Xihuacan Archaeological Tour: Pyramid & Museum Visit

Walk ancient brick pyramids then feast on handmade tortillas and fresh fish.

The Xihuacan archaeological tour from Zihuatanejo or Ixtapa is a guided exploration of a recently discovered ceremonial center, the only Pre-Columbian site in the Americas constructed from bricks and modeling clay. The tour includes the site museum housing 800 artifacts, the ball court where ritual games took place, Edificio B pyramid, and a rural community built atop the former high-class neighborhood, plus hotel pickup, a live English-speaking guide, and lunch at a countryside restaurant with fresh seafood and handmade tortillas. The drive from your hotel takes roughly 45 minutes each way, with about three hours spent at the archaeological site itself.

The experience

The Xihuacan Museum and Archaeological Site sits inland from the coast, reached by a 45-minute drive from your hotel in Zihuatanejo or Ixtapa. The tour opens at the museum, where roughly 800 objects fill the galleries: ceramic vessels, obsidian vases, bell necklaces, copper axes, stone carvings and shell work that trace the Cuitlateca people's mastery of pottery and craft. From there the guide leads you through the ceremonial center itself, where the ball court reveals how ritual games connected to religion and human sacrifice shaped Pre-Columbian life. Edificio B, the pyramid that gives this site its archaeological significance, stands as evidence of a building technique found nowhere else on the continent: bricks on the interior, modeling clay on the outer surface, a method the Cuitlateca developed during the Pre-Columbian period.

The tour includes a stop in Soledad de Maciel, a rural village where modern houses now sit atop what was once the neighborhood of the Pre-Columbian elite: a physical reminder of how the landscape layers history. After three hours at the site, you travel 35 minutes to a traditional Mexican restaurant in the countryside, away from the tourist strip of Ixtapa. Lunch arrives with your choice of shrimp in garlic sauce or breaded, fish fillet grilled or in sauce, or chicken fajitas or grilled: all served with guacamole, chips, salsa, handmade tortillas and beans, plus a beer, soft drink or coconut milk. The small group travels in an air-conditioned 14-passenger van, and the return to your hotel takes roughly 40 minutes from the restaurant.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Zihuatanejo or Ixtapa.
• guided access to the Xihuacan Museum and Archaeological Site with a live English-speaking guide.
• lunch at a countryside restaurant with your choice of shrimp, fish or chicken, plus guacamole, chips, salsa, handmade tortillas, beans and a beverage.

Before you book

Lasts 4h, runs Tuesday to Sunday at 09:00, from US$ 88 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 14 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 14

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Luis de la Maza Ixtapa Zihuatanejo tours

Is this one for you?Choose your departure point (Zihuatanejo or Ixtapa) based on where you're staying, since both options follow the same route and include the same museum, pyramid, ball court and lunch. The small-group format and fixed itinerary mean the day holds together without you arranging stops or timing. The guide handles the history and the logistics.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What is Edificio B and why is it archaeologically important?

Edificio B is the pyramid at Xihuacan built from bricks on the inside and modeling clay on the outside: a construction method unique to this site and found nowhere else in the Pre-Columbian Americas, making it a significant discovery about Cuitlateca engineering and building practices.

What objects are in the Xihuacan Museum?

The museum houses roughly 800 artifacts including ceramic vessels, obsidian vases, bell necklaces, copper axes, stone carvings and shell work that demonstrate the Cuitlateca people's advanced knowledge of pottery and craft production.

What does lunch include on this tour?

Lunch is served at a traditional Mexican restaurant in the countryside and includes your choice of shrimp, fish or chicken prepared in several ways, all served with guacamole, chips, salsa, handmade tortillas, beans and a beer, soft drink or coconut milk.

How much time do I spend actually at the archaeological site?

You spend approximately three hours exploring the ceremonial center, including the museum, ball court, Edificio B pyramid and the rural community of Soledad de Maciel.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation?

No, hotel pickup and drop-off from Zihuatanejo or Ixtapa are included, and you travel in an air-conditioned van with a small group and a live English-speaking guide throughout the day.