LOS TORILES RUINS in IXTLAN del RIO, NAYARIT, MEXICO

With roosters crowing and dogs barking our morning coffee time began early, giving us extra time to reflect and plan our day’s activities.   Our final goal that emerged from our early morning conference was to leave our beach paradise behind for the day and travel inland to visit a prehistoric location.  Our destination was to visit Templo de Quetzalcóatl often referred to as Los Toriles.

Los Toriles is an important archaeological ruin located just east of the town, Ixtlán del Rio.  The site was home to the indigenous tribes of the Nahuath group around 300 B.C.  More than eighty known structures exist within the large zone.  Visitors are easily able to visit the fifteen restored temples.  The round pyramid, Ehecatl Quetzalcóatl, is claimed to be one of the most beautiful buildings of the site in western Mexico.  And for us it lived up to its reputation.  The temple is 80' in diameter and 14’ in height with numerous cross- shaped openings around the structures circular perimeter.  On the top floor are two rectangular-shaped shrines.  On top of the flat shrines is a great spot to obtain panoramic photos and an overview of the complete area.  Apparently, the temple is dedicated to the wind god, Ehecatl Quetzalcóatl.

Los Toriles features shaft tombs that are dug three to eight meters into the ground with chambers located to the left and right of the central vertical shaft.  It’s in the chambers that their dead with the offerings are placed.  Visitors are able to a model shaft tomb.  Unfortunately, we did not realize this when we were on location.  Very little information is provided.  Therefore, we missed this opportunity!  There’s a small museum near the entrance but it was closed.  For further information relating to Los Toriles consult the web.

GETTING THERE:

Drive north on Highway 200 toward Tepic and at Compostela take the highway toward Guadalajara.  At Chapalila take old Highway 15 libra (free) road to Ixtlán del Rio.  The archeological ruins are one kilometer east of the town.  Once you pass under the town’s impressive exit structure watch for the left hand turn off.  The entrance is marked with a blue pyramid sign.  Cross the railway tracks and you’ve arrived.  The entrance fee is $50 pesos.  With identification proof of age, seniors are admitted free.  Sorry, gray hair alone will not suffice.  Other groups that enter free are children, handicapped, students and professors.

The driving distance from Rincón de Guayabitos is 100 km. taking about 2 ½ hours.  This is assuming no stops for honey, pottery or meal purchases!  The distance is calculated from the Rincón de Guayabitos Pemex station #8489.

WIND GOD TEMPLE - CROSS-SHAPED OPENINGS