These Mexican Pyramids and Ruins Will Leave You Speechless (You Won’t Believe #4)
There are hundreds of Mexican pyramids open to the public, though most visitors don’t make it to see them all! So, which are the best Mexican Mayan ruins?
For most, no Mexico trip is complete without seeing El Castillo, the pyramid at Chichen Itza. As one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO Heritage Site, this is the most famous Mexican Mayan Pyramid.
The Teotihuacan Mexico City Pyramids rank at a close second.
Ready to discover these Mexico pyramids and so many more? Let’s get to the list of the best pyramids in Mexico.
1. El Castillo: Chichen Itza Ruins
As one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, does Chichen Itza even need an introduction?!
At Chichen Itza, there are several Mayan pyramids and unique sites to explore. It is a very large site, so plan for at least three hours to see it all.
Entering the site, you’ll first see is El Castillo (or Temple of Kukulkan); the Chichen Itza pyramid you’ve likely seen in photos.
Other notable sites include the Temple of the Warriors, Group of a Thousand Columns, Great Ball Court and Sacred Cenote — where human sacrifices likely occurred.
Chichen Itza Equinox Celebration
For a true Mexico bucket list experience, head to Chichen Itza on the Spring and Fall Equinoxes.
On these days, the setting sun in the late afternoon casts a shadow down the northern staircase of El Castillo that creates the illusion of a descending serpent.
2. Pyramid of the Sun: Teotihuacan Ruins
The Teotihuacan Pyramids are located about an hour from Mexico City in the pueblo magico of San Juan Teotihuacan, Mexico.
The ruins at Teotihuacan tie with Chichén Itzá for the most visited ruins in Mexico — and both see about two million visitors each year.
Teotihuacan dates back to the mysterious Teotihuacanos prehispanic civilization, though the Toltecs and Aztecs eventually inhabited this ancient city.
With such extensive history, it’s no wonder the Ruins of Teotihuacan are a Mexico UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Teotihuacan has three pyramids: Pyramid of the Sun, Pyramid of the Moon and Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl, named in honor of the Aztec Feathered Serpent God.
The best part about visiting Teotihuacan? You can climb all three of the Teotihuacan Pyramids!
The Teotihuacan Pyramid of the Sun is the largest of the three. It stands 216 feet (66 m) tall, and climbing the 248 steps to the top is no easy task!
In fact, many Teotihuacan visitors opt to climb the shorter Pyramid of the Moon, the next Mexico pyramid featured on this list.
3. Pyramid of the Moon: Teotihuacan Ruins
The Teotihuacan Pyramid of the Moon is the second largest pyramid of the three, at 141 feet (43 m) tall.
While the Pyramid of the Sun’s steep steps make climbing it quite intimidating, the Pyramid of the Moon’s steps are a bit easier for many visitors, and you still get great views from the top of the pyramid.
While the Teotihuacan Pyramids are the closest pyramids near Mexico City, there are others.
Besides the partially underground Aztec Pyramid at Templo Mayor, there’s also the Cuicuilco Pyramid in Tlalpan, Mexico, not too far from the popular Coyoacan neighborhood.
Wondering, Where are the Aztec Pyramids? The Teotihuacan Ruins and the vast majority of Aztec Pyramids in Mexico are located in Central Mexico.
4. Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl: Teotihuacan Ruins
The third pyramid at Teotihuacan is the Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl (pronounced ketz-al-co-uh), which you can also climb.
It is the shortest of the three but arguably most beautiful. On it, you’ll see intricate carvings of Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec feathered Serpent God.
🗿 Want to visit Teotihuacan from Mexico City on a tour? Head to 15 Highest Rated Teotihuacan Tours from Mexico City to see all your best options.
5. The Great Pyramid: Calakmul Ruins
The Calakmul Ruins (pronounced cash-lack-mool) were the largest Mayan city ever discovered in Campeche State.
Visiting these ruins is one of the best things to do in Campeche and is worth a visit, even though they aren’t super easy to get to.
Given Calakmul’s remote jungle location, many travelers don’t even know it exists.
It is about five hours by rental car from the closest major city, Campeche City, including a two-hour drive from the nearest main road into the jungles of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve.
However, the trek is worth it. Calakmul Mayan Ruins is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with two very large pyramids you can climb.
The largest structure, called The Great Pyramid or Structure 2, is more than 148-feet-tall (45 m), and the tallest Mayan pyramid on Earth.
Its sister pyramid, Structure 1, is smaller, but offers incredible views of the surrounding jungle from the top.
After ascending this pyramid, you’ll be looking out over all the trees that surround the site; seeing it from a perspective you could have never imagined from the ground.
6. Nohoch Mul Pyramid: Coba Ruins
The main temple at Coba Mayan Ruins, Nohoch Mul (AKA Ixmoja Pyramid), is the tallest pyramid in Yucatan at 137-feet (42 m) and 120 steps to the top.
There’s a rope to hold on to, but this is a bit of a steep climb. However, the views of the Yucatan jungle from the top are totally with it.
The Ixmoja pyramid is part of the Nohoch Mul Group, but other notable areas exist at Coba. These include the Chumuc Mul Group, Coba Group and Macanxoc Group.
It is a very large site, so do hire a local guide to really explain everything that makes the Mayan Coba Ruins so unique.
Located deep in a dense jungle (so it’s a good idea to bring your bug spray 🦟), the Mayan Ruins of Coba is more of a complete Mayan city than a pyramid site.
The entire Coba site is 30 square miles (80 km²), so many rent a bike for a few hours, or hire a tricycle-taxi to see it all. Looking for the best Coba tours? Head here to see them all.
7. Pyramid of the Niches: El Tajin Ruins
Located in the Mexico state of Veracruz, El Tajín is mostly off the beaten path, but such a fascinating site.
It is also a Mexico UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was once among the largest and most important cities of the Classic Era of Mesoamerica until it was abandoned in about 1200.
For those who love to seek out hidden gems in Mexico, the El Tajin Mayan Ruins will really wow you with their massive scale and uniquely carved stone pyramids. For all the best El Tajin tours, head here.
If you plan to visit, you’ll also want to check out the nearby town of Papantla, Veracruz, known for the Voladores de Papantla ritual.
8. Pyramid of the Magician: Uxmal Ruins
One of the most popular Merida day trips, and the best Mayan Ruins near Merida, is Uxmal (pronounced oosh-mall).
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the second most important archeological site in the Yucatan, behind Chichen Itza.
While visitors can not climb the tallest pyramid in Uxmal, called El Adivino (Pyramid of the Magician), you can climb the Great Pyramid right next to it.
You’ll get the most amazing views of Uxmal and the surrounding Yucatan jungle from the top.
You can also climb the other buildings — House of the Birds, House of the Turtles, Nunnery Quadrangle and more — to see Uxmal’s intricate carved stone designs.
Uxmal is one of five sites on the Ruta Puuc, all with buildings in the same beautiful “Puuc” carved stone esthetic.
⭐️Fun Fact: The name Uxmal means “thrice built” in the Maya language.
This refers to the construction of the Pyramid of the Magician, which was built on top of existing pyramids. In a sense, the Uxmal we can see today has been built three times.
Where is Uxmal Mayan Ruins?
Uxmal is a bit remote, and the closest city is Merida at about 52 miles (84 km) away.
From other areas of the Yucatan, like Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Tulum, know this is a 4- to 5-hour drive, so you’ll want to book at least one night at any one of these best hotels in Uxmal, Mexico.
Rather visit on a tour? Here are the best Mayan Ruins tours to Uxmal Ruins.
9. Temple of Inscriptions: Palenque Ruins
Lakam Ha is the Maya name of Palenque (pronounced pa-lan-kay), one of the best Mayan Ruins in Mexico.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Palenque pueblo magico (Mexico magic town), about four hours from the top Chiapas travel destination of San Cristobal de las Casa.
Some of the most notable Palenque pyramids include:
- Templo de las Inscripciones (Temple of the Inscriptions)
- Templo del Conde (Temple of the Count)
- El Palacio (The Palace)
- Tumba de la Reina Roja (Tomb of the Red Queen)
- Templo de la Calavera (Temple of the Skull)
Located deep in the jungle, you’ll want to spend the whole day at Palenque Ruins. Better yet, book one of these best Palenque tours and let an accredited guide show you around.
Numerous ruins are to be seen, but you can also hike around the entire site to see the small waterfalls, jungle pools, and howler monkeys that live at Palenque.
10. Temple of the Wind God: Tulum Ruins
The Archeological Zone of Tulum, or Tulum Ruins, is located just 5-10 minutes from Downtown Tulum on the northern end of Tulum Beach.
Since it’s located in Tulum National Park, this is the easiest way to see Mayan Ruins in Tulum, Mexico.
Compared to others, Tulum Ruins is one of the smaller Mayan sites. However, it’s also one of the most beautiful, located on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea.
Inside, you’ll see the Templo del Dios del Viento (Wind God Temple), the most famous of Tulum Ruins buildings. From there, continue onto the other buildings along the designated path.
These include the Templo del Dios Descendente (Temple of the Descending God), El Castillo (The Castle), Templo de Los Frescos (Temple of the Frescoes) and more.
The best way to see it all? On one of these best Tulum Mayan Ruins tours!
11. Great Pyramid of Cholula
If you asked most people where the largest pyramid on Earth is located, 99% would likely say its one of the Great Pyramids of Egypt.
However, the largest pyramid (by volume; not height) is the Great Pyramid of Cholula in the colorful pueblo of Cholula, Mexico.
Incredibly, this massive pyramid is mostly buried underground!
When the Spanish conquistadors invaded Mexico, they put Catholic churches right on top of preexisting temples, and the Great Pyramid is located underneath the Nuestra Señora de los Remedios Cholula church.
The Great Pyramid of Cholula is said to have been constructed in honor of one of the central Aztec gods, Quetzalcoatl (pronounced ketz-al-coe-uh).
It is massive, at 4.5 million cubic meters, and visitors can tour many of its underground passageways when visiting Cholula.
The best way to see it, and the whole town, is on one of these best Cholula tours from Puebla.
Final Thoughts: Best Pyramids in Mexico to Visit
With hundreds of pyramids in Mexico open to the public, this list just scratches the surface — though it does highlight the most popular Mexico pyramids.
When visiting, stay respectful as these famous pyramids in Mexico are important, holy sites for the people who still live near them.
Ready to Book Your Mexico Vacation? Here Are Some Resources To Look At:
Mexico is a large country — the 14th largest country on Earth by size — and it’s also the 6th most biodiverse diverse country in the world.
Though it’s mostly known for beaches, there’s a lot more to Mexico than that. Check out these Mexico articles to discover parts of the country you never knew existed.
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- The Coolest Mayan Ruins in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula
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