Theres only one reason to come here the ancient ruins of Teotihuacan (officially Zona Arqueolgica de Teotihuacan). Walking about the extraordinary site of Teotihuacn is one thing. Temple of the Moon, the second largest pyramid at Teotihuacn. When Teotihuacn was inhabited, the Avenue of the Dead ran for about 2.5kms, and is about 40 metres wide. Further, these will not be available until at least February 2022. Tenochtitlan was the Aztec capital that was destroyed by the Spanish, and its located in the Historic Center of CDMX. Teotihuacan is one of the finest archaeological sites of pre-Columbian Mexico. Teotihuacan is not the same as Tenochtitlan. What about food? You can book a hot air balloon ride here. There are five entry gates (puertas), but buses (and most visitors) aim for Puerta 1 or 2. Running through the site is the Avenue of the Dead, a long straight pathway that reflects the carefully planned nature of this ancient city. So bring a sun hat and wear sunscreen, even in winter. If youre looking for more great ideas, then check out this epic list of things to do in Mexico City. Browse Ethan's Articles on Archaeology Travel. Visit our Best Places to Stay in Mexico City guide for more info. Discoveries are still being made excavation of a tunnel beneath the Temple of the Feathered Serpent began in 2010 and took several years. Most tourists visit Teotihuacan on day-trips from Mexico City. So its good to prepare yourself with a little historical knowledge before you visit Teotihuacan. Provisions is made for wheelchair users throughout the site, where possible. Check out our list of 33 fun things to do in Mexico City. Las Pirmides, the official restaurant at Puerta 1, offers the best views of the pyramids and fairly decent Mexican food, as well as three-course set menus. The similar Pyramid of the Moon (Pirmide de la Luna) at the end of the Calzada de los Muertos is slightly smaller but provides the best overview of the sites overall layout (though its only possible to climb as far as the platform half way up). Gate 3 is the only accessible entrance (with ramps and walkways for wheelchairs). The city proper was established during the Teotihuacan I phase (200 BC to 1 BC), while the city grew to be the biggest in the Americas in Teotihuacan II (1350 AD). Its unknown who built Teotihuacan. The Avenue of the Dead is basically Teotihuacans main street and runs through the middle of the ancient city. If you have your own car, you can drive around the edge of the complex and park in different spots, but youll still be doing a lot of walking in and out. So, sunglasses are a must. You cant spend the night at pyramids themselves, but you can spend the night in the nearby town. Just queue up and jump on the next departure. More Options for Teotihuacan on GetYourGuide, balloon ride without pickup and entry tickets, Mexico Travel Guide for History and Adventure Seekers. However, it was discovered by the Aztecs and given its modern name of Teotihuacan in the 1400s. Temple of the Moon with the ceremonial plaza in front of it, taken from the top of the Temple of the Sun. Check out our picks for the best hotels in Mexico City. As with other major heritage sites in Mexico, Teotihuacan sees large numbers of vendors trying to sell souvenir memorabilia. Hire an official guide (once inside the entrance), or obtain a comprehensive written guide before touring the site, as there are very few signs in English. If you didnt book onto a guided tour in advance, you can hire the services of a local guide to Teotihuacan at the door. There is a bookshop at Gate 5, where you can purchase books about the site as well as tourist guides. The site is open everyday throughout the year, from 09h00 to 17h00. Book here. This is the largest pyramid in the city and the most iconic and easily recognizable. Taxi services from the city to the site, including Uber, are also an option. More details and book online here >>. Whatever your preference, we provide all the necessary information you need to visit Teotihuacn. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Its humbling and exciting to simply stand side by side with an ancient pyramid. Teotihuacan was first developed in the 1st Century AD, and the city grew to be the largest in the region. The cool thing about the Pyramid of the Sun is that you dont have to just sit by and look up at it. The cost of Museo de la Cultura Teotihuacana is included in your entrance fee to the archaelogical zone. Today around 47,000 people live in the adjacent community of San Juan Teotihuacn. Teotihuacan is best visited at opening time, around 9am, before crowds begin to build up in the late morning and afternoon. Not surprisingly then, at only 50km northeast of Mexico City Teotihuacn is the most visited site in Mexico. Once youre at the station, go to Puerta 8 and grab a ticket to the pyramids or archaeological zone with Autobuses Teotihuacan. The pre-Hispanic ruins have stood the test of time, and offer a deep insight into the complex cultures that rose and fell long before Europeans arrived on Mexican shores. The thing that puts Palacio de los Jaguares on the map is its decorative wall paintings of jaguars in red. Another important pre-Columbian site in Mexico City is the Templo Mayor, a major religious structure during the Postclassical period. You will have four hours to explore Teotihuacn before heading back to Mexico City. Tickets are sold at each of the five entrances to the site, though toilets are only available at gates 1,2, 3 and 5. The prehispanic city was one of the first major cities in the Western Hemisphere. Your email address will not be published. Allow around at least half a day to visit the ruins aim to eat lunch here if possible. Sky currently lives in Mexico City with her dog Bear. Teotihuacan was one of the largest and oldest Mesoamerican cities, with early communities forming here around 600 BC. Its believed that this pyramids platform was a prized viewing spot for ritual sacrifice. The ruins are open daily 9am to 5pm and cost 80 pesos to visit. Many archaeologists believe that as a major urban centre, the city would have been home to a range of ethnic and linguistic groups. 2022 Road Affair, LLC. Get more travel inspiration, tips and exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox. Check out one of his most recent books, Wicca: History, Belief, and Community in Modern Pagan Witchcraft, published by Sussex Academic Press. This was the city of Teotihuacans main thoroughfare, and its so named because this would have been the route taken by those destined to die on the pyramids. Individuals who prove residence in Mexico are exempt from these payments on Sundays. Required fields are marked *. Theres not a huge amount of information about the pyramids when youre walking around, so its a good idea to visit the Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City before your trip to Teotihuacan. Its located by Gate 1 and so is often the first temple to be seen by day-trippers. When you arrive at the terminal, there are signs on different counters advertising the bus to Teotihuacan (complete with pictures of the pyramids to make things clear). Being prepared with water is especially crucial when youre doing an activity that gets you moving. The city also demonstrates features from the Maya region and other cultures. Photography is also permitted in the on-site museum, although flash is prohibited in certain areas to protect the artworks on display. Teotihuacan itself has avoided the drug violence that has affected other parts of Mexico, and is generally free of petty crime. The Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan is found along the Avenue of the Dead, between the Temple of Quetzalcoatl and the Pyramid of the Moon. If you dont have one, you wont be allowed to use it. Where is Teotihuacan? The Pyramid of the Sun is the largest pyramid in the city, and its absolutely enormous. Its a fascinating place to explore, and to help you plan your journey, heres our guide to Teotihuacan! I lived in Mexico City for nearly a year and am here to spill the beans on how to visit the ancient city of Teotihuacan. Its usually a little faster to take the Metro to the Indios Verdes station (line 3) and take a bus to Las Pirmides. Since Teotihuacan is one of the most popular attractions in Mexico, there are usually a bunch of people there. But, when you go there with a guide, you learn about every little detail as if youre seeing it with your own eyes. Signage is in both Spanish and English. The Temple of Feathered Snails is also inside the Palace of Quetzapapalotl, which is known for its huge murals. Aim to arrive at Teotihuacan just before opening time at 9am this is by far the busiest Mesoamerican site in Mexico, so it pays to get an early start. Its believed that these people mightve been sacrificed. Traffic permitting, this journey takes about an hour, passing through impressive scenery. Opposite Gate 1 (Puerta 1) is La Ciudadela, a huge sunken square, surrounded by stepped platforms, once serving as the citys administrative heart. Learn how your comment data is processed. Things to look out for when choosing between seemingly similar activities: some include hotel pick up, for others you are required to get to the departure point. The profile of the pyramid copies the profile of Cerro Gordo Mountain north of the site. Here you can find extensive murals that have been painstakingly restored, and that demonstrate the level of artistic ability developed in the pre-Hispanic world. Other pyramid sites in Mexico have permanently banned visitors from climbing their stone structures. Teotihuacan is an ancient Mesoamerican city in central Mexico, located in the federal State of Mexico, in-between the modern towns of San Juan Teotihuacn and San Martn de las Pirmides. The trek up to the top of the pyramid isnt super difficult, but it can get a little crowded. The museum features many numerous stone heads, ancient artifacts, art pieces, and a 3D model of the city. This will definitely be the most expensive, and potentially the least fun, way to visit. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are generally the least busy days. With all the excitement of seeing the pyramids, many visitors forget about the museum, but its the perfect first stop to learn a little about life in Teotihuacan. As youre probably starting to realize, its going to be sunny and hot when you visit this particular attraction. There is reserved parking at Gates 2, 3 and 5 for visitors with disabilities. Like, climbing to the top of a giant pyramid for example. Our favorite is La Gruta (200m west of Puerta 5), a fine restaurant charmingly located in an open-sided cave, with traditional dance performances and typical Mexican food. You dont want to risk walking around in heels all day at this place. Buy your entrance ticket (a very reasonable 80 pesos for a day ticket) and start exploring. Mexico Visiting Teotihuacan Perhaps the most famous part of Teotihuacan is the Pyramid of the Sun. Its thought to date back to 200 A.D. and rises up to 65 meters (about 213 feet) in height making it the third-largest stone pyramid ever built, anywhere in the world. This tip is important for professional photographers or enthusiasts novices leave the tripod at home or get a permit way ahead of time. Be sure to also visit the two site museums, the Teotihuacan Culture Museum (Museo de la Cultura Teotihuacana at Puerta 5) and the Museum of Teotihuacan Murals (the Museo de Murales Teotihuacanos at Puerta 3A), crammed with precious artifacts discovered at Teotihuacan, from obsidian tools and ornately decorated ceramics, to burials recovered from under the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. The view from the top of the Temple of the Moon over the ceremonial plaza and down the Avenue of the Dead with the Temple of the Sun on the left. Need more things to do on your trip to Mexico? But, the beautiful natural environment around the archaeological zone makes it an especially fun day trip out of Mexico City. The last thing you want when youre having fun in Mexico City is a searing sunburn. Combine Teotihuacn With Other Attractions, Visiting Tula in 2022 the Toltec Capital. Teotihuacan Pyramids with Tequila Tasting Private Tour, Here is the highest-rated tour to Teotihuacan, Click here to book your hot air balloon ride. Teotihuacan in Mexico is inseparable from its history; after all, this is an archaeological site! The ruins of the city and the pyramids held great influence for centuries to come, however. The pyramid is 43 meters (about 142 feet) in height and has seven distinct layers that lead to the top. In spring, the sun is shining and temperatures start to rise, but tourist numbers pick up, too. Nobody is actually sure who built the city or exactly what their culture was like. Required fields are marked *. One of the most popular local eateries is La Gruta, noted for being located inside a cave. Tickets can be purchased at the multiple entrance gates to the Zone. The Museum of Anthropology is one of the largest museums in the world, and theres so much information here on the history of Teotihuacan and the civilization that built the pyramids. After a post-college adventure around 6 Asian countries, she dove head-first into a writing career and travel lifestyle. Your ticket allows you to leave and re-enter during the same day, so you can go out of the archaeological zone for a break or lunch and then return. Today, the square mile around this centre is preserved as the Zona Arqueolgica de Teotihuacan the Teotihuacan Archaeological Zone. Also known as the Feathered Serpent Pyramid, its named after the feathered serpent deity thats carved into the walls of the structure. Teotihuacan is 30 miles (49 kilometers) northeast of Mexico City and there are a few different ways to get there: Bus The most affordable way to reach Teotihuacan is by bus. Souvenir and handicraft shops cluster around each entrance, and official guides are available for hire at all five gates. Its practically a guaranteed sunburn if you show up unprepared so I recommend bringing sunscreen and a hat. The city reached its peak during Teotihuacan III (350650), when it became the predominant power of ancient Mexico, conquering rivals as far as Copn in modern-day Honduras. A popular choice is to combine Teotihuacn with the Toltec capital of Tula. Do I need a car in Teotihuacan? The Mexican border states of Nuevo Len and Tamaulipas have been affected by drug cartel violence, and the roads in and around Mexico City are heavily congested and confusing to navigate. Renting a Car Though its possible to rent a car with Discover Cars and drive yourself to the archeological site, I wouldnt recommend it. Today, the city of Teotihuacan remains one of the greatest unsolved mysteries. Hours Teotihuacan is open every day from 8 AM to 4:30 PM, except on Fridays when it closes at 4 PM. Public buses depart regularly (every 15 minutes or so) from the Terminal de Autobuses del Norte, Mexico Citys major northern bus terminal. Entry is free for certain groups of Mexican citizens, including children under the age of 13, individuals over the age of 60, students and teachers. All Rights Reserved. Recommendation: By booking a tour you dont have to worry about getting on the right bus or rush hour traffic. Regular taxis in Mexico City are likely to charge well over 1000 pesos for the trip to Teotihuacan take an Uber or the bus. This includes walking time between pyramids, some time at the museum, and several breaks for refreshments and lunch. Its a mile and a half long, aligned slightly east of true north, and points directly at a nearby sacred peak called Cerro Gordo, an extinct volcano. Theres no shade at all once youre inside the pyramid complex (except at the museum) because everything is so wide open. There are no military structures in the area, despite the seemingly advanced architecture. Or how can we improve it to help you travel better? Bring lots of peso cash for small purchases like bottled water and snacks. Updated: March 7, 2022. Those wanting to use electronic video recording equipment in the Zone must purchase a permit. Whether youre just strolling down the Avenue of the Dead to see each pyramid from the ground level, or youre making the full-blown hike up to the top of the pyramid. It houses a famous relic associated with the Virgin of Guadalupe that continues to attract many pilgrims in this deeply religious country. What are the best things to do in Teotihuacan? It is unclear when it will be reinstated. The museum covers almost all known eras of Mexican history, too, so you can really start to piece the story together and visualize how the pyramids fit into the timeline. Its less than $50 per person, and includes a stop at a few other nearby historical sites (plus a tequila tasting!). Due to government restrictions Skip-the-line tickets for the archaeological site of Teotihuacn can not be purchased online. After parking, follow the path from Gate 5 to the Avenue of the Dead. With that in mind, here are the best things to see and do on your Teotihuacan tour. Uber Uber is only a slightly less expensive option than renting a car to visit Teotihuacan. When is the Best Time to Visit Teotihuacan? On this early morning tour you get to beat the crowds and enjoy this impressive archaeological site just as it begins to open its doors for the day. The most recent hope for more information about the city was found in the form of a secret tunnel. The best months to travel to Teotihuacan are November through to May, when the weather is dry and temperatures are cool. What Else is There to See Near Teotihuacn? The Temple of Quetzalcoatl (also known as the Temple of the Feathered Serpent) is the third-largest pyramid at Teotihuacan. By then, the city had already been abandoned for thousands of years. The pyramid is an exceptional work of engineering. Visit its different buildings, plazas and murals peacefully, with a magical and mystical atmosphere that will allow you a more authentic experience of this great city of ancient Mexico. See our full guide to what to pack for Mexico. This will grant you access to the zone and both museums. Non-Spanish speakers should make sure the guides English is good before paying. Youll still have more than enough time to see the pyramids and get back again before the evening rush. Local vendors sell snacks, drinks and handicrafts outside and inside the site bring peso cash for these. What did you like about this post? I want emails from Road Affair with travel updates and marketing. 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. While organized tours are plentiful, its also relatively easy to catch the public bus to the ruins (even if its your first time using public transport in Mexico). It gets really bright out there without anything to create little shady spots. It was a center for culture, art, history, and civilization in the Teotihuacan Valley, and held great influence over the rest of the region. There is a diverse range of activities for visitors to experience Teotihuacn, from Guided Tours at Dawn, an In-depth Guided Tour With an Archaeologist to Hot Air Balloon Rides Over the Archaeological Site (more information in the section below). Give my list of the 13 best museums in Mexico City a shot. Reflecting its importance not just for Mexico but internationally, Teotihuacan is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site. Standard entry to the Teotihuacn Archaeological Zone costs 80 pesos. The main tourist site today covers around 2.6 square kilometers (652 acres). Required fields are marked *. Standard Entry Fee: 80 Mexican Pesos Sky Ariella is a professional writer from New York with an insatiable craving for exploring the world. Road Affair is reader-supported and may earn commission from purchases made through links in this article. All you have to worry about is waking up and bringing your camera. What about Uber? Click here to book your hot air balloon ride. Amigo Tours is a recommended operator for guided tours of Teotihuacan they offer early access tours which arrive before most of the other tour groups (amigotours.com.mx/mexico-city/sunrise-tour). At present, there are specific routes around Teotihuacan which visitors are asked to follow. There are additional restrictions on the use of tripods and some professional-level photographic equipment. There are a number of small group tours that start in Mexico City and travel to Teotihuacn and back. The pyramids at Teotihuacan are very close to Mexico City, and on weekends they can get seriously busy. There is a small, air-conditioned museum at the site which showcases artefacts recovered during excavations. Specifically for Teotihuacan, youll want to bring: Once you get out into the archaeological complex, there will be little to no cover from the blazing hot sun.