Visiting info

Hours and fees (approximate)

Xochicalco is open daily, roughly 9am to around 5pm, with last entry an hour or so before closing. The site entry fee is modest, on the order of 90 to 100 pesos (approximate — the site verifies exact figures). As with all INAH sites in Mexico, entry is generally free on Sundays for residents and Mexican nationals, which also means Sundays are the busiest day.

The excellent site museum sits near the entrance and is usually included in your ticket. The underground observatory chamber may have limited access or a guide requirement depending on the day and conservation needs, so ask at the entrance.

How long to allow

Give it two to three hours. That covers the museum, the walk up through the plazas and ball courts, the Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent and the acropolis, plus the observatory. Photographers and anyone who reads every panel could stretch it to half a day.

What to bring

• A hat, sunglasses and strong sunscreen — the ridge has almost no shade
• At least a liter of water per person; there is nowhere to buy it inside
• Real walking shoes for stone paths and steps
• Cash in pesos for the entry and parking

Best time to visit

Come in the dry, clear months from November through March, and arrive right at opening. Early morning is cooler for the climb, the light is best on the carvings, and you may have the ridge almost to yourself. Avoid midday in the hot months of July and August, when the exposed stone turns brutal.