Discover the ancient ruins of Mexico

Chichen Itza

There's no need to travel as far as Egypt to see pyramids—Mexico has countless ancient pyramids and other ruins constructed by advanced civilizations such as the Mayans, Aztecs, Olmecs, and Zapotecs as far back as 3,000 years ago. Many of the most spectacular sites have been excavated and opened to the public while others still remain hidden—enveloped by the jungle and preserved for future archaeologists to uncover.

The Mayan-Toltec city of Chichén Itzá, likely the most famous ruin in the country, is a popular day trip for travelers staying in Cancun and the Mayan Riviera. Dating back to at least 500 A.D., some of the city's most notable features include the 365-step El Castillo pyramid, the lurid Temple of the Skulls (a sacrificial platform), and the Sacred Cenote (a sinkhole where sacrificial victims where thrown).

Admission is $10, although it's free on Sundays. Most major hotels along the coast can arrange day trips to visit the site. The nearest major airport is located in Merida, although, if you're touring all of the Yucatan's major sites, it's cheaper to fly into Cancun and start there. Sample fares for spring flights to Merida from Houston start around $322 plus taxes on Delta. Sample spring fares to Cancun start around $178 plus taxes on American. Chichén Itzá is about two-and-a-half hours' drive from Cancun.

(Photo: Mexico Tourism Board)

Monte Alban

Ruins in the state of Oaxaca are predominately Zapotec or Mixtec, not Mayan. The most important of these is Monte Albán, set high above the city of Oaxaca. Originally a mountaintop, the site was leveled off sometime around 500 B.C. to create a vast plateau suitable for building and overseeing the surrounding territory.

Archaeologists have found more than 170 tombs at Monte Albán, one of which contained a treasure trove of gold jewelry, pearls, coral, and other precious metals and stones. Its contents can be viewed at the nearby Oaxaca Museum of Culture.

Admission is about $4. Numerous tour companies run trips to the site from Oaxaca City, just a six-mile drive away from the ruins. Sample spring fares to Oaxaca from Houston start at $342 plus taxes on American.

(Photo: Bruce Herman, Mexico Tourism Board)

El Tajin

North of Veracruz, near the Gulf of Mexico, lie the Totonac ruins of El Tajin. Most of the 150 buildings within the site have not yet been excavated, but archaeologists are excited by what has been revealed, including more than 12 games courts, carved stone reliefs, and a pyramid that appears to have been used as a time-measurement device.

Admission is about $5. Tours of the site are available from Veracruz, 150 miles to the south. Sample spring fares to Veracruz from Houston start around $350 plus taxes on Mexicana.

(Photo: Guillermo Aldana, Mexico Tourism Board)

Uxmal

Much farther inland, about 50 miles southwest of the Yucatan's state capital Merida, the Mayan site of Uxmal rivals Chichén Itzá in grandiosity, with some preferring it to its more popular neighbor to the east. Its most striking feature is the Pirámide del Adivino, or the Magician's Pyramid, which, unlike more conventional pyramids, has an oval base and rounded sides.

Admission is about $10. The nearest major airport is located in Merida, although, if you're touring all of the Yucatan's major sites, it's cheaper to fly into Cancun and start there. Sample fares for spring flights to Merida from Houston start around $322 plus taxes on Delta. You can arrange tours from Merida, but renting a car will allow you to explore some of the smaller, lesser-known ruins near Uxmal.

(Photo: Bruce Herman, Mexico Tourism Board)

Coba

Although located near the Mayan Riviera, about 40 miles inland from Tulum, the huge Mayan city of Cobá remains mostly unexcavated and left alone by the tour buses. Thick vegetation covers many of the structures here, creating an air of mystery about the place, but a few of its pyramids are at least partially excavated and the original stonework peaks out from underneath the vines on other constructions.

Admission is about $4. A few tour bus companies offer Cobá tours, but it's easier to rent a car and drive from Cancun or Tulum.

(Photo: Bruce Herman, Mexico Tourism Board)

Palenque

If you have time to visit only one ancient site in Mexico, make it Palenque, arguably the most impressive and important ruins in Mexico. Set on a ridge in the jungle-covered mountains and surrounded by a forest alive with whooping monkeys and colorful birds, Palenque dates back to the Classic period of Mayan civilization (400 to 700 A.D.)

Admission is about $5. While located in Mexico's southernmost state, Chiapas, Palenque is most easily accessed through the city of Villahermosa in Tabasco, a two-hour drive away. Sample spring fares to Villahermosa from Houston, start around $322 plus taxes on American.

(Photo: Guillermo Aldana, Mexico Tourism Board)

Teotihuacan

Just an hour outside Mexico City, the sprawling Aztec ruins Teotihuacán contain the remnants of about 600 pyramids, including the 211-foot-high Piramide del Sol (Pyramid of the Sun) and the 132-foot-tall Piramide de la Luna (Pyramid of the Moon).

Admission is about $4. Frequent bus service departs for the ruins from Mexico City's Terminal Central de Autobuses del Norte. Sample spring fares to Mexico City from Houston start around $300 plus taxes on American.

(Photo: Nadine Markova, Mexico Tourism Board)

Edzna

South of Uxmal, in the Yucatan's little-visited state of Campeche, lie many important sites that you may well have all to yourself. The most accessible of these is Edzná, which dates as far back as 600 B.C. It's best known for its Great Acropolis construction, which features a large five-level pyramid and four smaller pyramids.

Admission is about $4. The site is roughly 140 miles from Merida via the city of Campeche. Renting a car to get there is your best bet.

(Photo: Guillermo Aldana, Mexico Tourism Board)

Palenque

The site of Palenque has more than 200 constructions, some with intricately carved inscriptions and reliefs.

While visiting, be sure not to miss the Templo de las Inscripciones (Temple of the Inscriptions), which has large stones inscribed with hieroglyphics telling the history of the Mayan King Pacal; El Palacio (The Palace), which has a four-sided tower with an interior column; and El Templo del Sol (Temple of the Sun), home to limestone tablets depicting images of the sun-shield king.

(Photo: Guillermo Aldana, Mexico Tourism Board)

Tulum

Perched on a cliff above the Caribbean Sea, the Mayan fortress of Tulum is also a popular day trip for visitors staying on the Yucatan coast and for cruise passengers docking on the island of Cozumel.

Admission is almost $4. You can arrange a trip through your hotel or drive yourself. It takes two hours to get from Cancun to Tulum by car.

(Photo: Photo Disc)