The ancient city of Teotihuacán is only about an hour outside of Mexico City and it’s well worth the trip. Teotihuacán is an ancient civilization that predates the Aztecs and Mayans. At its peak, it was one of the largest cities in the Americas. People make the (short) pilgrimage to the ancient city to see the awe-inspiring Pyramid of the Sun and the Moon and other ruins.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know to visit Teotihuacán.
Getting there
The easiest way to get to Teotihuacán is in an Uber. It’s only about 30 USD each way for an hour-long ride. The journey will be about 2 hours if you choose to take the bus from the city center. Buses leave from Centro Histórico, which was a bit of a hike from where we were staying in La Condesa, so we opted for an Uber.
Arriving at Teotihuacán
Teotihuacán has five puertas or gates you can enter and exit from. If you’re arriving via Uber, ask to be dropped off at Puerta 1 to get the full experience. Buses will drop you off at Puerta 2, which is right in front of the Pyramid of the Sun. If you’re only visiting for a short time to get a glimpse of the main Pyramids, ask to be dropped off at Puerta 3 by the Pyramid of the Moon.
When you arrive, you can buy your ticket at a little kiosk for 80 MXN. Your ticket is valid for the full day, so you can come and go as you please. At the main entrances, there are market stalls with souvenirs.
People may offer to be your guide for the day, but it’s not necessary. Between the helpful plaques with information (in both English and Spanish) and the museum on site, you’ll learn plenty about Teotihuacán on your own.
The Citadel and Temple of the Feathered Serpent
The first thing you’ll see when you enter the complex is The Citadel, a large courtyard. Within The Citadel is the Temple of the Feathered Serpent. At the temple, you’ll see ornate impressive stone heads that decorate the pyramid.
Avenue of the Dead
This 1.5-mile stretch leads you through Teotihuacán until you reach the Pyramid of the Moon. Expect to go up and down stairs to walk the entirety of the avenue. It’s called Avenue of the Dead because the Aztecs falsely believed the main street was lined with tombs when in reality it was lined with homes.
Pyramid of the Sun
The Pyramid of the Sun is the largest structure on the compound and one of the largest in Mesoamerica. If you’re walking from The Citadel, it will be on your right near the center of the city.
Museo del Sitio
Tucked away behind the Pyramid of the Sun, is the Museo del Sitio, which translates to the Museum of the Place. It’s aptly named because it will tell you everything you need to know about Teotihuacán. The museum is small so it takes less than an hour to visit and is included in your ticket. It’s a great place to hide from the unrelenting sun.
Pyramid of the Moon
At the end of the Avenue of the Dead is the Pyramid of the Moon. It’s framed by smaller buildings, which makes for a better photo op.
Drinks at La Gruta
Right outside of the Teotihuacán complex is La Gruta, a restaurant inside of a cave. It can be accessed by exiting from Puerta 5, which is behind the Pyramid of the Sun. It’s a great place to get delicious cocktails and a snack before heading back to the city. Honestly, the food isn’t that great, but the ambiance and experience make it worth the trip. At the end of your meal, the server tells you the legend of La Gruta and gives you a candle to place as an offering to the cave.
Good To Knows
What To Expect
Teotihuacán is a tourist attraction, so you’ll see many tourists, like you, taking photos and walking along the Avenue of the Dead. Many vendors try to take advantage of this by selling their knick-knacks inside the complex. Be prepared to say “No gracias” or “No thank you” many times. That said, I bought a beautiful handmade tablecloth here that was my favorite souvenir from my trip to Mexico City.
To see the entire complex, you’ll need to walk at least 1.5 miles in the heat. At times, you’ll need to walk up and down stairs, so it is not very accessible to people who need assistance climbing stairs.
You may have seen old photos of people on top of Mexican pyramids, but people are no longer allowed to climb up.
What To Wear
It’s hot out there with very little shade, so make sure you wear comfortable, breathable clothing. Before you leave, apply sunscreen to keep yourself from getting burned. Because of the stair climbing, you’ll want to wear comfortable shoes like sneakers.
What To Bring
I recommend bringing a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun. We applied sunscreen in the morning and we still got burned, so make sure to reapply. Bring a bottle of water or buy one before you enter the complex. If you need to buy more water you can get some at gates 1, 2, and 3. As always, you should have cash on you for any impromptu purchases.
More on Mexico City
Need other ideas for what to do in Mexico City? Check out The Ultimate Mexico City Guide or my 7-Day Mexico City Itinerary.
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