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The best ruins in Mexico is Palenque, Chiapas
The Maya ruins of Palenque are magnificent, with a "lost in the jungle" feel
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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, More Info
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, More Info
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, More Info
An excellent base for visiting nearby ruins as daytrips or overnight excursions
Ek Balam, Yucatan, More Info
Less-visited and wonderful Maya ruins reasonably near Cancun and Merida
Cancun, Quintana Roo, More Info
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
Valladolid, Yucatan, More Info
excellent ruins, including Chichen Itza, Ek Balam, Coba and more 35 km or less
Real de Catorce, San Luis Potosi, More Info
Remains of the silver mining days are everywhere.
Campeche, Campeche, More Info
Remnants of defensive walls and bastions ring the inner city; extensive Maya ruins throughout the state, including nearby Edzna
Playa Del Carmen, Quintana Roo
Many Mayan ruins nearby
Mineral de Pozos, Guanajuato, More Info
A handful of ruined mines to explore
Pozos, Guanajuato
A handful of ruined mines to explore
Mexico City, Federal District (DF), More Info
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, More Info
Ruins of 16th- through 18th-century San Juan de Ulua Fort
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