Cantona Archaeological Site, Puebla, Mexico

Overlooking the ruins from the top of a temple. Note the un-excavated sections beyond the walls.

Treading silently along ancient roads where 80,000 people once passed engaged my imagination. I pictured the streets full of people going about their daily routines, never thinking their home would later be abandoned, encased in centuries of accumulated soil and plant growth.

Cantona, a Mesoamerican archaeological site located roughly 58 miles from the city of Puebla, was deserted sometime after 1050 AD. Believed to have been the largest urban center in Mesoamerica, the site receives few visitors, likely due to its remote location and a lack of public transportation. Occupying over 12 square km, Cantona is comprised of 500 cobblestone causeways, 3,000 patios/residences, 24 ball courts and several temples, all constructed of stone without mortar. Its inhabitants were farmers and obsidian traders.

The ruins are remarkably well preserved.

Even though only an estimated 1-10% of the site is excavated, a complete walking tour requires about four hours. I visited Cantona along with a talented group of writers sponsored by the Mexico Board of Tourism. During our visit, we were short on time and storm clouds threatened, so we only spent an hour and a half. Regardless, the expansive size of the ruins was awe-inspiring. Standing atop one of the temples, I looked beyond the excavated sections to what appeared to be undulating hills and fields. Our guide explained that what I was looking at was actually the un-excavated continuation of the ancient city.

Workers clearing vegetation from the ruins.

A skeleton-crew of 20 workers prevents vegetation from reclaiming the ruins using simple hand-tools. As we were leaving, they offered to share their lunch of fire-roasted rabbit with us; a gesture not taken lightly considering how hard they work and how hungry they must have been.

Returning to our van parked alone in the large lot, I felt that the site receives less attention than deserved. It is worth the trip, but few tourists even realize it is there. Admittedly, I enjoyed the break from the usual crowds, but I also feel compelled to share such a find with fellow travelers. Like it or not, visitors bring funding for maintenance and preservation. (There is a whole other conversation we could have about the delicate balance between tourism and conservation….)

To visit Cantona, plan to travel by taxi if you don’t have a car. The round-trip ride costs about 500 pesos ($40 US based on current exchange rates). Pack a lunch, sunscreen and water. During our visit, a visitor center was under construction, but no details on a competition date, or what it will include, were available. For directions and links to tour guides, view this excellent article by All About Puebla.

Just to prove I was there….

For more information on Puebla, Mexico, visit the blogs of my fellow #wevisitmexico travelers: Raul Pacheco (Hummingbird604.com), Ted Nelson (Traveling Ted), Mardi Michaels (Eat, Live, Travel, Write), Mike Richards (Vagabondish), Jessica Festa (Jessie on a Journey), Michael Tieso (Art of Backpacking), Lanora Mueller (Writing Travel) and Catherine Stribling (Johnny Jet).

While researching this article I noted quite a bit of conflicting data as to the amount of excavation completed and the number of buildings. Please accept that I did the best I could providing accurate information.

My visit to Cantona was made possible by the Mexico Board of Tourism who provided my transportation, lodging and food. I paid for my own incidentals and extras. As always, my opinions are my own as I only recommend places and products I feel are worthwhile.