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There are many sites with Aztec and Mayan ruins in Mexico. So far, we have seen the Mayan ruins of Tulum, the ruins of unknown origin, Teotihuacan and the Aztec ruins of Templo Mayor in downtown Mexico City. The Spaniards built over many of the Aztec ruins when they conquered the area in the colonial days.
The ancient city of Teotihuacán is the most visited of Mexicos archaeological sites and a must-see if you are ever in Mexico City. The site is impressive for its scale, both in the size of the Pyramid of the Sun (the third largest pyramid in the world) and the majesty of the Calle de los Muertos (Street of the Dead) - originally 4km long and flanked by temples, palaces and platforms.
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| The temple of the moon in Teotihuacan |
Tulum is a late-Mayan site that was at its height from around AD 1200 until the arrival of the Spanish. The name means 'enclosure' or 'wall', but is probably modern. It is thought that the site was originally called Zama or 'dawn' reflecting its location on the east coast and the east-west alignment of its buildings. This was one of the last (most modern) of the Mayan cities built.
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| The walled Mayan city (resort) of Tulum |
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