Mexico Adventure

Your Mexico Information Connection

Archeological Sites

 

Mexico is home to over 13,000 archeological sites.  Only a small number of these have been excavated; many are still buried deep in the jungle and are difficult to reach.  Mexico's pre-Hispanic cultures are usually broken down into three periods:  Pre-classic (2000 B.C. to 200 A.D.), Classic (200 to 900 A.D.) and Post-Classic (900 to 1521 A.D.).  Sites from each of these periods are open for tourist visits.

 

 
Archeological sites in Mexico generally fall into four zones:
 
1) Toltec-Teotihucan-Aztec which includes the States of Mexico, Hidalgo, Tlaxcala, Puebla, Morelos and the Federal District.  Sites include: Teotihuacan, Tenochtitlan, Cuicuilco, Xochicalco, Cantona and Tula.
 
2) Mixtec-Zapotec which includes most of the State of Oaxaca.  Sites include: Monte Alban, Yagul and Mitla.

 

3) Huastec-Olmec which includes the States of Veracruz and Tabasco. Sites include: El Tajin, El Pital, Zempoala, La Venta and La Mesa.

4) Maya which includes the States of Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo.  Sites include: Palenque, Tonina, Yaxchilan, Tulum, Xcaret, Kabah and Sayil.

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Pre-Classic Sites:  La Venta, Tres Zapotes (in State of Veracruz) and Cuicuilco.

Classic Sites: Teotihuacan, El Tajin, Monte Alban.

Post-Classic Sites: Mitla, Yagal and Tenochtitlan.

Expect to pay a small fee when visiting excavated sites; you usually will be able to find an English-speaking guide.  Most sites are open from 9am to 5pm (tour buses usually arrive at 11am) everyday except Monday.  Some sites do not allow visitors to climb the ruins and most do not allow flash photography. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mexico is a wonderful vacation destination, but many expatriates have also decided to retire there.   This large, diverse country's beaches, colonial cities, resorts and ruins beckon to travelers from all over the world and as a retirement spot, it offers a lower cost of living and in many places, excellent health care.  Retiring in Mexico requires a bit of adjusting, and it is not for everyone, but it does offer what many retirees are seeking.  Retirement in Mexico, though, is not the same as visiting the resorts.  The pace of life is slower, and living as a Mexican can take some getting used to.   

Vacationing in Mexico is one of life's great joys.  With silver-white beaches and some of the world's best scuba diving, sailing and fishing, Mexico offers something for everyone.  Whether it is Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Cozumel, Acapulco or any of Mexico's colonial cities, including San Miguel de Allende, Mexico's resorts are truly breathtaking.  You may also be interested in Mexico's other attractions, including ancient ruins and archeological treasures, that dot the country.    You may enjoy the Riviera Maya on Mexico's eastern coast or the majestic Copper Canyon in the northern central part of Mexico.  You can travel through Mexico by bus, car or railroad and do so on a tourist visa.   You can travel between resorts, including Cancun, Acapulco, Mazatlan and Ixtapa, by plane, train or automobile.  In short, Mexico is a wonderful country that offers something for everyone.