5 archaeological sites
Michoacán has 5 archaeological sites with their own page on Puebloteca, near the Pueblos Mágicos of Cuitzeo, Pátzcuaro, and Angangueo. The closest to a pueblo is Tres Cerritos, 4 km from Cuitzeo; the farthest out is Zona Arqueológica de Tingambato, 26 km from Pátzcuaro.
Most archaeological sites are run by INAH and open from about 8 or 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a small fee. Midday is the hottest and busiest time, so go early.
Best months, when most of these towns are dry with comfortable afternoons: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr.
The Ruins 5
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Tres Cerritos · Archaeological site · 4 km from Cuitzeo
An INAH archaeological site 4 km from Cuitzeo: low mounds, a ceremonial plaza and tombs later reused by the Purépecha. -
Zona Arqueológica de Ihuatzio · Archaeological site · 7 km from Pátzcuaro
One of the three Purépecha capitals: rectangular pyramids and raised stone causeways on a hill above the lake. -
Huandacareo La Nopalera · Archaeological site · 16 km from Cuitzeo
A hillside archaeological site over the lake that later served as a seat of Purépecha government, with tombs and a sunken patio. -
San Felipe los Alzati · Archaeological site · 17 km from Angangueo
A hilltop ceremonial center with one of the largest pyramids in Michoacán, built where it could watch the road from central Mexico. -
Zona Arqueológica de Tingambato · Archaeological site · 26 km from Pátzcuaro
An older, Teotihuacan-influenced ceremonial center with a ball court and a rich tomb, on the old road to Uruapan.
On the map
Distances are in a straight line; roads add about a third.
Where to stay
The Pueblos Mágicos these places are closest to, each with hotels, food and getting-there notes.
More places like these
More in Michoacán
Ruins elsewhere
All lists by kind and regionNames and locations from OpenStreetMap; notes and write-ups are our own.