Quiahuiztlan Archaeological Zone
Quiahuiztlan Archaeological Zone
Quiahuiztlan Archaeological Zone
4.5
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These ancient ruins were most likely once inhabited by the Totonac Indians.
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4.5
35 reviews
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VillaricaJoe
McAllen, TX3 contributions
This archaeological zone is perched on a mountaintop overlooking tiny Villa Rica where the Spanish first set up shop before heading inland to conquer the Aztecs in 1519. In the village of Villa Rica directly BEHIND the pretty hotel with the swimming pool (that never has any business) is a pasture where by carefully scaling the barbed wire fence you can see the perfectly preserved footings of the 15 or so original Spanish forts and buildings. If you luck into visiting after the locals have cleaned this pasture with machetes the foundations are clearly exposed and you can walk on them. They stand around 3 feet tall and in their centers where the wooden buildings would have been is a fine red volcanic silt. The pyramid site on the mountain is fabulous. There are upon ocassion several young guides and the govt. paid caretaker on duty formally was the owner of the pasture that was taken over by the state govt. when this was cleared and excavated in the 1990's. The mountainous pastureland had been in his family for ages. The tiny tombs are amazing and the overlook at the edge of the barbed pasture fencing gives a birds-eye view of miles of beach and wave-crashing coastline and cocoanut plantations. The ground is covered in fine Bermuda grass and would be ideal for picnics. Normally, the place is quiet other than the occasional tour bus filled with students from nearby schools. Americans do not travel the "emerald coast" and have no idea that this long strip of coastline is so historic and gorgeous. The locals have told me that behind the semi-attached island in front of Villa Rica the cement staircases that Cortes had constructed to unload everything off of his ships before he burned them here are still visible and in fine condition. I was also told that behind the large white clump of rock covered with birds the mooring column is still there from the Conquest where ships would tie up anchor. Around the ruins is overgrown mesquite and jungle but in 1519 this was all clear and populated with the large Totonac town. The only thing that has survived the 500 years of nature is the stone religious area in the park at present. The young guides offer a tour at the top of cerro del Metate and say that there is a Totonac water storage tank up there and some other man made ruins. Its a wonderful place to visit...many times!!!
Written 24 October 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Starviagera
Florida2,080 contributions
This arquelogical zone can be viewed from the sea. This is a necropolis in the carretera 180 Cardel Nautla. Before the spaniards it is belived it had 15,000 inhabitants. It is called Lugar de la LLuvia. You can get very close to the top, but the road is a little rough in some places. There is an easy walk to the main area, however if you want to visit the entire site, get your energy as there are a lot of steps. While there, continue to Antigua and Villa Rica both places are very close by. There is a nice beach in Villa Rica and also a waterfall. You have to walk a bit to the waterfall.
Written 6 April 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Royann P
Courtenay, Canada49 contributions
Feb 2018
We were recently there on a bright sunny day. The road was full of cattle not wishing to give way, and this just added to the adventure. The parking lot was secure. The views over the ocean and beach alone were worth the trip! This is one of over 20 Mexican archeology sites that I have visited. I had not expected to see different types of structures so was quite amazed to see the small burial houses. It is a relatively modern site (as compared to el Tajin), and appears to be in good shape. It took us approx. 45 mins to stroll around. Missing information signs, so having a site map before hand would be ideal.
Written 20 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amanda S
Crestline, CA101 contributions
Jan 2017 • Solo
Once a hilltop stronghold for the Totonac people, this small site overlooking the Gulf of Mexico is now a most unusual ruin. There are a few pyramid structures and a ball court here but the big attraction are the small temple-like tombs that are located in three main clusters. There are few tourists as this is an out-of-the-way location so you can take pictures without getting photobombed. The location is peaceful and good for meditating. There are no shops or eating places at the site but there is a beach community down the hill and across the highway that is fun and relaxing.
Written 23 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RoseH399
Edmonton, Canada38 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
Burial grounds of the Totonaca's. Very interesting and amazing that this could have been built back then. This was not part of our tour but our guide said out time was good and we should see the burial grounds. so glad we did.
Written 26 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aerowood2016
Noblesville, IN130 contributions
Nov 2014 • Couples
This is small site that is soooo tranquil. The view of the rock outcropping above the ruin is only surpassed by the ocean and the surrounding hills below.
Interesting series of miniature tombs kind of reminiscent of Banampak.
Wear good shoes! There is a series of stairs that lead up to six small tombs but then a path along the fence line. You can make it a ways in sandals but you will reach a point where there is 10-12 foot vertical climb that would be doable in tennis shoes but would be suicidal in sandals.
The path looked travel enough that there must be a reason to get up even higher. Got to believe the view would have been spectacular
Interesting series of miniature tombs kind of reminiscent of Banampak.
Wear good shoes! There is a series of stairs that lead up to six small tombs but then a path along the fence line. You can make it a ways in sandals but you will reach a point where there is 10-12 foot vertical climb that would be doable in tennis shoes but would be suicidal in sandals.
The path looked travel enough that there must be a reason to get up even higher. Got to believe the view would have been spectacular
Written 1 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
braff88
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK32 contributions
Dec 2013 • Couples
I thought this was a great site, well worth the trip if you're in the area. It was nice to go to some ruins that weren't really overcrowded with tourists and vendors. I loved imagining what the people round here thought about Cortes and the other spaniards.
Written 22 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
grilango
Mexico City, Mexico100 contributions
Dec 2011 • Solo
this is a sort of cemetery very close to the gulf, with a great view of it. it consists of a ton of small structures, that kind of look like little houses, set out row after row, many if not all with a view of the gulf, in which remains were placed. It is likely you will be the only person there. i visited right around sunrise and it was beautiful. you drive up a winding road from the gulf highway to get there, which itself has some very pretty views of the stone monolithic mountain that sits aside the site. Towards the back, more wooded part of the site there is a trail you can climb that takes you tot the top of the mountain. different than any other site I have seen in Mexico, recommended for ruin hounds for its uniqueness and setting.
Written 26 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emilio C
Veracruz Mexico82 contributions
May 2012 • Family
This is one of the places that you will find all to your self since very few people know about it, it is also near the ruins of Zempoala Veracruz and it is in the small city of Villa Rica Veracruz, most people do not even know the history of this place and it will amaze you the way it was built and where they build it. Quiahuiztlan better known as El cerro de los Metates was an ancient city built by the Toltecs and was one of the many cities that joined Cortez on it's way to defeat the Aztecs, very little is known about this place since very little work has been done to it. It is located way up the hill and a modern road was built, but with many turns a curves and if you are waking like i did, make sure to bring an umbrella or hat and lots of cold water. The best way to get here is from the city of Cardel, from there you can just take a taxy all the way to the top (it will cost you about $10 to 12 US Dollars) or take a regular bus also from Cardel and cost about $3 US Dollars. and walk all the way up. There are many buses coming also from the port of Veracruz to Cardel or take the bus to Poza Rica and will leave you right at the Highway's entrance. will cost around $7 US Dollars From Veracruz City. The ruins we're built at the middle of the hill and it is divided in 3 diffrent Locations. At the entrance the main city. up the hill to some tombs and down hill to another complex. also make sure to be well rested cause it will take lots of walking all around and up and down and down and up. Make sure to check all my photos of this amazing place in Panoramio my nick is Jarocho1. and i will be posting pictures from other Ruins and interesting palces as i travel more. There are many many other places with so much history in Mexico but sadly there's very little interest in the preservation of this beautiful buildings, I live In Veracruz city near Jamapa and here they found a piramid with unknown history but sadly about 75% of the whole structure was destroyed for brick making, that's right the people did not care about it and they kept making construction bricks with it. now very little is left of it. But anyway's if you are around the area of Cardel or planning to visit Zempoala make sure to visit this hidden jewel of ancient history.
Written 15 May 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pistachon279
Dublin, Ireland13,181 contributions
Feb 2024 • Solo
It's just one hour away from the city of Veracruz by car,the entrance is $95.00 pesos, it's a small site basically is a Mayan cemetery where you can see different tumbs,the view of the sea is amazing, it's just in front of the small village of Villa Rica.
Written 29 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Necesitaré un guía ya que iré en las próximas semanas y es la primera vez. Gracias
Written 30 June 2019
Yosrouge
Mexico City, Mexico
Hola ¿Qué playas hay cercas de este sitio y si pido un guía de cuánto tiempo sería el recorrido?
Written 23 October 2017
Yosrouge
Mexico City, Mexico
Hola ¿Saben cómo llegó del puerto de Veracruz a este sitio, de igual forma cómo regreso y el costo que tiene? Gracias
Written 16 October 2017
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