3 archaeological sites · within 60 km
There are 3 archaeological sites within 60 km of Poza Rica in a straight line, an hour or a little more by road. The closest is El Tajín, 12 km away; the farthest, Yohualichan, is 53 km. They are listed under the Pueblos Mágicos of Papantla and Cuetzalan, which make good bases.
Most archaeological sites are run by INAH and open from about 8 or 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a small fee. Midday is the hottest and busiest time, so go early.
Best months, when most of these towns are dry with comfortable afternoons: Feb, Mar, Apr, Dec.
The Ruins 3
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El Tajín · Archaeological site · 12 km from Poza Rica · Near Papantla
The great ancient city of the Gulf coast, with the Pyramid of the Niches, many ball courts and voladores at the gate. -
Cuyuxquihui · Archaeological site · 32 km from Poza Rica · Near Papantla
A small Totonac city founded as El Tajín declined, with a pyramid at the edge of a cliff and a large ball court. -
Yohualichan · Archaeological site · 53 km from Poza Rica · Near Cuetzalan
Totonac ruins in the cloud forest with niche-covered pyramids like El Tajín's and one of the longest ball courts in Mesoamerica.
On the map
Distances are in a straight line; roads add about a third.
Where to stay
The Pueblos Mágicos these places are closest to, each with hotels, food and getting-there notes.
More places like these
Ruins elsewhere
All lists by kind and regionNames and locations from OpenStreetMap; notes and write-ups are our own.