Translation.P-Translator.info

Where to Stay in Orizaba

There are a considerable number of budget-priced or economy hotels located throughout the city but when looking around at budget or even mid-range hotels in Orizaba, you’ll note that many come stocked with “ladies of the evening” who are standing at or just inside of the hotel front door. Make no mistake, many of these ladies come with “the gift that keeps on giving” - AIDS. Most well-run hotel establishments will not allow them and these hotels are usually marked as “family” hotels. You will have far fewer problems (or temptations) staying at a “family” hotel even if it’s located across from or next door to a “stocked” hotel. Keep your eyes open and BE CAREFUL at all times! Some recommendable places include these:

Name: Hotel Arenas
Address: Norte 2 No. 169
Phone: 725-2361

A small, family-run hotel located directly in back of the yellow-walled Parrish Church of San Miguel. There is an attractive, plant-filled courtyard fronting the economically priced rooms. Most have a TV and fan with private bath and are clean but unpretentious. The street out front is usually pretty crowded as it’s the market district, so there’s plenty of activity until about 9 pm when things go quiet. Singles / doubles are 100 pesos and 120 pesos respectively. Expect to pay slightly more during peak seasons.

Name: Hotel San Crist

Share This

THE CITY OF ORIZABA: What goes up (the volcano), must come down.

This city of about 100,000 Indians and mixed Spanish blood inhabitants is named for Mt. Orizaba (Citlaltepetl), Mexico’s highest peak and the third highest peak in North America at an elevation of about 18,406 ft. (5,610 meters). Only Mt. McKinley in Alaska and Mt. Logan in Canada are higher. Also referred to as Pico de Orizaba, it can have snow at its upper levels year-round but the climbing season is in Winter, which is just the opposite of the other North American climbs. That makes Orizaba a very popular destination from November through February. The climbers (and tourists) come principally from all over North America with some from Europe and beyond. They almost all speak English, so the English language teaching trade is booming. EFL and ELT professionals, local schools and businesses want and need your services!

There are several interesting websites with information on the volcano, which apparently last erupted in 1687 with prior eruptions in 1613 and 1537. The point is that unlike Mt. Popocatepetl, you won’t have to worry about flying hot rocks, molten lava or steaming craters of asphyxiating volcanic gas and suffocating ash. As with other mountains and natural features in the regions of the Aztecs, there is a legend attached to Citlaltepetl, a name that means “Star Mountain” in Nahuatl - the language of the Aztecs. Legend says that the feathered serpent, Quetzalcoatl, was first consumed by sacred flames emerging from the heart of Pico de Orizaba, then took on human form and finally sailed from the Veracruz coast across the sea, vowing one day to return to his beloved people.

A spectacular view of Mt. Orizaba, a volcano and Mexico’s highest peak can be found at:

http://www.adventureguidesintl.com/orizaba1.htm

For a view of the crater of the volcano Orizaba from the summit go to
http://www.adventureguidesintl.com/orizaba2.htm

This view of Mt. Orizaba’s summit is also worth a look or two, or three
http://www.adventureguidesintl.com/orizaba3.htm

For the more scientific-minded check out the volcano’s stats at:
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/volc_tour/mex/19Pico_de_Orizaba.html

Another mountain-climbing site with great photo scenes of “Pico”:
http://www.naclassics.com/climbs/orizaba/imagelis.htm

GETTING TO AND AWAY FROM ORIZABA:

Orizaba is conveniently located on the main turnpike route between Mexico City in the mountains and the city of Veracruz on the Gulf Coast. There are frequent buses in both directions connecting to the smaller towns and pueblos, so getting there is a snap. Xalapa, the capitol city of the state of Veracruz, and the city of Puebla, which overlooks Mexico’s current volcano-in-action, can be easily reached as well. Travel by first-class ADO bus services is as follows between Orizaba and M

Share This