The first time I was invited to the “La Soledad de Maciel” archaeological site near Ixtapa, seven years ago, I was very excited to be part of a recent discovery. A participant in the beginning of the unearthing of one of the least explored cultures in Mexico: the cuitlatecas.
Nowadays, the site is called “Xihuacan”, a nahuatl word that means “the place of the turquoise holders”, which is itself a metaphor referring to those “who possess time” or “control the calendar”. It is already very advanced in the reconstruction process, making for a very nice trip full of surprises that will fill you with admiration for a culture that generated so much knowledge!
The ball game area of the archaeological site has been fully restored and takes you right back to the time when it was so important that elaborate ceremonies were made in that game’s honor.
It is impossible not to marvel at this culture’s use of copper, agriculture, and of several tools. However, this pre-Hispanic culture stands out for its studies in astronomy. Even now, you can see reflecting pools they made to study the stars in stones by the river near the small town of “La Chole”.
This archaeological site offers services that include an interesting museum and an ethnobotanical garden, as well as guided tours, a parking lot, and restrooms.
If you wish to truly enjoy your visit to this amazing place, we recommend you to bring comfortable clothes and shoes, a hat or cap, sunblock, and cold water to cool off after the walk under the sun. Contact us so we can help you arrange an unparalleled archaeological tour near Ixtapa!
Here are some photos I took while I was there:
