Visit ancient stone carvings at Palma Sola, an archeological site within the Veladero National Park at a height of 1,000 feet above sea level, overlooking the beautiful Acapulco Bay.
Stone steps lead you up the mountainside to view the over 2,000-year-old petro glyphs left by the Yope Indians, the area’s first inhabitants. This is a half day excursion.
Located deep in a forest high above Acapulco, the Palma Sola Archaeological Site is one of 12 known petro glyphs sites in the Acapulco area. Palma Sola is the most accessible and contains 18 petro glyphs dating from 200 BC to AD 600. Little is known about the people who created the drawings, which range from simple stick figures to elaborate scenes of ancient life in Acapulco.
A steep, sturdy trail winds 400m uphill past the petro glyphs, all marked by Spanish and English signs, and ending at a rewarding view of Acapulco Bay. Bring good hiking shoes and water.
A pathway to Acapulco’s ancient past featuring petro glyphs drawn 2000 years ago by the region’s earliest inhabitants, the Yopes, the Palma Sola Archaeological Site has the added bonus of providing gorgeous views of Acapulco Bay.
Nature lovers will relish the opportunity to wander the paths through the forest setting, while anyone curious about ancient civilizations will find the mysterious images left by the Yopes, who lived in the area from 600 BC to 200 AD, fascinating.
The petro glyphs are scattered over a mountainside, linked by a path with stone steps. At the top of the mountain lies a cave the Yopes used for ceremonies. BY JOHN MITCHELL/THE HERALD MEXICO. El Universal May 20th, 2007.
The Palma Sola Archeological Zone is relatively knew, and unusual for the Pacific Coast of Mexico. Many people have heard of ruins and special archeological attractions in inland Mexico, or along the water in the state of Quintana Roo – but Acapulco? What you see at this site are rock carvings, dating back thousands of years. There might be 25, 30 or more.
The site is lightly visited, mostly because many people don’t know how to get tere (including local residents). The site is on the side of the mountain, and the climb can be steep at times. The paths and large boulders where you find the carvings are well-marked. You get to the site by taking a micro bus which you catch from across the street from Sanborn’s on the Costera (near the Zocalo plaza) or by taxi.
You will drive for approximately 30 minutes to Veladero National Park, situated at a height of 1,000 feet, and which overlooks Acapulco Bay. Here you will find the ancient petroglyphs of Palma Sola, which date back over 2,500 years. The Yope Indians, the area’s first inhabitants, created these unique rock carvings. To see these impressive petroglyphs, you must scale the large stone steps up a mountain trail. You’ll find the views of Acapulco Bay to be spectacular, so don’t forget to bring your camera!
Note: Participants must be at least 12 years old. This excursion is very physical, requiring you to ascend very steep stairs. It is not for guests with knee problems, breathing difficulties, heart ailments, asthma, epilepsy, diabetes or who are pregnant.
