Quiahuiztlan, Archaeological site in Veracruz, Mexico
Quiahuiztlan is an archaeological site in Veracruz, Mexico, built on a hillside called Cerro de los Metates that overlooks the coast. The hill is laid out in terraces holding remains of temples, residential structures, open plazas, and three burial areas that together contain 78 tombs.
The site was first settled by the Totonac people and rose to prominence during the Late Classic period, after the decline of Teotihuacan. It was later invaded by the Toltecs and then by the Aztecs around 1400, before Hernán Cortés arrived in 1519 and made alliances with local groups here.
The name Quiahuiztlan means "place of rain" in Nahuatl, and the site sits on a hill the locals call Cerro de los Metates, after the stone grinding tools found buried in the soil. After heavy rains, some of these stones push up through the earth, making each season feel slightly different for those who walk the paths.
The site sits in Veracruz near the small coastal town of Villa Rica and is generally open daily during standard visiting hours. The ground is uneven and hilly, so sturdy footwear and enough water are worth bringing, especially in warm weather.
When Cortés arrived in 1519, he founded the first Spanish settlement on the American mainland, Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz, just below the hill. This makes the site one of the very few places where the Spanish conquest of Mexico can be traced back to its starting point.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
