History & Ruins
Chichén Itzá: Guide to the Most Visited Maya Site in Mexico
Guide to Chichén Itzá: El Castillo pyramid, the Great Ball Court, Temple of Warriors, history, and how to visit without the worst of the crowds.
History & Ruins
History & Ruins in Mexico: Aztec, Maya & Colonial Guide
Mexico has one of the world's richest archaeological and colonial heritages. The Maya built cities in the Yucatán jungle, the Aztecs constructed Tenochtitlán on an island in a mountain lake, and the Zapotecs carved Monte Albán into a hilltop overlooking Oaxaca — all before European contact. The Spanish colonial period that followed produced a second layer of extraordinary architecture, now preserved in seven UNESCO World Heritage historic city centres.
Teotihuacan outside Mexico City is the most visited site, but it is far from the only one. The Yucatán Peninsula alone has hundreds of documented Maya sites, of which only a fraction are fully excavated. Palenque in Chiapas, Uxmal south of Mérida, and Cobá near Tulum each offer a completely different experience of Maya architecture and scale.
Historical Periods
Maya Civilisation
c.2000 BCE – 1500s CEThe Maya built one of Mesoamerica's most sophisticated civilisations across the Yucatán Peninsula and Chiapas. Key sites include Chichén Itzá (the Temple of Kukulcán), Palenque (Chiapas), Uxmal (Puuc-style architecture), Tulum (coastal walled city), and Cobá. Maya hieroglyphic script, astronomy, and calendar systems are among the most complex pre-Columbian achievements.
Key sites: Chichén ItzáPalenqueUxmalTulumCobá
Aztec (Mexica) Civilisation
c.1300–1521 CEThe Aztec Empire, centred on Tenochtitlán (modern Mexico City), was the dominant power in central Mexico at the time of Spanish contact. Teotihuacan (predating the Aztecs but later sacred to them) is the most visited archaeological site in Mexico. The Templo Mayor in central Mexico City is the heart of the old Aztec capital. The Museo Nacional de Antropología in CDMX holds the world's best collection of Aztec artefacts.
Key sites: TeotihuacanTemplo Mayor (Mexico City)Tlatelolco
Other Mesoamerican Cultures
VariousBeyond Maya and Aztec: Monte Albán near Oaxaca City is the Zapotec civilisation's greatest site, with panoramic views over the Oaxacan valley. Cholula (Puebla) has the world's largest pyramid by volume — topped by a Spanish colonial church. El Tajín (Veracruz) preserves Totonac architecture including the distinctive Pyramid of the Niches.
Key sites: Monte AlbánCholulaEl TajínMitla
Colonial Era
1521–1821 CESpain's 300-year colonial period left Mexico with some of Latin America's finest baroque architecture. Oaxaca, Puebla, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, and Mérida are UNESCO World Heritage colonial cities. Mexico City's historic centre — built over Tenochtitlán — contains the largest concentration of colonial-era buildings on the continent.
Key sites: Oaxaca Historic CentrePuebla Historic CentreMexico City ZócaloGuanajuatoSan Miguel de Allende
History Guides
In-depth guides to Mexico's archaeological sites, historical periods, and colonial cities.
History & Ruins
Monte Albán: Guide to the Zapotec Capital Above Oaxaca
Guide to Monte Albán: the ancient Zapotec capital, the main plaza and ball court, Tomb 7, the Observatory building, and how to visit from Oaxaca.
History & Ruins
Palenque Ruins: The Complete Visitor Guide
Complete guide to Palenque's Mayan ruins: the Temple of the Inscriptions and Pakal's tomb, the Palace, the Group of the Cross, tickets, and what to see first.
History & Ruins
Teotihuacán: Guide to the Pyramids Near Mexico City
Complete guide to Teotihuacán: Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, the Avenue of the Dead, what we know about who built it, and how to visit.
History & Ruins
Tulum Ruins: The Mayan Walled City
Complete guide to Tulum's clifftop Mayan ruins: the Castillo, the Temple of the Descending God, opening hours, how to avoid the crowds, and the beach below.
History & Ruins
Uxmal: Guide to the Mayan Ruins
Complete guide to Uxmal: the Pyramid of the Magician, the Nunnery Quadrangle, the Governor's Palace, opening hours, tickets, and how to get there from Mérida.
Explore Mexico beyond the ruins