El Azazul, Veracruz Mexico
Olmec Archaeological Ruins
Travel Pictures And Photos

George And Audrey DeLange

El Azazul, near San Lorenzo Tenochititlan: If you visit San Lorenzo Tenochititlan and if you have about an hour of extra time to make the round trip, it is worth the drive to the site of El Azazul. If you are pressed for time, then we do not think it is worth the drive over a rather rough road to El Azazul. The drive on a rather rough, but OK road will take you through an area that is covered with flora with river systems, swamps and marshes clearly in view. It can give you a slight impression as to what the area was like when the Olmec's lived there. Remember it was much wetter and the river were larger in those times. If you drive about 6 1/2 km South of San Lorenzo Tenochititlan you will see in front of you a large "hill" that seems covered with trees. This appears to have been a large pyramid of the Olmec people. About 1/2 up the pyramid under a shelter are some carvings located under a shelter. They are in very nice condition so they are thought to be modern instead of Olmec. At about 7 km from San Lorenzo Tenochititlan there is a forked road next to the pyramid. One road goes left, take that road for a few feet. A small home is located next to the right side of the road and also on the left side of the pyramid. There is a sign on the side of the hill but it is unreadable. The owner of the home located on the side of the hill (Pyramid) will give you a tour for a small fee. We did not take advantage of the tour so we can not comment on the tour. Be sure to have a good deet mosqueto repellant on when there. We forgot to pack out deet repellant and had to buy the brands sold in Mexico, which are next to useless. We hurt for several days after the visit.