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The 10 Best Aztec and Mayan Ruins in Mexico

See recent posts by Katherine Alex Beaven

Mexico is famous for its gorgeous beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and delicious food. It's also teeming with history, art, and culture, and there's no better way to experience all three than by visiting one of the country's many stunning ancient ruins. Standing in front of these stone structures (some of which date back to 600 B.C.) is not only inspiring and humbling -- it's mind-blowing. There is still so much we don't know about the ancient, yet well-advanced, Mayan and Aztec civilizations, and nearly everything we do know has come from the excavation and exploration of these ancient areas. Below, we rounded up the 10 best Mayan and Aztec ruins in Mexico, so you can take your own walk through history, whether that means climbing to the top of the tallest pyramid, biking through a 1,500-year-old city, or taking a dip in the ocean behind the ruins of an old port city. 

1. Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza; Paul Simpson/Flickr

Chichen Itza just might be Mexico’s most famous set of ruins. Located in the Yucatan Peninsula , this ancient town is a result of a large and diverse population, which is reflected in the varying architectural styles and techniques found throughout the site. It’s considered to be one of the best examples of Mayan-Toltec civilization in the area. According to records and research, it was first founded and settled by the Maya people in the early to mid-400s. A half-century later, the town was conquered by the Toltecs and additional buildings were erected. Unfortunately, the city is believed to have fallen somewhere around 1440 A.D., and was then left abandoned in the jungle for 500 years until modern-day excavations began. 

Chichen Itza’s ruins are in great shape, giving guests a privileged glimpse into an ancient life. The most famous building is the Temple of Kukulcan, a towering step-pyramid in the center of the city. At one time, visitors were able to climb up this stunning ruin, though wear and tear eventually led to closed access. Still, Chichen Itza receives over two-and-a-half million tourists each year and is one of Mexico’s most-visited archeological sites.  

2. Teotihuacan

Teotihuacan; Angel Gonzalez Hereza/Flickr

Construction on Teotihuacan is thought to have begun around 100 B.C., though it’s believed that the building of this large Mesoamerican city continued for the next 350 or so years. In its heyday, it was the most populated city in the Americas, clocking in at over 125,000 citizens. Incredibly, its ancient structures consisted of multi-level residences — akin to modern-day apartments — built to house the large population. Located in the Valley of Mexico, these architecturally-significant ancient ruins can be found just 25 miles outside of Mexico City. Other big finds from this archeological site include obsidian tools, well-preserved murals, and a system of complex buildings. Unfortunately, many of the original monuments were burned down around 550 A.D. The city itself holds a place in mythological history as a birthplace of the gods, and, in Aztec religion, it is specifically believed to be the origin of the sun. However, there is great mystery surrounding the exact origin of the city itself, along with its original founders. 

Tulum Ruins; Christian Cordova/Flickr

Tulum’s gorgeous beachside ruins have became an increasingly popular attraction as tourism in the town has exploded. These Mayan ruins, located in the Riviera Maya and just a 10-minute drive or 30-minute walk from Tulum town — date back to the 13th century. Built directly on the cliffs and up against the ocean, Tulum back then was an important port city, trading precious stones. However, there’s a bit of mystery around why this seaside city was also protected by an approximately 30-foot-thick stone wall. Were they protecting nobility and priests housed in the interior or valuable trade goods? Or, do the walls have a deeper, more secret purpose? The biggest draw here is the cliffside Castillo, the largest and most impressive structure. The rest of the site is filled with mostly destroyed remnants of buildings (though there is ongoing reconstruction and rehabilitation work), and the views, especially at sunrise, are breathtaking. It’s believed that Tulum was functioning until the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. 

Nohuch Mul at Coba; Jason Ramos/Flickr

At its peak over 1,500 years ago, Coba was one of the largest cities in Mayan history. Covering over 50 miles of dense jungle, it was home to more than 50,000 Mayans and what archeologists now believe to be one of the most important sets of ancient ruins in the Yucatan. Today, it makes for an excellent day trip from Tulum — and, more importantly, it’s one of the remaining sites you are allowed to climb. That’s right, you can strap on your sneakers and climb 120 steep steps to the top of Coba’s main pyramid ruins, Nohoch Mul. Climbers are rewarded with 180-degree views over the jungle and Coba site itself, which may leave you more breathless than the climb. Although this feat is the ancient city’s main draw, don’t overlook the rest of the site, which is best explored by renting a bike. Don’t forget the mosquito repellant and bug spray — or the fact that this magnificent ruined site once ruled over the region. 

5. Monte Alban

Monte Alban: Eduardo Robles Pacheco/Flickr

If you’re in Oaxaca and looking for a quick half-day trip through history, the pre-Columbian ruins of Monte Alban are less than 20 minutes outside of the city. Initially built around 500 B.C., Monte Alban is believed to have been the capital of the Zapotec nation — one of the earliest groups to thrive and grow in the Oaxaca area. The city remained a capital for about 1,300 years, boasting a population of up to 25,000 people, until it was eventually abandoned due to depleted resources. Research also suggests that Monte Alban had communication with Teotihuacan, another important Mesoamerican city. Today, the ruins of Monte Alban — a designated UNESCO World Heritage site — live on as one of the most significant sites in the area. It’s well-known for its numerous carved stone monuments, most of which resemble mangled or twisted figures thought to represent citizens that were human sacrifices and war prisoners. The 20-meter-thick walls also suggest that people of great power resided within them. 

6. Palenque

Palenque; Carlos Adampol Galindo/Flickr

Palenque is a favorite for its romantic jungle location in Chiapas. The city came to its peak between 500 to 700 A.D. and is celebrated for its structural creativity and craftsmanship. Over 1,400 buildings have been discovered here, yet only around 10 percent have been explored. The ruins themselves are well-preserved and are therefore one of the best-known representations of the Mayan’s classical period. The site has also opened up a wealth of information on how the Mayans lived, thanks to well-preserved hieroglyphic inscriptions found within the Temple of the Inscriptions, a funeral tomb for the seventh-century ruler of Palenque, K’inich Janaab’ Pakal. We also love the mystical air that the surrounding lush jungle and hanging mist give Palenque. (Tip: It also makes for some great photo ops!)

Uxmal; r345678/Flickr

Another significant set of ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula, Uxmal is grouped with important sites like Chichen Itza and Palenque. This 1,500-year-old site is particularly celebrated for its representation of Puuc buildings, which are considered to the be ruling architecture style for the area. Unlike the stepped pyramids found in places like Chichen Itza, the buildings here have smooth sides and a structure that mimics a traditional hut. Also unlike many other ruins, much of Uxmal is surprisingly intact and/or in good condition. One of the most stunning (and likewise most popular) buildings here is the five-leveled Pyramid of the Magician. Because of its architectural significance, this UNESCO World Heritage site has gotten a lot of attention by way of renovations, but there hasn’t been much planned excavation. If you’re over in Merida, it’s just an hour-and-15-minute drive down to Uxmal, making it a worthy day trip. 

8. Calakmul

Calakmul: Rafael Saldana/Flickr

Just 20 miles from the Guatemalan border, you’ll find the ancient Mayan city of Calakmul. While most of the ruins on this list are easily accessible, Calakmul has a more remote location deep in the jungle of the Yucatan Peninsula. Like Coba, Calakmul is thought to have a large population of about 50,000 people. It’s believed that construction of this huge city started around 550 B.C., though there is also evidence of a large-scale remodeling in the fifth century. Over 6,700 buildings have been discovered here, and perhaps due to the ancient city’s out-of-the-way location, several pieces have survived with surprising detail intact. For example, some of the several intricately carved stone slabs still have their original pigmentation. Two things that make this site one of our favorites? One: The remote location means no swarms of tourists. Two: It’s home to the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan (and it’s the second-tallest Mayan pyramid ever discovered). Plus, you can climb its soberingly steep steps for stunning, unforgettable views over the surrounding jungle-scape. 

9. Ek Balam

Ek Balam; Just Booked a Trip/Flickr

Yet another set of ruins found in the Yucatan Peninsula, Ek Balam, meaning “black jaguar” in Mayan, is a tourist-favorite and thought to possibly be the seat of the Tlalol kingdom. This ancient Mayan city peaked around the late Classical period between 600 to 850 A.D. In addition to housing numerous well-preserved sculptures, Ek Balam is known for the preserved plaster tomb of king Ukit Kan Lek Tok. For sweeping views over the Riviera Maya (and out to Coba on clear days), climb the Acropolis pyramid. This is a small city with only 45 buildings, but they are remarkably intact compared to other Classical-period structures like Coba. And although Ek Balam is gaining in popularity — it’s often tacked onto day trips out to Chichen Itza, which is only an hour away — it remains relatively less crowded. 

Tula; Russ Bowling/Flickr

Located about 90 minutes north of Mexico City, the ancient ruins of Tula are known for the 13-foot-high Toltec warrior columns made of basalt atop the Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl, a Mesoamerican feathered serpent god. Compared to other sites in the area, there’s not as much known about Tula or its significance alongside other settlements. However, the city does show up in Aztec mythology, and we know that it began to flourish following the fall of Teotihuacan before becoming abandoned around 1150, probably due to lack of resources. During its existence, it grew from a small settlement, known as Tula Chico, with around 20,000 citizens, to Tula Grande, a large, thriving city with a potential population of 60,000. For now, Tula seems to spark more questions than answers. 

You’ll Also Like:

• The Best Itinerary for Riviera Maya
• The Best Things to Do in Riviera Maya
• Mistakes to Avoid in Mexico City

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Best Mexico Ruins: Ultimate Guide to 20+ Ruins in Mexico

Nestled in the jungles of Mesoamerica, the rediscovered ruins of Maya, Aztec and Zapotec cities stand as monuments to the power and knowledge of these ancient civilizations.  How many of the best Mexico ruins have you visited, and which are on your bucket list?

If you’re like me, ruins check off an important part of your travel diet.  Only one destination has sated my appetite for crumbling ancient ruins: Angkor Wat.  After three days there, the more than 1,000 ruins of  the Angkor complex led me to declare I was “templed out.”  I didn’t see them all by any stretch of the imagination, but it felt like I had!

In contrast, the best Mexico ruins dot the landscape throughout the country.  This makes it easier to add them on to other itineraries including Mexico’s stunning beaches, colorful colonial cities, and natural landscapes.  Some of these ruins are difficult to get to, but I’ve got tips to help with that.

In this guide, I’ll share information on the top archaeological sites in Mexico: their history, highlights, and reasons for visiting, as well as information for getting there including the best Mexico ruins tours.  So whether you’re looking for day trips from Cancun or Mexico City, or planning a ruins road trip, this guide will help you explore all the best ruins in Mexico.

Throughout the guide, I’ll also share virtual tours and multimedia experiences for exploring the best ruins in Mexico from home! Be sure to check out all of my Mexico travel tips and my guide to the best Mayan ruins near Cancun .

In this Guide to Ancient Ruins in Mexico:

Quintana Roo Ruins | Yucatan Ruins | Campeche Ruins | Chiapas Ruins | Oaxaca Ruins | Mexico City & Central Mexico Ruins | Other Central America Ruins

This article contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I might earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support in this way! Learn more in my Disclosure Policy .

Mexico Archaeological Sites Map

To go along with this guide, I’ve made a map of Central America archaeological sites, including the best ruins in Mexico color-coded by state. Click on each icon to open a photo and location of the site. Or click on the top left arrow for the full list.

Mexico Ruins Vocabulary

“Wow” other ruin explorers when you roll up already knowing these archaeology terms:

Ball Courts: these focal points of Mesoamerican cities are rectangular playfields with sloping walls on the two longest sides.  Found in cultures throughout the region, ballgames were played for religious, social and political reasons.

Stelae : (singular – stele) tall wood or stone slabs with carved or sculpted surfaces.  At Maya sites, these are usually made from stone and commemorate events or explain the function of the building they mark.

Cenotes: water-filled sinkholes formed when limestone bedrock collapses.  Some are open pools, and others are caverns.  Nowadays they’re great swimming holes; but the Maya made offerings to the gods at cenotes, believing that they were portals to the underworld.

Sacbeob : (singular – sacbe) roughly translated to “white way,” sacbeob are raised, limestone stucco-paved roads built by the Maya that connect temples and structures within ceremonial centers.  A few connect to other communities in the region.

ⓘ Ancient Mesoamerican Ballgame Learn more about the ancient ballgame with a Google Arts & Culture feature on the ballcourts of Chichen Itza .

Best Mexico Ruins in Quintana Roo State

The Maya ruins in Mexico’s state of Quintana Roo are a must-see if you’re visiting the region. Well-run tours with English-speaking guides are plentiful, which makes seeing the ruins here easy.  In particular, check out Coba where you can climb the main temple, and Tulum for its spectacular seaside setting. 

Tulum Ruins | Iconic Maya Seaside Ruins

The Maya ruins at Tulum are iconic: perched at the edge of a high cliff, with sweeping views of the turquoise Caribbean waters and white sands below.  Tulum was one of the last cities built and lived in by the Maya, dating to 1200 – 1450 CE, although the area was inhabited earlier.  It served as a center of trade, where both sea and land trade routes converged.  

Tulum was walled on three sides, with the fourth protected by the sea cliff; in fact, Tulum means “wall.”  The original name of the city might have been “Zamas” meaning dawn, since it faces east and sunrises here are certainly stunning! Surviving ceremonial buildings at Tulum include the main temple overlooking the sea, called El Castillo, and several others including one with frescoes inside.

Tulum is a must-see Mexico ruins site, because of its dramatic location and sweeping views.  You can also swim on the private beach, accessible by a long staircase from the cliff, and relax with the enormous resident iguanas. 

Visit Tulum on a day trip from Cancun.  Or to avoid the crowds, stay in Tulum or Akumal and go early in the day or later in the afternoon to avoid tourist buses.  Be sure to bring a bathing suit, towel, sunscreen and hat (there’s little shade, and the white sacbeob paths reflect a ton of light!).  Bring cash to pay. 

Getting to the Tulum Ruins

Check out my Tulum guides for all the info you need on planning a trip: I’ve got handy tips for visiting on a budget or advice on the best beachfront hotels . Or if you’ll day trip from Cancun, here’s a good option that includes the Tulum ruins and Dos Ojos cenote or one for Tulum, Coba and a cenote .

Website | Hours 8AM – 5PM | Cost: 80 pesos; extra for parking and the train to the entrance

Facilities: Restrooms | Find a hotel in Tulum or Cancun or get my expert tips on Tulum hotels or Tulum Airbnbs

Can you climb the ruins: No | Can you hire a guide onsite: Yes

Coba Maya Ruins

Coba is one of the first ancient Mexico ruins I visited, and it’s still a favorite.  Exploring its jungle setting and sprawling complex gives you serious Indiana Jones vibes.  Coba sat at the nexus of the largest network of sacbeob in the Maya world, which connected structures within Coba as well as neighboring cities.  The name Coba in Mayan means “waters stirred by the wind,” perhaps due to its place on two large lagoons.

Coba was estimated to have more than 50,000 residents at its peak.  It flourished between 600-900 CE, and was abandoned around the time of the Spanish colonization.  Like all Maya sites, the reason is unknown; although leading theories are drought, disease, overpopulation and destruction of the environment due to overfarming. It’s likely that a combination of factors led to the Maya downfall.

Coba is notable for several reasons.  First, it has a large number of surviving stelae with images and Maya hieroglyphic writing, which give insight into important aspects of Mayan rituals, politics, and history.  Women are depicted in positions of power in some of the stelae scenes.  Also, the largest temple of Coba, Nohoch Mul, can be climbed: it’s 137 feet high (42m), with expansive views over the jungle.  

How to Get To the Coba Mayan Ruins

Coba is only about 45 minutes from Tulum, and can be combined with cenotes in the area like Choo-Ha.  The site is large, so it’s easiest to get around by bike which can be rented there.  Be sure to bring sunscreen, water, suitable shoes ( I love these! ), bug spray and a hat, as well as a bathing suit and towel if you plan to visit cenotes. Bring cash to pay. 

Tours: here’s a good tour from Cancun to Coba and Tulum , a tour that includes snorkeling , or a Coba sunset tour .

Website | Hours 8AM – 5PM | Cost: 80 pesos; extra for parking and bicycle rental

Facilities: Restrooms, restaurants, limited hotels | Find a hotel

ⓘ Mayas vs. Mayan: which is correct? For English speakers, this is especially confusing. The word Maya can be both a noun or an adjective, and singular or plural! (Examples: “She is Maya,” “They are Maya,” “Maya ruins,” “Maya culture.”) Today’s native speakers of Maya in the Yucatán Peninsula also refer to their language as Maya. In contrast, scholars refer to the family of languages spoken by Maya people as Mayan. (You might note that I have used “Mayan” incorrectly in this article a few times since Google prefers that term!)

Muyil (Chunyaxche) | Maya Ruins in Sian Ka’an

The Muyil ruins are located about 15 miles south of Tulum in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere.  Set deep in the lush jungle, Muyil is less impressive than Tulum, but also less crowded and touristy.  Ruin-lovers in the area could check it out on a day trip to the biosphere.  The architecture here is known as “Peten” style, meaning similar construction and design as the ruins at Tikal in Guatemala.

Muyil was one of the earliest Maya cities on the coast, settled as early as 300 BCE.  It is situated on the Sian Ka’an lagoon, a name meaning “where the sky is born.”  (If you visit and see the beauty of the biosphere, you’ll understand how it got this name!)  There is a boardwalk through the jungle that takes you to a lookout over the lagoon.  

How to Get to Muyil

You can take a colectivo (shared van) from Tulum, arrange a taxi for the day, or take a tour that combines the ruins with other activities. Be sure to bring sunscreen, water, suitable shoes ( I love these! ), bug spray and a hat, as well as a bathing suit and towel if you plan to swim.  Bring cash to pay.

Tours: Check out this tour of Sian Ka’an and Muyil from Tulum or see Muyil and an ancient Maya trade route before relaxing on a canal float. 

Website | Hours 8AM – 5PM | Cost: 45 pesos; extra 50 pesos for the boardwalk 

Facilities: Restrooms | Find a Tulum hotel or grab my hotel tips or my guide to the best Tulum Airbnbs

Can you climb the ruins: Yes | Can you hire a guide onsite: No

More Quintana Roo-ins  (Get it?)

If you’re in Quintana Roo and not templed-out yet, check out a few more Maya archaeological sites:

Xelha (pronounced “shel-ha”): located across the highway from the popular Xel-Ha waterpark between Tulum and Akumal, this small site has visible murals and a cenote you can visit.

Chacchoben , Kohunlich , and Dzibanche and Kinichna : these ruins are located near Chetumal, Mahahual, and Bacalar.  Kohunlich is notable for its Temple of the Masks stairway, which is flanked by huge humanized stucco masks.  All are popular day trips from the cruise port in Chetumal.  For a ruins tour option from Bacalar, check out this itinerary for Maya sites and nature photography .

ⓘ What are colectivos? Grab a guide to taking shared van colectivos between Cancun and Tulum here .

Best Ruins in Yucatan State

Mexico’s ruins in Yucatan state are some of the most famous, and several have UNESCO status.  Legendary Chichen Itza is here with its iconic pyramid and ball court.  Other Maya sites include Ek Balam, noted for its well-preserved sculptures, and Uxmal, with its intricate carved facades.  They are easy to visit on day trips, with many good guided tour options.

Chichen Itza | UNESCO Site & World Wonder

Chichen Itza is the celebrity entry on this list: it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was voted one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.  It’s also one of the most-visited tourist sites in Mexico; try not to visit during school holidays and the equinoxes!  

Chichen Itza was at its peak from 750 to 1200 CE as a center of trade and culture.  It fell into rapid decline around 1200, and was abandoned around 1500 at the time of Spanish colonization. Chichen Itza’s blend of architecture, with stylistic influences from central Mexico and other Maya regions, make it an important Mesoamerican ruin site and a must-see for ruin enthusiasts.

Surviving monuments at Chichen Itza include the main temple, the Pyramid of Kukulkan (also known as El Castillo); the Great Ball Court, the largest of its kind in Mesoamerica; El Caracol, an astronomical observatory; and the Temple of Warriors, an enormous temple with hundreds of stone columns.  You can also see the Sacred Cenote, where the Maya made offerings of jade, gold, and even sacrifices.

 How to Get to Chichen Itza Ruins

Chichen Itza can be seen on a full day trip from other cities in the region like Cancun, Merida, or Tulum. Tour itineraries often include a visit to nearby cenote Ik-Kil, which gives a welcome chance to cool off after a visit to the ruins.  Be sure to bring sunscreen, water, suitable shoes ( I love these! ), and a hat, as well as a bathing suit and towel if you plan to visit the cenote.

Chichen Itza Tours from the Riviera Maya and Merida

Check out this all-inclusive tour of Chichen Itza, Valladolid and Cenote Ik-Kil , or this itinerary that includes Coba , or even a sunrise Chichen Itza tour to beat the crowds .  If you want to add on the Xel-Ha park, there’s an all-inclusive option that also goes to Xcaret cenote.  If you’re based in Merida, here’s a good Chichen Itza itinerary.

Website | Hours 8AM – 4PM | Cost: 480 pesos; extra for parking

Facilities: Restrooms, restaurants, lockers, hotels | Find a hotel or get my expert Tulum hotel tips

ⓘ Chichen Itza Virtual Tour Explore Chichen Itza virtually from home with a feature from Google and the British Museum and also a 360-degree virtual Chichen Itza tour from National Geographic .

Ek Balam | Maya Ruins near Valladolid

The lesser-known Maya site of Ek Balam is about 15 miles north of the city of Valladolid , and means “black jaguar” in Mayan.  It’s notable for its well-preserved sculptures and stonework, panoramic views, and a four-sided entry arch.   

First settled in 100 BCE, most of the buildings at Ek Balam were constructed around 600-900 CE.  Must-see sights here include the Acropolis, restored stucco facades, and views of the jungle.  There is also a cenote, X’Canche, where you can cool off after your visit.

Get there: Ek Balam can be seen on day trip from other cities in the region like Valladolid , Cancun, Merida, or Tulum.  You can take a taxi or colectivo from Valladolid, or book a tour with transportation.  Be sure to bring sunscreen, water, suitable shoes ( I love these! ), bug spray, and a hat, as well as a bathing suit and towel if you plan to visit the cenote.  Bring cash to pay.

Tour options: These are itineraries that include Chichen Itza or Ek Balam and cenotes .  Another popular day trip in this area is Rio Lagartos – check out my guide here . 

Photo caption: on a clear day, you can see the temples of Chichen Itza and Coba on the horizon from the top of Ek Balam’s Acropolis, which is 90 feet (30m) high.

Website | Hours 8AM – 4PM | Cost: 480 pesos; extra for the cenote

Facilities: Restrooms | Find a Valladolid hotel or see the cool Airbnb where I stayed and grab all of my Valladolid visit tips

Can you climb the ruins: Yes | Can you hire a guide onsite: Yes

READ NEXT: My full guide to visiting Ek Balam and Cenote X’Canche on a day trip or guided tour!

Uxmal Maya Ruins | UNESCO Heritage Site

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site , Uxmal (pronounced “oosh mahl”) is one of the most important Maya archaeological sites.  It is built in the “Puuc” architectural style of the region, with building facades made of plain blocks on the lower part of structures, and intricate mosaics on the upper sections.  Puuc design also used a concrete core for support beneath the veneer blocks.

Founded around 500 CE, Uxmal flourished as a regional capital from 850-950, then started to decline.  Since the Spaniards didn’t build a city there, it was largely abandoned after 1500.

Uxmal is about an hour south of Merida, and there are three other smaller ruins sites in the same area: Kabah , Labná and Sayil .  These sites share the UNESCO designation with Uxmal.  If you want to see a less crowded ruin that looks like a smaller version of Chichen Itza, Mayapan is also within an hour drive from Merida.

How to Get to Uxmal

Uxmal can be seen on a day trip from Merida or Valladolid.  You can take a bus or taxi from Merida and/or stay overnight and see all the ruins in this area. Be sure to bring sunscreen, water, suitable shoes, a hat and cash to pay. 

If looking for a tour, check out this tour to Uxmal and Kabah from Merida or this itinerary with the Loltun caves, Sayil, Xlapak and Labna .

Website | Hours 8AM – 5PM | Cost: 413 pesos

Facilities: Restrooms, restaurants, hotels | Find a hotel in Uxmal or Merida

Planning a trip to Merida, Yucatan ? Don’t miss all my tips for visiting this colorful colonial gem or the charming nearby city of Valladolid .

Dzibilchaltun Maya Ruins and Cenote Xlacah

Located about 10 miles north of Merida, Dzibilchaltun is a small Maya site.  Dzibilchaltun is notable for its accompanying museum, beautiful cenote Xlacah, and its Temple of the Seven Dolls, named for small effigies discovered during excavation.

How to Get to Dzibilchaltun

Dzibilchaltun can be seen on a half day trip from Merida or Valladolid, or combine it with other sites in the region like Progreso.  You can take a colectivo or taxi from Merida, or book a tour like this itinerary that includes Progreso . Be sure to bring sunscreen, water, suitable shoes, a hat and cash to pay.

Website | Hours 8AM – 4/5PM | Cost: 250 pesos

Facilities: Restrooms, restaurant, lockers, museum | Find a hotel in Merida

Can you climb the ruins: Yes  | Can you hire a guide onsite: Yes

ⓘ Small Group Adventure Tours to See Mayan Ruins Want to visit the ruins of Central America but not sure where to start? A small group adventure tour is a fun, easy, and cost-effective way to travel in Latin America, especially for solo or new travelers. Check out this trip with G Adventures to Mexico and Guatemala , or this Mexico – Guatemala – Belize itinerary from Intrepid Travel . And if you’re not sure if group tours are for you, be sure to read this post ! (Spoiler: they are!)

Best Mexico Ruins in Campeche State

The Mexican state of Campeche has more than 1,000 registered archaeological sites.  Unlike the ancient ruins of other Mexico states, though, they receive relatively few visitors due to their more remote locations.  The most-visited ruins are accessible mainly from two cities: from Bacalar on the east, and from the capital city of Campeche on the west coast.  The largest site, Calakmul, is set deep in a 2,800 square mile biosphere reserve.  All of this lets you explore the ruins at a slower pace and experience the power of their natural settings.  

Calakmul | UNESCO Site & Remote Maya Ruins

Hidden in the jungle of the Mexican state of Campeche, just 20 miles from the border with Guatemala, lies the Maya archaeological site of Calakmul.  At its height, Calakmul was a major power and important Maya city. Calakmul is sometimes referred to as “The Kingdom of the Snake” due to their extensive use of a snake head sign as their emblem glyph.   Its well-preserved ruins and surrounding tropical forest ecosystem are now a UNESCO site .  

Calakmul is notable for one of the highest pyramids in the Maya world at 148 feet (45 meters).  And you can climb it!  Calakmul also has the greatest number of stelae discovered (120). Calakmul’s location in a tropical forest means you’re likely to encounter a variety of flora and fauna including spider and howler monkeys, colorful wild turkeys, agoutis, coati, toucans, and green parrots.  Nearby there is also the smaller site of Balamku , known for a stunning preserved stucco frieze.

How to Get to Calakmul

Calakmul is remote, located well into the biosphere off the road.  To see the site, it’s easiest to stay overnight in the town of Xpuhil or near the entrance to Calakmul in Conhuas.  Be sure to bring sunscreen, water, suitable shoes, a hat and cash to pay.  Or check out this tour option that departs from Bacalar or Palenque .

Website | Hours 8AM – 5PM; enter by 3PM | Cost: Community, national park, and ruin fees (paid separately) total around 180 pesos

Facilities: Restrooms | Find a hotel in Conhuas or Xpuhil

Becan Maya Ruins

Occupied since around 550 BCE, Becán grew in political, religious and economic importance until reaching its peak in 600-900 CE.  Fragments of trade goods indicate that it might even have traded with Teotihuacan outside Mexico City.  Becan is notable for being surrounded by a moat, the only one found in a Maya settlement.  For this reason, the archaeologists who rediscovered it gave it the modern Mayan name Becán, meaning “ravine or canyon formed by water.”

Its architectural style known as “Rio Bec” is characterized by a central tower flanked by two false, very steep towers.  This area is known as the Rio Bec region, named after other ruins discovered deep in the Calakmul reserve. The Rio Bec ruins themselves are quite remote; you would have to find a guide to take you via ATV due to very poor roads to the site.

Ruin lovers can check out the more accessible nearby sites of Xpuhil , Chicanna and Hormiguero in the same day.  They are all within about 15 miles (24km).  

How to Get to Becan

To visit Becan, it’s easiest to stay overnight in the town of Xpuhil or near the entrance to Calakmul in Conhuas.  Be sure to bring sunscreen, water, suitable shoes, a hat and cash to pay.

Website | Hours 8AM – 5PM | Cost: 60 pesos

Edzna | Maya Ruins near Campeche

Edzná is an impressive Maya site, with a mixture of architectural styles spanning years from 300 BCE to 1200 CE. The main temple is built on a wide platform and has five stories, totaling 165 feet high (50m).  A cluster of structures known as the “Old Sorceress Group” includes a Temple of the Witch. Other notable ruins include a 32 stelae, a ball court, an astronomical observatory, and a temple with well-preserved masks of the sun god.

Edzna was an influential political and economic regional capital.  The name Edzná comes from “House of the Itzas,” which suggests that the city was influenced by the family of the Itza name before they founded Chichen Itzá. The architectural style of this site shows signs of the Puuc style, even though it is far from those sites.

How to Get to Edzna

Then ancient ruins of Edzna can be visited on a day trip from the pretty colonial capital city of Campeche (also called Campeche), which is about an hour away, or here’s a tour option from Merida that includes Campeche .  Be sure to bring sunscreen, water, suitable shoes, a hat and cash to pay.

Facilities: Restrooms | Find a hotel in Campeche or check out the spectacular Hacienda Uayamon

Best Chiapas Ruins

Deep in the mountainous Chiapas state, there are two must-see Maya sites that are top things to do in San Cristobal de las Casas . Here you will find Palenque, one of the most mythical Maya sites and best ruins in Mexico.  Other ruins in this region are more remote, including one that is accessible only by boat!  Travel in Chiapas is not without risk; I visited here on a small group tour, and recommend checking travel advisories if you go without a guide.  Travel on roads after dark is not recommended.

Palenque | Iconic Maya Ruins near San Cristobal

A dramatic forest setting and heavily-adorned buildings make Palenque one of my favorite ancient Maya sites.  I arrived here early in the morning just as fog was lifting, which cemented its magical status in my mind.  This site contains some of the finest Maya architecture, sculpture, carvings and roof combs (decoration on the tops of temples) that the Maya produced. Much of the history of Palenque has been reconstructed from reading the preserved carvings and hieroglyphic inscriptions on its monuments.  

Palenque reached its peak between the years 500 and 700 CE but declined sharply thereafter, and was lost to the jungle for hundreds of years.  It is a large site, encompassing around 50 square miles, only about 10% of which has been excavated.  The many structures here include temples, terraces, plazas, burial grounds, and a ball court.  You can climb some of the ruins for impressive views of the most famous temple called The Temple of the Inscriptions.  Also don’t miss the hiking trails through the jungle with waterfalls and wildlife including monkeys.

How to Get to Palenque

Palenque can be visited on a day trip from San Cristobal de las Casas, or stay at a hotel near the site in Palenque. To see some of the ruins, it might be required to have a guide. Be sure to bring sunscreen, water, suitable shoes, bug repellent, a hat and cash to pay.  Be aware of security conditions in the area and do not travel on roads after dark.

Tours: From San Cristobal, here’s an itinerary for Palenque with the Agua Azul waterfalls .

Website | Hours 8AM – 5PM | Cost: 80 pesos

Facilities: Restrooms, museum, cafe, gift shop  | Find a hotel in San Cristobal , Palenque or check out the secluded Hotel Boutique Quinta Chanabna a few miles from the site

ⓘ Virtual Tour of Palenque Take a virtual visit to Palenque with Google Arts & Culture , with both modern photos and pictures taken in 1891 by British explorer Alfred Maudslay.

Bonampak | Maya Ruins with Vivid Frescoes

The explorer and Mesoamerican anthropologist Jacques Soustelle called Bonampak “a pictorial encyclopedia of a Maya city,” due to its extraordinary murals.  These painted frescoes depict scenes of Maya life including rituals and warfare and are in astonishingly good condition.  They are meant to be read together, to tell a story. Depending on the number of other visitors, though, your time to view the murals may be very limited.  Be sure to take photos (without flash, of course) so you can pore over them later!

Hidden deep in the Lacandon jungle, Bonampak is a small site.  Other than the frescoes, its main features are a Grand Plaza with its surrounding structures and the Acropolis. The site is built among a series of low terraced hills, with the Acropolis built into the hillside itself.

How to Get to Bonampak

I have not visited Bonampak yet, but other travelers report that you cannot drive into the archaeological park itself.  It seems that there is a “shuttle service” (and I use this term very loosely) provided by locals for the last step, for around 150 pesos a person round trip. 

The road conditions are very poor, so it’s probably best to avoid wear and tear on a rented vehicle anyway. (Also it doesn’t seem that you can refuse and still get to the site!)  Chiapas state has the highest poverty rate in Mexico; if you want to see this site, just budget for this “last mile” transportation that contributes to the local economy. 

Be sure to bring sunscreen, water, suitable shoes, bug repellent, a hat and cash to pay.  Be aware of security conditions in the area and do not travel on roads after dark.

Alternatively, you can book a tour from Palenque like this one to see both Bonampak and Yaxcihilan.

Website | Hours 8AM – 5PM | Cost: 70 pesos plus see note on “shuttle service” above

Facilities: Restrooms, museum | Find a hotel in San Cristobal , Palenque or Lacanja near the site

Can you climb the ruins: Yes  | Can you hire a guide onsite: No

Yaxchilan | Ruins with a Riverside Setting

Perched on the western bank of the Usumacinta River, Yaxchilán (“the place of green stones”) lay along the trade route between the two great Maya cities of Palenque and Tikal.  To get here, you’ll need to take a boat along the river that forms part of the border between Mexico and Guatemala. 

Notable for its temples and beautiful carvings, Yaxchilan has acropolises with temples, grand staircases, and a palace.  Local legends say that a headless sculpture of a god here would bring about the end of the world if his head is replaced.  (So don’t move any stone heads when you go!)  

How to Get to Yaxchilan

Yaxchilan is accessible by boat from the pier in Frontera Corozal, or take a tour from Palenque to both Yaxchilan and Bonampak .  Be sure to bring sunscreen, water, suitable shoes, bug repellent, a hat and cash to pay.  Be aware of security conditions in the area and do not travel on roads after dark.

Website | Hours 8AM – 5PM | Cost: 60 pesos plus boat fee

Facilities: Restrooms | Find a hotel in Palenque , Lacanja or Frontera Corozal

Best Ruins in Oaxaca State

The state of Oaxaca, located in Southwestern Mexico, was home to the Zapotec and Mixtec people among others, and contains ancient ruins from these pre-Columbian civilizations.  The two most well-known sites are easy to visit on day trips from the state capital Oaxaca de Juarez (Oaxaca City), a destination rich in indigenous culture and history.  Monte Alban and Oaxaca are a UNESCO site.

Monte Alban | Zapotec Ruins in Mexico

One of the earliest cities of Mesoamerica, Monte Alban in Oaxaca flourished for over a thousand years from 500 BCE to 850 CE.  It was the socio-political and economic center of the Zapotec people.  Monte Alban is an elaborate site, with plazas, pyramids, a ball court, canals, and tombs.  As the Zapotec culture declined in the fourteenth century, areas of Monte Alban were then occupied by Mixtec peoples.

Designated a UNESCO site in conjunction with the city of Oaxaca, Monte Alban is notable for its architecture which bears similarities to the Teotihuacan ruins near Mexico City.   Although never as large as Teotihuacan, there is evidence of trade between the two cities.  Its hieroglyphs also contain some of the earliest writing in Mesoamerica. 

If you visit Oaxaca, you must visit Monte Alban to appreciate the history and culture of the region.  Climb the south platform for dramatic views of ruins and the valley against the backdrop of the Sierra Norte and Sierra Sur mountains.  Be sure to check out my guides to visiting Oaxaca for Dia de los Muertos and all of the top Oaxaca sights .

How to Get to Monte Alban

Monte Alban can be seen on a day trip from Oaxaca. Take a shuttle from the city, or book a tour with a guide to fully appreciate the site (and avoid the shuttle delays as it stops colectivo-style for passengers along the route).  Be sure to bring sunscreen, water, suitable shoes, a hat and cash to pay.  Here’s a good Monte Alban half-day tour from Oaxaca or this full-day Monte Alban itinerary that also includes Arrazola, Coyotepec and Cuilapam.

Facilities: Restrooms, museum, restaurant, gift shop | Get my guide to hotels in Oaxaca

Mitla | Zapotec Ruins in Oaxaca

As the former cultural and religious center of the Zapotec people, Mitla is another important archaeological site in Oaxaca.  Mitla began to gain prominence as the capital Monte Alban declined, reaching its peak in 700-900 CE.  Between 900 and 1500 the Mixtecs moved down from northern Oaxaca and took possession of Mitla; the Mixtec influence is most pronounced on the remaining ruins.  It is well preserved due to the cold, dry climate of the Oaxaca Valley.  

The most important architectural feature of Mitla halls are carvings, either carved into the stone or built up of individual stone pieces like a mortarless mosaic, which cover their exterior walls.  The site is most famous today for its huge rectangular building, the Hall of the Columns, which is richly decorated in these geometric relief carvings.  When the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, they built the Church of San Pablo above one of the original platforms to keep the gods of the underworld trapped in the ground. 

How to Get To Mitla

Mitla can be seen on a day trip from Oaxaca by bus. Or you can take a tour; Mitla itineraries usually include other sites in the region.  

Tours: There are many options! You can see both Monte Alban and Mitla in one day, or take a tour combining Mitla with Hierve el Agua waterfall , Santa Maria de Tule, and Teotitlan de Valle.  This itinerary adds on a mezcal tasting at the end of the day.

Website | Hours 8AM – 5PM | Cost: 75 pesos

Facilities: Restrooms  | Get my guide to the best hotels in Oaxaca

Can you climb the ruins: You can climb down into some of the tombs 

Can you hire a guide onsite: Yes

Mexico City Ruins & Central Mexico Ruins

Unlike the Maya ruins found throughout the Yucatan Peninsula, the ruins surrounding Mexico’s capital city were built by different civilizations – Teotihuacanos, Toltecs, Aztecs and more.  Teotihuacan is here, possibly the largest and most influential city in the history of the New World.  It’s easy to see the most significant ruins on day trips.  When I visited, I was surprised to find ancient ruins in the center of Mexico City!

Tenochitlan – Templo Mayor | Aztec Ruins in Mexico

The ancient city of Tenochitlan was built upon a lake in what is now Mexico City by the Mexica people. This founding fulfilled one of their ancient prophecies.  Also known as the Aztecs, the Mexica were great warriors and formed a regional alliance in order to conquer their most powerful rivals.  By the time the Spanish arrived, the Aztecs ruled over as many as 5 to 6 million people in the region. The capital of Tenochitlan alone had over 200,000 inhabitants and was a huge center of trade.

By 1521, the Spaniards had conquered the Aztecs by alliances with their enemies, superior weapons, and the help of smallpox.  They razed the city and built the capital of New Spain in its place.

Excavations on Tenochitlan’s Templo Mayor began in 1978 after utility workers unearthed ruins.  Today, excavations continue providing insight into life during the height of Aztec rule.  Mexico City’s Zocalo is located at the site of Tenochtitlan’s original central plaza and market.  Be sure also to see the Aztec Sun Stone, which was discovered here in 1790 and is on display in the National Museum of Anthropology.

How to Get to Templo Mayor and Tenochitlan

The ancient ruins of the Templo Mayor are located in the city center.  I had an amazing Mexico City historical center Airbnb experience that included a short visit to the ruins, but you could also book a private tour with the same historian and guide Pau to explore the ruins in greater depth.  

Website | Hours 9AM – 5PM | Cost: 80 pesos | Find a hotel in the historic center of Mexico City

Teotihuacan | Mexico City Ruins Day Trip

Located about 25 miles north of Mexico City, Teotihuacan is Mexico’s most-visited ancient archaeological site as well as a UNESCO Heritage Site .  Teotihuacan was built between 200 BCE and 600 CE, and became the largest and most populous city in Mesoamerica until its collapse around a hundred years later.  At its peak, it had more than 150,000 inhabitants.  The name of the civilization that built Teotihuacan is unknown; the city’s name was given by the Aztecs centuries later.

Teotihuacan is arranged in a grid layout that covers about 8 square miles (20 square kilometers). The main buildings are connected by the Avenue of the Dead, and include The Pyramid of the Moon, the Pyramid of the Sun, the Ciudadela (“Citadel”) and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl (the Feathered Serpent).  

The Pyramid of the Sun is 216 feet high (66 m) and can be climbed; get there early to avoid the long line of ruin-climbers.  The Pyramid of the Moon provides an impressive view of the Avenue of the Dead.  A number of paintings and frescoes also survive, and there is an on-site museum that displays artifacts found during excavation as well as a model of the city.

Get there: Teotihuacan is accessible by public bus from Mexico City.  Or check out this itinerary with a professional photographer as guide Or beat the crowds with a sunrise tour , a sunset tour , or hot air balloon ride over Teotihuacan .

PRO TIP: When you visit, be sure to follow the Avenue of the Dead all the way to the end. Climb up the viewing platorm there to see the Temple of Quetzalcoatl hidden behind. This is the best-preserved structure onsite.

Tula | Toltec Ruins in Mexico

Another day trip from Mexico City, the city of Tula was an important regional center as the capital of the Toltec Empire.  The Toltecs and Tula flourished between the fall of Teotihuacan and the rise of Tenochtitlan.  The site is most known for the Atlantes of Tula, enormous basalt sculptures of Toltec warriors, and the Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl.

How to Get to Tula

Tula, located in Tula de Allende in Hidalgocan, can be seen on a day trip from Mexico City.  Most tours to Tula are private: check out this itinerary for both Tula and Teotihuacan , a tour of Tula and Teotihuacan with the Anthropology Museum , or Tula And Tepotzotlán .

Website | Hours 9AM – 5PM | Cost: 75 pesos 

Facilities: Restrooms, museum | Find a hotel in the historic center of Mexico City

Puebla: The Great Pyramid of Cholula

In Puebla, Mexico you’ll find the Great Pyramid of Cholula, also known as Pirámide Tepanapa and Tlachihualtepetl (in indigenous Nahuatl).  It’s the largest ancient pyramid in the world by volume, but you wouldn’t know it: it’s so hidden under a hill that the Spanish built a church on top of it!

Constructed from 20 BCE to 900 CE, the pyramid is actually a number of successive pyramids on top of each other, with later civilizations building a temple on top of the one before.  Because the church on top of it now has its own historic significance, the pyramid has not been fully excavated and restored.  To date, however, 5 miles (8km) of tunnels have been excavated to explore the levels inside as well as some stairways, platforms, and altars.  A side of the pyramid has been reconstructed.

The architectural style of the building was linked closely to Teotihuacan in the Valley of Mexico, although influences from temples on the Gulf of Mexico coast have been noted, including El Tajin.  The low, narrow tunnels are probably not for the claustrophobic, but Cholula offers a chance to go inside a pyramid!

How to Get to The Great Pyramid of Cholula

Buses run daily between Mexico City and Puebla.  From Mexico City, you can book a full-day tour to Puebla or check out this private tour . 

Website | Hours 9AM – 5PM | Cost: 80 pesos 

Facilities: Restrooms, museum | Find a hotel in the historic center of Mexico City or Puebla

El Tajin | UNESCO Site near Veracruz

Located near the Gulf coast of Mexico in the state of Veracruz lies the UNESCO Heritage Site of El Tajin .  The city reached its peak in 900 – 1300 CE and became the most important city in the region after the fall of Teotihuacan.  This is one of the best Mexico ruins sites, and a must-see for ruin aficionados!

The most famous structure at El Tajin is the Pyramid of the Niches.  At 65 feet (20 meters tall), it is made up of 7 terraces of decreasing size. Each of its four sides is covered with stacked rows of small niches formed from blocks of stone. There are 365 total, suggesting this pyramid was used to track the days of the year.  Other remaining structures include pyramids, platforms, stelae, and 17 ballcourts.

How to Get to El Tajin

Buses run daily between Mexico City and Papantla, then take a taxi to the site.  Or you take a day trip from Veracruz .

ⓘ More on the Maya Explore more of the Maya Civilization with “Meet the Maya” from Google Arts & Culture and the British Museum including virtual tours, cultural features and images from early expeditions.

Other Central America Ruins Sites

If ruins are your thing, or if you’ll be traveling elsewhere in Central America, the Maya civilization extended further south. 

Best Maya Ruins in Guatemala

Tikal, El Mirador and Yaxha.  Tikal was one of the most important and largest Mayan cities, and is now a UNESCO Heritage site.  It can be visited from Flores, a quick flight from Guatemala City.  Be sure to stay a few days at Tikal so that you can climb Temple IV for sunrise!  

Yaxha can also be visited from Flores, but it is best to book a tour.  El Mirador is the most remote of the three: a tour is required.  Here are some good tour options for Guatemala ruins from Guatemala City and Flores.

• 2-Day Tikal and Yaxha tour from Flores
• 2-Day Tikal and Yaxha tour from Guatemala City
• Yaxha sunset tour
• El Mirador helicopter tour
• 2-day, 1 night tour Yaxha and El Mirador from Flores

Best Maya Ruins in Belize

Caracol and Lamanai.  Located near the Guatemalan border, the ancient Maya city of Caracol is the largest archaeological site in Belize.  To get to both, it’s easiest to take tours: check out this option for Caracol with Rio Frio Cave and itinerary for Lamanai with a jungle river cruise .

Honduras Maya Ruins

Copán. Copan was the most southerly and also the highest of the Classic Maya centers, which today is a UNESCO site .  Get here via a tour from San Pedro Sula .

Maya Ruins in El Salvador

Joya de Ceren. This is an archaeological site in the Department of La Libertad in El Salvador. A UNESCO site , it contains the remains of a pre-hispanic farming village that was covered by a volcanic eruption in the seventh century CE.  Visit on a day trip from San Salvador, including this itinerary with Joya de Ceren, lakes and volcanoes .

Best Mexico Ruins Bucket List

I hope that this compilation of the best ruins in Mexico helps you with planning your adventures! Be sure to pin it for later so you always have my latest advice – I’ll update it periodically with top tour recommendations and visit tips!

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I was a travel hot mess, but I got better! I kept the name and now blog my best tips for culture + adventure travel from around the globe. Follow along for travel advice, destination guides, and photography from faraway lands and at home in Washington, DC.

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• A Guide To Mexicos Aztec...

A Guide To Mexico’s Aztec Ruins

Northern England Writer

Modern Mexico City is built atop the sinking lake and ruins that once formed part of the Aztec Empire’s principal city; Tenochtitlán. Arguably one of the most significant and well-known of the ethnic groups that existed in Mesoamerica, the Nahuatl-speaking, central Mexican Aztecs left Mexico awash with fascinating ruins which attest to their technological advancement and immense ruling power. This group is best known in pop culture for their tendency to sacrifice humans, but don’t let that deter you from visiting some of Mexico’s best Aztec ruins. Here’s our guide.

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Teotihuacán, State of Mexico

Undeniably the best known of the Aztec ruins is Teotihuacán . Located just outside of central Mexico City, in the surrounding State of Mexico, this archaeological site features the two iconic and towering pyramids, known as the Temple of the Moon and the Temple of the Sun respectively. Arriving at the site, you’re met with the Avenue of the Dead, which leads you through what little of the sprawling site has been uncovered by archaeologists, and culminates with the Temple of the Moon. A must-visit for even the casual visitor, this is Mexico’s most emblematic Aztec ruin .

Another incredibly well-known ruin is the Templo Mayor, which takes up residence right in the heart of Mexico City’s historic centre. Literally situated next to the imposing cathedral, on the far corner of the zócalo, stones from this ruin were alleged to have been used in the construction of the aforementioned cathedral . Formerly one of the main temples in the ancient city of Tenochtitlán, this is now one of Mexico City’s biggest tourist attractions, and is dedicated to both Tlaloc (God of Rain) and Huitzilopochtli (God of War) .

Santa Cecilia Acatitlán, State of Mexico

This lesser known Aztec ruin is situated in the State of Mexico, in a town today known as Santa Cecelia. In Mesoamerican times, it was actually located on the northwest shore of Lake Texcoco and is an excellent remaining example of early Aztec architecture. As with many other Aztec monuments, the Spanish Christians destroyed much of it so the stone could be used for churches. However, this site was once associated closely with the political and religious centre at the time, making it well worth a visit for the Aztec history buff.

Tenayuca, State of Mexico

Located in San Bartolo Tenayuca, this is the religious and political hub with which Santa Cecilia Acatitlán was once associated and is also an example of the earliest Chichamec capital city. However, the style of the architecture is distinctly Aztec. Translating to ‘walled place’ in Nahuatl, the archaeological site of Tenayuca was discovered in 1925 and nowadays includes (like the Templo Mayor), temples dedicated to Tlaloc and Huitzilopochtli . However, it is replete with far more serpent artwork and detailing than the Templo Mayor.

El Tepozteco

Park, Ruins, Archaeological site Our final mention on the guide to Aztec ruins is also the only one located outside of greater Mexico City. Found in Morelos , El Tepozteco is a tiny site which features a temple dedicated to the Mesoamerican god of the alcoholic drink pulque. Speculation reigns supreme at this site, with archaeologists asserting that glyphs found there suggest it was built in 1502, and others saying that these glyphs were additions that merely commemorated the death of Aztec ruler Ahuizotl, who died in 1502.

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The Aztec and Maya Civilization

Related tours, tour overview.

This tour takes you on a journey back in time discovering the ruins of one of the most advanced civilisations in the world whilst offering a glimpse of everyday life during ancient times.

Mexico City, known as ‘Tenochtitlan’ amongst the Aztecs, is the metropolis heart of the ancient Aztec civilisation serving as a city and religious epicentre. It is here that you’ll find majestic Teotihuacán an area filled with mysterious and complex pyramids with discoveries still being unearthed today. Explore the tranquil Mayan ruins of Palenque set in the jungle before spending a day among the beautifully carved and decorated pyramids of Uxmal and Kabah. You will end your journey seeing the of complex pyramids of Chichen Itza – one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

• Daily Departure – Minimum 2 people

Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel

City tour including major sights such as Zocalo, the National Palace, the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, ruins of Templo Mayor and Paseo de la Reforma. Afternoon visits to the ‘Shrine of Guadalupe’ and the archaeological site of Teotihuacan with its impressive Aztec pyramids of the Sun, Moon and Quetzalcoatl.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Villahermosa. On arrival transfer to your hotel.

*Flight not included

Tour to the Mayan archaeological  site of Palenque. The dense forest around the ruins is still home to howler monkeys, toucans and ocelots. After lunch transfer to the airport for your flight to Merida.

Excursion to the archaeological sites of Uxmal and Kabah. Lunch and afternoon return to Merida.

Drive to Cancun with a stopover tour of the famous archaeological site of Chichen Itza. We have lunch and then continue to Cancun where you will stay 2 nights.

Day at leisure.

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Daily departures – minimum 2 people.

Tour Inclusions

• 7 nights accommodation at selected hotels
• Transfers, tours with English speaking guides and entrance fees
• Meals as indicated in itinerary (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch

Tour Exclusions

• International and domestic flights into and within South America
• Any items not listed in the inclusions or mentioned in the itinerary

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7 Tips For Visiting Aztec Ruins National Monument

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Contrary to what the name suggests, the Aztec Ruins in the U.S. state of New Mexico have nothing to do with the Aztecs. The ancient people of the Southwest, the Ancestral Puebloans, built and inhabited this site — and many others in the area.

But the first explorers who stumbled upon these ruins didn’t know any of that. They were early settlers who most likely thought the Aztecs were the only civilization in the early Americas capable of building such elaborate structures. Unfortunately, the name stuck, but those who visit Aztec Ruins National Monument in New Mexico understand they are walking in the footsteps of an Ancestral Puebloan society. 

Ancestors of the modern Pueblo tribes, including the Hopi, Zuni, Acoma, and Laguna nations, Ancestral Puebloans were the ancient people who also built the larger sites of Mesa Verde and Chaco. In fact, archaeologists consider Aztec an outlier of Chaco, built as a community connected to the center to facilitate trade and bring in goods for the population of the larger site. They also believe that Chacoans migrated here, since Aztec grew into a larger community around the time Chaco was getting abandoned, around 1100.

The Ancestral Pueblo community of the Aztec Ruins lived here for about 200 years before moving on around 1300. During this time, they created some elaborate structures that still stand. I visit these ruins often with my family during our trips through the Four Corners area, and over the years, we learned a few tips to make the best of these visits.

1. Combine Your Visit With A Trip Through The Four Corners Area

Since Aztec Ruins National Monument is far from any major cities, it makes a great side trip on a longer vacation through the Four Corners area of the U.S. Southwest. To understand the history of the ancient people who built Aztec Ruins, combine your visit with a visit to Chaco National Historical Park and Mesa Verde National Park . You can use Durango as a base for all your explorations of the region. 

Though Aztec Ruins is a relatively compact site, you can spend a few hours exploring it. Large, well-preserved, and easy to access, Aztec Ruins offers a great stop on a larger U.S. Southwest trip. 

2. Stop At The House Of The First Archaeologist Who Excavated The Site

The visitor center at Aztec Ruins National Monument was once the home of Earl Morris, one of the first archaeologists to dig at the site. He started excavating Aztec Ruins in 1916, working for the American Museum of Natural History. By then, much of the site had been repeatedly looted and many of the artifacts lost or destroyed. He found most of the cultural material in sealed-off rooms, where looters couldn’t get to them. 

To work at the ruins full-time, he needed to live near them. So in 1920, he built his house there, incorporating materials found at the site. If you look at the ponderosa beams overhead, you might still notice ancient axe marks. The house, built in the Spanish-Pueblo Revival style, is now home to the visitor center and listed in the National Registry of Historic Places. 

The visitor center expanded the old home, incorporating the old living room and the kitchen as its lobby and bookstore. You can sit by the old fireplace and imagine yourself being a guest of one of the most famous pioneer archaeologists, who devoted much of his professional life to excavating Aztec Ruins.

3. Learn About The History Of The People Who Built Aztec 

Walk through the museum of the visitor center to see the relics Earl Morris found and saved, and other artifacts collected at the site, some over 900 years old. Other exhibits in the museum offer a great introduction to the lives of Ancestral Puebloans who lived in Aztec and the Four Corners area. You’ll also learn about their descendants and the development of the modern Native American culture of the Southwest, including the separation of the modern tribes. 

For a great historical perspective, watch the 15-minute video at the visitor center, titled Aztec Ruins: Footprints of the Past . You’ll walk out with a better understanding of the legacy of the people of Aztec Ruins and their connection to the present-day Native tribes. The video offers diverse viewpoints from Hopi and other present-day Puebloan people, from Navajo tribal members, and from archaeologists. 

4. Explore The Self-Guided Trail Through Aztec West

Take a trail guide and walk outside to explore the interpretive trail. The half-mile self-guided trail leads through the site, winding through ancient structures and several kivas. Most of the trail is paved, and all of it accessible, though you’ll have to deal with some steps and low doorways.

You can now use a mobile audio tour to learn about the site as you walk along. Make sure you ask for the code at the visitor center.

Aztec West, the site you are touring, is a “great house” similar to those at Chaco. They were used by whole communities, rather than individual families, as a gathering place, ceremonial center, trade center, and a work and storage area. Comprising about 400 rooms and 30 kivas, Aztec West Ruins is the largest great house known outside of Chaco.

However, the buildings in this great house are more than just collections of rooms and kivas. Taken together, they give us a sense of order and balance. They sit in a symmetrical, rectangular layout, with walled buildings surrounding an open central plaza. One side of the rectangle is a long wall, the others comprise interconnected rooms, while several ceremonial kivas sit in the center. 

Like many other sites in the Southwest, Aztec West is also aligned to mark solar and lunar events. Here, it is the long, straight north wall that marks the summer and winter solstices. Archaeologists believe these alignments offered a base for ceremonial, cultural, and agricultural calendars.  

While the outdoor trail offers a great overall view of the great house, you’ll find two structures you can enter, giving your visit another dimension.

5. Walk Through A Series Of Covered Rooms

Several interconnected rooms are still partially covered. They were originally multi-story rooms, but here you are walking through the ground rooms. Explore examples of the ancient fine masonry and workmanship of the site’s builders. Similar to those at Chaco, these rooms have low doorways. They are perfectly aligned with each other, so you can see through all of them as you walk. Some rooms have opening doors into an inner courtyard, many of which are covered by plexiglass to protect the artifacts still intact in these rooms. 

You’ll notice stucco on some walls, which is still original. Several wooden beams on the roofs are also original, both the larger and smaller beams. You’ll learn that the larger beams were Douglas fir and ponderosa pine, while the smaller ones were aspen or pine, and the ancient builders transported them from over 20 miles away. 

6. Enter A Reconstructed Great Ceremonial Kiva

While exploring the site, you’ll see the reconstructed Great Ceremonial Kiva. Enter it and listen to the recording, taking you back thousands of years. The semi-subterranean structure, with a diameter of over 40 feet, is the only reconstructed kiva in the Southwest. 

Early archaeologist Earl Morris oversaw its 1921 excavation and its reconstruction, finished in 1934 after archaeological investigations. Trying to reconstruct it to match its original configuration, he based the structure on kivas from Chaco and Mesa Verde. Though some of the structural elements might have been guesswork, the colors you see when entering were not. When excavating the kiva, they found red and white plaster on the ancient walls. The kiva has a finished feel to it, giving us a good idea of what the structure looked like when in use. 

Entering the reconstructed ancient structure makes it easy to imagine the ceremonial life of the Ancestral Puebloans. For a more immersive experience, push the button at the entrance to start the audio, which talks about ancient here and uses traditional Native music for a full effect. 

7. Learn About Native Plants And Gardening On The Heritage Garden And Native Plants Walk

Take a walk through the Native Plants Walk and the Heritage Garden, both starting at the picnic area. The Native Plants Walk offers a lesson about the wild plants the people of the Southwest relied on for thousands of years. The Heritage Garden showcases plants the ancient people learned to cultivate. Now, museum staff and volunteers grow traditional crops like corn, beans, squash, gourds, and sunflowers.

Time your visit to participate in interpretive programs and demonstrations. Aztec Ruins National Monument offers interpretive talks, tours, and demonstrations of traditional Native American dances, arts and crafts, and astronomy programs during certain times of the year.

Emese Fromm is a Phoenix-based freelance travel writer, translator, and language instructor. Besides TravelAwaits , you can find her travel articles in Lonely Planet, Roadtrippers Magazine , Matador Network, and GoNOMAD, among other publications. A native Hungarian from Transylvania (Romania), Emese grew up surrounded by multiple cultures and speaks several languages. Three decades after leaving Romania, this background still helps her appreciate and connect with people of different backgrounds, which shows up in her articles, which highlight the culture, history, and legends of the places she visits. Besides writing for online travel magazines, she publishes a travel blog, teaches Hungarian as a foreign language, and works as a freelance translator.

Mexico’s Ancient Civilizations 9 Day Tour from USD $995 #1 In Value

Dear Traveler, Welcome to a great vacation at an affordable price. Your Mexico’s Ancient Civilizations tour is fully guided and includes most meals, all hotels, and all activities. Happy Travels! Caravan

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Day 1 • mexico city, day 2 • teotihuacán, museum of anthropology, day 3 • puebla, veracruz, day 4 • la venta, palenque, day 5 • palenque, day 6 • campeche, mérida, day 7 • uxmal, mérida, day 8 • chichén itzá, cancún, day 9 • cancún, motorcoach rides, 2024 hotels, days 1, 2 • mexico city, barcelo mexico reforma, day 3 • veracruz, gran hotel diligencias, days 4, 5 • palenque, hotel y spa mision palenque, days 6, 7 • mérida, courtyard by marriott mérida, day 8 • cancún, fairfield inn and suites by marriott cancún airport, airport transfers, arrival transfers, departure transfers, passports & visas, weather & clothing, temperature °f (high/low) rainfall (inches), clothing tips, travel tips & faqs, my tour price includes, preparing for the tropics, are meals included, children on tour, family trips, my tour price does not include, age of travelers on a caravan tour, forms of payment, many tours sell out each year, fully guided tours since 1952, size of tour group, a well-paced itinerary, caravan’s $129 travel protection, customer reviews.

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For a thousand years men and women have settled along the Animas River, building structures to meet the community's needs for food, trade, transportation, entertainment and spiritual observances.

Starting with Aztec Ruins National Monument, the free Historic Aztec Self-Guided Walking and Biking Tours booklet takes you to the heart of historic downtown Aztec, then to homes, churches and irrigation ditches built by the early settlers. Much of the booklet focuses on historic structures built in the early 1900s. It was an exciting time as New Mexico gained statehood on January 6, 1912 to become the 47th state. A century later, as we stroll past the works of these early men and women, we experience the one constant that remains: We are still engaged in community building.

The points of interest included in the booklet are a sampling of the architecture, influential citizens and natural features that give Aztec its distinct character. Aztec contains four historic districts encompassing multiple properties and 17 individual properties listed on the New Mexico and/or National Register of Historic Places.

The free Historic Aztec Self-Guided Walking & Biking Tours booklet is available at the Aztec Museum and in the gift store at Aztec Ruins National Monument .

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Your ticket for the: Historic Walking Tour

Historic walking tour.

20 BEST Aztec & Mayan Ruins in Mexico (+ Map)

By: Author Stefania Guglielmi

Posted on Last updated: March 11, 2024

Categories Mexico , North America

A must-see on any trip to Mexico, the remains of these once-powerful cities will amaze you! Check out this guide to the best Aztec and Mayan ruins in Mexico.

They say that History is told by winners . That’s a controversial term, but among the Spanish-speaking towns of Mexico (the language of the conquerors), there are many other voices. Many stories waiting to be told : The stories of the ones who lost.

Colossal pyramids, sacred temples, and beautiful palaces covered in art rise strongly, waiting to reclaim (and retell) history.

If you’re planning to go to Mexico, I bet visiting at least one of the many archeological sites and Mexico ruins is on your list. And if it’s not, then it definitely should be!

From the cliffs of beach-side Tulum to the deep green of the southern jungles, Mexico is a treasure trove of wonders , both historical and natural.

The Mayans and Aztecs, along with other Mesoamerican civilizations, once dominated present-day Mexico and Central America. Now, the remains of their cities are scattered all over the country , and it’s something to behold.

Each site has something unique to offer . From Mayan ruins in the jungle to the possibility of climbing ancient temples in Mexico, and looking over the turquoise Caribbean Sea… There is something for everyone.

Here you’ll find my list of the best Aztec and Mayan ruins of Mexico . Good luck picking which one you’d like to visit the most!

But first, where are the Mayan ruins located? They are pretty much all over Mexico, so check out the map below to have a clearer picture in your head. It will help you when navigating the long list.

Table of Contents

MAP OF MAYAN RUINS IN MEXICO

Check out the Mayan ruins map for the location of the most important pyramids in Mexico.

Ok, now let’s get to it, shall we?

9 TOP AZTEC & MAYAN RUINS IN MEXICO

Chichen itza.

The ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza is one of the greatest archaeological sites in the Americas. It’s also the most famous of the Mexican Mayan ruins!

Undoubtedly one of the biggest tourist attractions in Mexico , it receives millions (yes, millions) of visitors each year.

After all, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and in 2017, it was listed as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World . We all recognize the famous step pyramid that dominates all the photos, but what exactly is Chichen Itza?

Located in the jungles of the Yucatan region, near the colonial town of Valladolid , Chichen Itza was an important Mayan city. It’s also the largest archaeological ruin of that civilization.

A major political, religious, and cultural center in the empire, it was also a site of pilgrimage for more than 1,000 years. It’s often compared to sacred pilgrimage sites such as Jerusalem or Meca.

The name Chichen Itza means “at the mouth of the well of the Itza.” The Itza were an ethnic group of Mayans who had risen to power . The well in the name refers to a nearby cenote that was considered sacred and where rituals were conducted.

The city’s importance in the Mayan world is undisputed, but what is unclear is why it went into decline and was later abandoned. Or when.

In any case, it remains an active archaeological site and one of the biggest centers of pre-Columbian life in Central America.

The site was abandoned for a long time, but now most of the ancient structures have been restored. With towering temples, a Mayan ball court , and impressive monuments it’s most definitely worth a visit on your trip to Mexico.

READ ALSO : Visiting Chichen Itza, Mexico | A Complete Guide

If you would like to visit the Mayan ruins in Chichen Itza with someone else doing the organizing, here are some tour options:

➤ To kill three birds with one stone, this Chichen Itza, Cenote and Valladolid All-Inclusive Tour is a great option. You’ll explore Chichen Itza with a guide, then visit Valladolid, and cap the day with a swim in a sacred cenote. Pick-up from the Riviera Maya is included. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ If you’re coming from Valladolid and would rather get to Chichen Itza on your own, I recommend you at least get a Chichen Itza Skip-the-Line Ticket . (Millions of visitors, remember?) ➥ BUY TICKETS

Chichen Itza Opening Hours : Daily from 8 AM to 5 PM. Closest city to Chichen Itza : Valladolid (44 km / 27 miles away)

Southern Mexico is a region of wonders. Tucked away in the deep green of the Chiapas jungle, Palenque is another major archaeological site. It lures tourists for its historical importance and natural surroundings.

Once a bustling city and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Palenque had connections with other big centers such as Chichen Itza or Tikal.

The city was in full bloom during the 7 th century AD . Just like most of the ancient sites of Mayan civilization, it started to fall into decline and was eventually abandoned.

The constructions were overgrown by the jungle and not discovered again until 1746.

Home to some of the most incredible Mayan temples in Mexico, it’s believed that only about 10% of the site has been uncovered . According to archaeologists, there could be a thousand more structures left to be found in the jungle.

You can climb most of the buildings and get amazing views of the site and its surroundings. Think lush green jungle, rivers, waterfalls… It is worth staying a couple of days and chill in nature!

Even though they are the most important Mayan ruins in Chiapas , the thing about Palenque is that it’s in a remote location . It’s nowhere near the big tourist routes!

It will take you some time (and determination) to get there. But don’t be put off by this, Palenque is worth your time .

There is a small airport in the town of Villahermosa (2 hours from Palenque), but not many flights are available. You ‘ ll probably be arriving by bus or car if you have rented one.

READ ALSO : A Day Trip to Palenque, Misol Ha, and Agua Azul Waterfalls

From Cancun, it takes an overnight bus to get there (around 13 hours). It’s around 5 hours from Campeche and 8 hours from Merida.

The nearest tourist town is San Cristobal de las Casas , but still expect a few hours’ drive on a pretty bad road full of potholes.

There are places to stay and restaurants in Palenque town (7 km from the ruins), or you can take an organized tour from San Cristobal de las Casas.

➤ This Chiapas: Agua Azul, Misol-Ha & Palenque Tour is a good option. You’ll be picked up from your accommodation in San Cristobal, and taken on a day trip to the ruins. You’ll also get to see the nature around it, including the gorgeous waterfalls of Agua Azul and Misol-Ha. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Palenque Archaeological Site Opening Hours : Daily from 8 AM to 4.30 PM. Closest city to Palenque : Palenque / Villahermosa (144 km / 89.5 miles away) / San Cristobal de las Casas (213 km / 132 miles)

Tulum Ruins

Ah, Tulum. Who doesn’t love Tulum ? Once a hidden spot, it has become a gem in the Mayan Riviera . This is partly because of its proximity to Playa del Carmen, its turquoise waters, and world-class beaches.

But there’s more to Tulum than sand , sea, and sunshine.

Next to Chichen Itza, the Mayan Ruins of Tulum are one of the most popular tourist attractions and ancient Mayan sites in the Yucatan Peninsula. They’re also the best ruins in Riviera Maya.

Built as a seaport fortress on a steep ocean cliff , the ruins consist of large and thick limestone walls and brick buildings. The walls, which gave the city its name, protected it from the East.

El Castillo (The Castle) is the main pyramid at the heart of the site, and it used to serve as an ancient lighthouse .

Directly across El Castillo , you have the Temple of the Frescoes, the most well-preserved building. It has fascinating, intact murals worth checking out!

Unlike other archeological sites, the Mayan ruins in Tulum, Mexico are unique because they’re on a cliff overlooking the ocean . This makes it arguably the most picturesque Mayan ruins in the Yucatan peninsula, or even in the country!

READ ALSO : Tulum Ruins: A Complete Guide

➤ If you’re staying in Cancun or Playa del Carmen, check out this Viator Exclusive: Tulum Ruins, Reef Snorkeling, Cenote and Caves . It includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, entrance to the Tulum ruins, snorkeling on a coral reef, and swimming in a cenote. It doesn’t get any better than this! ➥ BOOK IT NOW

➤ If, on the other hand, you would rather visit these Riviera Maya ruins independently, you can get the Mayan Ruins of Tulum Entrance Tickets here. ➥ BUY TICKETS

Tulum Archaeological Site Opening Hours : Daily from 8 AM to 5 PM. Closest city to Tulum Archaeological Site : Tulum (8 km / 5 miles away), Playa del Carmen (64 km / 40 miles away)

Monte Alban

Monte Alban was one of the earliest cities in Mesoamerica , and it’s the most important archaeological site in the Valley of Oaxaca . It was home to the Zapotec civilization and a big socio-political center for over 1,000 years, between 500 BC and 800 AD.

The site is wide and open, a pleasure to walk around, and less crowded than other ruins in Mexico. It is located on a flattened mountaintop, so it’s not only great to go back in history, but also to enjoy spectacular views .

You’ll get to see the surrounding mountains and valleys, as well as Oaxaca and other smaller towns.

Back then, this elevated position allowed the government to look over its citizens and territory . Just like Chichen Itza, Monte Alban was also added as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

The Zapotecs were influenced by other civilizations, like the Aztecs and the Mayas. You can see that in the temples and tombs with hieroglyphic inscriptions, and the ball courts.

And, in case you were wondering, yes, there is a pyramid and yes, you can climb it! You will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the surroundings if you go all the way up. Definitely worth it.

At the entrance of the site, there is a small museum, a restaurant, and clean bathrooms. Monte Alban is around 4.3 miles from the center of Oaxaca City . It can be reached by a local bus (15-20 minutes), taxi, or as part of a tour.

➤ For all the fun and none of the hassle, choose this Monte Alban half-day Tour. It will pick you up and drop you off in Oaxaca, and take you to Monte Alban by the hand of a local bilingual guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

READ ALSO : 9 Oaxaca Tours Not to Miss

Monte Alban Opening Hours : Daily from 8 AM to 5 PM. Closest city to Monte Alban : Oaxaca (7 km / 4.3 miles)

READ ALSO : 9 Incredible Things To Do in Oaxaca

There are two big advantages of visiting the Mayan ruins of Coba . For starters, they’re not nearly as crowded as the other ruins in Mexico. And secondly, climbing to the top of the pyramid is still allowed. Yesssss!

Now that I have your attention, let me tell you a bit more about the place. This site is deep in the jungle between Tulum and Valladolid , making it a little more “remote” than others, hence the lack of tourists.

It is still only a 45-minute drive from Tulum and easy to access , so there’s no excuse to miss it.

Coba was an incredibly important city in Mayan times, and it differs from others in that it was not a single site. It was rather a collection of settlements connected to the main pyramid by over 50 stone pathways known as “ sacbes ” (white roads).

The area is still largely unexcavated and structures are very well preserved, with nature still growing wild around it.

The sites cover an area of around 30 square miles, so it’s a great opportunity to walk around from one structure to the next under the green canopy.

Renting a bicycle is also a popular choice among tourists, and it will make for a pleasant ride among the ruins and the jungle.

The pyramid in Coba is one of the few remaining Mayan pyramids in Mexico that you can still climb . So don’t waste your time and visit, as it’s likely to change if tourism increases.

READ ALSO : A Guide to the Coba Ruins, Mexico

The largest pyramid in Coba is called Ixmoja , and it’s also the tallest pyramid in Yucatan at 42 meters tall (137 feet). It takes 120 steps to reach the top.

It is a steep climb, I warn you , and the descent might be even more complicated than the way up! Luckily, there is a rope in the middle to help you, but don’t try to climb if you’re not in decent shape or feel unsure for whatever reason. It could be dangerous.

Having said that, the views from up there are unbeatable and totally worth the effort. There are ruins and the deep green of the jungle as far as the eye can see.

➤ For an amazing day trip I recommend this Tulum and Coba: Full-Day Archaeological Tour with Lunch . It will take you to both Coba and the Tulum Archeological Site, and you’ll get the chance to swim in 2 different cenotes. Pick-up and lunch are included. Worth every penny! ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Coba Opening Hours : Daily from 8 AM to 5 PM. Closest city to Coba : Tulum (47.6 km / 29.5 miles)

READ ALSO: 11 Unmissable Day Trips from Tulum

People seem to rave more about the Uxmal ruins than Chichen Itza, claiming it’s the prettiest Mayan archaeological site in Mexico .

Indeed, this impressive site used to be the most powerful Mayan city in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula along with Chichen Itza. Because the latter is very close to the big resort towns, however, Uxmal has been relegated to second place by tourists.

If anything, this at least means smaller crowds , which is always good news.

The layout of the city is not geometrical as in other Mayan cities in Mexico. Instead, it’s adapted to the hilly terrain , and it is also believed to be based on astronomical phenomena.

The structures at Uxmal are also considered to be some of the best examples of Mayan art and architecture . Without question, the most impressive and visually imposing structure on the site is the Pyramid of the Magician .

The smooth curved design and the excellent state of preservation make this 35-meter-high structure jaw-dropping.

The Uxmal archaeological site is the most important Mayan ruin near Merida , and the road is peaceful and well-maintained. It makes for a very pleasant day trip.

Once you’re done visiting the ruins, there are many cenotes in the area you can visit to cool off after a busy morning!

READ ALSO : How to Get from Cancun to Merida

➤ Check out this Tour to Uxmal, Cenote & Kabah from Merida to visit with a professional guide. You’ll visit the ruins of Uxmal, and the spectacular site of Kabah before relaxing in a beautiful cenote. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Uxmal Opening Hours : Daily from 8 AM to 5 PM. Closest city to Uxmal : Merida (80 km / 49.7 miles)

Teotihuacan

Teotihuacan is the most visited tourist attraction and probably the most striking of the ancient ruins in Mexico. A fascinating archaeological site today, in its golden period (between the 1st and 7th centuries AD) it was one of the largest cities in the Americas.

The history of Teotihuacan is shrouded in mystery . Historians and archaeologists alike keep scratching their heads and trying to figure out who built the city , what for, and why it went to its demise.

There are many mysteries unsolved, but one thing is certain: Teotihuacan has to be on your list of places to visit in Mexico. It’s only a mere 25 miles (40 km) from Mexico City .

The entire city spans a total land area of 13 square kilometers. In fact, nearly all of the people in the Valley of Mexico lived in ancient Teotihuacan. You should plan around 2 or 3 hours for your visit, as there’s a lot of ground to cover.

The city was named UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 . Teotihuacan is composed of thousands of pyramids and residential compounds.

The pyramids (which are also temples) that can be found on this site are so massive that they are often compared to the pyramids of Egypt.

Probably the most famous (and certainly the largest) structure in Teotihuacan is the Pyramid of the Sun. Also known as Temple of the Sun, it dominates the landscape.

The good news? You can climb it. The bad news? It’s pretty tall! (65 meters /213 feet). But don’t worry, once you see it, excitement will take over and give you the strength to climb. I mean, see the view from up there!

I could go all day about how amazing this city is, but it’s better if you just go and check it out by yourself!

➤ To get an extra taste (quite literally) of Mexican culture, check out this Teotihuacan Early Access Tour with Tequila Tasting . It includes pick-up from and drop-off at Mexico City, a visit to the ruins, and tequila. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ If you would rather go on your own, I recommend getting your Teotihuacan Tickets in advance, it will save you time! ➥ BUY TICKETS

➤ Now, do you want a once-in-a-lifetime experience? This Hot Air Balloon Flight over Teotihuacan will provide. You will get to admire Teotihuacan and the surrounding valley from the air. A magical experience, to say the least, and one of the cheapest hot air balloon rides you will find anywhere. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

READ ALSO : 17 Best Tours from Mexico City

Teotihuacan Opening Hours : Daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. Closest city to Teotihuacan : Mexico City (48 km / 30 miles)

The ruins at Cholula, better known as the Great Pyramid of Cholula, are a massive archaeological complex near Puebla . This site is recognized as the largest archaeological site of a pyramid in the New World, as well as the largest pyramid in existence.

Yes, you read that right! Even if it’s only 55 meters in height, it cannot compete with the Giza Pyramid; the Great Pyramid of Cholula is much, much larger in volume. Its base covers 450 meters… on each side . It’s the biggest pyramid in all of the Americas.

When the Spaniards arrived, they, unfortunately, pillaged the city and built a church on top . To this day, the Iglesia de los Remedios is still perched on the hilltop and worth a visit too.

The views from the top are fantastic, with the imposing (and slightly scary) Popocatépetl volcano in the background.

As with other archaeological sites in Mexico, much is still unknown about it. The pyramid seems to have been constructed for the god Quetzalcoatl and functioned as a temple. Its style and history are closely linked to the pyramids in Teotihuacan.

Getting to Cholula town from Puebla is easy. In fact, there’s a tourist train that will take you there for free . Yes, for free. You can check the schedule here (in Spanish).

You can also hop on one of the many local colectivos that connect the towns all day long. The Cholula Pyramid site is within the town limits, so just look for the hill with the big church at the top!

READ ALSO : How to Get from Mexico City to Puebla

➤ If you’d like to visit on a day trip from Mexico City, join this Puebla, Cholula & Tonantzintla Day Trip . You’ll have the chance to explore the UNESCO-listed city of Puebla and wander around the Cholula archaeological site with a guide. A visit to the Tonantzintla church is included. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Cholula Opening Hours : Tuesday to Saturday from 9 AM to 5.30 PM. Closest city to Cholula : Puebla (11.3 km / 7 miles)

If you’re looking for something that is accessible in the Yucatan Peninsula but still off the beaten path, then the Mayan ruins at Ek Balam are for you.

This site is very close to Valladolid and not far from Chichen Itza either, and it makes for a great stop on a road trip around the area.

Ek Balam is Mayan for “black jaguar” and it’s kind of a newcomer in the Mayan Ruins scene. Restoration only began in 1997, so it’s still not well-known by tourists.

You will appreciate the quiet, and the gorgeous views from the top of the pyramid. Yes, you can actually climb it, as opposed to what happens in most Mayan ruins in Mexico.

The site is composed of more than 40 structures , including several temples, two palaces, a pyramid, and a ball court. Even then, it’s still largely unexcavated, with only 1 square mile (out of the site’s 12 square miles) open to the public.

Its highly decorated structures and the presence of a defensive wall set Ek Balam apart from other ruins in the area. Everyone who visits keeps raving about how beautiful and well-preserved it is, so go now before it gets famous !

This ancient city is a fantastic site to delve into Mayan culture.

➤ The Rio Lagartos – Ek Balam from Valladolid is a 10-hour excursion. You’ll visit the biosphere reserve of Rio Lagartos, and be dazzled by the pink lakes of Las Coloradas. Meet the local flamingos, and then explore the ruins of Ek Balam. All transfers, a guide, and lunch are included. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

➤ If you’re staying in Cancun or the Riviera Maya, choose the Ek Balam Majestic Mayan Ruins and Cenote Tour . You’ll visit the ruins with a guide, discovering Mayan history and the pyramids’ restoration efforts. Then, relax in a nearby cenote and witness a Mayan ceremony. A buffet lunch is included. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Ek Balam Opening Hours : Daily from 8 AM to 5 PM. Closest city to Ek Balam : Valladolid (28 km / 17.3 miles)

11 OFF THE BEATEN PATH MAYAN RUINS IN MEXICO

The most famous ruins in Mexico, like Chichen Itza and Teotihuacan, have undoubtedly earned their reputation. Visiting them should definitely be on your list!

But if you want to avoid crowds and boast in front of your friends about how you visited a lesser-known side of Mexico , then this is your chance.

These are the best off-the-beaten-path Mayan ruins in Mexico.

Muyil Archaeological Site

Here’s a great chance to see not only Mayan ruins without the crowds but also the huge Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. Muyil is a part of this reserve, which I HIGHLY recommend visiting .

The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is an area of sublime natural beauty and one of the most ecologically diverse places on Earth . Many people stop in Muyil as part of their visit to Sian Ka’an, but I’ll go back to that in a minute.

Muyil is a small, very lush archaeological site near Tulum . It receives few visitors, which gives it a magical feeling.

Also known as Chunyaxché, Muyil was one of the earliest Mayan settlements on the Caribbean Coast, dating as far back as 300 BC. (This is centuries before sites like Chichen Itza or Uxmal were established!) It remained inhabited right until the Spanish invasion.

Near the site, there is a gorgeous lagoon , which is already on Sian Ka’an’s grounds. To get there, look for the wooden boardwalk to the north. It will lead you into the jungle, walking over areas with fresh cenote water, and then right into the lagoon.

It’s a very peaceful experience, and has chances of being one of the highlights of your visit . To get into this part of the site, you’ll need to pay a small fee of 70 MXN (around USD 4).

➤ The Sian Ka’an and Muyil Archaeological Site Tour will check both sites off your list. With pick-up included from Tulum, they’ll take you through a nature trail up to the lagoon, and on a boat ride through the mangroves.

You’ll learn about the ecology of the area, explore the ruins at Muyil, and cap the day with a healthy lunch. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Muyil Opening Hours : Daily from 9 AM to 3 PM. Closest city to Muyil : Tulum (23 km / 14.2 miles)

El Meco Ruins

In the middle of the wild but still a stone’s throw from Cancun, you will find El Meco Archaeological Site. Opened to the public very recently, it is a small and very well-preserved site .

El Meco was an important trading point in Mayan times , but still depended on Coba for survival. From the top of the temple (which is the highest of the Cancun pyramids), you can see the Caribbean Sea all the way out to Isla Mujeres.

El Meco is believed to have been both a port for sea trade and a sort of lighthouse and vantage point for incoming ships. The views from the pyramid are incredible ; you can get a view not only of the sea but also of the jungle and all of Cancun’s lagoons.

Going to El Meco makes for a relaxing visit. It is barely outside of Cancun , so it’s very easy to get there (a local bus will drop you off), and it’s very quiet and full of trees . It’s a good option to visit with your kids.

There aren’t many notable pyramids near Cancun , so if you are in the area and have little time for ruins, this site is definitely worth checking out!

El Meco Opening Hours : Daily from 8 AM to 5 PM. Last access is at 4 PM. Closest city to El Meco : Cancun (9 km / 5.5 miles)

READ ALSO : 41 Fun Things To Do in Cancun

For the most adventurous types , Calakmul is the real deal. Yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Calakmul is located deep in the jungle around Campeche, near the border with Guatemala.

For obvious reasons, not many tourists venture this far, but those who do will get their reward. This site is a real gem !

Calakmul u sed to be the capital of a kingdom that included many other settlements. When it was still a thriving community, around 50,000 people lived there.

The kingdom of Calakmul had a big rivalry and fought constantly with Tikal . Around 700 AD, the latter won, which led to Calakmul’s collapse and eventual abandonment.

The site today is made up of over 6,000 ancient structures , with temples, many tombs, and of course, a great pyramid at the center of it all. The pyramid is 147 feet (45 meters) high, making it one of the highest Mayan structures!

Climb the pyramid and you will get unbelievable views of the site and the surrounding jungle, which is part of a Biosphere Reserve.

Granted, it takes determination (and time) to get here. But if you dare to go off the beaten track, this is a fantastic opportunity to have a site almost completely to yourself .

Calakmul Opening Hours : Daily from 8 AM to 5 PM. Closest city to Calakmul : Xpujil (116 km / 72 miles), Campeche (276 km / 171 miles)

El Tajin is a pre-Columbian archaeological site located amid the rainforests of Veracruz, in the southern part of Mexico.

The El Tajin community flourished during the 600 to 1200 AD. After the fall of Teotihuacan, it became the most important city and main trade center in north-east Mesoamerica.

Just as with Teotihuacan, the history of the city is shrouded in mystery . To this day, it’s still an enigma which civilization was responsible for building it .

The site features a wide range of ancient structures including temples, pyramids, ball courts, and palaces.

The whole site is considered a masterpiece of Mesoamerican architecture . However, the structure that steals all the eyes is, without a doubt, the Pyramid of the Niches.

Standing 65 feet (20 meters) tall, this pyramid has a very unique design. It features stepped terraces that lead to the top and 365 niches stacked around its four sides. It’s believed that the niches were used as some sort of astronomical calendar.

The city saw its doom when the Aztecs started to expand and brutally took over . It then remained undiscovered until 1785, way after the Spanish invasion!

In 1992, El Tajin was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its architectural and cultural importance.

Despite its fascinating history, marvelous architecture, and beautiful surroundings, El Tajin is one of the least-visited archaeological sites in Mexico . So if you’re looking for off-the-beaten-path ruins and a good mystery story, you know what to do!

El Tajin Opening Hours : Daily from 8 AM to 5 PM. Closest city to El Tajin : Papantla (10 km / 6.2 miles) / Veracruz (248 km / 154 miles)

Next, I’m taking you to Chiapas, near the Guatemalan border, to the ancient site of Bonampak . It might not be as impressive as other Mayan sites in Mexico in terms of architectural and spatial size, but size isn’t everything.

Bonampak has something very unique to offer: the finest examples of classic Mayan frescoes .

READ ALSO : 13 Unmissable Things to do in Chiapas, Mexico

Bonampak means “painted wall” . Indeed, the site is known (and highly appreciated by archaeologists) for its murals.

These are well-preserved frescoes that offer an insight into everyday life in pre-Hispanic civilizations.

The frescoes date all the way back to 790 AD, and they are thought to have been painted in a single session each ! An impressive feat and a window into Mayan history unseen on any other site.

Only a few people can enter to see the murals at a time, and for a very limited time. At the time of writing, however, we have received comments saying that the murals are not open to the public, so do check this before you go .

It is possible to get there from San Cristobal de las Casas, but it’s better to go from Palenque . Going on a tour is also a good idea since it can be a complicated part of the country to navigate.

Bonampak Opening Hours : Daily from 8 AM to 5 PM. Closest city to Bonampak : Palenque (146 km / 90.7 miles) / San Cristobal de las Casas (338 km / 210 miles)

Edzná

Only an hour-long bus ride from Campeche, the ruins of Edzna make for a perfect one-day trip . It’s hard to compete with ruins the size of Chichen Itza or Uxmal, but really, it’s difficult to believe that hardly anyone visits these ruins !

The good news? You might have the whole place for yourself ! Quite literally! (not counting the iguanas, of course).

Edzná is believed to have been built around 400 BC and abandoned around 1500 AD for reasons not yet clear. Edzná translates as “House of the Itzás” or “Place of the Itzás”, as in… you guessed it: Chichen Itzá.

“Itzá” itself was a term designated to refer to the people of that area in general . It could have also been a powerful family that lived there before moving to (or maybe founding?) Chichen Itzá.

Since the surroundings lack a water source, Edzna had elaborate underground systems to store rainwater.

The site also contains a central plaza, a big palace, and a gorgeous 5-level pyramid that is 50 meters (165 ft) high ! They used to allow tourists to climb the pyramid but unfortunately, it’s not possible anymore.

There is a light and sound show on the site that is worth seeing. The pyramids are illuminated in different colors to recall the splendor of the Mayan times. The show takes place from Thursday to Sunday at 8 PM in the summer and 7 PM in the winter.

Edzná Opening Hours : Daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. Closest city to Edzná : Campeche (52.5 km / 32.6 miles)

If you are looking for a Mayan site close to Tulum, make sure you add Chacchoben to your list of destinations.

The Chacchoben ruins are the most popular archaeological site in the south of the Yucatan Peninsula. It makes for a great day trip from Tulum or a half-day trip from Costa Maya.

Chacchoben, Mexico is an ancient Mayan settlement that dates back to 200 BC . The structures themselves, however, were probably built around 700 AD.

The site was discovered in 1946 by a local family , and this is the crazy part: this family decided to settle there! They lived in peace among the ruins until an archaeologist found the site in the early 1970s and reported it to the Government.

Restoration began in 1994 and it wasn’t until the year 2002 that the site became available for visitors to see, so it’s all pretty new! (I mean, it’s ancient but you know what I’m saying).

Today, only a portion of the site is open to the public. Many buildings are still covered in vegetation , patiently waiting to be uncovered and restored.

The site features massive platform groups and large temples, and it’s very popular with tourists from cruise ships that make a stop here.

Chacchoben Opening Hours : Daily from 8 AM to 5 PM. Closest city to Chacchoben : Costa Maya (70 km / 43.5 miles) / Tulum (169 km / 105 miles)

About 2 hours from Mexico City and once the capital of the Toltec empire , there sits Tula . The city served as an important center between the fall of Teotihuacan and the rise of Tenochtitlan.

Considerably smaller than those larger cities, what sets Tula apart is the colossal basalt statues of Toltec warriors that sit on top of one of the pyramids. These were probably dedicated to the god Quetzalcoatl.

The statues used to be columns that sustained a roof over the pyramid . They demonstrate the power and might of the Toltec warriors and civilization.

Maybe too small to warrant an entire day trip , it’s a good idea to combine your trip to Tula with a visit to another site, like Teotihuacan.

Tula Opening Hours : Daily from 9 AM to 4 PM. Closest city to Tula : Mexico City (98 km / 61 miles)

Tepoztlan (El Tepozteco)

Avid hikers, this one’s for you! This is one of the most unique Aztec ruins in Mexico.

High up in the mountains of the rainforest near Morelos, in the ancient town of Tepoztlan, you’ll find the pyramid El Tepozteco .

Dedicated to the Aztec god of Pulque, this pyramid was a kind of shrine that attracted pilgrims from far away … as far as modern-day Guatemala.

The hike up to the pyramid is nothing short of spectacular, with gorgeous waterfalls , lush vegetation , and rock formations .

Mind you, it’s a steep walk at times, with an elevation gain of 365 meters (1,200 ft) . It will kick your butt if you are not moderately fit, but the breathtaking views will make up for it!

In case that’s not enough motivation, on your way back, you’ll come down to a fantastic market with cheap, amazing homemade local food !

Bear in mind that “off the beaten path” does not necessarily mean “empty”. Even if it’s not like the big, famous Mayan ruins, this is a popular spot for locals , especially on the weekends. It can get packed!

Tepoztlan Opening Hours : Daily from 8 AM to 5 PM. Closest city to Tepoztlan : Mexico City (83 km / 51 miles)

Mitla is the second most important archeological site in Oaxaca (after Monte Alban) and the most important for the Zapotec civilization.

Mitla is a Hispanicized version of the native word Mictlan, which means “place of the dead” or “underworld”. Its Zapotec name ( Lyobaa ), however, means “place of rest”.

This is because Mitla was constructed as a sacred burial site . Its importance was religious and ceremonial rather than political, as was the case with Monte Alban. The city was still developing when the Spaniards arrived and destroyed it.

What sets Mitla apart from other sites in Mexico is the intricate mosaic fretwork in geometric designs that cover most of the structures. Tombs, panels, columns, and even entire walls feature this artistry.

The site is divided into 5 groups of structures . It’s important to bear in mind that once you go into the complex you can’t retrace your steps . Be sure to spend enough time in each section before moving on to the next one.

A small but unique site, you can see Monte Alban and Mitla in a single combined visit . They are both very close to Oaxaca.

Mitla Opening Hours : Monday to Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM. On Sunday it closes at 2 PM. Closest city to M itla : Oaxaca (43 km / 26.7 miles)

What the Mayan ruins El Rey lack in size, they make up for in convenience. This is arguably the easiest site to visit in Mexico , located right in the heart of the Hotel Zone in Cancun (no, I’m not kidding).

You won’t find any giant pyramids here, but these Mayan ruins in Quintana Roo boast more than 40 structures in different states of conservation… and lots, lots of iguanas who think they own the place (they do!)

READ ALSO : 9 Mayan Ruins near Cancun that are Easy to Visit

“El Rey” translates as “The King”. Remains were found here that were thought to have been of a king, hence the name. The theory is that El Rey was the main area of a settlement based on sea trade and fishing .

It’s a short visit but it can be a nice break from the Cancun tourist craziness! There are very nice beaches nearby and a lookout point.

El Rey Opening Hours : Daily from 8 AM to 5 PM. El Rey exact location : km 18, Kukulcán Boulevard, Cancun Zona Hotelera

And we have come to the end! That was my list of the best Aztec and Mayan ruins in Mexico , but it is by no means an exhaustive one.

Many more sites, big and small, are scattered all over the country. From the Aztec pyramids around Mexico City to the Yucatan ruins or the Mayan Chiapas ruins further south, there is a TON to see . This guide, however, should have provided you with a basic idea of what’s in store for your visit.

Now have fun planning your next trip to Mexico!

AZTEC & MAYAN RUINS IN MEXICO FAQ

There are great sites all over the country, but in general, they are in the south of Mexico, with a great majority of the most famous sites in the Yucatan Peninsula.

The Aztec temples in Mexico are mostly in what is now the Valley of Mexico, in Central Mexico. The ruins of Teotihuacan, the most visited in the country, are in this area, near Mexico City.

To be honest, there aren’t many notable ruins near Cancun. You can check out El Meco, which is modest but boasts the tallest pyramid in the area. However, for more famous, impressive ruins, head to Tulum Ruins or Chichen Itza .

Yes, the ruins are safe to visit. The sites have security and only admit people who have purchased an entrance ticket. Be careful, though, when climbing a pyramid (if allowed). They have very steep and narrow steps, so don’t attempt to climb if you’re not in good or at least decent shape.

At the time of writing, you can still climb the structures of the Mayan ruins at Coba , Uxmal, Ek Balam, El Meco, El Muyil, and Calakmul. This could change any day.

For 2 main reasons: to protect the structures (sometimes millions of tourists climb the pyramids each year, which was rapidly and severely damaging the ruins) and to prevent injuries (the climbs are steep and the weather is hot, which is not a good combination; after a fatal accident in 2006, many sites decided to forbid climbing).

There are ruins all over the country, so it really depends on which ones you want to see. Most tourists stay in the Quintana Roo or Yucatan area, since they provide a good base to get to most of the major Mayan sites. For Teotihuacan (not Mayan, though), stay in Mexico City.

No, it’s not possible to go inside the temples and other structures.

Yes, yes and yes. Try and visit at least one site during your trip to Mexico!

The three best ruins near Playa del Carmen are Chichen Itza , Tulum Ruins , and Coba .

You won’t find any Mayan ruins, as the area of Mexico City was inhabited by the Aztecs and other civilizations. However, the Teotihuacan pyramids are really impressive and should 100% be on your Mexico City itinerary !

The Mayans are mainly known for their stepped pyramids, ceremonial complexes, and observatories. The Aztec sites also have pyramids, but they’re very distinctive for having twin temples at the top.

Stefania Guglielmi is the founder of Every Steph. Originally from Bologna, Italy, she's been traveling full-time since 2016 and has visited over 50 countries across 6 continents. She believes sustainable travel and luxury travel can go hand in hand and has been advocating for responsible tourism since 2014. Stefania's advice and travel experiences have been featured in important publications such as Business Insider, Refinery29, and Yahoo Money.

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The Travel Blog of a Culture Addict

9 BEST Aztec Ruins In Mexico City That You’ll Love

Last Updated on December 22, 2023 by Soumya

Where are the best Aztec ruins in Mexico City ?

This is a question that my friends and readers often ask me when I talk about Aztec sites in Mexico. I can talk nonstop about ancient Mexican civilizations, by the way!

The truth is Mexico City Aztec ruins are everywhere – both inside the city right in the middle of downtown and outside Mexico City in the far-flung areas of Yautepec and Malinalco.

We are going to talk about both kinds of Mexico City ruins in this article

But I will be focusing, in detail, on the Tenochtitlan ruins in Mexico City downtown and the Tlatelolco ruins near Mexico City borders since these are the most visited Aztec temples in CDMX.

We will also talk about the Teotihuacan ruins in Mexico City and debate whether they are Aztec at all.

Plus, you will also discover some old, obscure Aztec sites in Mexico City with names too hard to pronounce but charms too hard to miss.

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link on this post. This will be at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links help me keep this website up and running. Thanks for your support!

Table of Contents

Best Aztec Ruins in Mexico City

Aztec Ruins of Tenochtitlan in Mexico City

Short on time but want to see some Aztec ruins in Mexico City quickly? No worries. We have you covered.

One of Mexico’s most important Aztec ruins Mexico City has is located right in the middle of downtown Mexico City , near the Zocalo. Yes, here you’ll find the remains of the ancient Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan.

An interesting thing about the Aztec Empire is that they built their sprawling capital city in the 14th century by filling up Lake Texcoco. It was called Tenochtitlan.

Connected by canals and bridges, Tenochtitlan became an important trading hub and key to Aztec prosperity.

A few centuries later, Spanish conquistadors came and razed the city to the ground. They built their new capital, Mexico City, on the rubble of ancient Tenochtitlan.

So, if you ask me if Mexico City was built on Aztec ruins? Yes, it was.

Today, the ancient Aztec ruins that can be found in the middle of Mexico City are those of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital.

Top Attractions at the Tenochtitlan Aztec Ruins Mexico City

The remnants of Tenochtitlan are mostly in ruins today. But you can learn a lot from the Tenochtitlan tourist attractions which include a temple, a skull rack, several murals, and a couple of museums.

• One of the highlights is the Aztec Temple Tenochtitlan once had. It was called the Templo Mayor or the Main Temple and was an important religious center of the Aztecs.
• There were two shrines on top of the pyramid – one dedicated to Tlaloc, the God of Rain, and the other to Huitzilopochtli, the God of War.
• The pyramid is lined with structures of snakes, a common imagery in Mesoamerican cultures. You’ll also see some frogs at the Altar of the Toads.
• The skull rack or the Tzompantli is the latest discovery showing a significant connection between the Mayans in Yucatan and the Aztecs of Central Mexico .
• You’ll also see some colorful murals on site which give you an idea of Aztec festivities and celebrations.
• The Tenochtitlan Archeological Site is home to two museums – a smaller one at the entrance and a bigger one at the exit. They are called the Templo Mayor museums. I loved both museums because they tell you a lot about Aztec history, culture, and rituals.
• Be sure to check out the double pyramid model, the platform of skulls, and a huge disk depicting Coyolxauhqui, an Aztec Goddess inside the museum.

Practical information for visiting Tenochtitlan Aztec Ruins from Mexico City

• Distance from Mexico City: miles 0 miles (It is located right in the center of Mexico City)
• Time taken to reach there: 0 minutes
• Opening hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Tuesday through Sunday ( Official Website )
• Best way to get there: Metro to Zocalo station and then walk
• Recommended guided tours: Private Tour to Templo Mayor in CDMX
• Highlights: Ruins of Double Pyramid, Skull Rack, and Templo Mayor Museum which is a treasure house of Aztec artifacts

Tips for Visiting Tenochtitlan Ruins

• You need to buy a ticket to explore the ruins and the museum. Buy it at the Templo Mayor ticket counter or purchase a skip-the-line ticket here .
• I have visited the Tenochtitlan ruins a few times. But I learned the most when I explored it with a local tour guide on this highly-rated private tour of Templo Mayor .
• Walking tours of the Historic Center usually cover the ruins from the outside. Here’s a great, budget-friendly walking tour that has the best reviews in the market.
• You can see a fair bit of the Tenochtitlan ruins from the plaza outside. However, if you’re really interested in doing a deep dive into Aztec history, I highly recommend going inside and checking out the museums. Also, the Tzompantli and the frescoes are not visible from the plaza.

✦ Pro Tip : Visiting downtown Mexico City? Check out our guide on the 20 best things to do in the Historic Center .

Teotihuacan Ruins of Mexico City

Teotihuacan is one of the most visited ancient ruins near Mexico City.

But is it really Aztec? No! Read on to find out.

If you have time to visit just one ancient ruin in Mexico , be sure to check out the famous pyramids of Teotihuacan . Located just an hour away from Mexico City, this ancient city in Mexico holds many secrets and mysteries.

Top Attractions at the Mexican ruins of Teotihuacan

• Teotihuacan, one of Mexico’s impressive UNESCO heritage sites , is home to 3 massive pyramids – Pyramids of the Sun, the Moon, and the Feathered Serpent. All of them are aligned along a 1.5-mile-long walkway known as The Avenue of the Dead.
• The pyramids are no longer open to climbing but they still inspire awe after thousands of years of being built.
• Teotihuacan is also home to stunning. 2,000+ years old murals at the Palace of Butterflies, Mural Museum, and Tepantitla complex.

✦ Pro Tip : If you’re planning to visit the Teotihuacan Pyramids, be sure to check out our complete guide on planning the best day trip to Teotihuacan from Mexico City .

Practical information for visiting Teotihuacan Aztec Ruins from Mexico City

• Distance from Mexico City: 30 miles (48.5kms)
• Time taken to reach there: 1 – 1.5 hours
• Opening hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday through Sunday ( Official Website )
• Best way to get there: Bus to Teotihuacan from Norte Terminal
• Recommended guided tours: Teotihuacan early access tour with Tequila tasting
• Highlights: Massive Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon, offbeat Aztec Mural tour, Hot air balloon ride .

Are the ruins of Teotihuacan in Mexico City Aztec?

When we look for famous Aztec pyramids, Mexico City searches often throw up Teotihuacan at the top. But that is so wrong.

Teotihuacan is not an Aztec site! It was never built by the Aztecs. The Aztecs only discovered Teotihuacan in the 1300s.

The truth is that Teotihuacan was established a long time ago, around 100 BCE, by a group of people called the Teotihuacanos.

Teotihuacan was abandoned in the 700s and the Teotihuacanos vanished without a trace making it one of the biggest mysteries ever!

✦ Pro Tip : For more incredible facts, read our post on 14 interesting facts about Teotihuacan .

Tlatelolco Aztec Ruins Mexico

Another Aztec site in Mexico City is the infamous archeological site of Tlatelolco . It is located on the Plaza of Three Cultures in the Cuauhtemoc borough of Mexico City.

This place is called the Plaza of Three Cultures because here, you will see 3 stages of Mexican history rolled into one.

You will wander through the ancient Aztec ruins of Tlatelolco and explore old colonial buildings in the backdrop of modern Mexican architecture. It is almost as if three eras of Mexican history have come together at this plaza.

Even though Tlatelolco is home to a historically significant Mexican ruin , it came into the limelight in 1968 when the Mexican Armed Forces fired relentlessly at a crowd demonstrating against the Olympics of 1968 to be held in Mexico City.

It was brutal and nearly 400 people were killed. The event was termed the “ Tlatelolco Massacre “. Read all about the Tlatelolco Massacre here .

Practical information for visiting Tlatelolco Aztec Ruins from Mexico City

• Distance from Mexico City Center: 2.5 miles (4km)
• Time taken to reach there: 15 minutes
• Opening hours: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm, Tuesday through Sunday
• Best way to get there: Mexico City Metrobus and Metro
• Recommended guided tours: Full-day Guided Day Trip of Tlatelolco and Teotihuacan
• Highlights: Meeting of 3 cultures at Plaza de las Tres Culturas.

Xochimilco – An Unusual Aztec Site in Mexico City

If you’d like to see some unusual Aztec ruins in Mexico City , head to the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco .

Located in the southern part of Mexico City, Xochimilco’s Floating Gardens or chinampas are manmade islands that were built by the Aztecs over 700 years ago.

In the absence of cultivable land, the Aztecs used these artificial islands to grow their crops.

Even today, these islands continue to feed us apart from being a colorful tourist attraction.

Technically, they are the only still-functional remnants of Tenochtitlan and the last vestiges of the Aztec Empire in Mexico.

A tad bit unusual, but the Aztec site of Xochimilco is definitely worth exploring.

Practical information for visiting Xochimilco Aztec Site from Mexico City

• Distance from Mexico City Center: 15 miles (25km)
• Time taken to reach there: 45 minutes
• Opening hours: Sunrise – Late in the evening, Monday through Sunday
• Best way to get there: Tren Ligero
• Recommended guided tours: Xochimilco, Coyoacan and Frida Kahlo Museum Tour
• Highlights: Trajinera ride, Island of Dolls, Breakfast on the Chinampas.

📖 Related Read : Visiting Xochimilco? Check out our complete guide on 10 epic things to do in Xochimilco besides the floating gardens.

Best Aztec Ruins near Mexico City

Aztec ruins of tenayuca.

The ancient city of Tenayuca is interesting because it has a more complex and layered history than the rest.

Tenayuca was founded by the Chichimec tribe of Mesoamerica in the 13th century. Aztecs conquered it in the 14th century and built Aztec temples here.

Tenayuca is special because this is where the unique Aztec double pyramids were born.

Remember the double pyramid temple at Tenochtitlan that no longer exists? The style originated right here in Tenayuca.

In Tenayuca, you can see a massive Aztec pyramid with twin temples on the top . They are dedicated to the Aztec Gods of Rain (Tlaloc) and War (Huitzilopochtli).

At the base of the pyramid, you will see a series of stone serpent walls, probably inspired by the Toltecs in Central Mexico. There are so many snake sculptures here that the Spanish gave the city the name Tenayuca or the “City of Serpents” when they arrived here.

Practical information for visiting Tenayuca Aztec Ruins from Mexico City

• Distance from Mexico City: 9 miles (14kms)
• Time taken to reach there: 30 – 40 minutes
• Opening hours: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Tuesday through Sunday
• Highlights: Double pyramid similar to the one that once existed in Tenochtitlan and a series of serpent walls at the base of the pyramid.

Teopanzolco Ruins near Mexico City

Located in the state of Morelos within the modern city of Cuernavaca , Teopanzolco is one of the smallest Aztec sites in Mexico.

Founded in the early 14th century by the Tlahuicas tribe, Teopanzolco was absorbed into the Aztec Empire following an invasion in 1427 CE.

The name “Teopanzolco” means “Place of the Old Temple” and comes from the Nahuatl language.

Tlahuicas built the first pyramid or the old pyramid here more than 800 years ago. The Aztecs built a new Aztec pyramid over the older one in the 15th century.

The Aztec ruins of Teopanzolco are mostly in ruins apart from the city center which has been adequately restored.

At the city center, you will see the Great Platform or Building 1 which once housed twin temples dedicated to Aztec Rain and War Gods. There are several other buildings which are mostly ceremonial platforms that face different directions.

Practical information for visiting Teopanzolco Aztec Ruins from Mexico City

• Distance from Mexico City: 54 miles (87 kms)
• Time taken to reach there: 1hr 45minutes
• Opening hours: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday through Sunday ( Official Website )
• Highlights: Combination of Tlahuicas and Aztec architectural styles of which Aztec is dominant.

Tepozteco Archaeological Site

El Tepozteco is another fascinating Aztec ruin in Mexico dating back 600+ years.

Tepozteco was once an Aztec pilgrimage center for people all over Mesoamerica. It drew pilgrims from as far as Guatemala who came all the way to hike this Mexico Aztec pyramid.

The Aztec ruins of Tepozteco feature a small shrine dedicated to Tepoztecatl, God of Fertility and Pulque – a popular pre-Hispanic-era alcoholic beverage in Mexico.

The temple that lies on the top of a hill is small with two separate rooms, one of which is an inner sanctum. On-site, you will also see reliefs with carvings dating from the 15th and 16th centuries.

The pyramid of Tepozteco overlooks the pretty town of Tepoztlan which is filled with local cultural delights including a vibrant street market selling all kinds of traditional Mexican souvenirs .

Tepoztlan is also famous as a spiritual retreat filled with Aztec steam baths, and rejuvenation programs.

Practical information for visiting Tepozteco Aztec Ruins from Mexico City

• Distance from Mexico City: 52 miles (83 kms)
• Time taken to reach there: 1.5 – 2 hours
• Opening hours: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, Wednesday through Sunday ( Official Website )
• Recommended guided tours: Magical Tepoztlan and Tepozteco Tour
• Highlights: The shrine of Tepozteco and the beautiful town of Tepoztlan

Yautepec Aztec Ruins Mexico

Yautepec is one of the lesser-known Mexico City Aztec ruins located in the state of Morelos. It is just a couple of hours from CDMX, making it an easy side trip from Mexico City .

One of Mexico’s smaller Aztec sites, Yautepec sees far fewer visitors than the massive ruins of Teotihuacan.

The name “Yautepec” translates to “on the hill of the Yauhtli – a yellow wild plant”. Tlauhuicas, an ethnic Aztec group that mostly lived in the state of Morelos, inhabited the city of Yautepec.

The archaeological site of Yautepec is a small one complete with a Royal Palace of Yautepec and several excavated houses.

It is free to enter . You only need to register in their visitor’s book.

Practical information for visiting Yautepec Aztec Ruins from Mexico City

• Distance from Mexico City: 62 miles (100 kms)
• Opening hours: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm, Wednesday through Sunday
• Time taken to reach there: 2 hours

Malinalco Aztec Ruins Mexico City

Malinalco Archaeological Site, also referred to as Cuauhtinchan Archaeological Site, is one of the most unique Aztec ruins near Mexico City .

It is the only Aztec site to feature monolithic structures carved out of the rocky hills of Cerro de los Idolos. That makes Malinalco an unusual but wonderful day trip to ruins outside of Mexico City.

The Aztec ruins of Malinalco are not very old (built in the 15th century) but hold great cultural significance.

Aztecs built Malinalco as a ceremonial center for military and religious practices.

Existing evidence suggests that the initiation rites of Eagle and Jaguar-Ocelot warriors , the highest ranks in Aztec military order, were held in Malinalco. Be sure to look out for sculptures that represent eagles, jaguars, and war drums.

Practical information for visiting Malinalco Aztec Ruins from Mexico City

• Distance from Mexico City: 69 miles (110 kms)
• Time taken to reach there: 2.5 hours
• Opening hours: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Tuesday through Sunday.
• Highlights: Unique monolithic structures that are not found anywhere else in Mexico. I found this exceptional brochure for Malinalco which inspires me to go back again.

Interactive map for Aztec ruins in Mexico City

Mexico City Aztec Ruins FAQ

Are there still aztec ruins in mexico city.

Yes, there are plenty of Aztec ruins in Mexico City and nearby including the ruins of Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital right in the middle of the historic center. Many smaller Aztec sites such as Malinalco, Tenayuca, and Teopanzolco are located a short drive from Mexico City.

Are the Aztec pyramids in Mexico City?

Yes, the Aztec pyramids of Teotihuacan are located about 30 miles northeast of Mexico City. It takes about an hour to get to Teotihuacan from Mexico City.

Were the Aztecs located in Mexico City?

Yes, the Aztecs were located in Mexico City and the Valley of Mexico, in a broader sense. Legend has it that the Aztecs found an eagle with a snake in its beak sitting on a cactus tree right in the middle of Lake Texcoco, exactly as their gods had predicted. Then, they decided to build their capital, Tenochtitlan on Lake Texcoco which later became Mexico City.

Where is the best place to see the Aztec ruins?

Mexico City is the best place to see the Aztec ruins because there are several ruins spread all over Mexico City and nearby. Some of the most notable ones are Tenochtitlan, Teotihuacan, and Tlatelolco.

What was the purpose of the Aztec pyramids?

The Aztec pyramids were temples that usually had shrines for Aztec gods such as Tlaloc and Huitzilopochtli. Double pyramids were pretty common in the Aztec Empire and usually housed two shrines on top.

Is Mexico City built on Aztec ruins?

Yes, Mexico City was built on top of the Aztec ruins of Tenochtitlan. When Spaniards conquered the Aztec Empire in 1521, they razed the Aztec capital city to the ground and built a new capital, Mexico City over it. The same stones were used to build new buildings in some cases such as the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace .

Does Mexico have Mayan or Aztec ruins?

Mexico has both Mayan and Aztec ruins. Mayan ruins are mostly found in the Yucatan Peninsula in the east whereas Aztec ruins are concentrated in the Valley of Mexico in Central Mexico .

What are the two main pyramids in Mexico City?

The two main pyramids in Mexico City are the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon at the Archeological Site of Teotihuacan. Both pyramids were built more than 1500 years ago by the ancient people of Teotihuacan.

Are there any remains of Tenochtitlan?

Yes, the remains of Tenochtitlan, the ancient capital of the Aztec Empire lie underneath the Historic Center of Mexico City. Some of it has been excavated and is open to the public at the Templo Mayor Museum and Archeological Site.

Where are the ruins of Tenochtitlan?

The ruins of Tenochtitlan are right in the middle of Mexico City downtown, beside the Metropolitan Cathedral. Find the Tenochtitlan ruins on Google Maps here .

Are there any Aztec ruins left?

Yes, there are several Aztec ruins Mexico City has including the famous Aztec ruins of Tenochtitlan in the historic center. There are many Mexican ruins near Mexico City including the gigantic pyramids of Teotihuacan and lesser-known sites of Tenayuca and Malinalco.

Where to see Aztec ruins in Mexico City?

You can see Aztec ruins at the Tenochtitlan Archeological Site in the Historic Center of Mexico City. The Teotihuacan Pyramids, an hour north of Mexico City are other interesting Mexican ruins that the Aztecs discovered.

Where are the Aztec temples in Mexico?

From downtown Mexico City to a couple of hours outside the borders of CDMX, the Aztec temples in Mexico are scattered all over the place. The most popular Aztec temple ruins are those of the Templo Mayor Double Pyramid inside the Tenochtitlan Archeological Site in the historic center.

Is there anything left of Tenochtitlan?

Yes, the ruins of Tenochtitlan are to be found right in the middle of downtown Mexico City inside the Templo Mayor Archeological Site.

Are there Mayan ruins in Mexico City?

No, there are no Mayan ruins in Mexico City. Mayan ruins are found in the Yucatan Peninsula and spread in the region around Cancun. Read our Best Mayan Ruins in Cancun Guide for details.

Where are the Aztec ruins in Mexico City?

The Aztec Mexico City ruins are spread all over the Valley of Mexico. Some of the most prominent ones are the Tenochtitlan Aztec temples in Mexico City historic center, the Mexico City ancient ruins of Teotihuacan, and the Malinalco and Tepozteco Aztec temples near Mexico City.

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Aztec Ruins National Monument, NM

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Aztec Ruins National Monument

We are a research and service division of:

National Park Service

modified from: L. Greer Price, 2010, Aztec Ruins National Monument, in: The geology of northern New Mexico's parks, monuments and public lands , Price, L. Greer, ed , pp. 79-83.

Introduction

Aztec Ruins National Monument was established in 1923 to preserve the remarkable remains of an ancestral Puebloan farming community, including a twelfth-century Chacoan great house. The settlement flourished from A.D. 1050–1150, at which time it was one of the largest Puebloan settlements in the Southwest, strategically situated between Mesa Verde to the north and Chaco Canyon to the south. Culturally it is considered a Chacoan outlier, at the northern terminus of one of the prehistoric roads that emanated from Chaco. Later occupants (in the 1200s) are thought to have had closer ties to Mesa Verde.

One of the earliest written eyewitness accounts of Aztec Ruins was provided by geologist John Newberry in 1859, who reported at that time that the walls stood 25 feet high. Both the ruins and the setting are spectacular, but the park is perhaps best known for the reconstructed Great Kiva, which was excavated in 1921 and reconstructed by Earl Morris in the 1930s. It is the only restored great kiva in the Southwest and is accessible to visitors; stepping inside provides a unique glimpse of what these ceremonial structures might have been like when they were intact. The park is now a World Heritage Site.

Longitude: -107.972337306 Latitude: 36.8720821736   ( WGS 84 or NAD 83)

Aztec Ruins National Monument is located within the city limits of Aztec (the city was in fact named for the ruins, which were well known before the city was founded in the late nineteenth century), on Ruins Road (CR 2900), about a half mile north of NM 516. The park is about 9 miles from Bloomfield and 11 miles from Farmington.

Regional Setting

The monument is located within the San Juan Basin, a structural depression that formed during Laramide time. The basin is bounded on the north by the San Juan uplift and the San Juan volcanic field, whose remnants may be seen today in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado. To the east it is bounded by the Nacimiento uplift. To the south lie the Mount Taylor volcanic field and the Zuni uplift; to the west lies the Defiance uplift. The Hogback monocline, visible on US 64 between Shiprock and Farmington, forms the northwest boundary of the San Juan Basin.

The Rock Record

An enormous thickness of sediments (close to 15,000 feet in places) is preserved in the San Juan Basin. This thick accumulation of sediments ranges in age from Pennsylvanian to Tertiary; these are underlain by Precambrian crystalline rocks (1,400–1,750 million years old). As is the case in structural basins, the youngest strata are exposed near the center, and it is here that the thickest accumulations of sediment are found. Progressively older strata are exposed as one approaches the edge of the basin. The oldest strata and the Precambrian crystalline rocks that underlie them are exposed in uplifts along the edge of the basin—the Nacimiento and Zuni uplifts in New Mexico and the San Juan uplift in Colorado.

The bedrock within the monument is entirely Paleocene Nacimiento Formation (65 million years old). These sediments are primarily nonmarine continental sandstones and shales. They represent floodplain, river, swamp, and lake deposits. The sediments were carried into the basin from the San Juan uplift to the north and the Brazos-Sangre de Cristo uplift to the east. Outside the monument there are exposures of the younger, largely fluvial San Jose Formation, which was deposited on top of the Nacimiento.

There is a single outcrop of Nacimiento sandstone in the park. Blocks of Nacimiento sandstone are incorporated into the ruins. Other materials were used as well (the limestone disks found in the Great Kiva, for instance), some of which must have been transported some distance by the builders. Elsewhere in the San Juan Basin, the Nacimiento Formation has yielded a wealth of vertebrate fossils, as well as petrified wood, but no fossils have been found in the Nacimiento within the national monument to date.

The ruins themselves sit on Quaternary alluvial terrace deposits of the Animas River. The complex recent history of the river valley is recorded in these terraces and reworked alluvium, but the details are difficult to decipher with the untrained eye.

Geologic History

The San Juan Basin is primarily a Laramide feature (Late Cretaceous to Eocene). Prior to the Laramide orogeny, the San Juan Basin occupied a small part of the Western Interior Basin, at the western edge of the Western Interior Seaway. During the Late Cretaceous and on into the Tertiary, the basin subsided, and thousands of feet of additional sediment accumulated. These sediments were deposited in an array of marginal marine, non-marine, and terrestrial environments and include coal deposits and petroleum source rocks. The Late Cretaceous strata in the San Juan Basin have proven to be a rich source of oil and gas, coal, and coalbed methane. These strata represent a transition from the older, primarily coastal plain and marine sediments (deposited on the edge of the Western Interior Seaway) and the nonmarine strata that dominate the Tertiary record here.

The end of the Cretaceous, here and elsewhere throughout the world, is marked by a major extinction. The creatures that survived into the Paleocene inhabited a world of new possibilities, new ecologic niches. Dinosaurs are notably absent from these early Paleocene terrestrial faunas. For the first time, mammals became the dominant terrestrial vertebrates. These mammals evolved rapidly and diversified throughout the Tertiary. The Nacimiento Formation has produced fossil vertebrates, giving us an important glimpse of the world as it existed soon after the cataclysmic meteorite impact that occurred at the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary.

The region was further affected by an episode of mid-Tertiary volcanism 35–18 million years ago, with the eruption of the San Juan volcanic field to the north. In fact, mid-Tertiary volcanism was widespread and affected much of the Southwest, including enormous portions of southwest New Mexico and Mexico. The episode of volcanism in the San Juan volcanic field began with the eruption of a series of lava flows. Later eruptions produced widespread, thick blankets of hot volcanic ash (ash-flow tufts or ignimbrites) that likely extended far enough south to cover the Aztec area, but has since been eroded away.

The Animas Valley was the largest glaciated valley on the margin of the Colorado Plateau. Late Pleistocene glaciers covered about 20 percent of the Animas River basin and about half of the river’s length. During the Pleistocene the upper Animas Valley contained one of the largest glaciers in the Rocky Mountains in the U.S., the Animas glacier. This was one of many glaciers that issued from an ice field in the San Juan Mountains. The Animas Valley contains moraines of middle and late Pleistocene age that have been identified as far south as Durango. In the vicinity of the national monument, three distinct river terraces have been identified. Such terraces provide insight into Quaternary glacial-interglacial cycles. The ruins are situated on outwash from the Animas glacier, since reworked into terrace deposits by the Animas River.

Geologic Features

The Animas river is one of the primary reasons that the prehistoric settlement at Aztec was situated here. The river runs along the eastern boundary of the park and provides a (nearly) perennial source of water, as it must have during the eleventh and twelfth century. This source of water allowed for the development of these fertile bottomlands during prehistoric times. The first European visitors to the area reported seeing signs of prehistoric irrigation features.

The San Juan basin is one of the richest and most productive oil and gas provinces in North America and has been producing since the 1920s. The monument is on the edge of the Blanco Mesaverde gas pool. There are currently three gas wells operating within the boundaries of the park, producing from Cretaceous sandstones at a depth of 4,300 feet below the surface. The San Juan Basin of New Mexico and Colorado is also one of the most prolific coalbed methane-producing areas in the U.S.

Additional Reading

Aztec Ruins on the Animas: Excavated, Preserved, and Interpreted by Robert H. Lister and Florence C. Lister. Revised edition, Western National Parks Association, 1996.

The House of the Great Kiva at the Aztec Ruin by Earl H. Morris. Originally published in 1921, reissued by Western National Parks Association,1996.

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Chaco Culture Conservancy

A New Mexico nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization created to assist and support Chaco Culture National Historical Park and Aztec Ruins National Monument

Virtual tours of Aztec Ruins National Monument

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Aztec Civilization Architecture: Tour Mexican Ancient Places Virtually

🇲🇽 Mexico Aztec Civilization Architecture: Tour Mexican Ancient Places Virtually

Explore the Aztec Civilization Architecture from home and uncover the pre-Hispanic wonders of Mexico. Learn about the rich history of this memorable land and witness the outstanding Aztec structures that have endured for centuries. From the ruins of Tenochtitlan to the streets of modern Mexico City, this land is a living museum!

• See marvelous UNESCO-listed architecture of Mexico City.
• Learn the incredible pre-Hispanic history of Mexico.
• Get acquainted with the religion, art, culture, and traditions of Aztec people.
• Spot imposing ruins of Templo Mayor, the main temple of the Aztec Empire.
• Witness how Mexico City looked before Spanish arrival.

Connect to this virtual discovery of the Aztec Civilization Architecture and learn about the pre-Hispanic history of Mexico that survived throughout centuries. Built in the sixteenth century by the Spanish on the ruins of Tenochtitlan the old Aztec capital Mexico City is a live museum where the past lies not only on but also underneath the earth. At the time of the Spanish arrival in 1519, the Aztec capital was among the biggest cities in the world, with perhaps as many as 200,000 inhabitants. In less than 200 years, it evolved from a small settlement on an island in the western swamps of Lake Texcoco into the powerful political, economic, and religious center of the greatest empire of pre-Columbian Mexico.

• This tour is private : only your group will participate.
• The price per person is variable and depends on the size of your group (please choose the number of participants in the booking calendar ➡️ to see the final price).

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Authentic    how this tour provides an actual image of the destination, life, and practices of the host community..

We do our best to make our trips educative and fulfilling, in which travelers can interact with local populations, learn about their traditions, and culture, and connect with their core values.

A tour with impact   ? How this tour positively affects the destination and local communities on economic, socio-cultural, and environmental dimensions.

We support the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Our tours are aligned with SDG 8 and 12, focusing on empowering local communities and promoting sustainable consumption and production practices. We take tourists to underdeveloped regions, creating opportunities for economic growth while respecting local traditions and educating communities on sustainable approaches.

Other   ? Other advantages this tour offers to travelers.

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• Authentic: learn about and discover unique places via live-streaming.
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Last updated: December 2, 2023

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725 Ruins Road Aztec, NM 87410

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