Xihuacan Archaeological Site: Guided Tour & Local Lunch

Summary

Explore Xihuacan’s ancient ruins and museum with a guide before tasting real countryside seafood near Zihuatanejo

You’ll travel from Zihuatanejo or Ixtapa to Xihuacan with a local guide, exploring ancient ruins, a museum full of artifacts, and a ceremonial ball court before sharing a real countryside lunch with handmade tortillas and fresh seafood. Between quiet moments among old bricks and laughter over lunch, you’ll find pieces of Mexico you’ll remember long after the trip.

What’s the experience like?

Hands dusted off a clay pot — that’s how our guide, Miguel, started showing us around Xihuacan. He’d picked it up like it was nothing special, but you could see he was proud. The drive from Ixtapa took about 45 minutes, windows down for the breeze (and honestly, the van’s AC was almost too cold). Fields slid by, dotted with papaya trees and kids waving at the van. When we got to the site, there was this quiet—just birds and the crunch of gravel under our shoes.

The Xihuacan archaeological site felt different from other ruins I’ve seen. Maybe it was the bricks — not stone — or maybe just how new everything still feels here. Miguel walked us through the museum first (about 800 artifacts, he said), pointing out obsidian vases and shell necklaces so tiny I had to squint. There was this faint smell of earth and old pottery in the air. At the ball court, he explained how games here were tied to rituals—sometimes even human sacrifice. That part made me shiver a bit; I didn’t expect to feel so close to history.

We wandered over to Edificio B next, which is built out of bricks on the inside and modeling clay outside—Miguel tapped it so we could hear the difference. Afterward we passed through Soledad de Maciel, where people live right on top of what used to be high-class neighborhoods centuries ago. It’s strange seeing laundry flapping where ancient families once lived—makes you think about time in a weird way.

Lunch came after another short ride toward the coast—a little restaurant with plastic chairs and a dog napping in the shade. The tortillas were still warm from someone’s hands; I went for shrimp in garlic sauce (the smell alone made my stomach growl). There was guacamole, beans, chips… even coconut milk if you wanted it. We laughed about my terrible Spanish (“camarones” apparently isn’t as easy as it looks), and Miguel told us stories about his grandmother making tortillas by hand. I still think about that meal sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Xihuacan Archaeology and Lunch

• Drive to archaeological site
• Explore Xihuacan ceremonial center
• Visit Xihuacan Site Museum
• See the ball court
• Visit Edificio B pyramid
• Tour Soledad de Maciel community
• Drive to beach restaurant
• Enjoy traditional Mexican seafood lunch
• Return to hotel in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo

Top questions

How far is Xihuacan from Zihuatanejo or Ixtapa?

The drive takes about 45 minutes from either Zihuatanejo or Ixtapa.

What does the Xihuacan archaeological tour include?

The tour includes hotel pickup/drop-off, guided visit to Xihuacan Museum and site, visit to Soledad de Maciel village, and lunch at a traditional restaurant.

How long do you spend at the archaeological site?

You spend about three hours exploring Xihuacan’s ceremonial center.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Yes, lunch at a traditional Mexican food and seafood restaurant is included.

What kind of food is served for lunch?

You can choose shrimp or fish (garlic sauce or breaded), chicken fajitas or grilled chicken; all come with guacamole, chips, salsa, handmade tortillas, beans, plus one drink.

Is transportation air-conditioned?

Yes, transportation is provided in an air-conditioned van for up to 14 passengers.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Children are allowed if accompanied by an adult; not recommended for children aged 6 or under.

Are there guides who speak English?

The tour includes a local guide who provides explanations during your visit.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Zihuatanejo or Ixtapa in an air-conditioned van with your local guide leading you through Xihuacan’s ruins and museum before heading out for a traditional countryside lunch—fresh seafood or chicken with handmade tortillas—before returning comfortably back to your hotel.