One that stands out from the rest is a small group tour that starts at 14h00 in Mexico City and is time to see sunset at the site. Floating above the pyramids and the avenue of the dead in a hot air balloon will give you a view of the ruined city few others have. Some people believe that the city was created by the Toltec culture because of suggestions from colonial period texts. Its believed that these people mightve been sacrificed. Its not as imposing as the other pyramids youll see in the distance, but its full of history, some of it rather dark. You can also rent a bicycle by the entrance if you prefer. 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. Youre all set for your trip to Teotihuacan! The truncated pyramid is still pretty huge, though, sitting at over 140 feet high. Additionally, theres a stunning view of the Pyramid of the Sun. The main attractions at Teotihuacan are the monumental pyramids along the 2 km Calzada de los Muertos, the Causeway of the Dead. The information on this page was last checked and/or updated on 13 June 2022. Give my list of the 13 best museums in Mexico City a shot. If you are planning a trip to Mexico and want to see as much of Mexicos great archaeology sites, check our Mexico Travel Guide for History and Adventure Seekers. The small Teotihuacan Museum offers an insight into the history and the archaeology surrounding the pyramids and the ancient city. Its usually a little faster to take the Metro to the Indios Verdes station (line 3) and take a bus to Las Pirmides. Alternatively, you can just grab an Uber to the bus station for a couple of bucks. See our full guide to what to pack for Mexico. Last entry is at 15h00. It is the third largest pyramid in the world, a little over half the height of the Great Pyramid at Giza, Egypt. At this attraction, youre going to be doing a lot of walking. With that in mind, here are the best things to see and do on your Teotihuacan tour. It is also a good idea to take some food, although eateries are available outside the archaeological site. It was also close to being the largest city in ancient Mexico. The prehispanic city was one of the first major cities in the Western Hemisphere. Required fields are marked *. Its worth exiting the site to eat at one of the restaurants just beyond the gates (its permitted to re-enter afterwards). Its located by Gate 1 and so is often the first temple to be seen by day-trippers. Renting a Car Though its possible to rent a car with Discover Cars and drive yourself to the archeological site, I wouldnt recommend it. When Teotihuacn was inhabited, the Avenue of the Dead ran for about 2.5kms, and is about 40 metres wide. Many archaeologists believe that as a major urban centre, the city would have been home to a range of ethnic and linguistic groups. Whatever your preference, we provide all the necessary information you need to visit Teotihuacn. Check out our picks for the best hotels in Mexico City. 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. Reflecting its importance not just for Mexico but internationally, Teotihuacan is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site. Opposite Gate 1 (Puerta 1) is La Ciudadela, a huge sunken square, surrounded by stepped platforms, once serving as the citys administrative heart. Private tour guides can also be booked in advance or hired at one of the entrances to the Zone. Since Teotihuacan is one of the most popular attractions in Mexico, there are usually a bunch of people there. At present, there are specific routes around Teotihuacan which visitors are asked to follow. 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. All Rights Reserved. Tours In my opinion, the best way to get to Teotihuacan is by joining a tour. You can climb the Teotihuacan pyramids (only halfway up the Pyramid of the Moon), but numbers are restricted and lines form for the Pyramid of the Sun soon after opening at 9am. Recommendation: We highly recommend this Teotihuacan day tour from Mexico City. Specifically, at Gate 3 there are ramps and walkways for visitors with mobility difficulties or who use wheelchairs. As it began to fall into the realms of legend, it was the later Aztec people who gave the ruined city the name of Teotihuacan, which in their Nahuatl language meant the place where the gods were created.. However, be aware that return bus journeys to Mexico City stop in the early evening. Its lacking in much depth, but does help you to visualize the city as a whole. Be prepared and wear comfortable shoes. At its height, Teotihuacan had a total population of over 150,000, making it one of the biggest cities of ancient times. As Teotihuacan is largely outdoors and exposed to the elements, you need to prepare for a day under the Mexican sun. From the air, youll have a birds eye view of the entire complex and the surrounding valley, which really puts the size and extent of the city into stark perspective. The city is not only pre-Hispanic but predates even the Aztecs, who were the force to be reckoned with when Europeans first arrived in the 1500s. Currently, skip-the-line tickets for Teotihuacn are not available to purchase online due to restrictions imposed by the Mexican government. The archaeological site is located only an hour from Mexico City, right by the San Juan River. Provisions is made for wheelchair users throughout the site, where possible. Some of these are within walking distance of the archaeological site, perfect if you want to get to get an early start at the ruins to beat the crowds and the heat. Official Website for the Zona Arqueolgica de Teotihuacan. At its peak 100,000 to 200,000 people may have lived here. As we mentioned earlier, its easier to use the bus, jump off at the first entrance, then pick up the return journey at the last entrance (start at the Temple of Quetzalcoatl by Gate 1 and end at the Pyramid of the Moon by Gate 3). What is the history of Teotihuacan? What about food? Teotihuacan in Mexico is inseparable from its history; after all, this is an archaeological site! There were tools, ritual relics, and indications of a rich culture in the city, but there werent any clues about what mightve happened there or where everyone went. Luckily, its located in a great spot right behind the Pyramid of the Sun, the museum, and an accessible restroom. If youre really on a budget in Mexico City, you can take the Metro from La Raza station to Autobuses del Norte station and follow the signs to the bus station. The vast settlement with its stepped pyramids, temples and platforms lining a central avenue of the dead so impressed the Aztecs they named it the place where gods were created. Today around 47,000 people live in the adjacent community of San Juan Teotihuacn. A sun hat, sun lotion, and sunglasses are advisable, with plenty of water being a must. Read our guide to safety in Mexico City for more key info. While you can walk around the complex by yourself, having a dedicated Teotihuacan guide can really bring the experience to life. A close up of the head of the feathered serpent. During the climb to the top of the pyramids and walk along the Avenue of the Dead, youre constantly in the sun. The trek up to the top of the pyramid isnt super difficult, but it can get a little crowded. Temple of the Feathered Serpent, showing the alternating Tlaloc and feathered serpent heads.
But, when you go there with a guide, you learn about every little detail as if youre seeing it with your own eyes. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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 buses leave every 20 minutes and run for most of the day. A visit to Teotihuacan usually takes between two and three hours, although keen archaeological explorers could spend longer, particularly if they stop for lunch. Safe travels, and enjoy your visit to Teotihuacan. Guides charge around 850 pesos for a 1 to 2 hours and 1500 pesos for a 2 to 3 hours. Everything you need to craft the perfect visit to Teotihuacan is right here in this guide! There are a number of different options to choose from, and the price varies quite considerably. Like, climbing to the top of a giant pyramid for example. So, as you can imagine, it holds a lot of historical value. There are also various restaurants and food stalls around the exterior of the archaeological site. Browse Ethan's Articles on Archaeology Travel. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are generally the least busy days. Part of the journey is a toll road, so have your change ready. The Aztecs, who came to build their capital of Tenochtitlan to the south (where Mexico City stands today), made pilgrimages to the temples, and the name Teotihuacan is said to mean Birthplace of the Gods in the local Aztec dialect. Of all the major ruins in Mexico, the ancient city of Teotihuacan is one of the best. COMMENTdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a3961764a2fe74168665bbfd5f17c6ae" );document.getElementById("eda2f4e600").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Buying Tickets in Advance, Online for Teotihuacn, Transport to Teotihuacn from Mexico City with fast-track entry, Visiting the Teotihuacan Archaeological Zone, What is Included in the Cost of Entry Tickets for Teotihuacn, Teotihuacan Hot Air Balloon Sunrise Tours. The pyramids of Teotihuacan are one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world, and a must-visit for anyone traveling to Mexico City. Yes. At the pyramids of Teotihuacan themselves, youll need at least three to four hours to take in all the sights. Each gate has parking facilities (for which there is an extra charge), and all but Gate 4 has toilet facilities. Teotihuacn is a popular attraction for people visiting Mexico City. Learn how your comment data is processed. Its also possible to rent a car once here and drive to Teotihuacan from Mexico City, but its much easier to take a bus or a guided tour, especially for first-time visitors. You can actually climb it all the way to the top and get a birds eye view of the city. Winter is a great time for beating the crowds, though (except over Christmas), and if youre not used to high temperatures, its a good time to explore without overheating. Most people visit Teotihuacan on a day-trip from Mexico City. The site is open everyday throughout the year, from 09h00 to 17h00. Nobody is actually sure who built the city or exactly what their culture was like. Teotihuacan is not the same as Tenochtitlan. To float above the pyramids and the Avenue of the Dead during a hot air balloon ride is something else altogether. You can read our full guide to travel tips for Mexico, but here are a few you especially need to remember when visiting the pyramids at Teotihuacan: While you can still have a great time visiting Teotihuacan by yourself, Id highly recommend hiring a guide or joining a tour. Buses to San Juan Teotihuacn are also available from Mexico Citys north bus terminal (terminal del norte). The city came to be one of the most populated in the world, being home to tens of thousands of inhabitants. As of February 2022, this ticket is available for only $35.00 and it includes: A live tour guide, available in English or Spanish. Updated: March 7, 2022. Its the perfect day trip from Mexico City! At the foot of the Pyramid of the Moon, you can walk through the excavated ruins of the Palace of Quetzalpapalotl. No. Recommendation: By booking a tour you dont have to worry about getting on the right bus or rush hour traffic. Public buses depart regularly (every 15 minutes or so) from the Terminal de Autobuses del Norte, Mexico Citys major northern bus terminal. Uber is available in Mexico City one-way rides to Teotihuacan from the Zcalo in the center of Mexico City cost around 490 pesos. Some visitors have found an absence of toilet paper, so packing tissues is a good idea. There are several parking areas around the Zone itself, the use of which costs a small fee. Some visitors like to combine their trip to Teotihuacan with a visit to historic sites in Mexico City itself. Or how can we improve it to help you travel better? Tunnels into the pyramid revealed that the pyramid we climb today is the last of six pyramids, each one built over its predecessor. Tickets are cheap, making this a good option for travellers on a tight budget. There is a bookshop at Gate 5, where you can purchase books about the site as well as tourist guides. The journey out to the archaeological site only takes about an hour, and can be done using public or private transport, but many opt for a day-trip. Bring lots of peso cash for small purchases like bottled water and snacks. Standard Entry Fee: 80 Mexican Pesos Read Next: Best Things to Do in CDMX, Mexico. 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. The original origins of Teotihuacan are a mystery, and scientists have theorized the site could have been a mix of several nearby cultures. Teotihuacan is a ruin located an hour north of CDMX. Its relatively straightforward to drive to Mexico City from the US (its 590 miles/950 kilometers from Brownsville, Texas), but this not recommended. Its believed that this tunnel network could hold the key to understanding Teotihuacan. You can easily visit Teotihuacan on a day trip from Mexico City, but with all the transport and waiting times you can expect to spend all day visiting. Book your Ticket for Transport and Fast Access to Teotihuacn via Tiqets, or select your dates on the availability calendar and follow the booking procedure. However, we still dont know where the hundreds of thousands of people that lived there went. 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. The Temple of Feathered Snails is also inside the Palace of Quetzapapalotl, which is known for its huge murals. Traffic permitting, this journey takes about an hour, passing through impressive scenery. There are artifacts and brief descriptions, as well as models demonstrating how the city would have looked in centuries past. Temple of the Moon, the second largest pyramid at Teotihuacn. 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. What are the facilities like? It takes around 1 hour and costs around 110 pesos return. Note that it is permitted to leave the site for lunch and re-enter with your original ticket (see below for eating suggestions). How big is Teotihuacan? Avoid the queues and get fast-track access to with a highly praised, expert guide. Be aware that temperatures at the site are usually higher than in nearby Mexico 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. What did you like about this post? The Ex-Museo near Puerta 1 is reserved for temporary exhibitions featuring the latest finds at Teotihuacan. Can I drive to Teotihuacan? 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Buses run all through the day (the pyramids are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Toilets are available near the entrance points around the Zone. One popular attraction for archaeological explorers is Tlatelolco, the remains of another pre-Columbian city-state that is partially excavated. Gate 5 of Teotihuacan has accessible parking. Today, theres a newfound appreciation for Teotihuacan, and its one of the best-preserved examples of pre-Hispanic pyramids in Mexico. More details and book online here >>. By then, the city had already been abandoned for thousands of years. The pyramid is 43 meters (about 142 feet) in height and has seven distinct layers that lead to the top. It lies some 50 km northeast of central Mexico City. Souvenir and handicraft shops cluster around each entrance, and official guides are available for hire at all five gates.
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