Major city · Mexico
Xico
Give Xico one full day plus a night: Texolo falls in the morning, mole and coffee in the afternoon. Two nights if you want the July fiesta.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MXN
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry, cooler)
- avoid Sep–Oct (wettest), late Jul–early Aug if you want a quiet town
- Airports
- JAL · VER · MEX
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
Xico is a Pueblo Mágico in the Veracruz coffee hills, 20 minutes by taxi from Xalapa. Cobbled streets, a 17th-century parish church, an 80 m waterfall 3 km south of the square, and a food scene built on mole and locally roasted coffee. It is small: the centre is walkable in an hour, so most travellers come for a day or a single night rather than a long stay.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Xico, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $).Mexico-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities.Mexico-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.Mexico-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.Mexico-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mexico-wide
- SafetyXico is a small, calm town and the usual advice applies: use taxis after dark, keep to lit streets, and treat the waterfalls as a viewing stop…
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10.Mexico-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance (all mexico) · 078 Tourist assistance (SECTUR) · 078 Green Angels roadside help
- Sundays & holidaysMost museums and many archaeological sites close on Mondays; banks close on public holidays.Mexico-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportJAL Xalapa (El Lencero) (Small field; few scheduled flights.
- Getting aroundThe centre is compact and best on foot; cobbles are uneven, so wear shoes with grip.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a local roasterM$25–50 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miTaxi within townM$50–100 (≈ US$3–6)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entryM$5–10 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personMX$250 (≈ US$14)
- Mid-range bedSmall-hotel double room, a night, per roomMX$1,300 (≈ US$75)
- High-end bedSmall-hotel double room, a night, per roomMX$2,600 (≈ US$150)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$700 (≈ US$40) · Mid MX$1,200 (≈ US$65) · High MX$2,200 (≈ US$120)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- JAL Xalapa (El Lencero) (Small field; few scheduled flights. Most travellers fly into Mexico City (MEX) or Veracruz (VER) and continue by bus.) · VER Veracruz (General Heriberto Jara) (About 2 h by road to Xalapa, then 20 min to Xico.) · MEX Mexico City (Benito Juárez) (ADO and AU buses to Xalapa, roughly 4.5–5.5 h; then combi or taxi to Xico.)
Weather and climate
Xico: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
21°C70°F
10°C50°F
9 rd
Feb
22°C72°F
10°C50°F
8 rd
Mar
25°C77°F
12°C54°F
8 rd
Apr
27°C81°F
14°C57°F
8 rd
May
27°C81°F
15°C59°F
11 rd
Jun
26°C79°F
15°C59°F
16 rd
Jul
25°C77°F
14°C57°F
17 rd
Aug
25°C77°F
14°C57°F
17 rd
Sep
24°C75°F
14°C57°F
18 rd
Oct
23°C73°F
13°C55°F
14 rd
Nov
22°C72°F
12°C54°F
10 rd
Dec
21°C70°F
11°C52°F
10 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is compact and best on foot; cobbles are uneven, so wear shoes with grip. Taxis handle the waterfalls and nearby villages — agree the fare before you get in. Buses and combis link Xico with Xalapa and Coatepec.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30–40 min
Combi or taxi from the centre; buses also run the route
Museums, market and the anthropology museum; easy half day.
Coatepec
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Taxi or local bus via the Xalapa road
Coffee town with roasters and cafés; pairs well with Xico.
Naolinco
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Taxi or bus via Xalapa
Small craft town; check transport times before you commit.
Cofre de Perote National Park
cautionDoor to door: About 1–1.5 h
Taxi or car up the Xalapa road
High, cold and often cloud-covered; go only in clear, dry weather.
Door to door: About 3–3.5 h
Bus to Xalapa, then ADO to Veracruz
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep on the coast.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Centro (Av. Miguel Hidalgo and around the square)
Best for one night without a car: church, museums, restaurants and coffee shops all within a 10-minute walk.
Riverside and south edge of town
Quieter, closer to the road out toward Texolo falls; useful if you plan an early waterfall start.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- M$500–900 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- Mid
- M$900–1,600 (≈ US$50–90) excl. bed
- High
- M$1,600 (≈ US$90)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Small-hotel double room1 × 1 night × MX$1,300 | MX$1,300 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × MX$1,200 | MX$2,400 |
| Taxi Xalapa → Xico, one way1 × MX$200 | MX$200 |
| Taxi Xico → Texolo falls, return1 × MX$250 | MX$250 |
| Museum entries (Danzante + Vestidos)2 × MX$15 | MX$30 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × MX$250 | MX$500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MX$468 |
| Trip total≈ MX$2,574 per person per day, bed included | MX$5,148≈ US$300 |
2026 estimate in pesos; long-distance buses and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a local roaster | M$25–50 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Half kilo of locally roasted coffee to take home | M$150–300 (≈ US$9–17) |
| Mole plate at a traditional restaurant | M$150–250 (≈ US$9–14) |
| Bakery bread and pastries | M$20–60 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Taxi within town | M$50–100 (≈ US$3–6) |
| Taxi Xalapa → Xico | About M$200 (≈ US$11) |
| Museum entry | M$5–10 (≈ under US$1) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Cobblestone streets are slippery after rain and hard on wheeled bags.
- Do not swim at the waterfalls: currents and pools are dangerous.
- Waterfall paths have drops and no railings in places; keep children close.
- Some falls access points charge a small fee even where the waterfall itself is free.
- Book accommodation ahead for the July–August fiesta week; the town fills up.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance (all Mexico)
- 911
- Tourist assistance (SECTUR)
- 078
- Green Angels roadside help
- 078
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
XicoXico
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Tourist assistance (SECTUR)078
- Green Angels roadside help078
Embassy
No embassy in Xico. The US, UK and Canadian embassies are in Mexico City; several countries keep consulates in Veracruz city. Check your own country's list before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi Xalapa → Xico: about M$200 (≈ US$11), 20 min
- Taxi Xico → Texolo falls: about M$250 (≈ US$14) return, 10–15 min each way
- Bus Xalapa → Xico (combi): under M$50 (≈ US$3), about 30 min
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta a la cascada? — How much to the waterfall? (KWAN-to KWES-ta a la kas-KA-da)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (la KWEN-ta por fa-VOR)
- Un café, por favor — One coffee, please (oon ka-FE por fa-VOR)
- ¿Es seguro nadar aquí? — Is it safe to swim here? (es se-GU-ro na-DAR a-KEE)
- ¿Dónde está el sitio de taxis? — Where is the taxi stand? (DON-de es-TA el SEE-tyo de TAK-sees)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (PWE-do pa-GAR kon tar-HE-ta)
Small town: carry some cash for museums, taxis and bakeries.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Xico. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr (dry, cooler) · avoid Sep–Oct (wettest), late Jul–early Aug if you want a quiet town · month by month →
- 3 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for JAL, VER and MEX: last bus and combi departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: the square and parish church, Av. Miguel Hidalgo, the museums, the Texolo road.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Parroquia Santa María Magdalena, Museo de Vestidos, Museo del Danzante Xiqueño, Museo del Totomoxtle, Texolo and Monja falls) and eat pages with last orders.
- Fiesta-week fixture for late July–early August so gates A–D can go green.