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Xihuacan Museum and Archaeological Site (Museo Xihuacan)
Free admission
Open Tues-Sun 10am-5pm
La Chole, Soledad de Maciel, Mexico
The basics
Dedicate at least half a day to exploring the ceremonial complex and learning more about the many indigenous cultures that inhabited the region for over three millennia. Tours typically include a walk around the excavation site, plus access to the Xihuacan Museum, with a variety of small-group, private, or lunch-inclusive packages to choose from. Some itineraries also included a visit to nearby villages or sightseeing along Mexico’s scenic Pacific coastline.
Xihuacan half day tour
Francisco was a wonderful driver and guide, immensely knowledgeable about Mexican history, archeology, and the history of Mexican food. His stories were entertaining as well as educational. Xihuacan was great. We had expected a smaller archeological ruin but once you factor in the jungle, distant mountain, and the unexcavated areas it is enormous. We were the only people there. The museum was interesting as well, especially with all the information Francisco shared with us about the artifacts. We definitely recommend this tour.
Jeanne_B, Aug. 2023
Why you are seeing this
Things to know before you go
- Tours are typically led by local experts, who are knowledgeable about Mesoamerican history.
- The labels in the Xihuacan Museum are in Spanish, so it’s worth booking an English-speaking guide.
- Come prepared for lots of outdoor exploration with sturdy shoes, sunscreen, bottled water, and a hat.
How to get there
Xihuacan is a fifteen-minute drive from central Petatlán and around 45 minutes from the nearby resort cities of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo. It is possible to get there via public transport–a small shuttle transfers visitors from the highway turn off–though tours with round-trip transportation are often more convenient.
When to get there
Arrive as early as possible to get around the outdoor site before the midday sun hits and avoid rainy days.
Mexico’s Mesoamerican Ruins
Part of Xihuacan’s draw lies in the fact it is a relatively new and unexplored site, compared to some of Mexico’s other archaeological attractions. For the full Mesoamerican experience, don’t miss UNESCO-listed sites such as Teotihuacan, near Mexico City, or Yutacan’s Chichen Itza.