Antigua Archaeological Tour: Quiahuiztlan & Totonac Sites

Three archaeological sites in one morning: city, cemetery, fort and empire capital

A guided day trip from Antigua to the major pre-Hispanic sites near the port, visiting Quiahuiztlan (a city, cemetery and fort combined), Cempoala (capital of the Totonac Empire), and the colonial town of Antigua. The tour runs 8 hours and includes hotel pickup, an air-conditioned minivan, and a live guide in English or Spanish. A minimum of two people per booking is required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit archaeological sites and town

• Visit Quiahuiztlan city, cemetery, fort
• Explore Cempoala, Totonacan Empire capital
• Visit the town of Antigua

The Experience

Quiahuiztlan was built as three things at once (a city, a cemetery and a fort), and the ruins show how the Totonac people organized a settlement that served all three purposes. From there the tour moves to Cempoala, the capital of the Totonac Empire, where the scale of the archaeological site reflects the power that once centered there. The third stop is the colonial town of Antigua itself, which sits between the pre-Hispanic past and the Spanish conquest that reshaped it.

Transport is by air-conditioned minivan with a driver who also serves as guide, speaking English or Spanish depending on the group. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so the day starts and ends at your accommodation. The full tour takes 8 hours, which is the time needed to move between three separate sites and spend meaningful time at each one without rushing through the archaeology.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• transport by air-conditioned minivan.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.
• access to all three archaeological sites.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tours Amphibian

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to cover multiple major sites (Quiahuiztlan, Cempoala, and Antigua) in one port day with a guide. Choose a different tour if you'd prefer to spend several hours at a single site instead.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What exactly is Quiahuiztlan and why does it matter?

Quiahuiztlan was simultaneously a pre-Hispanic city, cemetery and fort: a single settlement that served all three functions at once. It is one of the most significant archaeological sites near the port because it shows how the Totonac people organized their settlements.

Is Cempoala the same as the other sites, or something different?

Cempoala was the capital of the Totonac Empire, so it is larger and more central to Totonac history than Quiahuiztlan. The scale of the ruins reflects the political power that was centered there.

How much time do I spend at each site versus traveling between them?

The tour runs 8 hours total and covers three separate locations, so time is split between the sites themselves and the drive between them. The guide manages the pace to give each place meaningful time without rushing.

Do I need to arrange my own way to the tour, or does it start from my hotel?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so the minivan collects you from your accommodation and returns you there at the end of the day.

Can I book this tour if I am traveling alone or with just one other person?

A minimum of two people per booking is required. If you are traveling solo, you would need to book for two people, or you can check if the operator has a shared departure option.