Rinconada: History, Festivals and Garnacha
Accommodation in Rinconada
Rinconada offers several clear reasons to visit: colonial road history, its location on the Mexican federal highway Mex 140, a river south of town, and local festivals and cuisine.
Colonial roads and the town’s development
Rinconada was established during the colonial period under the name La Rinconada as an inn on the old road from Puerto de Veracruz to Ciudad de México. The colonial Camino Real Veracruz–México also passed through Rinconada; historical remains of this route can be found in the town. The former inn and the surviving traces of the Camino Real give the town’s history a clear connection to historic roads.
A later development was connected to the railway: in 1910, a station of the Ferrocarril Interoceánico was built near Los Ídolos, contributing to the growth of present-day Rinconada. The station near Los Ídolos is considered a building in a striking English-inspired Neo-Gothic style.
Road, river and a monument
The highway and the watercourse are two concrete points of reference for locating the town: Rinconada lies on the Mexican federal highway Mex 140. The Amealco River, also called Los Pescados, flows immediately south of the town. Both names refer to the same river.
A more recent point of reference is the bronze statue “Zapata Vive.” It was unveiled in Rinconada on August 8, 2023, in honor of Emiliano Zapata, and is seven meters tall. The year clearly distinguishes this monument from the colonial and railway-related historical references; its dedication names Emiliano Zapata as the reason for it.
Garnacha and local cuisine
Rinconada is known for Mexican antojitos, offered to travelers along the stretch between Xalapa and Ciudad Cardel. The Festival de la Garnacha Rinconada, a festival held in August, provides a distinct culinary connection. At the festival, you can discover garnacha from Rinconada. The festival also includes an exhibit of the “largest garnacha.” Thus, antojitos represent the local food culture in the travel context, while the August festival specifically celebrates garnacha.
Festivals throughout the year
In addition to the food festival, two other celebrations are part of Rinconada’s calendar. The Feast of Santa Cruz, or the Holy Cross, is celebrated on May 2 and 3. Patron saint festivities in honor of the Virgen de Guadalupe take place from December 11 to 13. The three dates differ in their focus: gastronomy takes center stage in August, the Feast of Santa Cruz in May, and the Virgen de Guadalupe in December.
Plan your stay around the reason for your trip
If you are interested in local history, the colonial inn, the 1910 station and the 2023 monument represent different periods.
Discover more destinations: MartĂnez De La Torre, Misantla, Xalapa, Ursulo Galván, Tlacotalpan, Coscomatepec De Bravo, Laguna Verde, FortĂn De Las Flores
For the broader travel overview: Veracruz.
