Papantla is the heart of the Totonacapan region.
When the Spanish refounded the town, they laid it out in Spanish style with a central plaza surrounded by the most important buildings, such as the main church and the main government building.
The Municipal Palace still faces the main plaza, marked by the classic-style pediment over the main entrance.
This building contains two murals: one about the Totonacs by Teodoro Cano Garcia and the other by Xolotl Martinez Hurtado de Mendoza.
The construction of the building dates from 1810 although it was destroyed by forces associated with Pancho Villa in 1915.
The building was reconstructed in 1929, with remodeling done in 1979 and 1999.
The plaza is officially named the Israel C. Téllez Park, which contains grass and a number of trees.
In this plaza are weekend events such as the Danzón Fridays as well as live music on Saturday and cultural events on Sundays.
On the underside of the kiosk is a mural by Teodoro Cano Garcia which depicts the indigenous concept of creation, as a world with four suns.

The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción was constructed between 1570 and 1590 by the Franciscans.
Originally, the church did not have a bell tower as the bell was located on the nearby hill which is now the located of the Monument al Volador.
The bell tower was built in 1875, and the clock which is there was installed in 1895.
The church is in the form of a Latin cross and has an entrance flanked by Roman style pilasters.
Across from the main facade are the principal markets, called Hidalgo and Juarez.
On the atrium wall is a sculpted mural by Teodoro Cano Garcia which depicts the evolution of Totonac culture superimposed on the body of the god Quetzalcoatl.

The city has a total of eleven murals on public buildings as well as private houses.
The Fernando Gutierrez Barrios Auditorim has a high relief mural depicting sports in the Totonacapan region.
The Chapel of Cristo Rey is located on Madero Street and is modeled after the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris.
It contains a mural by Cano about the history of the city of Papantla.
In addition to the murals, the Monument to the Voladores is located on a hill in the center of the city.
This hill also serves as a scenic lookout and contains a mural which narrates the ceremony from the cutting of the tree to the execution of the descent.

The city is home to the Universidad Pedagógica Veracruzana, as well as a number of museums.
The Museo de la Ciudad is located  on Pino Suarez Street and contains exhibits from the pre-Hispanic, colonial and post- Independence periods.
 The Museo de las Mascaras contains a collection of over 300 masks from Totonacapan and other parts of Mexico, located in the community of San Pablo.
It was founded by Simon Gomez Atzin who collected masks and ceremonial dress for many years.
The Teodoro Cano Garcia Museum contains works by this artist as well as some of his protégés.
 It also contains archeological pieces and elements of Totonac culture such as dress.
Other museums include the Museos del Totonacapan and the Casa de Cultura's permanent collection of paintings and sculpture.

Regional specialties include frijoles in alchuchut, tashuayahun and zacahuil.
Papantla is the heart of the Totonacapan region. When the Spanish refounded the town, they laid it out in Spanish style with a central plaza surrounded by the most important buildings, such as the main church and the main government building. The Municipal Palace still faces the main plaza, marked by the classic-style pediment over the main entrance. This building contains two murals: one about the Totonacs by Teodoro Cano Garcia and the other by Xolotl Martinez Hurtado de Mendoza. The construction of the building dates from 1810 although it was destroyed by forces associated with Pancho Villa in 1915. The building was reconstructed in 1929, with remodeling done in 1979 and 1999. The plaza is officially named the Israel C. Téllez Park, which contains grass and a number of trees. In this plaza are weekend events such as the Danzón Fridays as well as live music on Saturday and cultural events on Sundays. On the underside of the kiosk is a mural by Teodoro Cano Garcia which depicts the indigenous concept of creation, as a world with four suns.
The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción was constructed between 1570 and 1590 by the Franciscans. Originally, the church did not have a bell tower as the bell was located on the nearby hill which is now the located of the Monument al Volador. The bell tower was built in 1875, and the clock which is there was installed in 1895. The church is in the form of a Latin cross and has an entrance flanked by Roman style pilasters. Across from the main facade are the principal markets, called Hidalgo and Juarez. On the atrium wall is a sculpted mural by Teodoro Cano Garcia which depicts the evolution of Totonac culture superimposed on the body of the god Quetzalcoatl.
The city has a total of eleven murals on public buildings as well as private houses. The Fernando Gutierrez Barrios Auditorim has a high relief mural depicting sports in the Totonacapan region. The Chapel of Cristo Rey is located on Madero Street and is modeled after the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. It contains a mural by Cano about the history of the city of Papantla. In addition to the murals, the Monument to the Voladores is located on a hill in the center of the city. This hill also serves as a scenic lookout and contains a mural which narrates the ceremony from the cutting of the tree to the execution of the descent.
The city is home to the Universidad Pedagógica Veracruzana, as well as a number of museums. The Museo de la Ciudad is located  on Pino Suarez Street and contains exhibits from the pre-Hispanic, colonial and post- Independence periods.  The Museo de las Mascaras contains a collection of over 300 masks from Totonacapan and other parts of Mexico, located in the community of San Pablo. It was founded by Simon Gomez Atzin who collected masks and ceremonial dress for many years. The Teodoro Cano Garcia Museum contains works by this artist as well as some of his protégés.  It also contains archeological pieces and elements of Totonac culture such as dress. Other museums include the Museos del Totonacapan and the Casa de Cultura's permanent collection of paintings and sculpture.
Regional specialties include frijoles in alchuchut, tashuayahun and zacahuil.
Papantla