Archaeological site 21 km south of Tequila
Unique round, stepped pyramids above Teuchitlán, built some 2,000 years ago by the Teuchitlán culture; part of the UNESCO agave landscape.
Los Guachimontones is the main site of the Teuchitlán tradition, a culture that grew up around the Tequila volcano roughly 2,000 years ago. It sits on a hillside just above the town of Teuchitlán, on the other side of the volcano from Tequila, and it looks like no other ruins in Mexico: instead of square pyramids, its builders raised round, stepped platforms in the middle of circular plazas, ringed by smaller platforms like the spokes of a wheel.
Archaeologists place the site's peak between about 200 and 400 AD. The largest circle has a hole at the top where a tall pole is thought to have stood for a ritual similar to the dance of the voladores, possibly in honor of the wind god Ehécatl. There are also ball courts, one of them more than 100 meters long. Systematic excavation began in the 1990s under archaeologist Phil Weigand, and only a small part of the settlement has been explored.
Since 2006 the area has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage site Agave Landscape and Ancient Industrial Facilities of Tequila. A small interpretation center at the entrance explains the culture with scale models and objects found here, and from the hilltop you look out over Presa La Vega and the agave fields of the valley.
What to see and do
Walk the circuit around the main circular complexes and the great ball court.
Start at the interpretation center, with models and pieces that explain the Teuchitlán culture.
Climb to the viewpoints for the view over Presa La Vega and the valley.
Eat frog legs or fish at the restaurants by Presa La Vega, just below in Teuchitlán.
Getting there
About an hour by car from Tequila: take Highway 15 toward Guadalajara, turn south near Santa Cruz del Astillero onto the road toward Ameca, then follow the signs to Teuchitlán; the site is a short drive uphill from the town square. There is no direct bus; many people come on tours from Tequila or Guadalajara. The site is closed on Mondays; check current hours before you go.
21 km south of Tequila
Directions from Tequila on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Weather mild
Guachimontones shares the climate of Tequila, 21 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec.
Make Tequila your base
Guachimontones is an easy trip from Tequila, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
Also close to
- Cocula · 37 km away
More around Tequila
-
Cascada Los Azules
· Waterfall · 2 km away
Blue-green pools and falls in the canyon just north of town, reached by a hike through agave, mango and coffee; hire a local guide. -
Volcán de Tequila
· Mountain · 11 km away
The extinct volcano behind town, about 2,900 m high, with a rock spire called La Tetilla in its crater and a cobbled road up its flank. -
Amatitán
· Town · 13 km away
Tequila's neighbor in the agave valley, home of Casa Herradura at Hacienda San José del Refugio, making tequila since 1870. -
Magdalena
· Town · 15 km away
Mexico's opal town, 20 minutes west: visit an open-pit opal mine, watch stones being cut, and see the agave and mining museum. -
Presa La Vega
· Lake · 27 km away
The reservoir below the Guachimontones, lined with restaurants known for frog legs and fish; boat and kayak rides on the water.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.