The grass-covered ruins of Cuicuilco lack the wow factor of impressive Teotihuacán in the northeast, but it was in fact an important farming and ceramics-producing community with an estimated population of 20,000 inhabitants.

Abandoned around the 2nd century following an eruption of the now-extinct Xitle volcano, much of the ancient city (known as “the place of singing and dancing”) remains covered by a deep layer of lava.

The collapse of Cuicuilco left Teotihuacán as the region’s dominant city. Cuicuilco’s most notable structure is a four-tiered circular temple that was used for ceremonial practices and was surrounded by plazas and residential complexes. The onsite museum exhibits well preserved ceramics.

Practical Info

Avenida Insurgentes Sur, Tlalpan

Wed-Fri 10am-4pm (hours may vary)

Admission: free

www.inah.gob.mx

Metrobús Villa Olímpica