Xochicalco
Cuernavaca, Morelos, 79484
Not far from Cuernavaca, the UNESCO-listed archaeological ruins of Xochicalco serve as a fascinating reminder of the ancient cultures that inhabited these valleys nearly 1,500 years ago. Known for its intricately carved buildings, such as the Temple of the Feathered Serpent, Xochicalco also offers sweeping vistas over Cuernavaca, an observatory, and on-site museum.
The Basics
Originally built around 650 AD, Xochicalco was once home to around 20,000 people and reached its peak after the fall of Teotihuacán. Most visitors stop by on a full-day excursion from Cuernavaca, Mexico City, or even Acapulco, combining the ruins with a city tour of charming Cuernavaca, the nearby silver town of Taxco, or one of Morelos’ haciendas. You can also visit independently, although a guide will be able to provide more information than you’d get alone.
Things to Know Before You Go
Xochicalco is a fascinating alternative to busier Teotihuacán in the State of Mexico.
There’s a small fee to access the ruins and on-site museum.
Highlights of the site include the Temple of the Feathered Serpent (Quetzalcoatl), as well as ball courts, circular altars, and an observatory.
The on-site observatory is only accessible after 12pm.
Xochicalco may not be easily accessible for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility.
How to Get There
Xochicalco is situated roughly 18 miles (30 kilometers) south of Cuernavaca and 79 miles (127 kilometers) from the Mexican capital, Mexico City. Some excursions run to Xochicalco from Acapulco, some 170 miles (275 kilometers) away. Most arrive on guided tours with round-trip transportation included, but you can also arrive by taxi from Cuernavaca. Local buses are unreliable at best.
When to Get There
The Xochicalco ruins are open to the public from Wednesday through Sunday, from roughly 9am until 3pm. Arriving early is a good idea if you want to have the place to yourself, but the observatory is only accessible after 12pm. From April 30 to August 15, the sun shines into the observatory; sometime in mid-May and late-July, the light shines directly onto the floor and reveals an image of the sun.
What to Do in Cuernavaca
A favorite weekend destination for Mexico City-based daytrippers, Cuernavaca is the capital of Morelos state and home to some of Mexico’s oldest attractions, including the 16th-century Cuernavaca Cathedral; the Palacio de Cortés, a 16th-century fortress which was once home to colonizer Hernán Cortés; and Teopanzolco Pyramid, situated less than a mile (1 kilometer) from the city center.
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