- Domed huts: These were made of wooden frames covered with palm leaves or thatch. The huts were usually small and round, with a central fireplace.
- Rectangular houses: These were made of wooden frames with walls made of wattle and daub (a mixture of mud and sticks). The roofs were usually made of palm leaves or thatch.
- Platform mounds: These were raised platforms made of earth or stone. The Olmec built temples, palaces, and other important buildings on top of these mounds.
- Underground chambers: These were used for burials and ceremonies. They were dug into the ground and lined with stone or wood.