The winner is Palenque

Lovers of Maya lore come for the fabulous ruins, and Yaxchilan and Bonampak are a long day trip away. Palenque town is hardly scenic, but en route to the archaeological site, magical Panchan draws wanderers and New Age types with music, theater, and cheap digs

And the runners up are....

Chichen Itza, Yucatan

Fabulous, extensive Maya ruins with Toltec influence

Calakmul, Campeche

An excellent destination for independent travelers, extensive, out-of-the-way Calakmul still has bands of monkeys and parrots, plenty of climable pyramids and extensive vistas

Teotihuacan, Mexico

Predating the Aztec cities by many centuries, Teotihuacan is a magnificent ruined city of mysterious origins. Easily accessible from Mexico City.

Uxmal, Yucatan

Perfectly proportioned Maya city with excellent icons, due south of Merida in the Yucatan peninsula

Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Excellent archaeological sites: Monte Alban and Mitla

Monte Alban, Oaxaca

Wonderful ruins of Zapotec and Mixtec origin overlooking the Valley of Oaxaca

Edzna, Campeche

Maya ruins outside Campeche City, with drainage system and climable Five-Story Pyramid

Cacaxtla, Tlaxcala

Magnificent murals in bold colors, presumably of the Olmec-Xicalanca group. With recently restored structures.

Ocosingo, Chiapas

Excellent Maya ruins of Tonina within walking distance; few visitors

Merida, Yucatan

An excellent base for visiting nearby ruins as daytrips or overnight excursions

Ek Balam, Yucatan

Less-visited and wonderful Maya ruins reasonably near Cancun and Merida

Cancun, Quintana Roo

Major ruins within state and neighboring states; closest is Tulum, several hours away

Tulum, Quintana Roo

Over-crowded Maya ruins overlooking the sparkling Caribbean Sea

El Tajin, Veracruz

An impressive step pyramid dominates this ancient and artistic ruin

Real de Catorce, San Luis Potosi

Remains of the silver mining days are everywhere.

Campeche, Campeche

Remnants of defensive walls and bastions ring the inner city; extensive Maya ruins throughout the state, including nearby Edzna

Mexico City, D.F.

most of the treasures from the Aztec temple adjoining the Zocalo are in the adjacent, in situ museum; Teotihuacan an hour's drive north

Veracruz, Veracruz

Ruins of 16th- through 18th-century San Juan de Ulua Fort