The site name was unveiled in 2009 by the systematic excavations at the Ball where a recorded sources identified the sixteenth century as the place name "Xihuacan" was located. Nahuatl word meaning "those with turquoise" or "those who possess years" Cultural significanceXihuacan The ancient city was the main religious center Cuitlateca, its territory covered the current Costa Grande de Guerrero and the Sierra Madre del Sur, including between the present municipalities of Petatlan and Zihuatanejo. The area was known as the Cuitlatecapan, "dominion of the cuitlatecas" group that inhabited this place since 2500 BC and that the sixteenth century covered a vast area from the coast to Tierra Caliente. Its occupation dates from pre-classic period. The oldest part was located on top of the "Hill of Witches" where figurines "Baby Face" and "Pretty Woman" were located. A second set is the Ceremonial Center, an example of innovation in "earthen architecture" was built circa 450 AD using as a reference for its outline astronomical elements as the planet Venus, the Sun and the North Star. Its construction involved the building of a platform of adobe that leveled the playing field in an area of 29 hectares, where four massive buildings were built, among them the Mound B with bricks and terracotta battleships. These structures define a space that is associated with the palace north area, the ball game and the southern slope of the "Hill of Witches", integrating the ceremonial landscape.Both areas are surrounded by a system of artificial canals connected to San Jeronimito river, by the still flowing water and gave the settlement the image of mythical island. The collapse of Xihuacan happened around the year 1350 AD, after a weather phenomenon that flooded assembly thereby causing the gradual abandonment of the settlement.

Services available in the area: Module, health, parking, rest areas and guided tours.

Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 18:00 pm

Contact: Guerrero INAH Center 01 (747) 4 71 71 21 4 72 00 35

It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes, hat, sunscreen, comfortable clothes and sports drinks.

The archaeological site is located 8 kilometers to the west of Petatlan and 25 km east of Zihuatanejo de Azueta. It is accessed via Highway 200 Acapulco-Zihuatanejo, Craving Petatlan San Jeronimito the local road to Soledad de Maciel located on the south bank of the highway, the site museum and archaeological zone is taken is located 3 kilometers from this . access In this case you should consider the location of the area's major roads, as well as the explanation of the most viable route to reach.