Teotihuacán

What a majestic place! Transports one back in history. Must visit. You can spend a few hours here. Nicely maintained. Lots of souvenir shops. Not recommended for people with physical disabilities. Take water along, a sombrero or hat or umbrella. Can get really hot.

They don't lie when they say it gets packed around noon! I arrived around 9:30am on Sunday and it was calm, only a few souvenir sellers even. As I was leaving the Quetzalcoatl temple around noon, there were a lot more people and it was a lot hotter with the sun higher in the sky. The complex is giant. It took me 4 hours to see everything. Very cool experience. The information signs are in Spanish, English, and a language I didn't recognize (maybe a local language). A few are too bleached by the sun to read, but majority are good. I took the bus from the north bus terminal. The return stop is hard to find, but it's to the right as you exit gate 2 after the ticket office. Bring warm clothes for the morning, water, snacks, hat, sunnies, and good walking shoes.

Best seen from a Hot air balloon 🎈. The tour guides are great and the captains of the balloons are with great talent to float amongst all the other balloons. We did a tour with extras, but stick to a transportation and balloon ride. This made the trip. Also we did a morning ride to see the sunrise, well.worth the early morning wake up. Highly recommend the morning.

I took a group tour here to float over the Aztec pyramids in a hot air balloon, have breakfast in a cave (La Cuerva), and walk through the grounds of the pyramids at Teotihuacan. An amazing day! This is a must-do experience.

This site is impressive but even better when you have a guide to tell you about the history. This was once an ancient Mesoamerican city but much of it was lost to time and disasters, so much so that the original name of the place is unknown as of now. The current name came from the Aztecs who came upon this place. The temples are so large and meant to imitate the nearby mountains. There are many layers to the city and archaeological excavations have uncovered there are centuries of buildings built on top of each other. It’s worth a day trip from Mexico City and a must visit even if just to wander the area and take in the pyramids.

A great place to spend the day. You can have a tour or go alone. It's a huge space with stairs, so be aware that you need to climb 🪜 There are many souvenir sellers. You can pay with card everywhere.

Our favourite bit of this important archeological site is the Temple of the Feathered Serpent. Partly fascinating for its artistic magnificence and partly depressing as a bastion of what was lost to time, it alone would have been enough to justify the trip out to Teotihuacan. On top of that you get all those other wildly impressive archeological structure to marvel at, like the Temple of the Sun, and Moon, and a museum packed with artifacts of numerous cultures that crossed paths in this enormous ancient city. Indeed, the Meso-American cosmopolitan of Teotihuacan was the largest city in the Americas at its peak. That means you'll need a day, and lot of sunscreen, and good hat, to absorb it all.

such an amazing day trip from mexico city! the drive is only about an hour and the uber ride is ~$35 USD make sure you have cash for vendors / food / the toll on the way back!! definitely wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a water bottle / snacks! lots of walking around

What a majestic place! Transports one back in history. Must visit. You can spend a few hours here. Nicely maintained. Lots of souvenir shops. Not recommended for people with physical disabilities. Take water along, a sombrero or hat or umbrella. Can get really hot.

They don't lie when they say it gets packed around noon! I arrived around 9:30am on Sunday and it was calm, only a few souvenir sellers even. As I was leaving the Quetzalcoatl temple around noon, there were a lot more people and it was a lot hotter with the sun higher in the sky. The complex is giant. It took me 4 hours to see everything. Very cool experience. The information signs are in Spanish, English, and a language I didn't recognize (maybe a local language). A few are too bleached by the sun to read, but majority are good. I took the bus from the north bus terminal. The return stop is hard to find, but it's to the right as you exit gate 2 after the ticket office. Bring warm clothes for the morning, water, snacks, hat, sunnies, and good walking shoes.

Best seen from a Hot air balloon 🎈. The tour guides are great and the captains of the balloons are with great talent to float amongst all the other balloons. We did a tour with extras, but stick to a transportation and balloon ride. This made the trip. Also we did a morning ride to see the sunrise, well.worth the early morning wake up. Highly recommend the morning.

I took a group tour here to float over the Aztec pyramids in a hot air balloon, have breakfast in a cave (La Cuerva), and walk through the grounds of the pyramids at Teotihuacan. An amazing day! This is a must-do experience.

This site is impressive but even better when you have a guide to tell you about the history. This was once an ancient Mesoamerican city but much of it was lost to time and disasters, so much so that the original name of the place is unknown as of now. The current name came from the Aztecs who came upon this place. The temples are so large and meant to imitate the nearby mountains. There are many layers to the city and archaeological excavations have uncovered there are centuries of buildings built on top of each other. It’s worth a day trip from Mexico City and a must visit even if just to wander the area and take in the pyramids.

A great place to spend the day. You can have a tour or go alone. It's a huge space with stairs, so be aware that you need to climb 🪜 There are many souvenir sellers. You can pay with card everywhere.

Our favourite bit of this important archeological site is the Temple of the Feathered Serpent. Partly fascinating for its artistic magnificence and partly depressing as a bastion of what was lost to time, it alone would have been enough to justify the trip out to Teotihuacan. On top of that you get all those other wildly impressive archeological structure to marvel at, like the Temple of the Sun, and Moon, and a museum packed with artifacts of numerous cultures that crossed paths in this enormous ancient city. Indeed, the Meso-American cosmopolitan of Teotihuacan was the largest city in the Americas at its peak. That means you'll need a day, and lot of sunscreen, and good hat, to absorb it all.

such an amazing day trip from mexico city! the drive is only about an hour and the uber ride is ~$35 USD make sure you have cash for vendors / food / the toll on the way back!! definitely wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a water bottle / snacks! lots of walking around

Wow! What a cool experience! I came here with family on a Sunday afternoon and it was moderately warm. I highly recommend a hat and good walking shoes, along with some water. You'll be doing a lot of walking if you decide to visit the entire grounds. This is a great spot to learn about the history of the pyramids while being emersed in them! I believe you can hire an English speaking guide if needed to get the full experience. There are many vendors selling souvenirs throughout however there is no water or food for sale inside so if you think you'll need either, grab them before you enter. This is a great spot to check out if you're in town!

Amazing place to visit within 1 hour drive of the center of Mexico City. Inexpensive to enter. Plenty of parking for a small fee. Easy to spend a few hours walking around the historic complex. Garden adjacent. Bring sunscreen. No shade. I found sunscreen for sale at one of the tourist shops, but it wasn't a brand I'm familiar with. Bring cash. Ticket office and parking don't accept credit cards. Refreshments are very limited and they don't take credit either. If you don't know the details, stop into the little shop next to the museum. The guidebooks are cheep and the proprietor is blasting 80s music! WARNING: Follow your GPS directly to the parking lot for the pyramid site. Do not be confused by all the people standing in the street seemingly representing some official authority. They're trying to trick you. Just drive past them, directly to the parking lot.

It's hard to explain how awe inspiring this pyramid complex is. It's a second trip for us to visit Teotihuacan and it does not disappoint. We came in a Sunday morning and arranged a tour guide and ride to take us there, share stories and history and we treated him to lunch at a near by restaurant geared for tourists but very delicious. Many new discoveries since we were last there. More insight into pre-history and unfortunately now you cannot climb on either of the large pyramids. Wish there was more interpretation on-sight and less selling of chotchkies. It's a minimum 6 hour adventure to drive there, explore the entire complex and return with lunch. Although not far from the city, there are no true expressways so the going is not super fast. About 1 hour from reforma district.

Altamente recommendada!!!!! When you're in Mexico City, never missed this tour... whether group tour or private tour. We got our private tour via our Hotel (Marriott Reforma) with an english speaking tour guide. I love listening to the history! Muy interesante! Worth the trip!

We had some extra time in Mexico City and had to see the pyramids. They are only an hour outside of the city and easy to get to and from with Uber. We recommend getting dropped off at Zone 5, which will save you a lot of walking to get to the main structures, the Sun and Moon pyramids. Our Uber dropped us off at Zone 1, and we were beat by the time we made it over. Though there are fewer crowds on that side, and you have the freedom to climb the pyramids. Definitely bring sunscreen, even if it's going to rain, the sun doesn't play. There are some souvenir shops and food stands at each entrance Zone, and a museum, which we ended up skipping because we were exhausted and ready for dinner at the caves. Had a beautiful time visiting and loved the view of the pyramids and mountains in the background.

Yelp Review 2024 #46: Only an hour away from Mexico City is Teotihuacan where you can see a complex of pyramids in an ancient city. It takes a lot of hours of walking to visit all the pyramids: Pyramid of the Sun (the largest), Pyramid of the Moon, and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I recommend joining a tour so you get the most out of your time here to learn about the history and significance of this place especially if you're like me who's not too familiar with Mayan vs Aztec civilizations. Also, so you don't miss anything. Trust me, there's plenty to see including details you might overlook if you're not familiar with this place. Stone carvings, paintings, artifacts - you'll see them here. Our tour guide took us to so many different parts of Teotihuacan. And at one point, she had us clapping and listening to the echo. Apparently, the echo should sound like a bird but I honestly just heard clapping. The time I went, we were still allowed to climb up the pyramids but I guess, they don't do that anymore these days - it only takes 1 person to ruin it for everybody. There are vendors on site selling bottled water, souvenirs, and noise makers. You can hop on a hot air balloon if you want more of a birds-eye view of the pyramids. You have to get here early. There is no shade to hide under from the heat of the sun - no tree, no awning, no cafe/ gift shop in the pyramid grounds. So, bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and whatever sun protection you might need. It's also quite a hike. I saw a couple who had their baby in a stroller and they struggled especially when they tried to go up the pyramids.

We were in CDMX and decided we were going to honor our ancestors by paying a visit to the pyramids. This place is a must. So much history and culture. It's about 40 minute drive outside the city but so worth it. So much food sold along the highway on the way there. Once you get near, there are fruit and snack vendors everywhere. Also many restaurants and souvenir vendors as well. Once inside, no food is sold with the exception of this small store that sells drinks, chips and paletas de hielo. Tons of souvenir vendors inside The restroom situation is a little weird, they sell you the toilet paper. So technically u can use the restroom for free but you have to buy the tp. We went in January and it was hot. If possible, try to visit in the winter because I can't even begin to imagine how hot it gets in the summer.

Worth the trip. Better than expected. Plan to spend 3 hours to walk from gate 1-3. If you only want to see the sun pyramid use gate 2. For the moon pyramid use gate 3. Walk as little or as much as you like. Plan ahead. The sun and altitude can make it sunnier and warmer than expected. Wear sunscreen, sun glasses, and a hat for best protection. If you forget a hat they are 50 pesos. Bring water or buy it at the entrance of gate 2 or 3 in the little shop where they sell popsicles. The other vendors don't carry water. Wear walking shoes. No matter what gate you use there is walking involved. For more history visit the museum of anthology. This is a must for all tourists.

If you are visiting Mexico City and have the time - please please go to visit the Teotihuacán Pyramids. There is so much history and culture to be seen during the visit. We went with a private tour company and had zero regrets. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable on each of the Pyramids, and also took us on the tour using a comfortable route which we didn't even realise took 3-4 hrs. I would highly recommend taking a hat and sunglasses when you visit, as there is very little opportunity for shade. I visited the Teotihuacán Pyramids in November 2023, and although it wasn't scorching hot, the sun was still on full display. Although we could not walk up ALL of the pyramids, there were still 2-3 which were open to the public. Understandably there are protocols in place to preserve the UNESCO World Heritage site from erosion with all the foot traffic.

What an amazing day we had walking to las Piramides. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes, wear a hat, they have shops on the main entrance in case you forget to bring one. Lastly, don't forget your sunblock and portable chargers because the views are impressive, you're going to want to capture every corner, angle of the pyramids.

Wow! Visiting here should be on everyone's bucket list. Mexico City is a great place to visit and so are the ruins here. Teotihuacan is an ancient Mesoamerican City in the suburbs of Mexico City. There are two big pyramids, complex, multi-family residential compounds, the Avenue of the Dead, and well-preserved murals. It's incredible to see! So much history and culture! It was my husband, myself, and our 6 year old son. We went on a private tour, so we knew what we were looking at and could adapt at any point. That worked really well! We drove about 1 hour from Polanco to Teotihuacan. We went in through Gate 3. First we used the bathroom and bought my son a pair of sunglasses before going in. We saw the Sun Pyramid and some original murals. The guide showed us around for about an hour. Then he drove the car to Gate 1, and we walked the Avenue of the Dead (about a mile) passed tons of small pryamids, ruins, etc, and past the Moon pyramid (the guide said it was the 3rd largest pyramid in the World after 1 in Mexico and #2 Giza pyramid in Egypt.) It was very cool. There were several vendors selling souvenirs, but it was surprisingly not crowded. Everything I read said to expect it to be super crowded.

Not to be missed, the pyramids in this archeological zone are extensive and surprised us with their scale and presence. Really stunning. The layout of Teotihuacan is built to be consistent with the arrangement of constellations. Approaching the Moon Temple via la Calle de Los Muertos, the energy of this important historical site starts to become palpable. We're not museum people, and we don't tend to linger even in fascinating places, so we had only planned to spend an hour at the site. However, we quickly realized there was several hours worth of exploring. The museum nearer to the Sun Temple was beautifully done and fascinating. If you traveled a long distance to see this site, plan for the time it deserves.

WOW. We spent about half of a day at Teotihuacán during our week in Mexico City this month. It was so special. Teotihuacán is an ancient Mesoamerican city located in a sub-valley of the Valley of Mexico, which is located 25 miles northeast of Mexico City. Teotihuacan is known today as the site of many of the most architecturally significant Mesoamerican pyramids built in the pre-Columbian Americas, namely Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon. It's a place of such incredible history and mystery (who built Teotihuacán? Why did this incredible civilization and city crumble? And just how many tunnels and caves are there?!). It's so ancient, it's hard to wrap your brain around it! I mean the Pyramid of the Moon was built between 100-450 CE! And there's really so much to see: the two pyramids listed above, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl/Temple of the Feathered Serpent, the Avenue of the Dead (Teotihuacán's main thoroughfare), the Puma mural, and more! We spent 3 hours or so exploring the ruins with a guide, and I really recommend going with a guide or tour service. There aren't many signs or much to read at the archeological site, so it's important to do your research ahead of time or go with a guide or guidebook so that you can get the most out of the experience. Having a tour guide was also great for getting to Teotihuacán - we were picked up at our place in the city - it's about 30 miles from the city center! We spent a week in Mexico City, but this was our only little day trip from the city limits. It was so worth it. I highly recommend it.

As of September 2023, you CANNOT climb any of the pyramids or ruins. They are all fenced off. HIGHLY RECOMMEND to go when they open (beat the crowds and the heat). Bring water, sunscreen, and a hat! I put sunscreen on before I left, but highly recommend to reapply while you are there! You do not need to purchase tickets ahead of time. Personally, I am not a fan of tours, so I opted to go on my own. I saw a lot of people with tour guides who provided information and history. If this interests you, then book a tour. On my own, I was there for about 2.5-3hrs. I can imagine, going with a tour guide would take longer LOL There is a museum that is indoors and there are informational plaques you can read.

It is awesome site to visit for pyramid in Mexico. Very close to Mexico City. It is about one hour drive. The compound is big. You can spent at least 4 hour there. If you are handicap, I would suggest enter through parking lot 2 will get you directly to pyramid of the sun. To have full experience, you can enter through parking lot 1. There you find the museum and Pirámide de la Serpiente Emplumada. A smaller archeological site with drop down pyramid. One thing for sure the step for this pyramid are narrow step. High cardio exercise. It is not build for handicap or lack physically challenge body condition. However you can view the larger pyramid through parking lot 2 entrance which take you directly to to pyramid of the sun and moon. Currently the pyramid are not open for tourists climbing. There is Palacio de Quetzalpapálotl which we don't have time to visit. It is an attraction not to miss in Mexico.

Majestic site This was our second visit to Teotihuacan. Our first was 21 years ago when you were still allowed to climb the pyramids - and the view from the top of the Templo del Sol was the highlight of the visit!

Come early. Doing so will avoid the crowds and the heat! I have known that the pyramids were here. What I did not truly appreciate until coming here is the scale. They are much larger than I imagined and what is incomprehensible is that only 10% of the site has been excavated. If you have mobility issues this site can be a challenge. Forget ramps and rails, this is not the US. There are some areas that give a hint of what the original structures may have looked like. There have been several major challenges to understanding history. The first is that they have been built in layers over time. So what you see is closer to their latest iteration as opposed to knowing how they evolved through their history. Second, they were abandoned. Teotihuacán is a made up name. No one knows the original name though there are hints that continue to be found. Third, there was a lot of more modern era destruction from people looking to find what they contained which is something they were never built for. The following are great tips from Archaeology Travel: As Teotihuacan is largely outdoors and exposed to the elements, you need to prepare for a day under the Mexican sun. Be aware that temperatures at the site are usually higher than in nearby Mexico City. A sun hat, sun lotion, and sunglasses are advisable, with plenty of water being a must. 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.

I absolutely love this place. What a fantastic set of pre-Hispanic architecture and historical site. It is totally worth the visit. Bring good shoes and water.

In the ancient Mezo American Nahuatle language it is the "City of the Gods". Historians estimate that about 200,000 people once lived here, making it one if not the largest cities in the world during pre-Aztec times. When seeing these structures in pictures and videos, they are amazing. To personally stand amidst them, in person, in the flesh, you become awestruck - much like experiencing the Grand Canyon for the first time! Starting at the Pyramid of the Sun, it is a mind-blowing example of human ingenuity, perseverance, wherewithal, and technological advancement. Pictures do this magnificence no justice whatsoever! To walk the entire area of some 8 square miles is virtually impossible and does take some physicality! UNESCO declared this a World Heritage Site in 1987, and we're glad they did. As you make your way through the ruins, you see some remnants of single-story dwellings, palaces, and residences and as you walk along the Avenue of the Dead (it's main thoroughfare) for over a mile and a half, you realize the enormity of this citadel. You will come across the Pyramid of the Moon, the carving of Quetzalcóatl (Feathered Serpent), La Ciudadela, Graves estimated to be from on or about 200 CE. This is an experience that must be made to personally understand the significance and incredibility of its existence. A must visit for the history buff as well as the adventurer! Especially if you're not one to be awestruck easily!

Pretty incredible, I think a must go at least once if you're in the CDMX area. We hired a local driver to take us for the day from CDMX, he served as a semi-tour guide for us as well. ~$4 for a ticket to get into the pyramids, which also grants you access to the museum located nearby (Museo del Sitio), you purchase when you arrive from the guards at the main entrance. I think coordinating a tour guide in a language you know would be benefit. Stopping at the museum was also really incredible, beautiful artifacts and a really neat giant relief map that really gives you another great perspective of how incredible the pyramids and history are. We went to the Museum of Archeology the day after which also has artifacts etc. from Teotihuacan, I'm glad we did the pyramids first and then the museum after. Gave us a better understanding and greater appreciation for the Museum of Archeology. There are two spots as you're walking to the sites with the Pyramids of the Moon and the Sun with many local vendors. Vendors will also be encountered as you're walking through the site. Most of the handicraft items etc. that we encountered at the site were found at other markets in the city. Our driver took us to the Mercado Coyoacan the day before (near Frida Kahlo Musuem) which had much less touristy pricing.

One of my favorite things about traveling is exploring ancient cultures, playing a little Indian Jones if you will. This place was magical, archeologists still have no idea who built it; it's still a mystery in the scientific community. Although we do know the Aztecs occupied it about 1000 years after it was built. Hire a guide, it's worth it, they are a wealth of knowledge about the area and it's history. Definitely in my top 3 things to do when you visit Mexico City!

Love this place. Huge! Plan on a lot of walking and taking a ton of photos. Cost was minimal for such an amazing and historic place.

Pretty good pyramids, lots of local history. I'd recommend you hire a guide or at least have someone read a guidebook. The walk from the one side to the other is long but you can explore some of the ruins. Bring sun protection.

Oh my goodness, this is a must see when you're in the Mexico City area, as the Teotihuacan pyramids are truly a treasure. Visiting this ancient site was definitely a highlight of my time here! Make sure whatever you do when you're in CDMX, make a day trip to Teotihuacan. We had set up a tour through airbnb to visit Teotihuacan, which took about an hour to get to from Mexico City's Roma neighborhood. The car ride didn't seem that long. Then, our tour guide was able to meet us at the site and walk with us through the area. This area was known as a Mesoamerican city, named as Teotihuacan by the Aztecs who came to this area afterwards. We were able to learn about the Teotihuacan people here, specifically how the pyramids were built and why, as they were significant to religious sacrifices. Unfortunately due to COVID-19, we were unable to climb up the pyramids as you normally are allowed to do. However, we still very much enjoyed learning about the pyramids and seeing them up close. In addition to the pyramids, you can walk the grounds of this ancient city, as this land is preserved. I recommend if you visit Teotihuacan, go with a formal tour guide instead of on your own, so you can really learn about the area. It was an unforgettable trip!

This archeological treasure is only a 45 minute trip from CDMX. We had heard it's well worth the time to go visit and I have to say, it really is spectacular. Visiting the pyramids was one of my most favorite memories from my trip to CDMX. We got a tour guide through Get Your Guide. It was well worth it to be taken to the site, taught amazing history of the pyramids, and not have to think about a place to eat lunch. If I were going back I'd be sure to have about 3 hours or so to explore the pyramids. We had about an hour and a half to explore the site during our free time and we just didn't feel like we got to see everything we'd like to see. Wear sunscreen. Take a hat. Wear comfy walking shoes. Bring your camera. Don't forget a bottle of water. Don't miss Teotihuacan when you visit CDMX. TIP: I got some of my favorite gifts from the vendors on site at the pyramids. So bring pesos and don't be afraid to ask for a lower price. June 2021

Sure you can stroll around the main corridor and climb the pyramids of the sun and moon on your own and have a perfectly good afternoon. But if you want to dig a little deeper into the history and the significance of this place for contemporary Mexicans, you should hire a guide. Find a good guide that has a modicum of education. Find a reputable one before arrival as most of the "guides" at the entrance are hustlers not professors. I first visited Teotihuacan in 1973, have revisited several times since then. Most recently in 2019. The site has not really changed much in 50 years, no further significant digs have been done. No startling new archaeological concepts developed. My point being, if you've been here before and took a comprehensive tour, there's no need to return unless you just want to walk to rekindle memories. Want to see more mysterious and inspiring Mexican pyramids? I recommend Chichen Itza and Copan.

Amazing spot to visit if you are in the Mexico City area just 25 miles northeast of the city. To get here, I recommend taking the bus from the Northern bus station, go to the last gate, Gate 8. Tickets will run you maybe US$6? Not expensive in the least. The buses run about every 15 - 30 minutes. The trip itself should take about an hour unless you run into horrible traffic which was what happened to me and it took a little over two hours. So be sure to use the facilities before boarding just in case! You have to purchase a ticket to get into the site which includes the museum. It's around 70 pesos I believe. When you get off the bus, there are restrooms, souvenir shops selling sunglasses and hats as well as beverages. I won't go into the history and human settlements of the area, you can use Wikipedia for that. The largest pyramid, Pyramid of the Sun, is approximately 250 feet tall and as of this writing, you can climb to the top. There is the smaller Pyramid of the Moon, which I ran out of time to explore. The whole site closes at 5:00 pm, so don't wait until the last minute to visit. The stones are so perfectly carved and placed to make these structures. It is breathtaking for sure. There is NO SHADE so bring a hat and plenty of water. I visited in February and the temperature was perfect, in the low 80s. There are tons of souvenir hawkers with those annoying jaguar whistles. (You will probably get tired of saying "no thank you" a million times.) Taking a bus back, I didn't purchase a return ticket. Thankfully you can buy on the bus itself so be sure to carry small bills. Definitely one of the highlights of visiting CDMX.

Teotihuacan is one of my highlights from our recent CDMX visit! It's one of the few architectural sites that you can climb. It is rather a steep climb on the pyramids (we only climbed one of them). The Pyramid in the Sun is the third largest in the world. The stroll itself is really cool, lots of stray puppers just lounging around, lottttts of grasshoppers hopping at your feet (I'd recommended high socks if this may bother you), but figure this, you're walking on something called the Avenue of the Dead. What a badass name? The weather here (we went the weekend of Halloween) was about 90 degrees, while CDMS had been a balmy and chilly 70, so the temperature difference is pretty big. We took an Uber to and from CDMX to the pyramids. Stock up on water, do some stretches, plan your bathroom visits and you'll be a happy trekker. The Uber was also super affordable. I love being able to visit places of important significance to those who came long before us, to step into their minds and assess what they had in life. I love that the history of this former city is still steeped in mystery (there's not a whole lot known about the civilization who resided here before the Aztecs)

As part of my many adventures, I decided I wanted to climb The Pyramid of the Sun in Mexico. Did you know it is the 3rd largest pyramid in the world? The Aztecs built this temple as part of their daily rituals and sacrifices for their gods. So I gathered a small group (my son, Nadine C, Alana M, and Tim C) who I knew would be down for a weekend adventure. Nadine found a tour through Trip Advisor so we booked it as it would pick us up and take us back to our hotel. Y'all know I'm terrified of heights but I had to do it. Here are some tips: *take plenty of water *wear sunscreen and a hat *pace yourself *have fun I wish our tour would have given us more time to climb The Pyramid of the Moon as well. If they continue to keep it open for climbing I would like to go back.

First things first, bring a wide brim hat, sunglasses, comfy walking shoes, and if you burn too easily sun screen for your arms. Another recommendation eat something before entering because there are no taco stands, McDonalds, or munchie stands to fill your belly. After visiting you can go to restaurants all around this huge historic area. We always take a public bus from the main bus station in Mexico City to the entrance and they'll pick you up from another gate on the way back.

This is a spectacular pre-Aztec, even pre-Toltec (so pre-pre-Aztec and pre-pre-pre-Columbian) ancient city. At its height it had a population of 125,000, making it the 6th largest city in the world at the time. The city dates from the first century AD. No one really knows much about the civilization that built it, because so many later waves of civilization came after and assimilated the various influences. The extreme modern tackiness allowed at the site insults Mexico's history and almost destroys the experience. There are enormous stepped pyramids which directly influenced later culture and civilizations in Mexico and Central America, even as far south as the Incas in South America. The town is anchored by Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, each at the end of a long axis, flanked by imposing ruins. Most of the"public building" area of the town has been excavated. The suburbs and home sites are still being uncovered. Interestingly enough, many of the residences are multi-story apartment buildings. From the first century and onward, this was quite a densely populated, cosmopolitan place. Every later Meso-american civilization tried to claim this spectacular heritage as their own. Even today the Teotihuacan Pyramid of the Sun is featured in everything from beer labels to soccer team logos. Bring good hiking shoes, sunscreen and a lot of water (anything you forgot will be hyper-expensive nearby). The steps going up the pyramids are steep but well worth the climb. Tour guides are not required, but a good idea. Just try to forget that some fairly gruesome things they describe happened on the steps and platforms (priests with obsidian knives on their fingers slicing into war captives' chests to pull out their beating hearts, etc). Even without the tour guide, you get the idea from the gargoyles and contorted screaming figures carved on the balustrades. One incredibly irritating drawback is the wild modern commercialization of the site. There are hyper-aggressive vendors INSIDE the archeological zone. It's hard to walk 10 feet without being offered a t-shirt or trinket from a guy or gal who just won't stop. I'm an easy mark for trinket sales, BUT this was like being hassled to buy a print of the Mona Lisa in a bikini INSIDE The Louvre. The site itself has been highly compromised. Given Mexico's loose historic protections, there is a local Walmart you can see from the pyramids. To add insult to injury, there is a Vegas-style cartoon character light-show for tourists. Walt Disney would be proud, Montezuma would not. I gently asked the on-site manager why this was allowed and mentioned calmly that it really ruined the experience. He actually laughed and said "que quieres beber gringo grunon"(what do you want to drink, ya grumpy tourist). He was pointing to the on-site, very cheesy and overpriced bar-restaurant. Gee, I think this might be a management problem.

Honestly left pretty unimpressed... All the signs need to be updated. The relying on the tour guides to share the historical information, rather than updating the signs throughout the site. So much reconstruction has gone on, that the site has lost much of its charm in artifacts. For example, many of the artifacts were put into the museum on site, rather than left as is. This is somewhat understandable due to pillaging, but definitely takes away from the authentic feel of the archaeological historical site. Peddlers everywhere selling trinkets. No food at the heritage site-- it's all before you get there. Pretty crowded all day. I would say 9 AM to 10 AM is when the least crowds are. Fun to walk around and see the history. But I had no clue the significance behind the buildings. Considering this is a UNESCO heritage site, it could be much much better. Super close to Mexico City, so worth a day trip. I planned to spend two days exploring the heritage site, but only spent three hours. If you come at 9am to gate 5, there are no guards at the ticket station- so you can walk right in (don't have to pay the entrance fee). If you come around 12noon, the line is around the block to get it. Entrance fee is 90 pesos per person, plus 50 pesos to park. Bring layers. It can be cold and windy As of January 2023, no climbing the pyramid of the sun or moon is allowed.

You have to go when you're in Mexico City! It's far, but take Uber, it's totally worth it. Climb both pyramids and get a good feel of the history behind it. And also get your exercise in! The one thing is GO EARLY!! You'll save yourself the hundreds of people and it'll be easier to climb up and down the pyramids without traffic. It's still packed in the morning but getting there right when they open will help you get some really nice pics. Also the suns heatwaves are hot hot hot here. No shade. Also support the local business by buying some figurines or shit your don't need for souvenirs. These guys are out there working hard in the sun. Some stuff are pretty cool, like the volcanic material.

Truly the highlight of my Mexico City trip! We considered a few different options in terms of transportation from our hotel in CDMX (Uber, rental car, bus, etc.), and we decided to go with Uber. We left our hotel around 8am on a Saturday and arrived at 9am. Uber each way was about $30USD, so definitely very worth it if you have 3-4 people in your group. Entrance to Teotihuacan is about ~$4 USD and you get to climb the two pyramids at your own pace. The climb up the pyramids isn't too strenuous. There are different ledges where you can stop and catch your breath. Be sure to grab on to the rope, especially as you come down, because the steps are quite steep. The view at the top of the pyramids is absolutely gorgeous! Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat because there is literally no shade at all in this area. We saw many other tourists with English-speaking tour guides that they had booked through their hotel. Lots of vendors selling very similar souvenirs and water. If you're in Mexico City, you MUST take a trip to Teotihuacan. A little out of the way but oh so worth it.

Climbing a Pyramid in Mexico... When Gloria said that this was the last year to climb this Pyramid (because it's deteriorating?), I said, "Let's go!" I didn't do any research on it, but I found a tour on Trip Advisor that included transportation from our Hotel and back. We paid a few dollars more for a buffet lunch between the Pyramid and the Basilica which turned out well. Alana is our researcher. According to her review, there are actually three pyramids at this site. The one we climbed was called Pyramid of the Sun and it's the third largest in the world! Wow! I had seen the pyramids in Egypt, but we were not allowed to climb them. This one in Mexico City had stairs and a guide rope which I used to pull myself up. It was a bit strenuous because there were so many steps...too many to count! Overall, it was a great experience and we can all say that we did it! None of us bought souvenirs (like toys that made bird sounds) from any of the vendors here, even though they were bold! Perhaps I got some jewelry while walking from our van to the site?

How can one even write a recommendation for something like this?! if you're on the fence, JUST GO! A truly memorable experience, being here. You will not regret it. We took an Uber from downtown and it was very reasonable and simple. Show yourself around, maybe buy some souvenirs from the vendors. Most importantly, enjoy where you are!

Did you know that there are three pyramids at this archaeological site? On this same archaeological site is the Pyramid of the Sun, Pyramid of the Moon and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl (also a pyramid). At approximately 213' in height, Pyramid of the Sun is the third largest pyramid in the world! These were the first ancient pyramids I had seen in real life! What a neat adventure! This was part of a tour we booked, so we were allotted an hour and a half. We could easily have spent a few hours more here! When I got back home, I read that there is also a Museum, The Palace of Quetzalpapalotl, and a Citadel. We were so close to these other sites, but didn't see them. After walking a lengthy path to reach the base of this pyramid, you can then climb the nearly 250 uneven stairs to the top! It took me 20 minutes to carefully go up using the provided wire ropes. I stopped and rested after each set of stairs. If you make it to the top, you will be rewarded with a great view of the ruins and the Pyramid of the Moon. Also, at the top, there is an uneven raised area you can climb upon. It is said that there once was a temple built on that raised area. TIP: Be sure to bring plenty of water & sunscreen. There is very little to no shade at the pyramids. Teotihuacan means City of the Gods. This site was a pretty good sized city. The Avenue of the Dead is a straight road that connects every structure here. There are many elevated platforms you can walk up and stand on. Pyramid of the Moon is at one end and if you walk along the Avenue of the Dead, you will pass Pyramid of the Sun eventually taking you to the other end where there's a Ciudadela (citadel) which includes the Temple of Quetzalcoatl (the Feathered Serpent). A couple of websites listed this mysterious fact: "Teotihuacan's city layout strangely resembles a computer circuit board with two large processor chips- the Sun Pyramid and the Moon Pyramid." Our main objective was to go to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun and we did that! Mission accomplished!

Beware of street vendors! Must See! Honestly, this place is the best attraction in the country of Mexico in my opinion. The sheer amount of history and human achievement in this Archaeological site is astounding. I'm a big history guy and actually have a degree in Latin American studies. I really recommend wearing a raincoat during the rain season and bringing a comfortable pair of walking shoes. There will be a ALOT of people begging and selling goods in the area. Do NOT start talking to them unless you plan to buy something. They will hound you nonstop until they get to begging for "solo 1 peso, señor". Bring a wide angle lens and a tripod.

05/19/2018 Third stop is just around the corner from Premier. We cannot call this as one of the seven wonders since that title is for the taller one to the East. Still just as grand because we all get to climb this pyramid. When we pulled into the parking lot after the security gate, you can see this large mound. Everyone takes pictures before we even walk to the front of the pyramid. Our guide tells us more information about this area. It was blasted with dynamite on the outer layers. Appearance seems as though it was fortified with cement on some areas. We hear sounds of jaguars and birds as we approach the front where all the vendors await your arrival. There is one side to go up and one side to go down on the same set of stairs. This is to keep the flow of foot traffic organized since it's steep at some points. The experience is exhilarating yet mind boggling once we reached the top. Just to think this was something used for worship and sacrifices.

Fun day climbing the pyramids of Mexico Tietiohuacan! Beautiful weather (horrible if you got no sun screen and hat) with some nice breeze at the top (and only after you get to the top)! There are only so many pyramids you can climb in the world, and I'm proud to say I've climbed a couple of them. The Teotihuacan pyramids are amaxing. Situated in the State of Mexico (as opposed to cdmx), the pyramids and the valley closely mimmic the surrounding landscape with each structure representing a near by mountain. When you stand close to either the Sun or Moon pyramids, they cover the mountain behind in its entirety leaving only the rest of the landscapes for you to admire. It is not known why the Aztecs fled this city and destroyed everything around 800AD, but what they left behind was a bunch of engineering marvels.

We arrived a little after 8A on a Saturday morning to a very desolate site, which quite frankly was very peaceful and nice. The hot air balloons had just begun to soar above us and many more were still taking flight. We climbed the Pyramid de Sol first and boy this is when your lungs are reminded of the altitude of Mexico City, taking little breaks at each landing but to the top in no time. I was secretly wishing there were more flights of steps to climb because I love a good work out. When we reached the top we spent a bit of time up here just soaking it all in and taking in the views, even listening to and greeting the hot air balloon riders :) so close you can hear each other, it really is neat. We then carefully came down from this pyramid and proceeded to the pyramid (le, de one of the two) luna. The moon is one of my most favorite things ever so I was excited to climb this one, although a lot less steps it was nice to sit atop the level we were allowed to climb to and take in the views from here. We continued to explore the area as more people began to arrive. It was never crowded while we were here but I can see how it can be which would make for a completely different experience especially while climbing steep steps. I'd highly advice a visit. I mean why come to Mexico City and not treat yourself to some pyramids it's not everyday and everywhere you get to experience something such as these sites but do get there early! It's well worth the cooler temps and smaller crowds. My girlfriend had a documentary steaming on our TV at our Airbnb so I didn't require any type of guided tour ;) I'm more of a go at my own pace type gal and I'll do the history lesson on my own terms at some point. Bring water, wear your sunscreen and a hat, to prevent that sunburn - that Mexican sun is no joke!!! We both burned in very little time.

There are a few pyramids all over Mexico. I bet they are all equally impressive. Teotihuacán is about 1 1/2 hours from Mexico City. You can book a private tour, which I highly recommend. Or you can travel as a local and take the train and then take the bus that goes all the way to the pyramids. It's in the middle of the desert. Even if it's scorching hot, please wear a long sleeve shirt, hat, jeans, and sunscreen. You don't want to get a nasty sunburn. There are many vendors roaming around and they will be pushy. The pyramids are incredible. Teotihuacán is home to the Pyramid of the Moon and the Pyramid of the Sun. Both are magestic. The architecture is just beautiful. Climbing up the pyramids is exhausting. But once you climb to the top you will feel powerful, you will feel accomplished. I don't know how to really explain it. You will also have a pretty view of the whole city. Prepare to spend the whole day here. There are museums in the property and there is a cool restaurant in a cave. 5 stars.

Ay caramba!! First time in Mexico and we had to come to the closest pyramids from where we stayed, which are about one hour by car. Teotihuacan consist in two big pyramids, and an array of other structures that forms a pantheon of sorts. Piramide de la Luna is the smallest of the two, and can be climbed half way. The rest of the way up is too deteriorated to climb. This one is just the test to see if you can climb the other one, Piramide del Sol is taller and can be climes all the way to the top. There are stages where you can take a break. The steps are very steep and uneven, but there are strong cables where you can grab onto. The view from the top is breathtaking (and not just because you just climbed about a 1000 steps!) It is mind blowing that a culture so primitive could build such elaborate and beautiful structures. Amazing to see. Then, these is a small museum full of artifacts from this and many other regions. What is interesting is that all were found in the area, which means other tribes where traveling here to trade. So cool, you learn so much. I loved everything about it!

I was very excited to visit Teotihuacan based on all the stories I hear from friends and the Internet. However, my experience with the actual pyramids was actually quite anti-climatic. Upon entering Teotihuacan, I was essentially greeted by a barren wasteland with sporadic flat archeological structures here and there. We then started our way to the Pyramid of the Sun, which took a good 20-minute walk through the Avenue of the Dead. The actual hike to the top of the pyramid wasn't difficult, but took close to 40 minutes due to the number of tourists. I was literally being baked to death as I waited to slowly make it to the top of the pyramid. When we got to the top, I was able to see the Pyramid of the Moon and a larger view of the barren land. Maybe it's just me, but the entire archeological site didn't strike me as anything amazing. What was cool was the actual museum. You get to see some of the tools and even the remains of the sacrifices. It really gave you a glimpse of the lives in Teotihuacan. The museum also had English translations for all the descriptions on the wall (with grammatical errors lol). However, the exhibit was really short. I probably spent more time at the pyramid than the museum and that's largely due to the wait at the pyramid. Overall I would still visit Teotihuacan if you are in Mexico City, but don't worry if you got the same anti-climatic experience I had. You are not the only one.

Teotihuacan is the largest ancient complex in the Americas. At over 8 square miles it is also one of the most impressive. The only thing missing, besides the people who once populated the area, are the colorful decorations they created, such as murals and the limestone plaster that covered the many structures. We traveled to the site from CDMX by van on a private tour offered by Tekplan Tours. Fermin Libano, our guide, is an archeologist. His expertise and love of his country added immensely to our experience. I strongly recommend going with a guide. Wandering around by yourself, even with a good guide book, cannot do justice to this amazing pre-Columbian city. He got to the park around 08:00, before the crowds and the heat. By the time we finished, it was hot and the park was jammed with people. So, if you go, go early in the morning. At 75 meters/246 feet high, the Pyramid of the Sun is the most impressive structure in the park. As with most pre-Columbian temples, the site of this pyramid was carefully chosen to align with sunrises and sunsets on specific dates. We were told that only priests were allowed to climb the pyramid. Words cannot describe the eagerness with which so many people ascend the 248 steep steps to the top. The name "Pyramid of the Sun" was coined by the Aztecs. But they didn't build it. That was done by an earlier culture, the Teotihuacanos. The Aztecs came upon the city long after it was abandoned by its creators. If you're fascinated with pre-Columbian history, a trip to Teotihuacan should be on your bucket list.

This is a must-do on your trip to Mexico City. It is about a 1.5-2 hour trip away from the city so plan to go early to beat the crowds. We went on a Friday and took an Uber at 8a and arrived close to 10a. Make sure you get enough rest the night before because you will be doing a lot of walking and climbing. We wore workout clothes because you will definitely sweat if you decide to climb the pyramids (and if it's hot). The pyramids (Sol y Luna) are breathtaking and steep. You feel like an ant when next to it. It's amazing to think how long that they have existed! We climbed el Sol and felt like we were on top of the world. Be very careful climbing up and hold onto the plastic rails because it is very steep and there many people clustered around. There are a variety of vendors selling souvenirs on ground level- make sure to do some haggling to get the best price. I wish we were able to go inside one of the pyramids but I'm sure pyramid preservation and human safety takes precedence. I would also recommend going to the Basilica de Guadalupe afterwards since it's on the way.

Amazing feeling to be walking around and climbing these ancient ruins. Tips: + Uber costs ~$350MXN, or ~$20USD. Safe, reliable, and easy. Started from Angel of Independence. + $75MXN toll both ways, pay in cash! Uber driver will try and ask you whether that's ok or not. I suggest paying for the tolls for a faster trip! + Entrance fee is $70MXN and it's advertised. You won't be scammed here as long as you pay at the booth where it leads to the parking lot + Start early for cooler temps and less people. + Bathroom is clean, but lady only gives you enough toilet paper to wipe. + Wear tennis shoes! Watch your step! Pyramids are STEEP! + Reception is spotty in some areas! Find a good spot before you request your Uber! Did I sunburn? Yes. So wear sunblock because that Aztec sun is fierce!

The long Uber ride from CDMX (and the forgettable ride back on a bus) on a busy Saturday to visit this archeological site was definitely not worth it. We've been to Chichén Itzá and that by far was more interesting. The ride back on a bus is brutal, way too long and with no AC. Then you have to take the metro which is a short enough walk from the bus stop and quite a reprieve from that hellhole of a bus.

What an amazing experience, and to think we almost didn't go because I thought the journey would be too tough. We were only in CDMX for three days and decided to make the journey and I'm so glad we did. We took an Uber to bus station and was expecting the bus ride to be long and dreaded. It was only 1 hour and cost $50 pesos/pp. The ride was comfortable and smooth with only 3-4 stops on the way. Once we arrived we bought a couple of things to eat from street vendors and headed to entrance. Jo food or drink sales inside, so pack or buy from street vendors before entering. The temples are very impressive! You're instantly transported back hundreds of years. The temples are beautiful and you could climb up to take in the beautiful view and take great pictures. It is hot, because there is no shade anywhere. It's a decent walk from start to finish, it took us 2 hours to see and take all the pictures we wanted. Simply amazing and well worth the time and money it took to get there.