Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
the United States
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Australia
Fiji
Historic center · Tlacotalpan, Veracruz
Tlacotalpan Historic Center
Colonial center of Tlacotalpan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with wide streets, houses with arcades and columns painted in vivid colors, squares and churches on the banks of the Papaloapan River.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Tlacotalpan Historic Center
The historic center of Tlacotalpan occupies an old island on the banks of the Papaloapan River, about 15 km from its mouth at the Gulf of Mexico. The city was an important river port in the 18th and 19th centuries, connected to trade with Cuba and other Caribbean islands, and that influence is visible in the architecture.
The houses are single-storey, with long arcades on the front, slender columns and clay tile roofs, painted yellow, blue, green, pink and lilac. The arcades form covered sidewalks that protect from sun and rain, and the wide streets end at the riverbank. In 1998 the ensemble was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the center are Plaza Zaragoza, with a Moorish-style bandstand, the church of San Cristóbal and the Chapel of La Candelaria, which houses the image of the patron saint. The Agustín Lara house-museum commemorates the composer, and the Netzahualcóyotl Theater, from the 19th century, still operates.
The town is quiet and small, and can be walked in a few hours.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
2 to 3 hours.
Best time
Late afternoon, when the light brings out the colors of the houses and the heat eases. The Candelaria festival in early February is the liveliest time.
How to get there
It is about 100 km south of Veracruz via the federal highway. You can get there by car or regular bus.
Tip
Walk the arcades at sunset and finish at the riverbank to watch the sunset.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Tlacotalpan Historic Center
Why do the houses in Tlacotalpan have arcades?
To protect from sun and rain; the architecture shows Caribbean influence.
What to see in Tlacotalpan's center?
Plaza Zaragoza, the church of San Cristóbal, the Chapel of La Candelaria, the Agustín Lara house-museum and the theatre.
Is Tlacotalpan near the sea?
It is on the banks of the Papaloapan River, about 15 km from its mouth at the Gulf of Mexico.