Last Updated on April 3, 2024
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There are many ancient ruins in Mexico and Teotihuacán is without a doubt one of the most impressive ones I’ve seen. It was once one of the largest and most important Mesoamerican cities. The site is massive and covers 20 square km, which is double the size of Chichén Itzá. If you are in Mexico City, visiting Teotihuacan is a must and being just one hour away, it’s a very easy day trip to take.
The Pyramids of Teotihuacán are located about 25 miles (40 km) from Mexico City, in a small town of San Juan Teotihuacán, which is one of Pueblos Mágicos. It’s close enough, which makes it an easy day trip and there are many guided Teotihuacán tours from Mexico City you can join. But if that’s not your cup of tea (it’s not mine!), it’s also very easy to visit the Pyramids on your own.
Getting from Mexico City to Teotihuacan using public transportation is extremely easy, cheap and gives you complete freedom. You can get there as early as you want, explore at your own pace and spend as much time at the site as you wish.
So, if you are not a fan of organized group tours and prefer to visit independently, I’ll show you how to visit Teotihuacan on your own.
Brief history of Teotihuacán
Teotihuacán is ancient Mesoamerican city, one the largest and most important ones. It’s believed that it was established around 200 BC and reached its peak at 500 AD. At its height it was home to around 150,000 people. The city collapsed by 750-800 AD.
There is a lot of mystery around who built Teotihuacán and what was the reason for its collapse. Archeologists believe that the city was multi-ethnic, inhabited by Otomo, Zapotec, Mixtec, Maya and Nahua people.
The city was already abandoned for centuries by the time the Aztecs arrived in 1400s. They gave it the name Teotihuacán, which translates to “the place where the Gods were created”. No one knows what the original name was.
Teotihuacán was declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and is one of the most impressive and visited archeological sites in the world.
How to get to Teotihuacán from Mexico City by bus
The easiest way to get from Mexico City to Teotihuacán is by bus. Autobuses Teotihuacán leave from Terminal Central de Autobuses del Norte and run every 20 minutes or so. There’s no need to prebook tickets, you can get them right on the spot for the next bus and you shouldn’t wait more than a few minutes.
Terminal Norte, as the name suggests, is located north of Mexico City’s historic center. Easiest way to get to the bus station is to take an Uber. There is also a subway station right by the terminal, called Autobuses del Norte (take the Yellow Line 5 towards Politecnico), so that’s another option.
Once at the bus station, walk through the main entrance, take a left and go all the way to the end. There you will see a ticket counter for Autobuses Teotihuacán. Be sure to ask for a ticket to Piramides and not the town of Teotihuacán. Tickets are for a specific time, so don’t miss it!
The cost of the round-trip ticket is 120 MXN. When you have your tickets, make your way to the Gate 8, which is basically next to the ticket window, and find a platform with a bus that says Piramides (San Juan, San Martin, San Felipe, Piramides). It will take about one hour to get there. The bus will make a couple of stops in town before getting to the Pyramids. The bus drops you off the entrance Puerta 2, the driver will shout “Piramides“. When you walk in, there’s going to be a booth to buy your ticket.
When you are ready to head back to the city, exit the Pyramids through the same gate (Puerta 2) and wait at the intersection of the two roads. You shouldn’t wait too long for the bus.
Getting to Teotihuacan by car
If you have a rental car, it’s also easy to drive to Teotihuacán. The worst part will be getting out of Mexico City, which is notorious for having lots of traffic. Especially if you want to get there on the early side and get stuck driving during rush hour. Once you are out of the city though, it’s an easy drive.
Without any major traffic, it should take anywhere from 1-1.5 hour. This will depend on which part of Mexico City you are leaving from. Once you get there, there are parking lots at Gates 2, 3 and 5. It costs 50 MXN to park your car for the day.
Teotihuacan opening hours
The Pyramids of Teotihuacan are open every day, including holiday, from 9 am – 5 pm. Note, that the last admission to the site is at 3 pm.
Best time to visit Teotihuacan
Best time to visit Teotihuacan is right after it opens on a weekday. Because the archeological site is so close to Mexico City and easily visited, with and without a tour, it gets really busy on the weekends. Weekdays is when you want to go, ideally early in the morning. That’s where it’s the least crowded, and you can avoid the mid-day heat. The site is very open with almost no shade, so it can get pretty hot.
If you can, avoid weekends and National holidays. The worst day you can possibly visit is Sunday, as this is the day when Mexican citizens and residents get free access to all the archeological sites, among other things, around the country. Sundays are really busy and crowded.
As far as the best time of year goes, Teotihuacán can be visited year-round. November- April is dry season. May- October is hotter and rainier, so keep that in mind, as there is a lot of walking involved and no shelter from neither heat nor rain.
How long do you need
Plan to spend 3-4 hours if you want to explore the entire site at a nice pace, without rushing through it. And while it might seem like it’s a half day trip from Mexico City, when you add the travel time both to the bus station and then the bus ride, it will take up most of the day.
Teotihuacan tickets
Pyramids of Teotihuacan are some of the cheaper ruins in Mexico to visit. Tickets cost 95 MXN and you can buy them at any of the five entrance gates. Cash only. Unless you book a guided tour, there is no option to buy tickets in advance online. If you are visiting Teotihuacán on your own, you can only get tickets once you arrive.
Your entrance ticket includes the entire site, as well as access to two museums there: Museum of Teotihuacán Culture and Museum of Teotihuacán Murals.
Tickets are valid all day and you can leave and re-enter the site as many times as you want throughout the day. So, if you’d like to take a break from exploring and grab a bite to eat, that’s possible. Do not lose your ticket!
If you arrive by car, parking is additional 50 MXN. There are parking lots by the Gates 2, 3 and 5.
Entrance gates
There are 5 entrance gates to the site, called Puertas and you can buy tickets at each gate. The most convenient ones are Puerta 1 and 2. If you enter through Puerta 1, you start at the southern end of Avenue of the Dead, right where Citadel and Temple of Quetzalcoatl are.
Puerta 2 is near the spot where the bus from Mexico City drops you off. After a short walk through the parking lot and souvenir shops, you enter the site directly across from the Pyramid of the Sun.
Some people recommend entering through Puerta 1, which will put you near the Citadel and Temple of Quetzalcoatl/Feathered Serpent. In this case you can start your visit there, then make your way down the Avenue of the Dead towards the two main Pyramids. The only problem with that is that by the time you get to the Pyramid of the Sun and Moon, it will be pretty crowded.
I personally recommend entering through Puerta 2. Pyramid of the Sun is right in front of you as you first walk in, and Pyramid of the Moon is just a short walk to the left from there. These are the two most important and popular structures at Teotihuacán. They are the highlight of the visit for many people and get the most crowded. You want to see them first thing in the morning, before all the tour groups arrive. From there, you can head down the Avenue, check out the structured along the way and end at the Citadel and Temple of Quetzalcoatl/Feathered Serpent.
Do you need a guide?
If you don’t know much about Pyramids of Teotihuacan, hiring a guide is not a bad idea. There is so much history there and learning some of it will definitely enhance your experience. Just like with most ruins in Mexico, there will be guides near the entrance offering their services. If you’d like a tour in English, it’s a good idea to have a little chat first to establish the level of English before committing. Expect to pay around 850 MXN for 1-2 hours.
If you opt for visiting Teotihuacan without a guide, there are some plaques with information in front of many structures, both in Spanish and English, but it’s very minimal. I would definitely do some reading before your visit. It’s always good to have an idea about what you are looking at and know at least some history behind it.
You can also download and follow an audio guide.
Can you climb the Pyramids of Teotihuacán
No, you can no longer climb the main Pyramids of Teotihuacán. In the past it was possible, but that changed with the pandemic. Not just Teotihuacán, but many other archeological sites in Mexico, stopped allowing visitors to climb the structures. And it seems like the change is permanent.
The view from the top of the Pyramid of the Sun is supposed to be spectacular, so it is a bit disappointing. However, don’t let that deter you from visiting Teotihuacan. The site is absolutely amazing and a must visit, whether you can climb the Pyramids or not.
There are a couple of smaller structures you can climb for nice views. One of them is right in front of the Temple of the Feathered Serpent. You actually have to climb up and then down to get a closer look at the Temple. There are some viewing platforms you can climb as well.
Visiting Teotihuacan – things to do and see
Pyramid of the Sun (Pirámide del Sol)
Pyramid of the Sun is the largest structure at Teotihuacán. It’s 65 meters (213 feet) tall, making it the third largest in the world, after the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt and Great Pyramid of Cholula, also in Mexico. It is absolutely massive, and you have to see it with your own eyes, pictures don’t do it justice.
It’s believed that the Pyramid of the Sun was built in two phases. First phase was completed in 200 BC and is what you see today. During the second phase altar was added to the top, but that didn’t survive.
Be sure to walk around the entire Pyramid, to really feel how huge this structure is. Most people stay just in front and there’s almost no one in the back. Go to the other size, if you want to take some photos with no people in them.
Pyramid of the Moon (Pirámide de la Luna)
At the north end of Avenue of the Dead is Pyramid of the Moon, the second largest structure at Teotihuacán. It measures 43 m (140 feet) high, and it’s said to be dedicated to the God of the Storm.
Pyramid of the Moon was used for religious ceremonies and sacrifices. Human and animal sacrifices were found inside.
If you walk away from the Pyramid of the Moon towards the Quetzalpapálotl Palace, on the left, there some steps leading to a viewing platform. You get nice views from there of the Pyramid in front of you and if you look the other way, you can see Avenue of the Dead and Pyramid of the Sun in the distance. It’s a great spot to take some nice photos and capture the whole structure!
Quetzalpapálotl Palace (Palacio de Quetzalpapálotl)
Quetzalpapálotl Palace is a group of buildings, to the left of the square. One of the highlights is the Patio de los Pilares. The pillars have beautiful carvings of bird and butterfly creatures, which is where the name of the Palace comes from.
Avenue of the Dead (Calzada de los Muertos)
Calzada de los Muertos, Avenue of the Dead, is the main road, that runs through the city from south to north and connects all the pyramids.
The Avenue is 2.5 km (1.5 miles) long and it’s lined on both sides with various smaller structures, that are worth checking out as well. Aztects believed, that these structures were tombs of ancient rulers and named the road Avenue of the Dead.
Citadel (La Ciudadela)
If you enter through Puerta 1, the Citadel will be the first place you visit. It’s large square plaza, that is believed to have been the residence of powerful families. It’s surrounded by walls and there are several pyramids, with the main Temple of Quetzalcoatl/Temple of the Feathered Serpent in the back.
Temple of Quetzalcoatl/Feathered Serpent
Temple of the Feathered Serpent is the third largest pyramid at Teotihuacán. While it’s not as tall as the other two, it’s definitely the one that impresses with its details. The name comes from the carved feathered serpents, that adorn the structure.
As recently as 2003, after a heavy rainstorm, a tunnel was also discoverer going directly underneath the Temple.
There is an adjacent structure, which was added a few centuries later, and you can climb that one. If you want to take a good look at the Temple of the Feathered Serpent, you need to go up and then down to the other side. From there, you’ll be able to get a nice and close up view of the Pyramid and all the details.
Museums
There are two museums within the site and your entrance ticket includes access to both. They are worth seeing to get more insight and it might also be a nice break from the sun and if you need to cool off.
- Teotihuacán Museum of Murals (Museo de Murals) is near Puerta 3 and has a collection of about 50 recovered murals.
- Teotihuacán Cultural Museum (Museo de Sitio) is located near Puerta 5 and has a nice display of artifacts found at Teotihuacán.
Restaurants at Teotihuacan
If you get hungry, there are several restaurants just outside of Puerta 2, across from Pyramid of the Sun. They are very casual and affordable.
Right outside of Puerta 5, behind the Pyramid of the Sun, there’s a restaurant called La Gruta. It’s located in the cave and it’s a beautiful setting. The prices are a bit higher, but that’s to be expected. I have personally not eaten there, but judging by the reviews, it seems like the ambiance and atmosphere is better than the food. Still, it’s another option if you are looking to have a meal.
You can leave and re-enter the archeological site on the same ticket as many times as you want on the same day. So, if you need to grab something to eat and then come back and keep exploring, that’s totally fine.
Tips for visiting Teotihuacan
Get there early – this is my number one tip for almost any place and it applies to Teotihuacán as well. The Pyramids are one of the most visited attractions in Mexico and one of the most popular day trips from Mexico City. I think it goes without saying, that it does get crowded. Show up right when it opens at 9 am or right after, and you’ll have chance to enjoy it without crowds. You’ll also beat the mid-day heat.
Bring a hat, sunscreen and lots of water – the site is very open and there’s almost no shade.
Wear comfortable shoes – the archeological site of Teotihuacán is huge and if you want to see it all, you’ll be doing a lot of walking. Make sure to wear your most comfortable shoes.
Bring enough cash – credit cards are not accepted, neither at the ticket office nor by any of the vendors. Make sure to bring enough cash to cover the entrance and anything else you’d like to buy i.e. food, drinks, souvenirs, bus ticket.
Avoid Sundays if you can – on Sundays Mexican citizens and residents get free entrance to the Pyramids, so it’s usually extra crowded.
Vendors – at each entrance gate, you will find souvenir shops. Ther are also plenty of vendors inside the site, selling snacks, drinks and souvenirs.
Hot Air Balloon flight over Teotihuacan
If you are looking for an amazing experience and don’t mind getting up early, book a hot air ballon flight over Teotihuacán. Seeing the ancient site from above at sunrise is an absolute bucket list item and worth every penny.
There are several tour agencies that offer hot air balloon flights over Teotihuacán, but Volare is the highest-rated and most recommended. This is who I booked with, but sadly, my tour got cancelled due to bad weather conditions that day. Which shows, they are really safe conscious. I will definitely try again, next time I’m in Mexico City.
You have an option of booking just the balloon ride or adding extra time to visit the Pyramids afterwards. If you’ve never visited Teotihuacán, definitely stay and tour the site. You’ll have about 3 hours to explore on your own. A lot of other companies don’t have that option, which is also why Volare is the best on the market.
It’s about an hour drive from Mexico City to where the balloons take off from, and you also have an option to book the tour with or without transportation. Despite its price tag, hot air ballon flight is one of the most popular Teotihuacán tours, so don’t wait till last minute to book.
Book your Teotihuacán Air Balloon Flight here.
Best Teotihuacan tours from Mexico City
Visiting Teotihuacan on your own is very easy, but you might decide you prefer to take a tour after all. Taking a guided tour means everything is taken care of, all you need to do is just to be ready to leave at the scheduled time.
Since this is one of the most popular day trips from Mexico City, there are plenty of organized tours you can book. If you plan to go that route, it’s best to choose a tour that leaves the city as early as possible. One of the downsides of visiting Teotihuacan with a tour, is that a lot of them usually arrive around the same time, so you are there at the busiest times.
Here are some of the best organized tours to Teotihuacan from Mexico City.
- Early and Express Tour of Teotihuacán
- Mexico City: Teotihuacan Early Access and Tequila Tasting
- Teotihuacan Tour + Transport + Basilica + Tlatelolco + cave
- From Mexico City: Teotihuacan Air Balloon Flight & Breakfast
READ MORE:
- Chichen Itza in Mexico – how to plan the perfect visit
- How to visit Coba ruins – one of the best Mayan sites in Mexico
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