95 Mexico City–Cuernavaca (France), Selva Lacandona (France), South and south-west of Lake Chapala, Jalisco (UK), South-west Jalisco and Los Altos, except Puerto Vallarta (France), South-west Michoacán (France), South-west Tamaulipas (France), Southern Guanajuato state (France), Southern Michoacán south of Morelia (Spain), Strip within 40 km of Guatemalan border, Chiapas (UK), Tepic (New Zealand), Toluca (France), Veracruz city (France)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Exercise increased caution | May 29, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Besondere Vorsicht walten lassen (Sicherheitslage) (regional advisories) | Oct 19, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Vigilance renforcée pour le reste du pays (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Xalapa
Travelers come to Xalapa for the Olmec heads in its anthropology museum, leafy parks and cool mountain air above the Gulf coast.
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Xalapa is the capital of the Mexican state of Veracruz, set in the mountains about 1,400 metres above sea level. People go for the Museo de Antropología de Xalapa, which holds more than 25,000 pieces from Gulf Coast cultures, including giant Olmec heads. The city is much cooler than the coast. Alexander von Humboldt called it the City of Flowers after his visit in 1804, and residents are called Xalapeños.
Most of the sights are museums, parks and walks. Parque Juárez in the centre has galleries, cafés and a lookout, and the Pinacoteca Diego Rivera, which holds the largest collection of Diego Rivera paintings in Mexico, is nearby. Early mornings often bring mist. The most comfortable weather usually runs from early November to mid-April, and rain is heaviest from June to about mid-September. For day trips, Cofre de Perote National Park lies about 50 km east, and Veracruz city is about 89 km away.
Xalapa in five
- Start with the anthropology museumThe Museo de Antropología de Xalapa holds one of Mexico's major Gulf Coast and Olmec collections, including colossal heads. Allow two to three hours and check opening days first.
- Add Coatepec for coffeeCoatepec is a coffee town about 15–20 minutes away with roasters, tastings and a small plaza. Combine it with a lunch stop rather than a full day.
- Dress for damp, cool weatherAt about 1,400 m the city is cooler than the coast, and locals call the fine drizzle chipichipi. Pack a light jacket and an umbrella in every season.
- Visit Xico and Texolo Falls with a carXico and its waterfalls sit about 40 minutes by road in the hills. A rental car or a tour makes the loop easy; public transport is slower.
- Pair it with the Gulf coastVeracruz City is 1.5–2 hours down the road, so Xalapa works as a cool break between port days.Veracruz City
Things to do in Xalapa
See all attractions in Xalapa
Need to know
- Airport
- Veracruz (VER), about 1.5–2 hours by road
- Getting there
- ADO bus from Mexico City, about 5 hours, or Veracruz and Puebla
- Getting around
- Hilly; walkable center, taxis for the museum and beyond
- Best base
- Near the cathedral and Parque Juárez
- Time needed
- 1–2 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain15 rainy daysHigh19°Low11°Cool, drizzleJanuaryRain
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 102 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, drizzle
- FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Cool, mistyFebruaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 54 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, misty
- MarchRain15 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°Mild, drierMarchRain
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 100 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, drier
- AprilRain15 rainy daysHigh25°Low16°Warm, dryAprilRain
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 99 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, dry
- MayRain18 rainy daysHigh26°Low17°Warm, dryMayRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 138 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, dry
- JuneRain24 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh24°Low16°Rainy seasonJuneRain
Mixed
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 376 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rainy season
- JulyRain21 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh24°Low16°RainyJulyRain
Good
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 139 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rainy
- AugustRain23 rainy days2 days with stormsHigh24°Low16°RainyAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 209 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 2
Rainy
- SeptemberRain24 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh23°Low16°Rain, stormsSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 283 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rain, storms
- OctoberRain22 rainy daysHigh22°Low15°Rains endingOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 248 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains ending
- NovemberRain15 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Cool, clearerNovemberRain
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 100 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, clearer
- DecemberRain14 rainy daysHigh19°Low12°Cool, drizzleDecemberRain
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 82 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, drizzle
Average daily high and low in Xalapa, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Xalapa
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
20
- Feels like
- 21°
- Humidity
- 90%
- Wind
- 6 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 32%
Xalapa
05:24 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today23°14°32%Monday: Fog. High 23°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 32%.
- Tue24°17°58%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 58%.
- Wed23°16°63%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 23°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 63%.
- Thu24°16°29%Thursday: Fog. High 24°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 29%.
- Fri23°15°73%Friday: Drizzle. High 23°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 73%.
- Sat22°14°76%Saturday: Drizzle. High 22°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 76%.
- Sun18°16°94%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 18°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 94%.
Updated 04:43 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 18.81 MXN
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Coatepecabout 15–20 min by roadA coffee town with roasters and a pleasant plaza.
- Xico and Texolo Fallsabout 40 min by roadA hill village near a waterfall in the cloud forest.
- Veracruz Cityabout 1.5–2 hours by roadThe Gulf port, hot and lively, with a fortress and seafood.Read the guide
Before you go to Xalapa
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Xalapa, checked
- Many nationalities need a Mexican visa. Others enter visa-free and receive a tourist permit (FMM) on arrival. Check current entry rules on gob.mx before you book.Source
- Dial 911 for police, fire or an ambulance. Write your hotel's address in Spanish so taxi drivers can find it.
- Tip waiters about 10 to 15 percent, the usual custom. Check the bill first, since some restaurants add a service charge.
- The legal drinking age is 18. Carry your passport or another photo ID if you plan to drink in bars.
Plan around Xalapa
Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Mexico trip
Read the guideVeracruz CityThe Gulf port 1.5–2 hours away
Read the guidePueblaA colonial city to the west
Read the guideMexico CityThe capital about five hours by bus
Read the guideMexico transportBuses, flights and road legs
Read the guideMexico moneyCash, cards and tipping
Read the guideXalapa FAQ
Is Xalapa worth visiting?
Yes if you like museums, coffee and cooler air. The anthropology museum alone justifies a stop, and the hills give a break from the heat of Veracruz City. It has no beach.
What is Xalapa known for?
The anthropology museum with its colossal Olmec heads, coffee grown in the hills around it and a student-town cafe scene. Fine drizzle is so common that locals have a word for it, chipichipi.
Can you visit Xalapa as a day trip from Veracruz?
Yes, about 1.5–2 hours each way. It works for the museum and a coffee stop, but a night lets you see the town in the evening and add Coatepec without rushing.
How many days do you need in Xalapa?
One full day covers the museum, the center and Coatepec. Two days add Xico and the waterfall, or a slower pace on cool, damp days.
When is the best time to visit Xalapa?
March to May and November for the clearest, driest days. June to October is rainy, and winter can bring mist and cold wind from the north.