Top Things to do in Mexico
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What to do and see in Mexico, Mexico: The Best Ancient Ruins
With 26 UNESCO-declared world heritage sites, charming colonial towns and dozens of thrilling cities, there's plenty to explore in this country of 109 million. Outside the cities, stunning Pacific beaches, stark deserts, mangrove swamps and swimming holes provide all you need for a relaxing, romantic or adventurous vacation. Captivating, cosmopolitan and chaotic Mexico City and the 32 states offer an incredible abundance of experiences, from laid-back and leisurely to upbeat to adrenalin-charging.
Restaurants in Mexico
1. Dzibanche
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 213 reviews
Ancient Mayan city with impressive pyramids and buildings.
Reviewed By 679randye
I have now been to 10 Mayan ruins!! This one is breathtaking!! Two temples to climb and we could hear the monkeys fighting for territory! Well worth the trip, very few tourists!
2. Templo de Kukulkan
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,178 reviews
This impressive pyramid dominates Chichén Itzá's landscape, standing an imposing 24 meters high.
Reviewed By B1714D - Belgrade, Serbia
Well, this is the main attraction of Chichen Itza and one of the most famous landmarks in the world. It's enlisted in the new seven wonders of the world. It's full name is Temple of Kukulkan - a feather divine beast adorned by Maya which had supernatural powers. On El Castillo, Kukulkan is carved twisted on both sides of the northern stairway. It's so immaculately built that only twice a year, during the spring and autumn equinoxes, the sun illuminates its entire length from top to bottom (amazing, see it on Youtube). Besides that there're more interesting facts - the pyramid has 9 levels plus the Temple on top. Each side's staircase has 91 stairs, which multiplied by 4 sides and the Temple on top makes the grand total of 365 (days in year).
3. Calakmul Archaeological Zone
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 687 reviews
Ancient Mayan city historians now believe to have been bigger than Chichén Itzá.
Reviewed By giblinVanBauzanum
Saying that Calakmul is breathtaking will not give this place enough justice. It has beautifully preserved ruins, clad in vegetation, which gives them this mysterious and adventurous look. Waliking amids the jungle and discovering all this ancient places is totally a different experience compared to any other ruin. The site is also so huge and vast , that is likely that you will see very few tourists even in crowded periods. The site is reachable by a 40km bumpy road, which will take you 1h and a half from the main road. Be prepares to stay there at least 3 hours and bring lots of water. You will need them. A bit off hand but totally worth it
4. Zona Arqueologica Uxmal
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,190 reviews
An ancient Mayan building thought to be a school and named by a Spanish historian who thought it looked like a European monastery.
Reviewed By TravelingLily2014 - Niskayuna, United States
With so many sites to choose from, it might be easy to skip Uxmal....but please don’t. It is a wonderful site and you can STILL climb some of the pyramids, although not the main one. It is large, with lots to see. The architecture is extraordinary. We returned for the sound and light show and although we didn’t understand the Spanish, we understood the story and loved seeing the site at night.
5. Zona Arqueologica Teotihuacan
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8,792 reviews
The Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon dominate the ruins of what was once the sixth largest city in the world.
Reviewed By suesW5671GT - Kingston, Canada
Pros- incredible pyramids that you are still able to climb and get amazing views ! Cons- loads of people especially if you arrive after lunch Tips- arrive before 10 am; climb Sun Pyramid first ( to avoid the massive crowds and heat); then climb Moon Pyramid; bring water and sunscreen and a hat; you will spend about 4-6 hours if you have lunch at a local restaurant; no need for a guide if you have access to internet; check out sightdoing.net - How to visit Teotihuacan without a tour by Becky. Great website with step by step instructions including photos.
6. Zona Arqueologica de Monte Alban
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,737 reviews
The ruins of this ancient Zapotec capital make up one of the most important archaeological sites in all of Latin America.
Reviewed By zantb003 - Sybertsville, United States
Great site!! Great prehispanic temples and observatory. It’s a part of Oaxaca, Zapotecs. I enjoyed it, of course, we’re into history and archeology. It’s impressive-grand.
7. Zona Arqueologica de Yaxchilan
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 522 reviews
Reviewed By Sokey71 - San Diego, United States
Yaxchilan Arqueological site where the only way to get there is by taking a boat in the river Usumacinta and it is a 30min. ride and it is beautiful and also you can see the howler monkeys , spider monkeys, Toucan birds and parrots. Beautiful place.
8. Zona Arqueologica de Palenque
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,647 reviews
Reviewed By laurentc651 - Saint-Jeannet, France
A must visit archaeological site in Mexico!! Located in the heart of the 'selva', it's worth taking a guide to fully grasp the majesty of the Mayan civilisation in Palenque. Our favourite :)
9. Zona Arquelogica Edzna
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 855 reviews
Reviewed By fits87 - Miami Beach, United States
Amazing place!! A hidden mayan gem, just make sure to take water and mosquito repellent as there are many. But great place to take pics
10. Zona Arqueologica de Coba
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,221 reviews
Coba (pronounced cō-bǝ) is an ancient Maya city on the Yucatán Peninsula, located in what is now northeastern Quintana Roo, Mexico. The site is the nexus of the largest network of stone causeways of the ancient Mayan world, and it contains many engraved and sculpted stelae that document ceremonial life and important events of the Late Classic Period (AD 600-900) of Mesoamerican civilization.[1] The adjacent modern village bearing the same name, reported a population of 1,278 inhabitants in the 2010 Mexican federal census.[2]
Reviewed By Antonio251990
The coolest thing about this site it's the bicycle ride through the jungle it's a most to get on the bikes plus is only 30 pesos to rent it.. the view at the top of the main pyramid its amazing all you can see its miles of pure green in every direction it's kind of hard to climb all the way up but totally worth the effort... if you're staying in the tulum area definitely should go to coba ruins, just try to be there early because gets packed..
