"Xalapa: My hometown in Mexico." Jalapa Enríquez by balesmm

First established as a market town in 1313, Xalapa is the capital and cultural center for the state of Veracruz. Approximately 600,000 people live in Xalapa today (thanks to a recent influx of population intentionally diverted from Mexico City). It preserves its colonial architecture and charm while maintaining its importance as an administrative, educational, commercial, and marketing center. Xalapa has a small industrial sector and few high rise buildings. Xalapa offers a rich cultural heritage and small city atmosphere in a thriving capital city off the beaten tourist path. The city takes pride in its flourishing gardens, flavorful coffee, cultural amenities, spicy xalapeño peppers, and hospitality toward visitors. Not far from Xalapa within the state of Veracruz are important archaeological sites of pre-conquest indigenous civilizations.

Contrary to popular belief (among those who don't live there), the city of Xalapa is spelled with an "x," even though in most locations outside of Xalapa, it is spelled with a "j." The home of xalapeño peppers, the city of Xalapa, Veracruz was my home in México while I studyed abroad there, in the University of Veracruz, from Febuary to July of 2003.

I would highly recommend this city for the serious traveller - not the Cancún variety of tourist, but those who are truly interested in gaining a real understand of what Mexico is all about.

• Pros:Non-tourist atmosphere, variety of interesting sites in its hinterlands, great place to spend a good deal of time.
• Cons:Might not be perfect for a casual tourist, especially those who do not speak any Spanish.
• In a nutshell:Off the beaten path; the real Mexico