The crown jewel of Gulf Coast  archaeology, El Tajin, is located 157 miles north of Veracruz, near the vanilla-producing town of Papantla. Overlooked by the eagle-eyed  Spaniards, the site remained unknown to Europeans until 1785. The Pyramid of the Niches is considered one of the ancient world's most beautiful buildings. Ball court friezes show the relationship between the players and the gods, including  ritual sacrifice.

El Tajin has some very unusual structures. Over 150 have buildings and structures have been identified on the site, although so far, only around 20 have been excavated and restored.  Most  archaeological sites you'll visit in Mexico were buried under mounds of earth  and grass - reclaimed by the land after several hundred years of abandonment.

El Tajin is one of Mexico's most enigmatic archaeological sites. A comprehensive archaeological excavation project keeps revealing even more  unusual structures and buildings here. As El Tajin unravels with intricate  complexity, it keeps throwing up more and more mysteries.

Like other archaeological sites in Mexico, the structures seem to resemble calendars and  time - an example being the pyramid of Niches, with its 365 recesses. Games Courts feature heavily here - 17 have been discovered already. As with some  other archaeological sites, it is clear that human sacrifices were made at El  Tajin too; it is believed that these were connected with the games played here.

This site is fascinating because it is so "new" in terms of what is  being done and found here. It is important, because the structures being  revealed are quite unique and unusual. If you're looking for a site that still  holds a strong feeling of mystique and wonder - then visit El Tajin For those travelling along the gulf coast or near Veracruz, a visit to El Tajin will be a thrilling and extremely worthwhile experience!