Car Hire Papantla
Mini guide to Papantla
Famed for its production of vanilla, the historical city of Papantla is situated 73kms from the port of Veracruz. With its breathtaking natural landscapes and a pleasant local atmosphere, Paplanta offers visitors a taste of the sleepy Mexican lifestyle.
Visitors can enjoy some incredible local traditions in Papantla, including the Rito de Los Voladores (Rite of the Flyers), which consists of a group of dancers who descend from the top of a tree trunk, tied upside down from their waists and slowly revolving. This spectacular tradition and other folk dances can be seen at the beginning of June during the Corpus Christi festivities. Here you’ll also find the local artisans of Papantla vying to sell their vanilla handicrafts.
You can sample some of the local cuisine at restaurants scattered around the city. Note that the Tex/Mex food you might have tried in your respective country will no doubt be different from the real thing. During the night hours, Paplanta offers some good nightclubs, bars and discotheques.
The mysterious archaeological ruins of El Tajin, situated in close proximity to the city, boast over 150 buildings and structures, although only around 20 have been excavated and restored. The most impressive relic is the spectacular Pyramid of the Niches, which contains 365 niches. The drive from Papantla to El Tajin takes about 30 minutes.
Papantla is located 317kms northwest of Mexico City, making it an easy drive from the capital. From Mexico City, head northeast on toll Highway 132 toward Tuxpan, then at Poza Rica, bear south towards Papantla. Travelling by car from Veracruz, travellers can take Highway 180 north along the coast. Regular buses make the trip daily from Veracruz, where there is an international airport.
