The city of Mexico is known for its dazzling beaches and incredible ancient ruins. However, for travelers looking for a more unique and off-the-beaten-path experience, Mexico has a wealth of lesser-known underrated ruins waiting to be explored.

This article lists some of the hidden gem ancient attractions in Mexico, offering a glimpse into the country's rich cultural heritage and history with fewer crowds. So, let's dig in!

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10 Sayil, Mexico

Located in the southern part of the Yucatan Peninsula, Sayil is an incredible ancient Maya ruins and archeological site in Mexico, a major center of the Maya civilization between 300 and 900 CE. . The most impressive structure at Sayil is the Great Palace, a large complex of interconnected buildings located at the center with a central courtyard and a number of smaller courtyards and passages. Other notable structures at Sayil include a large ballcourt, several smaller palace complexes, and a number of temples and plazas.

9 Toniná, Mexico

Located in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas, Toniná is a pre-Columbian archeological site dating back to the Maya civilization. The ruins are situated on a steep hillside, with an elevation of over 246ft above the valley. The site features more than 200 structures, including pyramids, temples, residences, and tombs, built of stone and laid out in a series of plazas and terraces. The main highlight of the site is Templo Mayor, a 230 ft ancient pyramid. Visitors can summit the pyramid to enjoy stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

8 Yagul, Mexico

Located in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, Yagul is a pre-Columbian archeological site dating back to 500 BCE. The ruins consist of various buildings and structures constructed over several centuries, including some important structures such as a ball court, a palace, and multiple residential areas and temples. Visitors to Yagul can explore various historical buildings, including the sophisticated water management system featuring channels and aqueducts for an efficient water supply.

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7 Bonampak

Located in eastern Chiapas, on the bank of the Usumacinta river, Bonampak is an ancient Maya city known for its engraved murals and sculpted stelae dating back to the Mesoamerican civilization of 900 CE. The ruins span over 2.5 square kilometers of area, with various historical buildings and ruins hidden in the dense forest, accessed by car or a rental bike. The main highlight of the ruins is the Mayal temple featuring intricate frescos and paintings on the wall and ceilings, throwing light on the history, court life, and warfare of the ancient inhabitants.

6 Mixco Viejo

Located in the north of Guatemala City, overlooking the beautiful Motagua valley, lies the historical site of Mixco Viejo. The ruins feature over ninety major structures including various residential buildings, temples, altars, ball courts, and palace platforms built primarily from cut schist slabs. The main attraction of this ancient site is the twin pyramids, a 20 ft pyramid structure used for astronomical observation by the ancient Mesoamerican people.

5 Tamtoc

Located in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosí, Tamtoc is a pre-Columbian archeological site, deep-rooted in the Huastec civilization existing around 300 BCE to 1400 CE. The ruins feature various historical structures, including residential areas, a central plaza, and ceremonial buildings, covering over 60 hectares of land. The main attraction of the site is a series of large, rectangular stone platforms, used for religious and ceremonial purposes back in the day.

Related: Ancient Ruins, Temples, & Cenotes: Why Mérida, Mexico Is So Special

4 Xpuhjil

Located in the southern state of Campeche, Mexico, spanning over 25 hectares of land, Xpujil is a pre-Columbian archeological site dating back to Classic Maya Period. The site features large rectangular ceremonial platforms, decorated with intricate carvings and sculptures, depicting a variety of subjects, including gods, mythological creatures, and humans. The main attraction of this place is Grupo de los Ocho, a complex structure of eight pyramids arranged in a horseshoe shape around a central plaza, offering a glimpse of the great Maya civilization and architecture.

3 Cuyuxquihui

Located in the state of Veracruz, Mexico, Cuyuxquihui is a relatively small archeological site, covering an area of approximately 4 hectares, dating back to the Late Classic period of Mesoamerican history, around 600-900 CE. These ruins are characterized by a series of low platforms and structures arranged around a central plaza. The most notable feature of the site is a large, rectangular temple platform that is decorated with beautiful intricate stonework, carvings, and reliefs.

2 Chacchoben

Nestled in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, Chacchoben is a Maya archaeological site, a significant center of trade and commerce in the pre-Columbian period. Covering over 70 hectares of area, the site features several impressive ancient structures and ruins left behind by the ancient Maya civilization. The main attraction of the ruins is the Temple of the Masks, a large, rectangular structure decorated with intricate carvings and sculptures depicting various figures, including the Maya maize god. Other notable structures at Chacchoben include the Gran Basamento platforms and Iglesia temple decorated with carvings and sculptures of the Maya serpent god, Kukulkan.

Related: Toniná: Guide To Mexico’s Lesser-Visited Mayan Ruins

1 Hormiguero

Situated in the state of Campeche in Mexico, Hormiguero is a pre-Columbian archeological site covering an area of approximately 1.5 square kilometers dating back to the classic Mesoamerican period. The most notable structure at Hormiguero is the Pyramid of the Niches, one of the best pyramids in Mexico, decorated with a series of niches containing sculptures and reliefs. Other notable structures at Hormiguero include a ballcourt, a number of stone monuments featuring important historical events and figures, and a system of canals and reservoirs used for irrigation and water management in the city.