Tula Archaeological Site

Information

This Toltec archaeological site is part of a protected area known as Tula National Park, located in the Mexican state of Hidalgo. It lies just 80 km from Mexico City and about 81 km from the city of Pachuca de Soto.

It's situated next to the town of Tula de Allende, so you can reach the ruins in just five minutes by taxi or public transportation from the town center. Anything you might need can be found in the town, where there's a wide variety of shops, restaurants and even accommodations. To get to Tula de Allende, there are buses from Mexico City (Central del Norte terminal), Irapuato, León, Pachuca, San Luis Potosí, Santiago de Querétaro and other destinations.

This archaeological site was the capital of the Toltec civilization. It served as an important political, religious and commercial center, and reached its peak between 900 AD and 1100 AD.

Exploring the area takes about two hours and includes a site museum, which displays original pieces found in the zone. It's advisable to bring water and sunscreen, especially if visiting during hot hours as some areas don't offer much shade. The most iconic structure is undoubtedly Pyramid B, at the top of which stand the famous Atlantes (Atlantean of Tula), sculptures of Toltec warriors over four meters tall. Another notable building is the Burnt Palace, where the bases of three rooms with supporting columns are preserved and whose name comes from evidence that it was affected by a fire. Also worth mentioning is the easily recognizable Ball Court, a structure typical of Mesoamerican cultures.