Papantla Flyers

Witness Mexico's flying men

Included in your admission

Come to the stage of the Papantla Flyers, where you will see a tall pole that stands out from the surroundings. Take a seat and watch five men, Mexico flying men climb to the top of the pole. Then, one of them stands on a platform to dance while playing melodies with a flute and a small drum, in honor of the sun and the four elements, which initiates this ritual of “Danza de los Voladores de Papantla”.

Next, the other four dancers, tied by long ropes, fly around the pole in a spiral descent while imitating the flight of birds until they reach the ground.

The ritual ceremony of the Papantla Flyers is an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by Unesco, an important cultural value that Xcaret park proudly presents.

Watch the Papantla flyers roam through the air!

TOTONAC RITUALS AND DANCES

Ritual dance in three parts. The first is the Dance of Forgiveness to tribute the mountain god to access the area and search for a tree. The second is the Dance of Permission to cut it down, followed by the Dance of Gratitude for its sacrifice. In the end, the cheerful tune of Huahua, which is related to farming, solar, and cosmogonical rituals.

Hours: 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Duration: 20 min

About activity

It’s a pre-Hispanic ritual where four flying men climb a 30-meter (98 ft 5 in) pole to then lunch themselves from the pole tied with ropes to circle the pole while in the air. During the entire ritual a fifth member dances, play the flute and drums.
Dance of the Voladres or Papantla Flyers is a pre-Hispanic tradition used to invoke water during extended dry seasons in which the brave men falling symbolized the fall of raindrops from the sky in seek of earth’s fertility.
The ritual or dance of the Voladores de Papantla is performed in many places in Mexico, besides Papantla, Veracruz; also, in communities of Puebla, Hidalgo, the same state of Veracruz, and of course in the Xcaret park in Cancun, Quintana Roo.
From Papantla, a small community in the state of Veracruz in Mexico.
Adults (12+ years):

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Children (5-11 years):

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Children from 0 to 4 years of age enter FREE.
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