Zempoala Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
Mesoamerican archaeological site in Veracruz, Mexico
About Zempoala
There are two common spellings: Zempoala most often refers to the town and its surrounding municipality, whereasCempoalarefers to the archaeological zone. Zempoala was initially settled as a small agrarian community between 100 BC and 100 AD. Around 1000 AD, the Totonoc people moved in, possibly pushed out of their original homelands by Toltec aggressors. As a Totonoc city, Zempoala grew to a population of about 30,000 by 1519, when Cortes arrived. It was the capital city of the Totonoc culture, ruling over an estimated 200,000 more in the rural farming communities. When Cortes and his men set up camp on the Gulf Coast, Cacique Xicomecoatl sent a welcoming party to the Spanish and invited them to come to the city (since the king was purportedly obese and couldn't make the trek to see him).
Top Attractions in Zempoala
Explore the best things to see and do in Zempoala:
- ★Cempoala Archaelogical Zone
Where to Eat in Zempoala
Must-try local food and restaurants:
- 🍴La Malinche
- 🍴Tomy Mariscos
Where to Stay in Zempoala
- 🏨Hotel Balneario Mi Paraiso
Zempoala Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 10 sections including: