Xihuacan Museum and Archaeological Site (Museo Xihuacan)

Free admission

Open Tues-Sun 10am-5pm

Soledad de Maciel, Oaxaca, 68000

The basics

Dedicate at least half a day to exploring the ceremonial complex and learning more about the many indigenous cultures that inhabited the region for over three millennia. Tours typically include a walk around the excavation site, plus access to the Xihuacan Museum, with a variety of small-group, private, or lunch-inclusive packages to choose from. Some itineraries also included a visit to nearby villages or sightseeing along Mexico’s scenic Pacific coastline.

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Xihuacan Culture and Archaeology Tour

92 Reviews

$95.98 per adult

Traveler Favorite

Definitely a worthwhile daytrip!

Pablo made the tour a huge hit for us with his extensive knowledge of the area, culture, history, and archaeology site! We had a refreshingly air-conditioned van and a delicious stop for lunch. Our 14 and 16 year-old kids, who were a bit reluctant about the tour at first as it was taking them away from the beach / pool, thanked us afterward, saying that it was a real highlight of their overall trip.

Wendy_K, Mar 2024

Why you are seeing this

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Things to know before you go

Tours are typically led by local experts, who are knowledgeable about Mesoamerican history.
The labels in the Xihuacan Museum are in Spanish, so it’s worth booking an English-speaking guide.
Come prepared for lots of outdoor exploration with sturdy shoes, sunscreen, bottled water, and a hat.

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How to get there

Xihuacan is a fifteen-minute drive from central Petatlán and around 45 minutes from the nearby resort cities of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo. It is possible to get there via public transport–a small shuttle transfers visitors from the highway turn off–though tours with round-trip transportation are often more convenient.

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When to get there

Arrive as early as possible to get around the outdoor site before the midday sun hits and avoid rainy days.

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Mexico’s Mesoamerican Ruins

Part of Xihuacan’s draw lies in the fact it is a relatively new and unexplored site, compared to some of Mexico’s other archaeological attractions. For the full Mesoamerican experience, don’t miss UNESCO-listed sites such as Teotihuacan, near Mexico City, or Yutacan’s Chichen Itza.

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