Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
Either from Zihuatanejo or Ixtapa take the most complete Xihuacan archaeological tour, this recently discovered ceremonial center is the only one in this continent made out of bricks and modeling clay during the Pre-Columbian period. Have a guided tour through the Cuitlateca vestiges and learn about the ethnic group who took the knowledge of pottery to a higher level.
Travel in a luxury van with a small group of people and enjoy and excellent lunch on a traditional Mexican food and seafood restaurant on the country side with handmade tortillas and fresh fish, chicken or tasty shrimp.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
A minimum of 2 adults per booking is required
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Not recommended for child aged 6 and under
What To Expect
The drive from your hotel to the archaeological dig is approximately 45 minutes, spend about 3 hours exploring all of the ceremonial center, then drive 35 minutes to get to the beach and have lunch and from there to the hotel is approximately 40 minutes. Xihuacan Archaeology Tour includes visit to the Xihuacan Site Museum which houses about 800 objects, that includes: work in ocean shells, ceramic, obsidian vases, bell necklaces, copper axes, stone artifacts and granite carved stones. Then you will visit the ball court. The ball court is the place where they played the ball game. Linked to religion, the ball game ritual was one of the main activities in pre-Hispanic cities, the ball game was associated directly to the human sacrifice. The next stop will be at pyramid name Edificio B, which was build out of bricks on the inside and modeling clay on the outside. Next you will visit the rural community name Soledad de Maciel, where the villagers built houses on top of what it used to be the neighborhood of the high-class citizens during the Pre-Columbian Period. Go to a traditional Mexican food and seafood restaurant for a great lunch, away from the tourist town of Ixtapa, you will taste some real Mexican style sea food, which consist of one of the following choices: • Shrimp on garlic sauce or breaded • Fish filet on garlic sauce or bread or on the grill • Chicken fajitas or chicken on the grill or chicken breaded All of the dishes come with guacamole, chips and salsa, hand made tortillas and beans. With lunch you get a beer or a soft drink or coconut milk. The transportation will be an air-conditioned, very comfortable 14 passenger van. After lunch you will be transported back to your hotel in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo.
Options
Depart from Ixtapa
Tour departs at 9am from your Ixtapa hotel From Zihuatanejo at 9:30am Pickup included
Depart from Zihuatanejo
Tour departs at 9:30am from your hotel in Zihuatanejo Pickup included
What‘s Included
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Lunch
Driver/guide
Gratuities
We do not visit a lagoon
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
117 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
EXCELLENT private tour by guide Pablo with Luis De La Maza Co.
traveltheworld012,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My wife and I were in Zihua for the first time February 22 to March 4, 2026. We are not big on tours, but felt it was easier in this situation. We booked it for Friday, February 27. A few days prior, there was the killing of the cartel drug lord by the Mexican army, so the larger area of Mexico was on high alert for potential retaliation. Possibly many tourists were afraid to venture out, because our tour guide Pablo, arrived at our hotel at 7:50 AM with a small car. My wife and I received a private tour for just the two of us. The approximately 6 hours we spent with Pablo, was very personable, friendly and super informative. It was so much better than I had imagined -like riding around in a van of 15-20 people, being herded here and there. This tour was like visiting a good friend with gracious hospitality. The car ride was scenic and fun with great conversation, We went to the museum, the games court, the pyramid, spoke with an Aztec dancer who also performed for us and we drove through the village of Xihuacan populated by 400 people living off the land. Then a fantastic lunch by a truly local family with authentic food. I had a wonderful fresh fish lunch. Then Pablo obligingly took us to a great coffee shop at our request. Probably the best tour we have ever had. Thank you so much Pablo, and warm regards to you and your family. This is a fantastic tour company.
If I could give this 10...
Alison U,Feb 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00If I could give this 10 stars I would. It was really good! Our guide was extremely informative and so kind. I would recommend bringing some pesos along to buy coffee as we stop at a little coffee hut and also for tipping after our lunch.
Walking on an ancient pyramid and seeing first hand the game court was thrilling to me. I am a history buff!
937diannee,Feb 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I enjoyed the tour very much. Francisco was very knowledgeable and friendly. Lunch at a local restaurant was a nice treat. On a hot day, I would suggest going to the pyramid first and the museum second. I highly recommend this tour.
An archaeological adventure!
klinti2026,Jan 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We visited the Xihuacan museum and ruins on a privately guided tour arranged through our resorts tour department. The museum is very well laid out and informative with many items on display to show the rich history of the area. Our tour guide, Charlie, was very well spoken and versed in the English language and provided insight into the local area as well as the historic ruins. Can’t wait to visit the area again after further exploration has uncovered more of the ruins!
We had a great tour...
Kristin D,Jan 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a great tour learning about the history of this beautiful area. Our guide was very knowledgeable and gave us a very thorough explanation of the museum and the architectural site.
Fun and fascinating!
Rhonda S,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Today’s tour of the Xihuacan civilization with Francisco Quintero was excellent! We toured the museum and received an amazing amount of detailed information from him about the timeline of the group’s existence, their many fascinating artifacts and an overall history of this indigenous group from Zihua. You will not be bored! Our lunch stop was at a charming outdoor spot with delicious food and very nice people running the restaurant. We are very happy we booked this tour for our trip!
This tour exceeded expectations
Mary A,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This local archaeological tour exceeded our expectations. We need up with a private tour and a local guide who took us to the museum and Xiachacan archaeological sites. The tour guide was timely and knowledgeable. The local lunch was also delicious, especially the homemade tortillas. Recommend.
Best tour guides bar-none!
DeniseR360,Nov 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We actually did 3 tours w Luis’s group and all were top-rated. The best part is the extensive knowledge of the tour guides. Pablo was a wealth of historical knowledge as we did the city tour as well as the archaeological tour with him. He has a deep memory of the history and brings the culture to life. We went snorkeling with Francisco, who made our day fun and rewarding! They were also able to give us great suggestions on other activities such where to eat and shop and to explore for our next visit! We will definitely book with Luis’s group again.
Xihuacan adventure!
Jan S,Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What I wrote for Luis: What can I say other than Luis is THE best? We lucked out being the only ones on his tour for the day and got the chance to know him and the area of Zihua/Ixtapa where he has lived his whole life. His knowledge of history and contemporary society was outstanding. We began the tour driving through the residential hills of Zihuatanejo. Luis was great at anticipating many questions and could explain the meanings behind our random observations. Our main interest was the archeological site of the Xihuacan pyramids, about a 45 min drive outside of the city. He went above and beyond for us, chronicling the timeline of the history of the state of Guerrero from about 1500 BCE to 1100 ACE. There was so much to see and learn. An authentic Mexican lunch was also provided at a great spot in the country. We are so grateful for the chance to meet Luis! We highly recommend any tour led by this great guide! We would love to return for the kayak tour.
It's a small site; at...
David A,Oct 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It's a small site; at least the excavated portion is. It's interesting to visualize the extent back in the day. We had a great tour guide who was familiar with the history and the current conditions. The lunch was provided at a traditional family run spot next door to the site, with local style food which was delicious.
Related Experiences
Operated by Luis de la Maza Ixtapa Zihuatanejo tours