One of the many interesting facts about Mexico is that it’s full to the brim with ancient ruins. It would be a mammoth task to visit them all and, unless you’re a history/architecture buff, you might even find your patience for them wearing thin. To avoid reaching that point and to make sure you pick those ruins best suited to your preferences, here’s a rundown of some of the best ruins in Mexico.
RUINS IN MEXICO: THE TOP 7
7. MITLA
Mitla was built by the Zapotecs and was their cultural centre from around 900 BC. Situated about 30 miles outside of Oaxaca, the best way to visit is to combine it to join one of the Oaxaca tours of the surrounding countryside. Many hostels and tour companies sell reasonably priced day trips that take in a carpet factory, show you how to make mezcal, introduce you to what is thought to be the widest tree in the world and give you time to relax in the beautiful waters of Hierve el Agua with views of an impressive petrified waterfall. Mitla has retained the characteristic red hue on some of its buildings. You can also see intricate geometric patterns representing the elements. There are a couple of tombs to explore and, once you’ve gotten to grips with the Zapotec architecture you can wander through the church of San Pablo, which was constructed by the Spanish in the 16th Century.
6. MONTE ALBAN
One great advantage of Monte Alban is that you can easily visit it independently from Oaxaca. This is an elaborate site with many temples, buildings, underground passageways and even evidence of a drainage system. This site also has incredible views over surrounding valleys. As with Mitla, this site was built by the Zapotecs and dates back to 500 BC. You can look around in about two hours as the ruins all surround one wide open plaza. It’s possible to climb a few of the structures for views over the rest of the ruins. There’s also a museum containing artefacts and more information.
5. CHICHEN ITZA
While Chichen Itza is the most popular Mayan site and has been listed as one of the new seven wonders of the world, it’s actually not as interesting to explore as some of the lesser-known ruins in Mexico. You’re not allowed to climb any of the structures, and many areas are cordoned off. On a more positive note, the main pyramid, El Castillo, is very imposing and some of the temple embelishments are still in excellent condition. Make sure you arrive early in the morning. After 9 am, the site is packed with tourists. Valladolid is a good place to base yourself and it’s easy to arrange to catch a bus independently. They run each way every 30 minutes to an hour.
4. PALENQUE
One of the best things about Palenque is its location in the middle of the jungle. Even if the ruins weren’t there, you could spend hours exploring the jungle trails and waterfalls, frequently encountering wildlife. In fact, the journey from San Cristobal to Palenque is an adventure in itself. Built by the Mayans, Palenque has many buildings embelished with carvings and inscriptions. Some of them are cordoned off while others enable you to climb above the treetops for views of distant temples jutting above the trees. Small annoyances are the large number of people selling souvenirs and hassling you to use them as a guide. It’s also uncomfortably humid here. A great option for visiting Palenque is to combine it as part of a tour that also takes in Misol-Ha waterfall and the swimming pools of Agua Azul. If you’re short on time, one tour leaves early from San Cristobal and drops you off by the bus station in Palenque afterwards.
3. TULUM
Tulum has to be the most picturesque of all the ruins in Mexico. One of the last cities built by the Mayans between 1200 and 1450, its main temple is perched on top of a 40-foot cliff above the ocean. The ruins are speckled with palm trees and overrun with iguanas, which make for great photo opportunities. You can easily walk or cycle to the entrance from Tulum, and the site is reasonably compact, making for an enjoyable stroll. Afterwards, head to the nearby beach, Paraiso, for a refreshing swim in the ocean and a beach-side cocktail.
2. TEOTIHUACAN
Teotihuacan was the epicentre of Mesoamerica from two centuries BC to around 700 AD. Of all the ruins in Mexico, this is the one most shrouded in mystery and it’s definitely one of the best things to do in Mexico City. Historians are not even sure which ancient civilisation constructed the city and which may have occupied it later. Due to the size of the sun temple and the location of all structures along one ‘Avenue of the Dead’, this site really packs a punch. The best views are from the top of the moon temple, but the sun temple is definitely worth a climb too. Avoid visiting on Sundays, when you may have to queue for hours to reach the top, worming your way slowly around each level. While it’s possible to make your own way there on public transport from Mexico City, it’s much easier to take a tour. If you’re trying to stick to a budget, take your own lunch. The restaurant they take you to is quite pricey. Even if you want to eat there, snacks are a good idea. We didn’t have lunch until 5 pm! Also, look out for the men dancing the Danza de los Voladores in the parking lot.
1. COBA
Coba is the best set of ruins in Mexico if you’re an explorer at heart. The structures are spread out over many hectares, making it necessary to rent a bicycle or take a lift in a tuktuk. For much of the day, you could fool yourself into thinking you’re the only person there. The highlight is climbing the Ixmoja pyramid, which is the tallest on the Yucatan Peninsula. Its steps are incredibly steep, causing a constant stream of visitors to counteract the vertigo by clambering back down on their bums. To get there, grab a taxi from Tulum for around 250 pesos. We were told there were no collectivos/buses. If you like to zipline, take extra cash as there’s one just outside the main entrance. Also be on the lookout for tarantulas!
AND NEARBY…
While your enjoyment of each site really comes down to personal preference, it’s hard to put a foot wrong with each of these seven sets of ancient ruins. If you have the energy for one more, you should definitely consider hopping across the border to Guatemala and visiting Tikal as well. The views of temples emerging from a vast expanse of forest are unparalleled.
I’ve been avidly following your Instagram feed, I would love to go to Mexico (preferably soon) and Tulum in particular looks amazing. Tikal is definitely worth a visit too, the view from the top is incredible.
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Thanks Naomi! Yes, I’m a bit behind with the actual blogging. You’ll be seeing many of those images making a reappearance! Mexico is such a great place, especially if you love the ocean. I swam with whale sharks and dived in the cenotes – two of the best experiences of my life. I also found it really safe and easy to travel through. I hope you make it there soon.
I had no idea there were ruins at Mitla. We did Hierve el Agua but never heard about any ruins (aside from Monte Alban). What a shame- they look so pretty!
We did Teotihuacan, and I hated it at the time. There is absolutely no shade there at all and I got so sunburned! But looking back it’s definitely one of the coolest things we saw in Mexico.
Great photos, I really want to visit all of these!
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Well, at least I put Mitla last in my list! It was nice, but definitely not the most impressive. I also hated Teotihuacan at the time! I’d just arrived in Mexico City early that morning after a full day in Auckland and then a journey of over 24 hours. I decided I might as well do the tour since I couldn’t check into my room. It was baking hot as you say and we had to queue for hours to climb the sun temple. I was like a zombie. I’ve never been so exhausted. I slept for 16 hours straight!
I can’t believe I’ve visited all of these except your number one, Coba!! I have to get back to Mexico, clearly. Also worth a visit is El Tajin in the state of Veracruz – really cool structures there, and nobody knows who built them. Undervisited because not many travellers go to that part of the country. I hope you’re enjoying Guatemala!
Greetings from Ecuador! :)
Yep, I think you will have to go back! Thanks for the tip about El Tajin. I hadn’t even heard of it. It sounds cool though! I hope you’re loving Ecuador as much as I did!
Beautiful! My mom and I have been planing to check out the ruins in Mexico and our time will finally be coming in 2015! What a great list of places to visit.
Awesome! You’ll love it! Try to come during whale shark season as that’s one of the best things I’ve ever seen! The cenotes are beautiful too, for diving and swimming :)
Superb post, Arianwen! I agree with your list up to the point where Uxmal is missing. And that one is definitely my favorite of all! Coba was a true discovery and a lot of fun too! Tulum, Palenque and Teotihuacan come next. Tikal is an absolute must, I agree with you there too!
I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed Mexico so much and I can’t wait to read more of your adventures!
Happy Trails!
Jul’
Les Petits Pas de Juls recently posted..Visiting Machu Picchu on a Budget
Well, I didn’t make it to Uxmal, so I can’t comment, but thanks for adding this comment so other people can see that it’s a top contender!
I’m trying to post more, but my God, the internet is sketchy in Guatemala and Honduras! ;)
Great round up of these beautiful ruins! I went to Chichen Itza once years ago and I’m glad to read some of your comments about it because as beautiful as it was, I must admit I found that it wasn’t necessarily quite as interesting as I had expected though obviously still very impressive! If I return to Mexico, I’d love to head towards Tulum and see some of the ruins around there :)
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Thanks! Yes, I think it depends on what you like, but it’s odd that Chichen Itza has become so popular. It’s not that there’s anything bad about it. It’s just not significantly better than some of the others and, in my opinion, some of the others are actually more deserving of attention. You really won’t regret visiting any of them though!
Hey, awesome post here, my friend! I’m so glad you made it down there to explore. I know they are beautiful from the pictures but I’ve yet to make it to one despite vacationing in Cancun about 20 years ago. Shame on me. I hope is all well with you, Arianwen! :)
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Thanks Mike! I bet Cancun would look a bit different if you went back now! There’s been so much building there over recent years and now it’s spreading down the Mayan Riviera. It’s quite sad really. I have a post in the pipeline about its effect on the underwater river systems and cenotes. Having said that, if you travel responsibly, Mexico is one of the best countries there is!
Oh wow! Lovely photos!
I haven’t been to Mexico and it is one of the countries I’m hoping to visit the soonest. I think Filipinos and Mexicans have a lot in common. :D
Speaking of, enjoy Mexico! The last time I visited your blog you were still in New Zealand teehee :D Looking forward to reading the rest of your Mexico entries :D
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Thank you! I’m actually all the way down in Nicaragua now, but the internet has been so bad I haven’t been able to write that frequently. You should definitely check out Mexico. It’s one of my favourite countries, by far, especially as a scuba diver…!
I have been to no. 1-5 + Tical but my all time favorite is Ek Balam! We had it all to our selves and you could climbe it as well. In July I will check out Uxmal. It should be incredible as well.
Safe and happy travels
Anne Marie
Instagram: twodanesontour
I thought I’d covered a lot of ruins, but it looks like I’ll have to pop back to Mexico! Thanks for the recommendations. I also checked out your Instagram and it’s awesome! :)