3 archaeological sites
Zacatecas has 3 archaeological sites with their own page on Puebloteca, near the Pueblos Mágicos of Nochistlán, Sombrerete, and Villanueva. The closest to a pueblo is La Quemada, 13 km from Villanueva; the farthest out is Altavista, 36 km from Sombrerete.
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, Mar, Apr, Dec.
The Ruins 3
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La Quemada · Archaeological site · 13 km from Villanueva
The great hilltop city of northern Mesoamerica, with its Hall of Columns, ball court and Votive Pyramid, just north of Villanueva. -
Cerro de las Ventanas · Archaeological site · 30 km from Nochistlán
A fortified Caxcan hilltop in the Juchipila canyon, with rooms built into a cliff face; free INAH site with a 2 km walking circuit. -
Altavista · Archaeological site · 36 km from Sombrerete
A ceremonial center of the Chalchihuites culture on the Tropic of Cancer, laid out to track the sun against the surrounding hills.
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
Ruins elsewhere
All lists by kind and regionNames and locations from OpenStreetMap; notes and write-ups are our own.