Teotihuacán: Tickets & Tips, Guided Tours & Day Trips (2024)

Jump to: • Visiting Teotihuacán • Accessibility at Teotihuacán • What is there to see? • Map of Teotihuacán •

Teotihuacán is one of the finest archaeological sites of pre-Columbian Mexico. From around 600 BC until 200 BC the area was little more than a series of scattered villages. From about 100 BC to 650 AD Teotihuacán reached its peak, covering an area of 21 square km and supporting a population of at least 100,000 people. Until the 14th century, it was the largest city in the western hemisphere. At the heart of the city arose a complex ceremonial and civic centre crammed with ornate stone palaces and dramatic pyramids. Today, the square mile around this centre is preserved as the Zona Arqueológica de Teotihuacán – the Teotihuacán Archaeological Zone.

There is still much that remains a mystery about the people who built and lived at Teotihuacán. They were clearly a powerful society that exerted an influence across a wide area of Mesoamerica. Many archaeologists believe that as a major urban centre, the city would have been home to a range of ethnic and linguistic groups. After a serious fire in the 7th century, the city centre was largely abandoned. As it began to fall into the realms of legend, it was the later Aztec people who gave the ruined city the name of ‘Teotihuacán’ that in their Nahuatl language meant “the place where the gods were created.”

Antiquarians and then archaeologists began exploring the ancient city from the 19th century onward, revealing more about its fascinating history. Reflecting its importance not just for Mexico but internationally, Teotihuacán is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Although there are small trees scattered about the site, the main archaeological attraction is under the glaring sun with no shade. You need to be prepared for a day under the harsh Mexican sun. Be aware that temperatures at the site are usually higher than in nearby Mexico City. A hat/umbrella, sun lotion, and sunglasses are strongly advisable. And take plenty of water with you.

It is also a good idea to take some food, although eateries are available outside the archaeological site. Check the forecast beforehand as the area does experience rainy and windy days – in which case a poncho and umbrella are recommended.

Although some visitors choose to wear flip-flops due to the heat, sturdy shoes that you can walk around in all day are better. In past year, visitors have been able to climb several of the main pyramids, although this is not possible at present. It is unclear when it will be reinstated. Other pyramid sites in Mexico have permanently banned visitors from climbing their stone structures.

The dramatic structures at Teotihuacan are great for photographers, so do not forget your camera! Photography is also permitted in the on-site museum, although flash is prohibited in certain areas to protect the artworks on display. Those wanting to use electronic video recording equipment in the Zone must purchase a permit. As of 2019 this cost 45 pesos (approximately US$2.11, €1.80, or £1.63) although this cost is prone to rise. There are additional restrictions on the use of tripods and some professional-level photographic equipment.

Potential visitors have always, and always will, want to know if it is worth visiting Teotihuacán or not. A new version of the question these days is “is it still worth going to Teotihuacán if you cannot climb the pyramid anymore?” Climbing the pyramids at many archaeological sites in Mexico has stopped, for justifiable conservation reasons. As a result of the global pandemic, climbing the pyramids at those sites where it was still allowed was stopped. At Teotihuacan it has remained so. We were informed that the site managers are doing some much needed restoration, and hope to have the Pyramid of the Sun accessible towards the end of the year.

As you will see on many social media channels, for some people climbing “the pyramid” at Teotihuacan is one of the, for some even the most, important reasons for visiting the site. We all engage with archaeology sites and the world’s histories in different ways. But one response summed up my feelings quite accurately, this is like asking if it is worth climbing the Acropolis in Athens even though you can not go inside the Parthenon temple. Or any of the temples for that matter. People climb the Acropolis in their millions each year. And I am sure millions of people go to Teotihuacan each year whether they can climb the Pyramid of the Sun or not.

But if you need them, here are five reasons to visit Teotihuacan:

First, there is so much more to the archaeological site than the Pyramid of the sun. There are other pyramids and temple platforms. These line the Avenue of the Dead in perfect symmetry. Together these features make up what was the ceremonial centre of a city that was an estimated 36 square km in size – and influence further beyond. What we see today only represents about 10% of that settlement.

Besides the ruins, that have been worked on by archaeologists since the middle of the 19th century, there are also two onsite museums. Entry to both is included in the entry ticket to the site.

Teotihuacan is unique for its architectural and artistic achievements. Not only or its size, but also for the well developed plan. At its height it was the largest city in the Mesoamericas, and would remain unmatched until the 15th century.

At over 70 m high, the Pyramid of the Sun is largest pyramid in Mesoamerica. And the Pyramid of the Moon is the second largest. Their sheer size is something to behold, not only from their bases, but also from nearby monuments.

The art of the people who created this site is amongst the most developed in all of Classic Mesoamerica. Most of the monuments were decorated with paintings that represented their world view. Some of these murals have been preserved in situ, such as the Puma Mural on the Avenue of the Dead, many others can be seen in the Museo de Murales Teotihuacanos “Beatriz de la Fuente” – one of the two onsite museums.

The most obvious features of the Teotihuacán site is the Avenue of the dead with its pyramids and platforms. What we see today is just a fraction of there was originally, and even these are ruins, remnants of their original state. Perhaps the most famous part of Teotihuacan is the Pyramid of the Sun. Located in front of gate two, this is the largest structure at the site is a dominant feature of the local landscape. Nearby, at the very northern end of the Avenue of the Dead is the Pyramid of the Moon.

Between the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, against one of the ritual platforms is the Puma Mural: a painting of what is thought to represent a puma.

To the south west of the Pyramid of the Moon is the Palace of Quetzalpapálotl. This was one of the most elaborate and exquisitely decorated structures known at the site. Because of the quality of the art, it is thought to be associated with a high ranking individual. The inner courtyard is a must for its intricate carvings.

At the other end of the Avenue of the Dead is the Citadel. The Citadel has high walls that surround a courtyard, in which is the Temple of the Feathered Serpent. In the 1980s archaeologists found the remains of at least 100 individuals, thought to have been sacrificial victims burial at the temple. The macabre detail aside, the temple has some beautifully carved feathered serpent head and Tlaloc heads.

Walking about the extraordinary site of Teotihuacán is one thing. To float above the pyramids and the Avenue of the Dead during a hot air balloon ride is something else altogether. The flight itself lasts around 50 minutes, but depending on the weather conditions it could be a bit shorter.

As balloon rides start around 7 am, you will need to be up early, particularly if you are staying in Mexico City. Hotel pick-ups for Mexico City are between 5 and 05h30.

There are a number of different options to choose from, and the price varies quite considerably. So when choosing a company check and compare what is included and what is not. For example, if you are staying in Mexico City and want to be picked up at your hotel, you need to ensure that hotel pickups are included in the service and price. If you are staying in San Juan Teotihuacán and do not need a pick up service, and do not want to go into the archaeological site after your balloon ride, a balloon ride without pickup and entry tickets is what you need.

These are some of the options:

• Hotel pick up in Mexico city, no entry to the archaeological site
• Hotel pick up, entry to the archaeological zone 45 minute balloon ride
• Hotel pick up, balloon ride and walking tour of the archaeological site
• Hotel pick up, balloon ride followed by a tour of Teotihuacán by bike

As with the balloon rides at Teotihuacán, there are many options available to you if you are interested in a guided tour of the site. Probably more so, given that this is the most popular attraction in Mexico. The choice can be daunting. But first, you may be wondering if you need a guided tour of Teotihuacán, and if it is worth it.

Answering the second part of the question is easier than the first. As long as you have a good guide (check the reviews), I believe a guided tour to most sites is always worth taking. A well informed guide who engages well with their group can impart knowledge and experience very difficult to get on your own or out of a book. Do you need a guide? This will always differ from person to person, and depends on a range of factors such as how much do you know about the site before you visit, how much do you want to learn about he site during your visit. And even how much time you have to explore the site. If you have little or no prior knowledge, only a short time and want to see the highlights, a good tour guide can get you to those places much quicker than you can on your own. If you have already read a lot about the site, have a lot of time, taking a good map and exploring the site yourself can be just as enjoyable and rewarding.

That said, here are a handful of guided tours that meet differing needs:

• Hotel pick-up from Mexico City, private tour including entry tickets
• Hotel pick-up, skip the line entry, small group walking tour at dawn
• Hotel pick-up, entry tickets, full day private tour of the site with added experiences
• Hotel-pick-up, entry tickets, walking tour of the site, bike ride around the Teotihuacan Valley

If those do not appeal to you, or you would like to consider more, check out the offerings from the following ticketing and activity providers: Tiqets, GetYourGuide, Civitatis, Headout and Viator.

Given that two or three hours is a good amount of time to see quite a bit of the archaeological site of Teotihuacan, it makes a lot of sense to include other archaeological and/or historic sites in your day trip from Mexico City. And in many cases, particularly for private tours, it does not cost a lot more to combine Teotihuacan with other places.

One popular attraction is Tlatelolco, the remains of another pre-Columbian city-state that was uncovered during urban development in Mexico City. Founded shortly after Tenochtitlan (at the centre of modern-day Mexico City), after Templo Mayor this is the second most important site in the city. Visit Templo Mayor while you are in Mexico City, and then combine Teotihuacan with Tlatelolco. You will have seen three spectacular and important Mesoamerican archaeological sites in Central Mexico.

For those with an interest in more recent history, the Guadalupe Shrine is part of a Roman Catholic church dating from the 18th century. It houses a famous relic associated with the Virgin of Guadalupe that continues to attract many pilgrims in this deeply religious country. From Mexico City, you can take a private day tour of Teotihuacan and the Guadalupe Shrine. You can also combine Teotihuacan and the Guadalupe shrine with Tlatelolco.

The Toltec capital Tula is another wonderful archaeological site that makes for a good day trip from Mexico City, particularly when combined with another site. Tula is the site that has those iconicAtlantean columns thought to represent Toltec warriors. You can see both the Pyramids of Tula and Teotihuacan on one day trip from Mexico City

If you are planning a trip to Mexico you can create your own travel lists (such as places you have been to, places you would like to visit) and an itinerary for your trip. These can also be shared with your friends and on social media. You can see how this is done by watching our Using the Itinerary video on YouTube, or reading the Using the Itinerary page.

For more sites and museums in Mexico, see our Mexico Travel Guide.