Poza Rica de Hidalgo is a city of 200,000 (2015) people in Veracruz. Poza Rica is close to the Costa Esmeralda, the northern beaches of Veracruz, such as Tecolutla, Tuxpan, Cazones and Playa Esmeralda. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of El Tajin is 15 km (9.3 mi) away.

Understand

Poza Rica means "rich pool" because it is known for its abundance of fish. Poza Rica in modern times is known for being an oil town, like the equivalent of Odessa, Texas, although maybe not as ugly.

Unlike most Mexican cities, it does not have old buildings because it is a new city founded in 1951. For that reason it has contemporary architecture with well-lined and designed streets with a modern look.

Poza Rica is an important industrial and commercial center, and a central hub for several road transportation lines.

Get in

Mexico City is about 220 km (140 mi) from Poza Rica.

By plane

El Tajín National Airport in Tihuatlán serves Poza Rica.

By bus

Poza Rica has three bus terminals:

• The North Central, where more than 30 lines come from across the country (Estrella Blanca, ADO, Axis Gulf, First Plus, Chihuahuan, AU, Platinum ADO, ADO GL, Premium Green, Futura, Omnibus de Mexico)
• The second terminal has access only to passengers going to the neighboring city of Tuxpan. (ADO Bus)
• The third terminal is in the Petromex (Alternate Petroleum), which exits south of the country (Xalapa, Veracruz, Coatzacoalcos, Villahermosa, Ciudad del Carmen, Chiapas, etc.)

See

Castillo de Teayo

Pablo O'Higgins mural on the façade of the city's municipal palace

• 1 Castillo de Teayo, Huachinango, Castillo Teayo (37 km northwest of Poza Rica, in Municipio Castillo Teayo). Small archaeological site featuring a large pyramid temple from the pre-Colombian Huastec civilization, a Mayan splinter group that is one of the least studied and understood of the Mesoamerican cultures. The site was built between the 10th and 12th centuries A.D. and was once part of a good size settlement, though the site does not include structures other than the temple. A small site museum is operated by INAH, it exhibits a number of sculptures and other relics from the site. Sculptures representing gods, animals, and humans were found with several exhibiting a phallic fixation. (updated Aug 2023)
• Pablo O'Higgins mural on the façade of the city's municipal palace. It is the most important artistic work abroad in the entire northern area of ​​Veracruz. It is on the facade of the municipal palace of Poza Rica and is called "From the primitive pre-Hispanic agricultural work to the current development of the oil industry." An innovative technique enabled the first outdoor mural that has the tonalities and nuances of the fresco. 
• The archaeological zone of El Tajín is about 15 km (9.3 mi) from Poza Rica.

Do

• Petroleum festival (Desfile del 18 de Marzo) - it's a big deal for the local inhabitants.
• The area is tropical, with two beaches within one hour, Tuxpan, and Tecolutla, and one within 40 minutes east, Cazones.

Buy

• 1 Plaza Gran Patio Poza Rica. Mall with cinema, playground, casino. (updated Oct 2020)
• 2 Plaza Crystal Poza Rica. Another mall. (updated Oct 2020)

Eat

The local cuisine is distinguished by typical regional dishes Totonac and Huastec, of which the best known is the Zacahuil, plus a variety of typical Mexican snacks, among which are sopes, bocoles, molotes, tlacoyos, enchiladas, and blanditas.

Mid-range

• 1 El Mesón Huasteco, Calle 2 de Enero 20, Cazones. 07ː00-17ː30 daily. Try some Huastecan/Totonacan food. (updated Oct 2020)

Sleep

Budget

• 1 Hotel Florencia, Avaló 128, Col, Benito Juárez, ☏ +52 782 145 6750. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Clean, comfortable rooms at affordable prices. Off-street parking available. On-site restaurant and bar. M$450. (updated Aug 2023)

Mid-range

• 2 Hotel Cristal, Constitución #100, ☏ +52 782 822 3151. Nice breakfast spread and a restaurant on site for lunch and dinner. Spacious rooms and beds. M$377. (updated Oct 2020)
• 3 Hotel Poza Rica, 2 Norte y, Calle 10 Ote S/N, ☏ +52 782 826 0400. Breakfast, gym, restaurant. In the center of the action with many stores and restaurants around. M$692. (updated Oct 2020)
• Paris Hotel, Blvd. Adolfo Ruíz Cortines 1328, Cazones, ☏ +52 782 160 6000. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Moderate hotel with spacious, comfortable rooms. On-site restaurant with buffet. Gym available. M$1600. (updated Aug 2023)