Guide To Visiting El Tajin

Are you looking to visit El Tajin?

El Tajin is a pre-Hispanic archaeological site located in the central Mexican state of Veracruz, about 50 kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico. The name “El Tajin means “thunder” in Toltec and is an area that has a lot of intriguing structures. Excavation and restoration of just twenty of the site’s 150 buildings have been completed so far.

The vast majority of Mexico’s ancient ruins have deteriorated due to decades of neglect, resulting in mounds of earth and grass. One of Mexico’s most incredible archaeological sites, El Tajin, has temples, palaces, and ball courts that here have been discovered as part of an extensive archaeological dig.

As innovations in archeology evolve, El Tajin continues to grow as the story unravels with every new site discovered.

History of El Tajin

Following the demise of Teotihuacan, the city of El Tajin was established. El Tajin was a bustling metropolis of great ceremonial significance that existed between the years of 800 and 1200 AD, as evidenced by the numerous Mesoamerican pyramids and other ceremonial monuments that can still be found there today.

El Tajin, despite its alleged destruction by the Chichimecs in the thirteenth century, is exceptionally well-preserved and offers a wide assortment of attractions. It was in the late 1800s that Europeans first “found” the city, and it wasn’t until the early 1900s that thorough archaeological digs began to reveal more of what had previously been hidden beneath the jungle.

The Pyramid of the Niches, a magnificent six-stepped pyramid previously capped with a temple, is one of El Tajin’s most well-known sights. The structure has a total of 365 niches, one for each day of the year. El Tajin’s stone reliefs and friezes also give a glimpse into the daily lives of the people who once called the area home. ‘

As illustrated by various reliefs, ball games were a popular recreation in the city during its heyday. The discovery of 17 ball courts at El Tajin is the most so far. Certain artifacts also appear to imply that these ball games were linked to human sacrifices that took place at El Tajin, leading some to believe the ball was in reality a decapitated head.

El Tajin today contains a small museum that explains the history of the area in Spanish and English as well as Totonac.

If you’re looking for some peace, El Tajin is the place for you. The remote location and tropical jungle backdrop make it a truly enchanting place.

Guide To Visiting El Tajin

How to Get to El Tajin

A destination that’s often considered to be off-the-beaten-track, El Tajin is a must-visit for anyone looking to see more of Mexico’s ancient cities without the crowds. With its location, however, El Tajin is often overlooked. From Mexico City, it takes several hours to get here by bus. It’s best to fly to cities that are closest to El Tajin, and also visit other nearby cities and attractions.

From Veracruz

● By Air – One of the closest airports to El Tajin in Veracruz (the other one is Poza Rica). You can fly here from Mexico City, then drive to El Tajin.

● By Bus – This is the cheapest yet relatively convenient way to get to El Tajin. Regular buses make the trip from Veracruz to Papantla, and the journey lasts about 4 hours. Leave early too. make the most of your El Tajin visit. Look for either Autobuses Eje del Golfo (has hourly departures) or ADO (once daily).

● By Car – If you are traveling with a partner or a small group and you prefer driving, this is a great, cost-effective option. El Tajin is about 150 miles north of Veracruz. From Veracruz, you may take Highway 180 north along the coast to Papantla. Driving from Veracruz to El Tajin takes a little over 4 hours. Car rentals start at around $30.

● By Tour – A convenient way to travel to and explore El Tajin is through a guided day tour. Most of these package tours include admission fees, a guided tour of El Tajin, roundtrip transportation to and from your Veracruz hotel, and
food and drinks. Most tours also include another nearby attraction, such as this Tajin Day Trip with Vanilla Factory Visit.

Buy your ticket online here.

From Poza Rica

● By Air – One of the closest airports to El Tajin is Poza Rica (along with Veracruz). You can fly here from Mexico City, and stay here for the night before you head to El Tajin, which is in the nearby city of Papantla.

● By Bus – If you stay in Poza Rica to get to El Tajin, you can ride the autobuses. The journey only takes around 20 minutes, so you get to have more time to explore the site and visit other attractions. Buses that go the Poza Roca to Papantla route are Autobuses Eje del Golfo and ADO.

Things To See and Do in El Tajin

When it comes to El Tajn, there are so many distinct structures to see that it might be difficult to figure out which ones are the most essential. To help you get the most out of your time in El Tajin, we’ve put together a list of our favorite spots.

1. Piramide de los Nichoes

At a height of 60 feet, the Piramide de los Nichoes is one of the most intriguing buildings in El Tajn. The Pyramid of the Niches, El Tajn’s most recognizable structure, is located immediately off the Plaza Menor.

This structure may have served as a calendar at one time, as archaeologists believe there were originally 365 niches painted red inside and blue outside. Other ceremonial situations are shown in the form of friezes and reliefs.

2. Plaza Menor

It was believed that El Tajin’s Plaza Menor (Minor Plaza) served as a primary location for ceremonial activities. In terms of game courts, the Juego de Pelota Sur (Southern Ball Court) is the most notable. The carvings on its walls suggest that at least one of the players was sacrificed during the ritualistic games.

A low platform in the heart of El Tajn’s major ceremonial center and likely marketplace, the Plaza Menor is surrounded by four pyramids. Small temples may have been atop several of the structures in this plaza, some of which still bear remnants of red or blue paint.

3. Juego de Pelota Sur

El Tajin is home to 17 ball courts. This court, the Juego de Pelota Sur, was built around the year 1150 and is the most well-known. Various components of the baseball ceremony are shown in six relief carvings on the building’s interior walls.

For most people, it’s simplest to decipher the panel carving on the northeast corner. The scene in this panel depicts ballplayers holding the arms of the third player poised to plunge a dagger into the chest of one of the players.

This scene is said to reveal that a ritual post-game sacrifice is taking place. Here, the gods of death and a presiding figure are watching the proceedings. The other panels, meanwhile, represent numerous pulque-drinking rituals depicted in diverse settings (a milky, low-alcohol brew made from the maguey).

4. El Tajin Museum

Large stone sculpture fragments are housed under a canopy that extends over a portion of the museum. Most of the minor artifacts that have been unearthed from the Pyramid of the Niches have ended up in this area. On the roofed exhibits, on the other hand, are remains of the Building of the Columns, some of which have been partially rebuilt.

5. The Voladores

This is an electrifying performance that takes place outside of the paid area and is a must-see in El Tajin.
Numerous Mexican ethnic groups, mainly the Totonacs of the state of Veracruz, engage in the fertility ceremony known as the Voladores (“flying men”). Respect for the natural and spiritual worlds is expressed through this dance.

During the performance, four young men climb a freshly cut wood pole between 18 and 40 meters high, pleading with the mountain gods for their forgiveness. A Caporal plays music for the sun, the four winds, and cardinal directions from a platform above the ground The Voladores’ ritual ceremony reflects the community’s worldview and values, communication with the gods, and promotes prosperity.

FAQ about El Tajin

How much does it cost to enter El Tajin?

Ticket prices at El Tajn start at 80 pesos for a single entry. Still, it’s reasonable to expect to pay a bit extra in light of the annual increase in the cost of travel.

While technically free, Voladores concerts, which take place outside the paid area, are not to be considered as such. Although it is not expected, give a tip anyway. 20-30 pesos is.b

What time is the El Tajin open?

The ruins are open every day, from 9 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon.

How much time do I need to visit El Tajin?

It is recommended that you allow at least 3 hours to see the more important structures in the area as well as the museum.

Do I need a guide to visit El Tajin?

Once inside the entryway, hire an official guide or purchase a full written guide before you begin your tour, as there are very few signs in English.

Guides charge between 400 and 500 pesos per hour, depending on the length of the tour; non-Spanish speakers should ensure that their English is fluent before paying.

Can I climb the pyramids or ruins?

No, visitors are not allowed to climb the ruins.
The structures in El Tajin are all off-limits – visitors are only permitted to walk around them and take photos.

Where should I stay in El Tajin?

Poza Rica is the best place to stay if you want to get an early start on your visit to El Tajn and have the place to yourself. This small city is just a quick drive or bus ride away from El Tajin.

Hotel Alcazar

Average rating: 8.7 Fabulous

Located in the city of Poza Rica de Hidalgo, Poza Rica de Hidalgo provides guests with a comfortable location close enough to El Tajin to make a day trip worthwhile. The rooms are spacious and well-kept, and they come equipped with everything you could want during your visit. The hotel has a 24-hour front desk, an outdoor pool, and a fitness center.

Paris FC Express

Average rating: 8.8 Fabulous

Located in the city of Poza Rica de Hidalgo, this hotel provides guests with rooms that are spacious and well-kept. All rooms come equipped with everything you could want during your visit.

Room service, luggage storage, and free WiFi are just some of the perks you’ll find at this hotel. They also have a 24-hour front desk, an outdoor pool, and a fitness center.

Travel Tips

● It is highly recommended that you arrive early. The entrance to El Tajn 6 at 9 a.m. on weekdays. Arrive as close to 9 a.m. as possible to beat the crowds and, more importantly, any tourist buses that may be present.

● When it comes to travel, weekdays are better over weekends. [It is always preferable to visit tourist places during the weekdays rather than on the weekend. The majority of domestic tourists will have returned to their places of employment on Monday after spending the weekend in El Tajn.

● Wear sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat to protect yourself from the sun. The majority of the El Tajn ruins complex is devoid of any form of shade, and the heat may be oppressively unpleasant. Even if the sun isn’t nearly at its zenith at 10:30 a.m., a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen are essentials for staying safe in the heat.

● Bring along a mosquito repellant that works great for your trip. Mosquitoes can be an issue in El Tajn, which is surrounded by deep jungle and so susceptible to them. Insect repellant of any kind, as well as long, loose-fitting pants, are required.

● Before visiting the El Tajn archaeological site, make sure to visit the El Tajn museum to get your fill of ancient artifacts.