12 Ruins near Cuautla, Mexico: Map & Photos

12 archaeological sites · within 60 km

There are 12 archaeological sites within 60 km of Cuautla in a straight line, an hour or a little more by road. The closest is Zona Arqueológica de Olintepec, 11 km away; the farthest, Cuicuilco, is 58 km. They are listed under the Pueblos Mágicos of Tepoztlán and Xochitepec, which make good bases.

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, Dec.

The Ruins 12

Zona Arqueológica de Olintepec · Archaeological site · 11 km from Cuautla · Morelos
Site occupied from 1500 BC to AD 1610, with a mound and a Dominican chapel among the houses of Nueva Olintepec, Ayala.
Zona Arqueológica de Yautepec · Archaeological site · 14 km from Cuautla · Near Tepoztlán
The excavated platform of a Tlahuica lord's palace in the middle of Yautepec, a quick stop on the way to Oaxtepec or Cuautla.
Zona Arqueológica El Tlatoani · Archaeological site · 16 km from Cuautla · Morelos
Toltec-era terraces, burials and a pyramid platform (AD 900-1200) atop a Tlayacapan rock hill, excavated by INAH since 2012.
Zona Arqueológica Las Pilas · Archaeological site · 22 km from Cuautla · Morelos
A small Teotihuacan-era ceremonial centre devoted to water, ringed by springs and set inside the Las Pilas swimming park in Jonacatepec.
Chalcatzingo · Archaeological site · 24 km from Cuautla · Morelos
Preclassic site at the foot of two rock massifs in eastern Morelos, famous for Olmec-style reliefs such as El Rey, the seated figure in a cave.
Teopanzolco · Archaeological site · 31 km from Cuautla · Near Tepoztlán
A Tlahuica-Aztec temple base with twin stairways, now surrounded by Cuernavaca's Vista Hermosa neighborhood.
Xochicalco · Archaeological site · 37 km from Cuautla · Near Xochitepec
A UNESCO-listed hilltop city with the carved Temple of the Feathered Serpent, three ballcourts and a solar observatory cave.
Zona Arqueológica de Coatetelco · Archaeological site · 42 km from Cuautla · Near Xochitepec
A small ceremonial center with a ballcourt and temple platforms beside the Coatetelco lagoon, an easy pairing with Xochicalco.
Zona Arqueológica de Chimalacatlán · Archaeological site · 46 km from Cuautla · Morelos
Megalithic platforms on top of Cerro del Venado above a bend of the Amacuzac, occupied from about 1200 BC; not officially open to the public.
Cuahilama · Archaeological site · 48 km from Cuautla · Ciudad de México
Hill with 15th-century petroglyphs in Santa Cruz Acalpixca, Xochimilco: free entry, a half-hour climb and views over the canals.
Acozac · Archaeological site · 56 km from Cuautla · Estado de México
Acolhua ruins in Ixtapaluca with a round temple to Ehécatl and a great platform facing the volcanoes; free entry.
Cuicuilco · Archaeological site · 58 km from Cuautla · Ciudad de México
A round, terraced pyramid more than 2,000 years old, half-swallowed by lava from the Xitle volcano, free to visit beside Insurgentes Sur.