Travel bucket list idea:

Teotihuacan

Mexico Valley, Mexico

Last updated: 10 November, 2024

This ancient city, just north of Mexico City, was once the largest in the Americas, home to over 125,000 people at its peak. It flourished between the 1st and 6th centuries CE, when it became a major cultural and economic centre, influencing various cultures across Mesoamerica.

Despite its status today as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, much about the city’s origins, its inhabitants, and the reasons for its decline remains a mystery. It was seemingly sacked and burned by its own population in AD 550.

All that mystery, along with impressive architecture, makes Teotihuacan a fascinating archaeological and cultural site. The highlights are the two stand-out pyramids, the ‘Pyramid of the Sun’ and the ‘Pyramid of the Moon’, connected by the ‘Avenue of the Dead’ – a central thoroughfare lined with important structures.

Recommendations

Hot-air balloon flights over Teotihuacan

Teotihuacan, Mexico Valley, Mexico

Bucket List Experience

Taking a hot-air balloon ride over Teotihuacan offers a breathtaking and unique perspective of the scale and magnificence of this extensive Mesoamerican site that you simply don’t get from the ground (though, of course, also visit on foot if you have the time).

Floating over the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon – and the so-called Avenue of the Dead – all bathed below in the soft light of dawn, is both serene and surreal. With nothing other than the occasional whoosh of the burner to distract you, it’s the perfect vantage point to contemplate the mysteries of this ancient civilisation, and to marvel at its architectural legacy.

Also, see travel blogger Cathys’ more detailed account on her blog post here.

Adult price: £95

Min age 5

Good for age: 10+

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Logistics

Price from: £90

Minimum age: 0

Age suitable: 13+

When: All year around

Duration: 3+ hours

Getting there & doing it

Teotihuacan is about 30 miles from Mexico City, the main gateway for visiting. A daily bus service runs every 20 minutes from the Terminal de Autobuses del Norte (about 40 minutes’ to get there).

This is definitely a place worth a guided tour. Numerous operators run tours from Mexico City (see recommendations below), who will also arrange transportation, or local guides are usually available at the entrance.

Wear comfortable walking shoes – the site is vast and walking is the only way to get around.

When to do it

The best time to visit Teotihuacan is during the dry months of March to May, when temperatures are mild and pleasant. To avoid the crowds, aim for weekdays, particularly Tuesday through Thursday. Early mornings, when the site opens around am, are ideal for a quieter experience, allowing you to explore the pyramids with fewer visitors. You’ll also enjoy cooler temperatures and optimal lighting for photography.

Avoid weekends and major holidays, as these attract larger crowds. Additionally, July and August can be very hot and humid, making visits less comfortable.

Who to go with: organised tours

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Teotihuacan, Guadalupe Shrine, Tlatelolco & Tequila Tasting

Mexico City

Viator

BEST OF THE BEST 2024 WINNER. Discover the history of Mexico with visits to three top historical attractions: Teotihuacan, Tlatelolco, and the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Stroll through the ruins of Teotihuacan, one of the most jaw-dropping experiences you can have in Mexico and see the power of the Aztec empire. Admire the Sun Pyramid which is the largest in Mesoamerica with more than 200 feet tall. Along with a trip to the Pyramid of the Moon, you’ll learn from an expert local guide about the origins of this religious city. Have free time to explore your favorite spots, and take amazing pictures. Then you’ll visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In this 18th-century shrine, you’ll see a cloak with the image of Guadalupe as you learn about her significance to the culture and people of modern Mexico. The day also includes a visit to Tlatelolco. You’ll learn about their history, including human sacrifices, mass graves, and the so-called Lovers of Tlatelolco.

Price $40

Min age 0

Rating 4.78 / 5 [8810 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Teotihuacan Immersive Early Access or Afternoon Tour

Mexico City

Viator

BEST TOUR IN MEXICO TRIPADVISOR AWARDS 2020 WINNER AND TOP 25 WORLDWIDE. Visit the Pyramids of Teotihuacan, the City of the Gods, on this half-day tour from Mexico City with a specialized guide. Choose to visit the archeological site early in the morning or in the afternoon. Learn about the history of these important pyramids in Mexico and visit all the notable sites, like the Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon, the Avenue of the Death, the Palace of Quetzalpapalotl, and the Temple of the Feathered Snake. After the archeological experience, visit an artisan obsidian workshop, participate in a cactus liquor tasting, and taste the purest flavors of Mexican cuisine with a delicious lunch of traditional dishes.

Price $26

Min age 0

Rating 4.65 / 5 [5643 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Teotihuacan Private Tour from Mexico City

Mexico City

Viator

Discover one of the most enigmatic sites in Mesoamerica, with the best guides at a time where we will avoid large crowds, we can adapt the tour to the needs of our clients (children, seniors, etc).

Price $126

Min age 0

Rating 4.94 / 5 [1340 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Private Tour: Teotihuacan and Guadalupe Shrine

Mexico City

Viator

Your adventure begins in Tlatelolco, with a brief introduction to the three main periods of Mexican history. Afterwards, you will explore Teotihuacan, “the place where the gods were born.” At the end, you will have lunch at a local restaurant in the area to eat a typical Mexican meal. For 45 minutes and on the way back to Mexico City, you will visit the most visited religious sanctuary in Mexico, the Basilica of Guadalupe, where religious devotion produces a phenomenon that will create a religious syncretism.

Price $160

Min age 3

Rating 4.92 / 5 [761 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Teotihuacan, Shrine of Guadalupe & Tlatelolco Day Tour

Mexico City

Viator

Explore ancient Teotihuacan, one of the world’s most impressive archeological sites, with the amazing pyramids of the Sun and Moon. Visit Our Lady of Guadalupe Basilica, an important pilgrimage site, and learn about the 3 cultures represented at Tlatelolco. (Climbing the pyramids is now restricted)

Price $59

Min age 0

Rating 4.80 / 5 [641 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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