Alonso Lázaro: Archaeology and Culture in the Municipality of Santiago Tuxtla

When looking for a hotel in Alonso Lázaro, it helps to keep the scale of the attractions in mind: the cultural and landscape topics described here belong to the municipality of Santiago Tuxtla. The archaeological sites themselves are located in Tres Zapotes and Santiago Tuxtla.

Archaeology in the Municipality of Santiago Tuxtla

Tres Zapotes is an ancient Olmec site. Its heyday began 37 centuries ago and ended 24 centuries ago. The archaeological site comprises three larger groups of mounds arranged around irregular plazas. It covers an area of approximately 2 km². Its spatial layout and long history make Tres Zapotes a distinctive subject for anyone interested in the municipality’s archaeological past.

An important event in Olmec archaeology is also associated with Tres Zapotes: the first colossal Olmec stone sculpture in the form of a head was discovered there in 1862. The Museo de Sitio de Tres Zapotes displays Estela C, considered the oldest stela in Mesoamerica. The collection also includes a Classic-period burial with grave goods, as well as ceramic pieces, vessels, ear ornaments, spindle whorls, and greenstone axes. Comparing the site and the museum objects offers different ways to approach history: on the one hand, the layout of the archaeological site; on the other, the surviving objects and their uses.

The archaeological site is listed as open Tuesday through Sunday, 09:00 to 17:00. Check whether these hours are current before visiting. The general access route is from Santiago Tuxtla along the road toward Isla; then take the turnoff to Tres Zapotes.

In Santiago Tuxtla, the Museo Regional Tuxteco complements the archaeological theme with pieces from the Totonac and Olmec cultures of Mexico’s Gulf Coast. The exhibits mentioned include the Cabeza de Hueyapan. When comparing the collections, the cultural diversity of the Gulf Coast takes center stage here, while the Museo de Sitio de Tres Zapotes focuses specifically on the finds and history of the site.

Landscape and Regional Orientation

The municipality of Santiago Tuxtla lies on the foothills of the Sierra de los Tuxtlas. The Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve is also part of the regional context: Santiago Tuxtla is one of the municipalities included in the reserve. The main access route to the biosphere reserve is the Veracruz–Coatzacoalcos federal highway. It passes through the municipalities of Ángel R. Cabada, Santiago Tuxtla, San Andrés Tuxtla, and Catemaco. This route description refers to the reserve and the municipalities named.

The Pixixiapan River, also called the Tuxtla River, is another point of geographic reference. It is a tributary of the San Juan, which flows into the Papaloapan. Together with its location on the foothills of the Sierra, this river system reveals another aspect of the municipality: alongside archaeological sites and festival traditions, the landscape and waterways also shape the region’s geography.

Festivals and Traditions

The Fiestas Patronales in honor of Santiago Apóstol in Santiago Tuxtla are considered the most important festival of the year. They include religious tourism, charrería, folklore, craft exhibitions, and a cultural and entertainment program. The specific festival dates are also useful for planning a trip: the patron saint festival takes place from July 22 to 30. The Danza de Negros y Cristiano is performed on several Sundays beforehand. On July 24 at 4 p.m., a Mojiganga takes place with the Toros de petate and the Líceres. Check the specific program before your trip.

The Líceres festival takes place every year in June; it is especially active on June 13, 24, and 29. La Rama showcases a different form of tradition: Rama Grande and Rama Chica begin at the Palacio Municipal with a fandango. They are then taken to a house or business, where another fandango takes place the following evening. This sequence continues until January 5. The traditional music of Santiago Tuxtla includes Huasteco trios featuring the guitarra quinta, jarana, and violin. The different traditions give the municipality a diverse cultural character, from festival days and dances to music and community fandangos.

Discover more destinations: Cuautlapan, Catemaco, Córdoba, Misantla, El Manzanillo, Tamiahua, Rancho Viejo, Barra De Nautla.

For the main travel overview: Veracruz.