4 archaeological sites · within 60 km
There are 4 archaeological sites within 60 km of Xalapa in a straight line, an hour or a little more by road. The closest is San Juan Xiutetelco, 52 km away; the farthest, Cantona, is 60 km. They are all listed under Teziutlán, a Pueblo Mágico that makes a good base.
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: Feb, Mar, Apr, May.
The Ruins 4
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San Juan Xiutetelco · Archaeological site · 52 km from Xalapa · Near Teziutlán
A town built over pre-Hispanic pyramids, a few still visible in the center, with a community museum of finds from the area. -
Quiahuiztlan · Archaeological site · 54 km from Xalapa · Veracruz
Totonac hillside city and cemetery above Villa Rica bay, with 78 tombs built like tiny temples; here the Totonacs allied with Cortés in 1519. -
Cempoala · Archaeological site · 55 km from Xalapa · Veracruz
The walled Totonac capital where Cortés met the "Fat Cacique" in 1519: pyramids, round temples and stone rings in a grassy plaza, run by INAH. -
Cantona · Archaeological site · 60 km from Xalapa · Puebla
Fortified pre-Hispanic city on a lava field in eastern Puebla, with over 500 paved streets and at least 24 ballcourts.
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 around Xalapa
Ruins elsewhere
All lists by kind and regionNames and locations from OpenStreetMap; notes and write-ups are our own.