If exploring ancient sites and archeological wonders is your idea of a great vacation, you could spend years exploring what Mexico has to offer. Many of the sites are world-renowned, but you can still find hidden treasures that have seen very little traffic and are still largely unexplored.

Archeological & Historical sites

Chichén Itzá (Yucatán Peninsula)

Chichén Itzá is undoubtedly one of the wonders of the archaeological world.  Founded in 495 AD, Chichén Itzá has been meticulously restored and this incredible site, with it's columned structures and warrior images, is reminiscent of ancient Rome.  The entrance to Chichén Itzá features a large visitors center and museum where you will find many of the best preserved sculptures and artifacts, on display.  The ruins at Chichén Itzá are well grouped and although very large, it is fairly easy to get around and to see the most spectacular attractions.  On the other hand, you could easily spend a week in Chichén Itzá and not have seen everything there is to see.  For that very reason it might be best to take a tour to visit Chichén Itzá. 

Many tours leave daily from Cancun. Another idea is to plan ahead, rent a car and spend one night in Mérida, a charming city about an hour and a half drive west of Chichén Itzá.  You could then return the next morning, on your way back to Cancun. The archaeological zone itself is a two and a half hour drive from Cancun.

Coba (Yucatán Peninsula)

Coba is the largest of Yucatan's archeological sites, it is also the least excavated of all the major sites on the Yucatan peninsula.  Coba is none-the less important, to many archeologists.  Coba is, simply put, AWESOME!  Containing 20,000 structures, Coba was at one time home to as many as 40,000 Mayans.  Coba, which means "Ruffled Water", was built along the shores of five shallow lakes.  Coba is a striking site with magnificent pyramids and incredibly detailed stelae. The Nohoch Mul pyramid, the tallest on the peninsula, reaches 140 feet.   Many experts feel that the pyramids here rival those of Tikal, in Guatemala.  Multilingual guides are usually available, a good investment considering the size of this site.  The size of the compound at Coba makes a visit from Cancun an all day trip.  These ruins are considered a favorite stop for the more adventurous traveler.

Mitla (Oaxaca)

In ancient  times an important Zapotec ceremonial center, Mitla was the home of the Zapotec priestly class.  It was inhabited from around 100 AD to it's peak around 750 AD.  The ancient city was probably planned and is known for the artistic quality of construction and the beauty of the intricate patterns and designs of some facades and tombs.  To date, five large architectural complexes have been found.  The main church of the small town was actually built by the Spaniards on some of the ruins.  Archaeologists are able to find remains of the ancient city almost anywhere they dig in the immediate area.  There is a hacienda style museum and a handicrafts center adjacent to to ruins.  Mitla is located 30 miles east of Oaxaca city; the ruins are open daily from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M.

Monte Albán (Oaxaca)

Monte Albán, one of ancient México's most impressive ceremonial sites, is located very close to Oaxaca city and is definitely a must see for any visitor to Oaxaca.  This massive complex of pyramids, terraces and crumbling temples is considered one of the most important examples of pre-Columbian culture in all of México.  Constructed by a culture that possessed a genius for building, this spectacular city is one of the most thoroughly explored archaeological sites in México.  Throughout the centuries Monte Albán has continued to amaze those who study the site and has never failed to remain both magical and mysterious.

Founded sometime before 500 AD, Monte Albán was the Zapotec capital and is built on a impressive site which dominated the entire Oaxaca valley.  The city reached it's heyday around 800 AD and at that time supported a population of over 30,000. There is a museum on site and a well-stocked bookstore.  If you are arriving with your private guide, or driving yourself, I suggest an early arrival to beat the busses that bring the group tours to the site.  You can hire a registered site guide at the ticket office.  Location: 5 miles west of Oaxaca city, the site is open daily from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. 

Palenque (Chiapas)

Palenque is located about 90 miles southwest Villahermosa, and is six hours north of San Cristóbal de las Casas, by bus. Palenque is one of México's most impressive archaeological compounds and was is thought to be first occupied around 100 BC, although it didn't really flourish until 600 AD. The name Palenque is Spanish, as they have not yet discovered the actual Mayan name.  Palenque is enormous, its more than 500 structures cover an area of almost ten square miles, although most of excavated structures are located in a fairly compact area.  Palenque is an archeological  site set in the lush green jungle of the rain forest and is an incredible experience for anyone even slightly interested in archaeology.  There is a modern visitors center, a museum, a restaurant, an interesting library and folk art shops.  There is a small town nearby with all ranges of accommodations and good restaurants, should you decide a an overnight is necessary. 

Teotihuacán (México)

Teotihuacán may have been the largest city in the world at one time, with a population of up to 200,000.  Dating to 600 BC this well preserved compound, with two huge pyramids holds within itself a lot of mystery to this day.  Very little is known about the original inhabitants of Teotihuacán, who built this remarkable city that included a well designed system of running water, or why it was finally abandoned.  It is not even known what the original name of this magnificent city was. What is known is that the city's creators had an incredible gift of combining sculpture and architecture and using these gifts to build incredibly advanced structures.  There is a museum and a restaurant on the grounds along with plenty of parking.  Try to visit this archeological site early in the morning, if you are not on a tour, to avoid the tour busses.  An early visit will also find less vendors present, who can cause distractions.

Yagul (Oaxaca)
The Yagul archeological site was settled at approximately the same time as Monte Albán, but actually outlasted Monte Albán. The site, which is located on a beautiful hillside location, contains three distinct parts and houses the largest ball court in the Oaxaca valley.  The architectural makeup is, in many ways similar to that of Monte Albán and also contains parts that resemble parts of Mitla.  Yagul contains some incredible facades, engravings and hieroglyphics.  This site is easily accessible and makes for some great photography, especially from the hill above the ruins.  Yagul is located 20 miles east of Oaxaca city; the ruins are open daily from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M.

Tulum (Yucatán Peninsula)

Tulum is the only beach front city the Maya ever built, also the only one that was walled.  Located on an incredibly beautiful Caribbean beach, whoever it was that picked this site had some real estate experience.  Tulum is small, it can easily be toured in three hours, but offers some incredible insight into the life of the Maya.  Tulum may lack some of the grandeur of Chichén Itzá, it contains 60 buildings, which are thought to be about 10 percent of the original city.  Its stylized designs and the incredible setting more than make up for the lack of major pyramids.  Up until the 1960s the only way to get to Tulum was by boat.  Now it is one of the Maya world's most visited sites, visit early if possible to avoid the crowds  A small admission fee is charged.  Multilingual guides are available. 

Tula (Hidalgo)

The city of Tula was founded sometime around 1000 AD and was the probable capital of the Toltec civilization.  The city was believed to be founded by the mythological hero named Quetzalcóati.  Early residents built a beautiful city that once supported a population of over 50,000, who were mostly farmers.  There is not much left of the once great city, but area locals claim that the structures of the site are the subject of some sort of magical force.  The site is famous for the four stone warriors, Los Atlantes,  that originally were the main columns that once supported the base of the pyramid and now reside on the top level. This highly photographed site is hardly magnificent but is well worth a visit if your driving to Queretaro or San Miguel de Allende from México City.  The site is two hours north of México City, contains a small museum and has a small presence of resident vendors that sell souvenirs and snacks.   

 

  Landmarks

Capilla Submarina - Acapulco Mexico.
A underwater monument located on the seabed between Caleta beach and La Roqueta Island. The statue of the Virgin of Guadelupe was placed here by local fishermen along with a huge diversity of aquatic plants and animals. Glass-bottom boats depart daily from Caletilla beach.

Monumento a los Heroes de la Independencia - Mexico City, Mexico
This famous monument built in 1906 in honor of the people who died in the Mexican fight for independence stands 150 feet tall.
Attraction type: Landmark monument.

Cannery Row - Monterrey, Mexico.
Made famous by Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize winning author John Steinbeck. This popular walkway is one of America's most famous streets and is filled with shops, restaurants and historic attractions.
Attraction type: Historical walking area;Town center/square/plaza; Historic site; Landmark/point of interest

Escultura La Estampida - Guadalajara, Mexico.
A realistic sculpture of horses designed by Jorge de la Pena.
Attraction type: Landmark Monument.

Monumento a los Ninos Heroes - Mexico City, Mexico.
Situated at the main entrance to the Bosque de Chapultepec, this monument was designed as a semicircle of six columns, each representing the brave young cadets who died during the invasion of 1847. The youthful cadets were stationed at the Castillo de Chapultepec, which served at that time as the national military academy and died in one of the most tragic and emotional moments in Mexican history.

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