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El Tigre is a very cool (and very large) site that is right on the Rio Candelaria. Renown during the pre-Hispanic era as an important trading center for a large area, it was also an important ceremonial site and is famous as the place where Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes executed Cuahtemoc, heir to the Aztec throne of Moctezuma. The city was the capital for the Chontal Maya and its domain spanned a large region from the Gulf Coast through much of today's states of Chiapas and Campeche. The site includes two large plazas with four large buildings. There are at least 13 temples on the site and 3 Mesoamerican ball courts, including one in the Central plaza area. The architecture is a mix of Peten, Rio Bec, and post-classic styles. Archaeologists surmise that the city had at least 10,000 residents at its peak. The archaeological site is about 50 km from the town of Candelaria and though it can be reached by a narrow, dirt jungle road, the more adventurous (and fun) way to get there is by riverboat from the Candelaria waterfront. The boats are small pangas and take about 2 hours to reach the site, departing early in the morning. Unlike many INAH-operated historical sites, interpretive guides are not available in the park, but rather are hired in Candelaria and will accompany you along the way. Group tours to the site can also be arranged in Candelaria with van picking you up at your hotel around 06:00 and returning you there the same evening.
The town's main plaza is rather ugly by Mexican standards with far too many paving blocks and far too few trees. It is what it is, and that is ugly and uninviting on a fiercely hot sunny day. Fortunately, 99% of Mexican towns have much more attractive zocalos than Candelaria.