El Tajin
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
These extensive ruins give a glimpse into Totonac society at its height.
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4.5
663 reviews
Excellent
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Very good
110
Average
20
Poor
3
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2
HermanTheGerman-inTX
The Colony, TX680 contributions
Feb 2012 • Couples
The El Tajin ruins are spectacular, worth the visit and all the praise accumulated on this website. My Lady and I stayed in Veracruz for a long weekend and made this day trip happen as follows:
The Veracruz central bus station (la central de autobuses) is located at the main thorough fare Salvador Diaz Miron, opposite the Auditorio Benito Juarez, between cross streets Marcelino Tuero Molina and Orizaba. Ticket counter for long-distance first class coach line ADO (Autobuses de Oriente) is on the Miron Blvd side, along with other lines. The rear of the station off La Fragua street has ticket counters for second class (local) lines.
ADO drives from Veracruz to Papantla (the closest town to El Tajin) at 7:00 and at 10:00 (am). Return departures from the Papantla ADO terminal are at 15:25, 17:10 and 17:25 (3:25 pm, 5:10 pm and 5:25 pm). You can purchase tickets in advance or the day of travel. The journey of 270 km takes four hours, including two or three stops on the way. The bus has about 100 seats (and a bathroom) and assigned seating. The very friendly counter personnel let's you select off the computer screen your itinerary and seat choices. I paid a fare of 200 pesos per person each way, ergo 800 pesos for two persons round trip.
We grabbed a cup of coffee and a bag of cookies in the waiting hall of the terminal and boarded the clean and modern bus for an on-time departure. Comfortable reclining seats, video and music entertainment, individual volume, light and air controls. The drive takes you along the coast for about three hours, then in-land for one hour. The bus-driver was very safe and knowleagable about the route. Every topes was approached carefully and passing trucks in a safe and swift manner. I was impressed with the driver (We sat in the first row).
Arriving in Papantla at 11, a "regular" red and white cab drove us from the terminal through the bustling town, confusing streets and country roads to the El Tajin site. Fare was 50 pesos for the 15 minute drive. Clarify the fare before you enter the cab!
El Tajin greets you with the Volardores of Papantla. If you watch their spectacular flight, they will make sure that you "donate" your 30 pesos. We ignored the myriad of vendors and stalls at the entrance. They all sell the same stuff and it is not particular unique or artistic. The El Tajin site has an entrance fee of 57 pesos p.p. and cash rules.
We spent about four hours walking the grounds. Again, the pyramids, temples and ball courts are quite fascinating. The grounds are well kept and surrounded by jungle forest. No pesky vendors around! The grandeur of El Tajin is equal to other great meso-american sites. The associated museum is rather short on exhibits; enough for a 15 minute visit. Good bathroom facilities and a restaurant is part of the complex. Outside, a dozen or so Palapa restaurants will vie for your appetite.
If there is no cab waiting at the entrance, stroll a quarter mile down to the main highway, where a taxi cab stand is situated diagonal across the street. The return cab fare to the Papantla ADO terminal was suddenly quoted at 100 pesos, but we negotiated that quickly. Make sure that you specify "ADO bus terminal" since there seems to be another bus terminal in town - for the local lines. Again an on-time departure for the 17:10 bus. Your reserved seat is waiting for you, full reclining in sleeper mode as you are heading into the sunset, watching another movie, checking the 200 pictures you took, or snoozing.
We arrived back in Veracruz around 21:00 (9 pm), famished. Several hole-in-the-wall cocinas economicas are situated along Orizaba street. The tempting smell of roasted meats lured us into one of them (with the bright green plastic chairs) and we feasted on tacos al pastor, fried plantains, washing it down with a few beers. That was rustic - and good. The 110 pesos were the best meal value during our trip.
Well nourished, we headed back to our Delfines hotel (see separate review). Yes, it was dark, late and we walked through regular neighborhoods - off the beaten tourist tracks, well-lit boulevards or police/military patrols. We felt safe. The riskiest thing is the uneven surface of the side walks!
PS: the ease of travel and total expense paid for this bus day-trip compares extremely well to organized tour operators' fees and definitely beats the excitement of renting your own car (with full insurance) and driving the distance in the morning and again in the evening (dark!!).
The Veracruz central bus station (la central de autobuses) is located at the main thorough fare Salvador Diaz Miron, opposite the Auditorio Benito Juarez, between cross streets Marcelino Tuero Molina and Orizaba. Ticket counter for long-distance first class coach line ADO (Autobuses de Oriente) is on the Miron Blvd side, along with other lines. The rear of the station off La Fragua street has ticket counters for second class (local) lines.
ADO drives from Veracruz to Papantla (the closest town to El Tajin) at 7:00 and at 10:00 (am). Return departures from the Papantla ADO terminal are at 15:25, 17:10 and 17:25 (3:25 pm, 5:10 pm and 5:25 pm). You can purchase tickets in advance or the day of travel. The journey of 270 km takes four hours, including two or three stops on the way. The bus has about 100 seats (and a bathroom) and assigned seating. The very friendly counter personnel let's you select off the computer screen your itinerary and seat choices. I paid a fare of 200 pesos per person each way, ergo 800 pesos for two persons round trip.
We grabbed a cup of coffee and a bag of cookies in the waiting hall of the terminal and boarded the clean and modern bus for an on-time departure. Comfortable reclining seats, video and music entertainment, individual volume, light and air controls. The drive takes you along the coast for about three hours, then in-land for one hour. The bus-driver was very safe and knowleagable about the route. Every topes was approached carefully and passing trucks in a safe and swift manner. I was impressed with the driver (We sat in the first row).
Arriving in Papantla at 11, a "regular" red and white cab drove us from the terminal through the bustling town, confusing streets and country roads to the El Tajin site. Fare was 50 pesos for the 15 minute drive. Clarify the fare before you enter the cab!
El Tajin greets you with the Volardores of Papantla. If you watch their spectacular flight, they will make sure that you "donate" your 30 pesos. We ignored the myriad of vendors and stalls at the entrance. They all sell the same stuff and it is not particular unique or artistic. The El Tajin site has an entrance fee of 57 pesos p.p. and cash rules.
We spent about four hours walking the grounds. Again, the pyramids, temples and ball courts are quite fascinating. The grounds are well kept and surrounded by jungle forest. No pesky vendors around! The grandeur of El Tajin is equal to other great meso-american sites. The associated museum is rather short on exhibits; enough for a 15 minute visit. Good bathroom facilities and a restaurant is part of the complex. Outside, a dozen or so Palapa restaurants will vie for your appetite.
If there is no cab waiting at the entrance, stroll a quarter mile down to the main highway, where a taxi cab stand is situated diagonal across the street. The return cab fare to the Papantla ADO terminal was suddenly quoted at 100 pesos, but we negotiated that quickly. Make sure that you specify "ADO bus terminal" since there seems to be another bus terminal in town - for the local lines. Again an on-time departure for the 17:10 bus. Your reserved seat is waiting for you, full reclining in sleeper mode as you are heading into the sunset, watching another movie, checking the 200 pictures you took, or snoozing.
We arrived back in Veracruz around 21:00 (9 pm), famished. Several hole-in-the-wall cocinas economicas are situated along Orizaba street. The tempting smell of roasted meats lured us into one of them (with the bright green plastic chairs) and we feasted on tacos al pastor, fried plantains, washing it down with a few beers. That was rustic - and good. The 110 pesos were the best meal value during our trip.
Well nourished, we headed back to our Delfines hotel (see separate review). Yes, it was dark, late and we walked through regular neighborhoods - off the beaten tourist tracks, well-lit boulevards or police/military patrols. We felt safe. The riskiest thing is the uneven surface of the side walks!
PS: the ease of travel and total expense paid for this bus day-trip compares extremely well to organized tour operators' fees and definitely beats the excitement of renting your own car (with full insurance) and driving the distance in the morning and again in the evening (dark!!).
Written 18 February 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DaisCG
New York City, NY13 contributions
Sept 2015 • Family
A def. must see! It is roughly about 3 hours from Veracruz city, but totally worth it! The pyramids are so unlike any others in Mexico. They appear to have an Asian style to them, very unique! The drive from the city to these pyramids was beautiful! If you have the chance, stop by Costa Esmeralda for lunch or dinner! Great seafood!
Written 9 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PogoPrz
Mexico City36 contributions
Mar 2018 • Family
Yes sir, we all know this place is wonderful and one of the most amazing places in the great state of Veracruz.
Sadly, I´ve to say that I recently visited it and felt disappointed and stolen.
If you happen to visit this place, you will have to walk down a road on which you will find a lot of people selling a lot of things that you can only find in Veracruz and in Mexico.
Some of these products are: vanilla extract, vanilla plants and honey.
Let me tell you that prices are quite attractive, and this happens because the products are not what you´re expecting.
Honey isn´t pure, it is diluted with a product called "piloncillo" in Spanish. "Piloncillo" is nothing but molasses, for this reason, this is not real honey.
Another product that is fake is the vanilla extract...it is diluted with water, therefore it isn´t pure vanilla extract.
Believe me, I felt deceived...and being a Mexican traveling around my own country...I feel really disappointed.
Don´t buy these products, better go to Papantla (a beautiful town really close to Tajin) and buy all these products (and many more) inside the market.
Don´t stop coming to Mexico because of these uncomfortable situations, just be careful with what you buy in order to assure a great experience in this wonderful country.
Sadly, I´ve to say that I recently visited it and felt disappointed and stolen.
If you happen to visit this place, you will have to walk down a road on which you will find a lot of people selling a lot of things that you can only find in Veracruz and in Mexico.
Some of these products are: vanilla extract, vanilla plants and honey.
Let me tell you that prices are quite attractive, and this happens because the products are not what you´re expecting.
Honey isn´t pure, it is diluted with a product called "piloncillo" in Spanish. "Piloncillo" is nothing but molasses, for this reason, this is not real honey.
Another product that is fake is the vanilla extract...it is diluted with water, therefore it isn´t pure vanilla extract.
Believe me, I felt deceived...and being a Mexican traveling around my own country...I feel really disappointed.
Don´t buy these products, better go to Papantla (a beautiful town really close to Tajin) and buy all these products (and many more) inside the market.
Don´t stop coming to Mexico because of these uncomfortable situations, just be careful with what you buy in order to assure a great experience in this wonderful country.
Written 8 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AvidTraveler22
Colorado, USA13 contributions
Sept 2015 • Business
A "must-see" if one is in the area. The artistic vision, ingenuity and strength of the ancient builders was incredible.
* The heat cannot be underestimated. Bring umbrella, sunscreen, bug repellent, tissues for the WC. Also hand sanitizer if you decide to pet the friendly, well-behaved, scrawny dogs that roam the compound. Also, some water bottles would not hurt.
* Signage is poor, English-speaking guided tours are not available, and English-language guidebooks may not be available. To understand what you're looking at and why it's important, learn about El Tajín before you arrive.
* Bring some cash to buy souvenirs and hand-embroidered clothing from the official vendors in the park grounds, as well as the unofficial vendors camped outside. Practice saying "No, gracias" to the vendors who may approach you all throughout your visit.
* See if you can figure out when the "voladores" are flying. These men perform an ancient, pre-Hispanic ritual involving a tall pole and long rope. On my last visit, we saw this by pure chance. Amazing.
* The heat cannot be underestimated. Bring umbrella, sunscreen, bug repellent, tissues for the WC. Also hand sanitizer if you decide to pet the friendly, well-behaved, scrawny dogs that roam the compound. Also, some water bottles would not hurt.
* Signage is poor, English-speaking guided tours are not available, and English-language guidebooks may not be available. To understand what you're looking at and why it's important, learn about El Tajín before you arrive.
* Bring some cash to buy souvenirs and hand-embroidered clothing from the official vendors in the park grounds, as well as the unofficial vendors camped outside. Practice saying "No, gracias" to the vendors who may approach you all throughout your visit.
* See if you can figure out when the "voladores" are flying. These men perform an ancient, pre-Hispanic ritual involving a tall pole and long rope. On my last visit, we saw this by pure chance. Amazing.
Written 13 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Xiquena
Veracruz, Mexico59 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
Unique architecture, grass walking areas with benches under trees, very easy paced area. The down side is the hot, humid weather in the summer months, but with plenty of water, hat/umbrella and cool clothing it's still a pleasant place to visit.
Written 18 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
D57896
Lexington, VA162 contributions
Aug 2014 • Solo
I posted my best pictures of El Tajin on Facebook and got more "wows!" than I ever have before. It is a spectacular place. Some of the buildings are huge but the site itself isn't, so you can see it in an hour or two. The museum is OK but not great, and the voladores are worth seeing (you can also see them in Mexico City near the anthropological museum). If you haven't read other reviews, the place consists of ruined pyramids, ball courts, etc. Most eye-catching is the enormous pyramid of niches, which has 365 'windows' in it. And all around is what looks like jungle. I arrived about half an hour after it opened and it wasn't empty but it was far from crowded. I got people-free pictures of just about everything.
Written 18 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew C
Toronto, Canada25 contributions
Nov 2013
Ruins like no others in Mexico. Very unique arhcitecture. My only regret is not having more time.
Some of the limestone casing with itls orginal paint is still on site. Carvings still intact on the sidewalls of the ballcourt. Great on site museum.
Bring lots of water, sunblock and a hat. Taxi's are very cheap in that area..
Some of the limestone casing with itls orginal paint is still on site. Carvings still intact on the sidewalls of the ballcourt. Great on site museum.
Bring lots of water, sunblock and a hat. Taxi's are very cheap in that area..
Written 13 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tropicaltraveler9
7 contributions
Sept 2013 • Friends
The road leading into the El Tajin, is lacking signs, has too many "TOPES", and is in generally poor condition...but don't let that discourage you.....IT IS WORTH IT!
GOOD SITE, and plan on spending at least 4 hours there miniuml;;;
GOOD SITE, and plan on spending at least 4 hours there miniuml;;;
Written 13 December 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CarolinaMcB
Limassol City, Cyprus78 contributions
Mar 2012 • Couples
Beautiful archaeological sight, amazing pyramids, make sure you have a good guide in order to appreciate it and stay for the 'flying men' show, well worth the 30 pesos to watch them too. The charge for the flying men show is additional to the entry fee to the pyramids.
Written 1 April 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jessica C
Rochester, MN123 contributions
May 2011 • Couples
I loved the site .... the Pyramid of the Niches is so spectacular. We didn't have a guide, but were able to get a really good understanding of the site by doing research prior to the visit, and also by reading the placards near each of the buildings. One thing that amazed me was how stiflingly hot it was there. Bring water for sure!! I am a person who loves hot weather, but I have never been that hot in my life. My clothes were wet from sweat just from strolling casually around the grounds - literally I cannot imagine how the laborers managed to construct these amazing monuments while working in the heat. According to the local people, it gets much, much hotter than when I was there. Despite the heat, it was an incredibly memorable experience that I will never forget!
Written 21 January 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hugo F
Tlalnepantla, Mexico
Hola, alguien sabe si mi perrita puede entrar, ya sea con correa o en mochila transportadora?
Written 7 September 2022
Hola, permiten entrar a la zona arqueológica con juegos de pelota? Tipo tenis 🎾?...
Written 31 August 2022
No lo se pero si quieres tocar el tenis dentro eñ juego de pelota no se lo que puede occurir..
Written 31 August 2022
Quisiera contratar un guía para que me lleve a conocer la Escuela de Niños Voladores de Papantla. Hay alguien que me pueda apoyar?
Written 20 May 2022
Quisiera contratar un guía para que me lleve a conocer la Escuela de Niños Voladores de Papantla. Hay alguien que me pueda apoyar?
Written 20 May 2022
Se puede entrar con carreolas? O hay sitios para descansar en el recorrido? Llevo a un niño de 2 años
Written 18 May 2022
Si es posible no hay problema por carreola y se puede descansar en cualquier parte pero el recorrido es muy pequeño solo una parte del sitio está abierto ahora.
Written 19 May 2022
Michell G
Puebla, Mexico
Saben si ya se pude visitar la zona arqueológica de tajin
Written 14 December 2021
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