the viewing deck: My Top Seven Pyramid Archeological Zones of Mexico

30 Days Pandemic Summer Solo Trip in Mexico November 27, 2020 to December 27, 2020

Cancún (Downtown, Coba, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres)

Covid19 Protocol: Face mask is required at all times, body temperature should be less than 37'C. Alcogel is always available on the entrance area. Entrance and Exit way is separated.

I chose these 7 Pyramid Archaeological Zones (Pre-Hispanic / Mayan) based on architectural design, layout, location, public transport access and historical significance. I visited 11 pyramid ruin sites on self-guided budget DIY travel as Pinoy Solo Backpacker during holidays and pandemic period.

01. The Top 7 Awesome Pyramid Temples Archeological Zone (all UNESCO sites, which usually featured in Hollywood movies) are (1) Teotihuacán near Mexico City, (2) Monte Alban near Oaxaca, (3) Palenque near Palenque Town, (4) Edzna near Campeche, (5) Uxmal near Merida, (6) Chichen Itza (Seven Wonders of the World) near Valladolid and (7) Coba near Cancun (numbered in no particular order). All of them can be easily visited on a budget and public transportation. I visited them all out of curiosity ignited by Ancient Aliens episodes.

02. For Teotihuacán near Mexico City (direct exposure to sunlight), take Autobus Norte metro station (line 5, fare $5) then walk to Autobus Terminal del Norte. Teotihuacan bus departs every hour with 1 hour journey, fare costs $52 one way. Park admission is $80.

03. For Monte Alban near Oaxaca (located on top of a mountain with 1,900masl elevation), buy tourist bus return fare in Hotel Rivera for $70 with 30 minutes travel time, earliest departure is 0830H. Park admission fee costs $80.

04. For Palenque near Palenque Town (the easiest and cheapest to visit), there are colectivo vans in Centro and infront of ADO bus terminal. Fare is $20 one way with 20 minutes travel time. Entrance fee is $80.

My Top Seven Pyramid Archeological Zones of Mexico (Chichen Itza)

My Top Seven Pyramid Archeological Zones of Mexico (Teotihuacán)

My Top Seven Pyramid Archeological Zones of Mexico (Palenque)

05. For Edzna near Campeche (the least visited among these 7), there is colectivo behind the Oxxo located near Baluarte de San Pedro toward Pich or Bonfil for $40 pesos fare with an hour travel time. Entrance fee to the park costs $65.

06. For Uxmal near Merida (the hardest to visit), there is a direct bus from ADO terminal but departs late at 1200H. What I did was I went to Muna first at 0900H, fare costs $39 fot 30 minutes travel time, then taxi ($100 on 16km) to Uxmal. Entrance fee costs $423 (National Park Fee included).

07. For Chichen Itza near Valladolid (Seven Wonders of the World, the most expensive to visit and the most crowded), ADO bus terminal depart every hour or nearby colectivo van for $37 fare one way with 45 minutes travel time. Admission fee is $497.

08. For Coba near Cancun (the highest Mayan pyramid), ADO bus departs daily every 0900H, fare is $149 one way with 3 hours travel. Admission fee costs $80.

09. All pyramid temples in Yucatán state (Uxmal, Ek Balam, Chichen Itza) have National Park fee for a minimum of $350 charged to foreigners for every visit.

10. Cholula ruins in Puebla is considered the largest based on volume but when I saw it, the pyramid looks like an ordinary mountain due to the trees and plants. Also, the top part which has a Church is not accessible. Take San Lazaro metro station (line 1 & B, fare $5) then walk to Autobus Terminal de Oriente (CAPU). Puebla bus departs every 20 minutes with 2 hours journey, fare costs $202 one way. Once in Puebla, there are lots of ordinary bus going to Cholula, fare costs $10. Admission fee is $80.

11. Guachimontones ruins in Teuchitlán near Guadalajara is the only round (conical) pyramids in the world. From Guadalajara Old Bus Terminal, take Teuchitlán bus for $120 return fare with 2 hours travel time, earliest departure is 0700H. Admission fee is $80 and closed every Mondays.

12. Ek Balam ruins near Valladolid is the only archeological zone that allows tourists to walk up to the top of the step-pyramids. There's a colectivo taxi along Calle 37 (between Calle 44 and Highway 295) for $70 fare one way with 30 minutes travel time. Admission fee to the park is $423.

13. Tulum ruins near Cancún is located along the coast with white fine sands. There are lots of bus in ADO Terminal that departs every hour, cheapest is Mayab bus for $122 one way and 2.5 hours travel time. Admission fee costs $80.

14. The top three not to missed based on my criteria (architectural design, layout, location, public transport access and historical significance) are Chichen Itza, Teotihuacán and Palenque.