Mexico city and Jalapa? Long question?

We are planning on Flying into Mexico City and staying a few days. Then taking a bus to Jalapa. What is an inexpensive hotel to stay in? We would not like to stay in a hotel that is all Americans. What are the must see sights in or near the city? Thanks.

There is this little hotel in downtown Xalapa, called Mes贸n de Alf茅rez (address is Sebasti谩n Camacho 2, Centro, Xalapa, Ver. 91000 Phone: (228)818-0113), another option could be Posada Casa Regia (on Hidalgo 12, Centro, Xalapa, Ver., 91000 Phone: (228)812-0591).

I totally agree that it would be great if you could contact Roy Dudley, he has lived in Xalapa for over 30 years (he's married to a "xalape帽a") and he's a great photographer, I didn't know he gave tours, but I'm sure they have to be excellent!

As for places to visit in Xalapa:
1. Museo de Antropolog铆a (Anthropology Museum, featuring olmec colosal heads)
2. The Cathedral, inside you can visit the tomb of Saint Rafael Guizar y Valencia, who was canonized recently.
3. Barrio de Xallitic, one of the city's original neighborhoods, founded by natives before the Spanish conquest.
4. Capilla de las 脕nimas, beautiful chappel of a former hacienda.
5. Pinacoteca Diego Rivera, exhibiting 36 original art works from the mexican famous painter.
6. Parque Ecol贸gico Macuilt茅pec, ecological park inside the city.

Near Xalapa you shouldn't miss:
1. Hacienda El Lencero, this former hacienda was converted into a museum, it is said that it was first owned by one of the soldiers that came with Hern谩n Cort茅s, but it is really famous for being the home of president Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.
2. Coatepec, it is a town about 5 miles from Xalapa, famous for its coffee. Don't miss the famous ice cream in the park's kiosk and try the coffee and fruit wines and liquors made in the region. And also, you can arrange to see the beautiful orchids that are grown here!
3. Xico is another town to visit, you should try the "mole" and go to the amazing Texolo waterfalls, where many movies have been filmed (like Clear and Present Danger and Romancing the Stone)
4. Actopan, with its exhuberant vegetation and the beautiful "descabezadero", although I would not spend the whole day here, one of the most breathtaking sights I have seen!

Near Xalapa you can do river rafting, trekking, mountain biking, etc. , if you are interested in any of these then maybe you should go to Jalcomulco, where many of the companies that offer these services are based.
I hope I helped you, and have a nice trip!!

Hey, I just answered your bus question, then saw this one. I live 20 min from Jalapa (Xalapa). I don't know a hotel to recommend but wanted to refer you to Roy Dudley...a gringo who gives tours, etc. of Xalapa and area. See his website below to see if you ar interested in consulting him. There is a great Museum of Archeology in Xalapa, many parks and gardens to see.. many great small towns around. Hacienda de Lencero...home of Santa ana is just outside the city...beautiful place to see..I am checking with friends who live in Xalapa...if they have some ideas for you, I will email them to you. lots of interesting small towns around Xalapa...could take a short busride to Coatepec and spend a day or at least half a day in the shops and restaurants around the beautiful park in the center of town...also take the bus fromXalapa to Xico for a day...and also Naolinco.

Well, I would personally recommend you to visit Coyoac谩n at the south of the city, it is actually one of the most visited places in the world.