Located on the north bank of the Rio Blanco, Orizaba is a vibrant Mexican city in the state of Veracruz. It is believed to take its name from a Nahuatl word meaning “place of pleasing waters”. Orizaba flourished during the Spanish colonial years, with many of its beautifully preserved buildings dating from the period.
Things to do in Orizaba
One of Orizaba’s most magnificent buildings is the Palacio de Hierro, which was designed by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel in an Art Nouveau style. Originally built in Paris, it was shipped piece by piece to Orizaba in the 1890s where it served as a government headquarters. Today, the Palacio de Hierro is home to several museums dedicated to the city’s history of archaeology, beer and soccer.
Watching over Orizaba is the Cerro del Borrego, a recreational hill that can be reached in just a few minutes by cable car. It offers magnificent views across the city and is home to a small chapel, a museum and a nature trail. For a more challenging hike, head to the dense forests and dramatic gorge of Parque Nacional Cañón del Río Blanco.
Orizaba also makes an excellent base for visiting Parque Nacional Pico de Orizaba, which centres around an active volcano and the highest peak in Mexico. It’s an incredibly popular destination for mountaineering, with several routes leading to its snow-capped summit. More leisurely hiking and mountain biking trails also wind their way through the park, which provides an important habitat for lynx.
Getting around Orizaba
Orizaba is around an hour’s drive from Cordoba and two hours from Veracruz International Airport, which has flights to destinations across North America. Long-distance buses connect to Orizaba while local services travel throughout the city, connecting most of its attractions.