Starting in the latter 20th century, efforts to conserve the city's Spanish/Caribbean architecture and layout began, culminating in World Heritage status.

"[1] Tlacotalpan is distinct among most urban settlements in Latin America as it is a river port set back from the ocean.

The Spanish section of town is characterized by wide streets that parallel the Papaloapan River and connected by narrow lanes.

[2] Through this area, there are parks, and public spaces with mature trees, such as the Parque Hidalgo, noted for wandering musicians and Plazuela de Doña Maria, just east of the center, in the oldest section of town, surrounded by workshops that make furniture, musical instruments and other fine wood products.

[2][3] The architecture is characterized by one and two-story colonnaded houses Andalucian style inner courtyards, Caribbean-style arches, red-tile roofs and colorful facades, some of which date to the 18th century.

[2] Although past its heyday in the 19th century, Tlacotalpan is still classified as a river port by the Mexican government, mostly serving fishing boats and small naval patrols.

[1][3] The main landmark along this plaza is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Candlemas (Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria) on the north side.

It was constructed in 1849 and contains various oil paintings by Salvador Ferrando as well as an archive of documents that date back to the colonial period.

[1][3] The Salvador Ferrando Museum is located on the east side, dedicated to a painter and pioneer in the preservation of Veracruz's cultural heritage, in a house that belonged to him.

[1][3] The Agustín Lara House Museum is located on Gonzalo Aguirre Beltrán Street east of the main plaza and is one of the most active cultural centers.

It contains photographs and objects related to Lara and his career along with some of other important area artists such as Salvador Ferrando, Alberto Fuster and the more contemporary Eric Arana.

[1][3] Another landmark linked to Lara's life is the Blanca Nieves Cantina, also known as the Museum Bar of Tobías Carbajal Rivera.

Its current name, "Snow White" in Spanish, comes from Lara himself, as a tribute to then-owner Tobías Carbajal and his seven children.

Located on Venustiano Carranza Avenue, its serves as a meeting place for artists, musicians and dancers, offering classes in traditional Veracruz zapateado dance and various instruments.

[1] In the intense festive calendar of Mexico, the celebration of the Virgen de la Candelaria in Tlacotalpan, Veracruz, is a must.

During the days of the fair, the XXXVI National Meeting of Jaraneros and Versadores will be held in Plaza Doña Martha from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. 56 groups are considered in the program, each one will have a participation of 10 to 30 minutes.

[4] During the rest of the year, the weather is dominated by the Atlantic Current (Corriente Atlántica), which are warm and humid winds coming from the southeast of Mexico, causing most of the area's annual rainfall.

The last two prompted authorities to require rebuilding with stone walls, tile roofs and the establishment of open spaces with trees.

Most of the oldest buildings date from this time and determined the common style of large houses with courtyards, tile roofs and arched passages.

At the beginning of this century, French, German and Italian immigrants came to the area to plant and weave cotton, to be sold in English markets.

[2] Starting in 1821, Tlacotalpan experienced economic grown as a port for products from Oaxaca and Puebla going to Veracruz and abroad to New Orleans, Havana and Bordeaux.

By 1855 it was home to eighteen steamships and a large sailing ship which transported timber, tobacco, cotton, grain, sugar, brandy, leather, salted meat, crocodiles, heron feathers, furniture and soap.

[2] However, in the first part of the 20th century, Tlacotalpan's importance as a port, which had sustained it since the colonial period, waned with the construction of the Ferrocarril del Istmo railroad.

[2] In 1998, it was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its history as a river port, its architecture and its traditions in poetry, music and dance.

[3] Since these declarations INAH and the Fondo Nacional para la Cultura y las Arts (FONCA) have worked to revitalize the city and improve the economy, particularly through tourism.