Archaeological site 26 km west of Pátzcuaro
An older, Teotihuacan-influenced ceremonial center with a ball court and a rich tomb, on the old road to Uruapan.
Tingambato, also known as Tinganio, is a small archaeological site at the edge of the town of the same name, about 35 kilometers west of Pátzcuaro. Its name is usually explained as "where the fire ends," because it sits where the cool highlands start to drop toward the hot country around Uruapan.
It is much older than the Purépecha capitals around the lake. INAH dates its first phase to about 450 to 600 AD and a second phase to about 600 to 900 AD, when the influence of Teotihuacan shows clearly in its stepped platforms. There are no yácatas here: instead you find large platforms with pyramid bases, an eight-meter stepped pyramid, a ball court, rooms that were probably homes, and an underground tomb where archaeologists found 15 skeletons and 32 scattered skulls along with rich offerings.
The renovated site museum shows part of that funerary treasure, thousands of small pieces of green and blue stone and shell, along with atlatl spear-throwers. It is an easy stop on the way to Uruapan or Paricutín, and rarely crowded.
What to see and do
Walk the ball court and the main plaza framed by stepped platforms.
Look into the underground tomb where the skeletons and skulls were found.
See the funerary offerings in the site museum.
Stop in Tingambato town for the Purépecha atmosphere before continuing to Uruapan.
Getting there
About 40 minutes by car from Pátzcuaro on the free highway toward Uruapan (Highway 14); the site is on the edge of Tingambato town. Buses between Pátzcuaro and Uruapan pass through Tingambato. INAH lists it as open daily from 10 am to 5 pm.
26 km west of Pátzcuaro
Directions from Pátzcuaro on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Weather cool
Zona Arqueológica de Tingambato shares the climate of Pátzcuaro, 26 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr.
Make Pátzcuaro your base
Zona Arqueológica de Tingambato is an easy trip from Pátzcuaro, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
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Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.