Zona Arqueológica de Cantona

This site was amazing! There were practically no tourists there... It was so much fun to climb around over many acres.... and view the many many excavations... You get an excellent sense of the importance and historical nature of this community over 2,000 years ago. It seems to be quite unknown even within the Mexican society. It is so little known that it is somewhat difficult to get to. I also want to highlight what I considered to be an excellent museum highlighting various aspects of the Cantonese (Cantona) civilization that resided here.

Beautiful, make sure to plan a full day here to see everything. Will return on the next trip to Puebla.

Barely visited place the day we was there! And there is plenty to see! It is a massive site and quite impressive

Huge archaeological zone with many ruins. It took about two hours or more to walk through and see everything. Very beautiful and well taken care of. bring a bottle of water and some sunscreen and enjoy a fantastic afternoon!

The most incredible historical place I have been in Mexico. This is a must see. When we came here we met maybe 10 people during our 3 hours sightseeing- impossible anywhere else in the world.

I’d give 6 stars if I could. This place is incredible. Be prepared for long hike, bring water and snacks, and then see sights of a lifetime! The ruins cover a vast area and are spectacular. We were there for about 4 hours and saw maybe 8 other visitors! The visitor center is informative, though not as extensive as I expected, and has some text in English. Visit this site! You won’t regret it. Oh yeah, elevation of 8000’ so plan accordingly!

Extensive museum and archeological site. Very impressive and interactive as you walk amongst the ruins. You feel the influence of history. Definitely worthy of a visit if you are interested in learning something new.

Amazing archeological zone of an ancient city with pyramids, ceremonial altars, ball fields, and beautiful landscapes. We took a chance and came on a Monday despite their website saying they’re closed and having no number listed to call to confirm the hours. The site is in fact open Mondays. It’s a shame the hours are posted incorrectly because more people should enjoy the site. Bring water, a hat, and good shoes. We spent about two hours walking there.

I honestly cannot believe how this archeological site is not more publicized. It is fantastic. Being pretty much the same size as teotihuacan it is not as touristy but offers a lot of fantastic views. It is worth to spend a couple of hours wondering around the area feeling the space. Be sure to stand still and listen and explore all you senses. Fortunately there are not lots of tourists around so you can take your time. Be sure to bring your camera, sunblock and a hat, you can get a pretty bad sunburn if you are not careful. Not a lot of shade to hide from the sun.

Known to very few people, this archeological gem is not to be missed. Set aside a good half a day to walk the whole site. Very few places in Mexico give you a comparable feeling of immersion. This seems to be how a pre-Columbian city looked like, and it is in a very good state of preservation. Add in the desolate landscapes, the volcanos in the background and you and the few resident friendly dogs as the only visitors to complete the experience. A place not to be missed in Mexico. Bring abundant water and food to tackle the trek. The museo de sitio is also worth visiting.

Amazing!!! This place is one of Mexico's best kept secrets. It isn't as popular as other sites (far from the main cities), but it's probably one of the most ancient (started around 200 b.c.). Even though, the acropolis is in very good shape. You can walk through the streets and still feel how people lived here. It's huge, consider a full day. To get to the acropolis and The Palace, you have to walk about an hour, but trust me, totally worth the visit!!!

Place is massive and beautiful! Nice amd clean. We were the only ones there. Wear hiking shoes, bring water and trekking poles. A+ on English translation. And remember: only idiots have their names written in public places 🙄.

Incredible place! Stunning views, without a doubt the best archeological site in México!

Unlike any other Mesoamerican city I've been to. Although my guide book says it's the largest by area, really they have excavated the buildings off the elites and perhaps upper middle classes, leaving many square kilometres of suburbs and rural housing still covered. The Urban layout was sometimes puzzling to me, with patios in odd corners etc. Were the round indents in some walls for water jars to serve the locals after easy filling from the roads?

The Machu Picchu of Mexico. I was really surprised by how big and extensive this ancient city is. Wear sturdy shoes, a hat, and bring water - you will be doing a lot of walking and climbing steep stairs. Very impressive and no crowds.

Really unique site compared to the others were visited in Mexico. The site is not wheelchair accessible, but if you can carry your chair up the flight of 20-30 steps at the beginning, the top is flatter with scattered steps here and there. The museum was completely accessible and the bathrooms were spacious.

Cantona Archaeological Site

Cantona is an ancient archaeological site located in the state of Puebla, Mexico. It is known for its extensive pre-Columbian ruins, which include well-preserved remnants of a large Mesoamerican city that flourished during the Classic period (around 600-1000 AD) of ancient Mesoamerican history. Cantona is a significant archaeological site that offers insights into the civilization and culture of the pre-Columbian people who inhabited the region.

The ruins of Cantona cover an area of approximately 12 square kilometers and consist of a vast complex of pyramids, temples, palaces, ball courts, and residential areas. The city was constructed on a high plateau and features a unique urban layout with a network of wide, straight roads and avenues, which are well-preserved to this day. The ancient city was inhabited by a complex society that engaged in agriculture, trade, and craft production.

One of the notable features of Cantona is its impressive ball courts, which are some of the largest and best-preserved in Mesoamerica. These ball courts were used for the ancient Mesoamerican ballgame, a ritualistic sport with religious significance. The ball courts at Cantona are characterized by their rectangular shape, sloping walls, and elaborate carvings, which depict scenes related to the ballgame and the deities associated with it.

The architecture at Cantona is characterized by the use of locally available materials such as volcanic stone, which was skillfully carved and fitted together to create impressive structures. The site also features several well-preserved murals, which provide insights into the artistic and cultural practices of the ancient inhabitants of Cantona.

Cantona is known for its strategic location, as it was situated along major trade routes that connected different regions of Mesoamerica. The city had a complex social and economic system, with evidence of a hierarchical society and a sophisticated trade network that facilitated the exchange of goods and ideas with other Mesoamerican cultures.

Today, Cantona is an important archaeological site that attracts visitors interested in Mesoamerican history and culture. The site is managed by the Mexican government and is open to tourists, allowing them to explore the ancient ruins and learn about the rich history and civilization of the people who once inhabited this ancient city.

This is one of the best archaeological sites I have ever been to. It's like walking through the original city, since it has been so resilient over the centuries. It smells like pine, and is a great walk. There are different options for walking short and medium distances.

Great place to visit, the view are awesome

Very beautifull and interesting place. The place an exelent museum with explanations in english too. We went there with our young children (6 and 9) and we all enjoyed very much. It was so interesting to imagine life in a city in the desert 1000 years ago.