In the danza de los voladores (dance of the ‘flyers’), airborne performers whirl around a 30m pole, suspended by their ankles while playing flutes. On weekends voladores twirl outside the church at the zócalo, several times a day for tourists (and tips). It’s a remarkable, don't-miss performance. Unfortunately, hours are not fixed and sometimes dances don't happen, so check ahead with the tourist office.
This Mesoamerican ritual was recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage by Unesco in 2009. It is estimated to have originated some time in the pre-Classic period (1000 BCE to 250 CE) in Veracruz. Four dancers represent the cardinal points and a fifth represents the sun. They spin 13 times, a number derived from 52 (the number of years in a pre-Hispanic century) divided by four ropes, to represent the dawn of a new sun.
Performances are canceled during heavy rain or wind.