Los Guachimontones

One of the most impressive archeological sites in all of western Mexico"

Story and Photography by Bill Bell

When you visit Puerto Vallarta or the Riviera Nayarit, the thought of trekking through some ancient pre Hispanic archeological site is usually not on the agenda. The well known sites such as Teotihuacan in Central Mexico or even Chichen Itza on the Yucatan Peninsula are hundreds if not thousands of kilometers away.

Still, for those travelers who love the west coast of Mexico but still yearn to explore ancient sites, both the states of Nayarit and Jalisco have much to offer. One of the finest examples is just outside the modest little town of Teuchitlán, Jalisco, 40 kilometers due West of Guadalajara. There lies one of the most impressive archeological sites in all of western Mexico, Los Guachimontones.

Los Guachimontones (alternatively Huachimontones) is a prehispanic archaeological site built by a complex society that existed from as early as 300 BC until 900 AD.

“Research has shown that the Teuchitlan Tradition was a pioneer in forging a civilized lifestyle in Western Mesoamerica. It probably evolved around 1000 B.C. and achieved an outstanding degree of social organization. Their deity was Ehecatl, god of wind, who was venerated in a flying ritual on the circular pyramids.”

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The dominant features at los Guachimontones are circular stepped pyramids in the middle of circular building complexes. The 60-foot (18 m) tall pyramid at Circle 2 has 13 high steps leading to an upper level, which was then topped with another 4 high steps.

The site was discovered almost a half century ago and is still undergoing extensive exploration and restoration by archeologists.

The site itself is perhaps the most dramatic in western Mexico and sits on a hill overlooking the Vega dam and town of Teuchitlan. The archeological complex covers almost 50 acres.

Some the site’s best features include the larger ball court which covers 2631 square yards. The Teuchitlán Culture, as several other Mesoamerican cultures, had its own ball game. The ball game used a rubber ball that had to be struck with the hip to the opposite end of the court.

To get to the site from Guadalajara drive West on Highway 15 until you hit the Toll Highway.
Stay on the free road that is marked to Ameca. At the 12 kilometers mark turn right onto highway 4 and drive another 7 kilometers to the town of Teuchitlan. Follow the signs to the Pyramid site.