The Sanctuary of the Virgin of Candelaria is the religious heart of Tlacotalpan. Built in the late 18th century, it holds the image of the town's patroness and a decorated interior with frescoes, statues, and a silver altar.
The church matters most during the Candlemas celebrations, when the Virgin is carried through town and onto the river. Even on an ordinary day, it gives the town's pretty architecture a deeper local focus.