Travel Time | Frank Hudson

Ideas for a weekend getaway

After living in San Miguel de Allende for a while you may begin to get the wanderlust for a weekend getaway. At the top of my list for a getaway would be a tour to the pyramids

south of Mexico City. They offer a fascinating history of the ancient Mesoamerican civilizations that once thrived in the region.

To start my trip I like to stay in Mexico City near the Templo Mayor. The Templo Mayor was the main temple of the Mexica people in their capital city of Tenochtitlan, which is now Mexico City. This location gives you a historic jumping-off place for the pyramids the following day.Get an early start from Mexico City and head south towards Teotihuacan, located approximately 30 miles away. A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most important archaeological sites in Mexico, it was one of the largest and most influential cities in the pre-Columbian Americas. The name "Teotihuacan" is an Aztec term meaning "the place where the gods were created." Start the day exploring the massive pyramids and structures of the area.

I warn you that there is some walking involved in this trip. Start at the Pyramid of the Sun, which is the third-largest pyramid in the world. To help in its preservation tourists are no longer allowed to climb the pyramid. Next, visit the Pyramid of the Moon, the Ciudadela complex, and the Temple of the Feathered Serpent. Walk along the Avenue of the Dead, the main thoroughfare of the ancient city, and visit the on-site museum to learn more about Teotihuacan's history and culture.

Take off the next morning headed south again, towards the archaeological site of Xochicalco, located in the state of Morelos, approximately 50 miles away. Spend the day exploring Xochicalco, which means "in the place of the House of Flowers" in Nahuatl. This ancient city flourished between the 7th and 9th centuries AD and features impressive pyramids, ceremonial plazas, and intricate carved sculptures. Visit the Temple of the Feathered Serpent, the Observatory, and the Ball Court to gain insights into the city's political, religious, and astronomical significance.