Cantona

Cantona, also known as Caltona to some indigenous, is a large archaeological site of about 12 square kilometers. It is a 2,000 year old ancient Olmec city that was once home to up to 80,000 people. It is in the eastern part of Puebla, Mexico. Despite being a large, well restored site with lots to see, the site is seldom visited and is often unknown, even among locals making it an uncrowded joy to visit and an undiscovered gem for the knowledgable archaeological traveler.

Understand

History

The first settlers in Cantona were Olmec who came to the valley about 1,000 BC. They were infiltrated by Chichimec at some point and the city continued to grow. It was at its peak around 50 - 300 AD. Around 1050 AD, the city was completely abandoned.

For the first few hundred years, it was a small community of scattered farms, then around 600 BC development of the core central city began. From about 600 BC to 0, the raised platforms were built, along with residences, workshops, and at least 16 Ballcourt. Commercial trade took place with other city-states and a network of paved highways radiated out towards other cities on the Gulf Coast or the interior highlands. Walls and fortifications were built to protect the city.

The city continued to grow in population and extent through about 600 AD. The city was a contemporary of Teotihuacan, but as that regional powerhouse began to falter, it appears that Cantona's fortunes rose (for a while, anyway).

Get in

The site is about a 2-hour drive from Puebla or about 90 minutes from Xalapa, just off federal highway MEX-140D.

From Puebla, drive northeast on MEX-140D. There are tolls on this road, but it's mostly modern, wide 4-lane divided highway. You'll exit off the highway at Caseta Cobre Cantona (the Cantona toll booth) and head north about 7 km to the archaeological site.

By bus

Autobuses Via operates buses to Oriental, which is about 18 km from the archaeological site, so you'd have to take a taxi "the last mile"....err, last 10 miles. From Puebla, Autobuses Via depart from the CAPU bus terminal. Buses depart every 10 minutes, take 90 minutes to reach Oriental, and cost about M$100.

Fees and permits

Site admission is M$95. Tour guides can be hired at the entrance and are well worth the minor expense (most speak only Spanish though).

Get around

Walk. It will take up to 4 hours to explore the site. Comfortable shoes are recommended.

See

27 ball courts at latest count....and only 1% of the site has been excavated!
site museum

Do

Buy

Site souvenirs, including replicas of some of the relics displayed in the museum, can be purchased at the gift shop in the site museum. There are no other stores on site or nearby.

Eat

No restaurant is available on site.

Drink

Bring about 2 liters of water per person

Sleep

Lodging

The nearest lodging is in Xalapa, about an hour by car.

Stay safe

There are no particular safety risks here. Just use common sense and hide any valuables and lock your car if you drove. Wear a hat and bring sunblock and mosquito repellent. Be sure to bring plenty of drinking water.

Go next

This park travel guide to Cantona is a usable article. It has information about the park, for getting in, about a few attractions, and about accommodations in the park. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.