Luis is the greatest guide! He treats you like family and is so knowledgeable about the area and its history. This tour will get you off off the resort and in to the countryside. You'll be emersed in the culture, have a great lunch and make a friend while you do it. Thanks Luis!
Review by: Rockton G, September 2017
A good value for a get away from tourist activity.
Review by: Chillp, August 2017
Our tour guide, Francisco, made this trip perfect. This religious center is the only known pyramid made of adobe. We toured the museum it is supported by donations to run and expand work in the area, along with the restored ceremony game arena, and the uncovered portion of the pyramid. The museum was small but fantastic with amazing unearthed complete stone pieces central to the religious center, along with complete artifacts of art, ceremonies, jewelry, and even a full burial chamber discovered at the site. Our guide had extensive knowledge about the history and discovered culture of the center, and shared unique details of the excavation from the archaeologist and anthropologist team. The lunch at the lagoon afterward was relaxing and delicious. Francisco had so much knowledge about history and pride in his community, he was a true delight to talk to and learn from. The other private drivers/guides we saw did not have much familiarity or permissions for some of the archeological areas. If you are interested in an educational and fun trip that teaches you about the cultures and history of Mexico, this is a 6 star experience.
Review by: Mike D, April 2017
The ruins are amazing overall. I really enjoy seeing the different ways that the civilizations endured. The museum was good. The actual sites were even better. These do not compare at all to the ones in Cancun. But, it was a different civilization with different needs. There was plenty to learn on the trip. I believe I would have rated this much higher with a different guide. In the museum, everything is in Spanish, so I needed to rely on my translator I know. I am in a foreign land with a different language. Our guide seemed to pass over quite a few of the exhibits. I started to listen to the group that was going before us and was getting way more out of it. That guide was so more in depth and detailed. I think I could have learned so much more. The lunch we went to was very good. The garlic shrimp is to die for. Overall fun day. With a more detailed guide, would have given more stars.
Review by: Susan W, March 2017
Luis was our guide and was born and raised in Zihuateneo. After picking us up at our hotel in his air-conditioned van, he took us through Zihuateneo with a running commentary about our surrounds, price of gasoline, politics and all with a lively sense of humor. He speaks and understands English very well. The narrative continued as we drove through the countryside to the archaeology museum, where we learned what the sites we were about to visit once looked like and learned about their ceremonies, sacrifices and viewed artifacts found during excavation. We viewed the facinating reconstructed Pyramid and gaming stadium and journeyed on to an authentic Mexican village built on the remains of the Xihuacan village. We were given our choice of water or beer and were allowed inside two of the dwellings to view how present day villagers lived. People were still riding horses and donkeys to get around the narrow streets. Local transportation was a pick up with benches along the sides of the bed. To close, we went to a beach where we had a wonderful lunch of large garlic shrimp or chicken in an open air eating area. I think I learned more about the area than I have in the last 10 years I've been coming to Zihuateneo. We were like family by the time he dropped us back at our hotel. Ask for Luis!!!
Review by: Analie S, March 2017
The tour was very informative better
Review by: Michele L, February 2017
Carlos was an excellent guide, sharing in both English and French on a small tour to Xihaucan. He took the time to point out interesting sights as we traveled. He had an in depth knowledge of the museum and archeological site and was able to communicate sophisticated information in an understandable and enjoyable way. This was an outstanding tour.
Review by: lindaeigler, February 2017
Great trip our guide Francisco even gave us a side tour to a farm which was great. The dig itself is amazing but was charge to go to museum which we thought was included in our trip also did not get to visit the rural community name Soledad de Macie. But the tour we did get was great even if it was not what was expected
Review by: Thomas H, January 2017
Having read some of the reviews of this trip I was prepared to be disappointed at the size of the pyramid, but that was not the case. The pyramid is very impressive in how wide and long it is and it is about three stories tall which affords a great view of the surrounding area. The top is flat with some more excavations going on. There is an interesting beginning of a water system that is only now being excavated. The ball court was complete and the little museum was just the right size. The trip included a visit to a little town called Maciel de Soledad which featured a small church with a stele stone in the front. The van was super comfortable and our guide was friendly and willing to answer any questions we had. Since we had been wondering if we could eat the cocoanuts washing ashore we asked him about cocoanuts. In reply he stopped the van in front of a field of cocoanuts being processed and told us about the three stages of growth and all that. My minor disappointment was that I came away from the trip without a clear timeline of events, such as placing the building of the pyramid in the context of the times and dates. The trip ended with lunch at Barra de Potosi, a small beach town. We were treated to lunch at Vuelven las Gaviotas where we had the best shrimp and garlic during our entire trip. If you haven't eaten at one of these palapa restaurants this is a good introduction.
Review by: Robert C, March 2016
This was an excellent tour that turned out to be far more than my wife and I expected. The guide was extremely knowledgeable about not only the culture and archaeology of the area, but discussed many other aspects of Mexican culture including the flora and fauna. An added surprise was the boat ride in the lagoon with the feeding of the pelicans and the many other birds of the area. The total time was closer to 6 hours than the 3 we had been told. Not once did we get bored and the variety offered during the day was about as good as it gets. Well worth the money!
Review by: Theresa W, March 2016
The only reason I didn't give 5/5 was the ruins were not as impressive as we had thought, but they are what they are. The tour guide was amazing! He was very knowledgable and courteous. We were expecting to be on a bus tour but instead he picked us up at our hotel and it was just the two of us and the guide for the whole trip. He showed us all the points of interest all the way there and back. The place we stopped for lunch was great too--the mescal and honey they have there is really good, just sorry they didn't have any to buy, just to sample.
Review by: Rissa L, February 2016
Our tour was interesting, varied and informative. Our guide, Luis was excellent. He knew the answers to all our questions and offered much information on indigenous culture to the modern day activities of the local people.
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