Teotihuacan Pyramids: Must-Do Day Trip From Mexico City

Last updated on February 22, 2026

The Teotihuacan Pyramids are the most visited archaeological site in all of Mexico. Just an hour’s bus ride from Mexico City, it’s a must-do activity on any trip to CDMX. Visitingthe Teotihuacan Pyramids was at the top of my bucket list once we started planning our RV trip through Mexico. I’m glad to report that it was every bit as amazing as I expected!

Mexico has dozens of ancient pyramids from pre-Hispanic times, but few are as important or massive as the Teotihuacan Pyramids near Mexico City.

This travel guide for Teotihuacan Pyramids will help you discover the magic of this incredible archeological site and plan your trip here. I’ll share tips for visiting, including cost, how to get there, and what to bring, in addition to the top sites to see at the Teotihuacan pyramids.

History of Teotihuacan Pyramids

The city of Teotihuacan was one of the largest metropolitan areas in Mesoamerica. At its peak, the city housed around 200,000 people until its fall around 750 AD. The name ‘Teotihuacan‘ is Nahuatl and means “the place where the Gods were created”.

Its name was given by the Aztecs who discovered this place 600 years after it was abandoned. The Aztecs felt this place was extremely important spiritually and named the two largest Pyramids (the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon) to represent an Aztec legend about the creation of life, death, and the balance between.

➡ Read Next: 3 Days in Mexico City: The Best First-Time Itinerary ⬅

The city covered over 12 square miles meaning much of this ancient city is buried under the modern-day city of San Juan Teotihuacan. Some experts believe construction of the city began as early as 400 B.C. although the larger pyramids like the Pyramid of the Sun were constructed around 300 A.D.

Very little is known about who constructed and built this incredible city. But there are a number of theories both to the rise and fall of this ancient civilization including civil unrest, drought, or flooding.

How to get to Teotihuacan pyramids

Since we were exploring Mexico in our RV, we had the benefit of staying at Teotihuacan Trailer Park which was about 15 minutes from the entrance to the pyramids. This allowed us to see the pyramids by day, during its normal operating hours of 9 to 5 seven but also by night.

Most people who will be visiting the Teotihuacan pyramids will do so on a day visit from Mexico City. Several public buses can take you to the town of San Juan Teotihuacan for super cheap ($6 to $8 USD) roundtrip.

If the bus sounds like the best option for you, head to Autobuses del Norte station and go to Puerta 8. You will want to purchase tickets for pyramides or Zona Arqueologica. It’s about a 1-hour drive one way with buses leaving as early as 6:00 am. We recommend catching the bus around 8 am or 9 am to beat the heat (and the crowds).

You can also opt for a guided tour, which will include transportation to and from the city. Uber and taxis are other popular options, although they will be much more expensive than public transportation.

There are multiple entrances to the pyramids. Specifically, tell your driver where to drop you off. We entered closest to the Pyramid of the Sun, which is also next to the Museum.

If you’re arriving late, or if it’s a weekend. It’s a good idea to go to the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon first because of how crowded it can get. We got there right when it opened (9 am) and within the hour, there were dozens of people on the top of the pyramid. By noon, there were dozens more.

Ways to See Teotihuacan Pyramids

Self-Guided Tour vs Official Guided Tour

Most people choose to walk the archeological zone on their own, getting up close and personal to the sites. We liked having the flexibility of moving through the site at our own pace, however, we were disappointed in the lack of plaques and wished we could have had a guide tell us more about its history.

To learn more, we recommend downloading the free Smart Guide audio guide beforehand or paying for a qualified guide to walk you through the site in person. There are dozens of qualified guides wearing a special shirt with a badge at the entrances to the Teotihuacan pyramids. Guide prices are negotiable and range from $400 to $650 pesos, around $20 to $35 USD. The site is huge! We walked for hours between all of the sites and spent a full day there.

Teotihuacán Hot Air Balloon Ride

If you want a different vantage point, we highly recommend taking a hot air balloon ride over the pyramids. The tours leave super early in the morning (we had to wake up at 4:30 to get to the launch site on time), but there is nothing like watching the sun rise over Teotihuacan.

Seeing the Teotihuacan Pyramids from the sky is truly a bucket list experience. The flight experience is tranquil as you float through the air. We loved getting different vantage points of the pyramids that towered over us from the ground.

You can book the exact tour we took here or check the availability in the box below. Pro tip: book this experience weeks before your trip. This is a popular activity, and it will sell out.

What to bring to Teotihuacan Pyramids

The entrance to the Teotihuacan Pyramids is $90 pesos for non-nationals and can be paid in cash (effectivo) only. If you arrive early, make sure you have the exact amount, as it is too early for them to have change.

Make sure you have comfortable shoes, sun protection, and water. Dennis got one of the worst sunburns of his life while we were there and we dehydrated quickly with all the walking we did.

The pyramids are open seven days a week from 9 am to 5 pm. This area of Mexico has a very temperate climate with little fluctuation in temperature throughout the year. The mornings are cooler, but it warms up quickly during the day.

• Sun protection. We are not big fans of sunscreen. Most are actually toxic to your body and known to cause skin cancer. But if you must use sunscreen we recommend this brand, which has no harmful ingredients, uses zinc to block the sun, and is environmentally safe. If you’re okay ditching the sunscreen make sure you have a sun shirt and hat with you. We love Merino Wool’s shirts which use mulesing-free wool that is light, breathable, and odor-free! It’s also a good idea to have a buff to protect your neck and face.
  
• Water and Snacks. Make sure to have fresh water and snacks on hand. We suggest bringing a reusable water bottle like this Camelbak that has a LifeStraw in it to help filter and remove any unwanted chemicals like chlorine, lead, and organic matter.
  
• Comfortable shoes. You will be doing a lot of walking here. Liz loves her Vessi sneakers and Dennis is partial to Earth Runners.
  
• Camera equipment. You can bring camera equipment in, but it cannot be “professional”. This would include a microphone, gimbal, tripod, or monopod. If you want to bring any of that equipment in you must get a permit and pay a special fee at the entrance.

Things to do at Teotihuacan Pyramids

This is one of Mexico’s most popular archeological sites, so be ready for a crowd. The earlier you come, the better. The Pyramid of the Sun is the largest pyramid at the site and is definitely one of the star attractions.

Visit the Pyramid of the Sun

The Pyramid of the Sun is the largest pyramid at Teotihuacan, standing at 216 feet or 66 meters tall. Inside this impressive structure is a cave with a hole at its center, which the Aztecs and likely the original inhabitants believed to be the navel of the earth, or the place from which the earth was born.

The Pyramid of the Sun likely held extreme importance in the culture as it’s positioned so that on a certain day of the year, which is typically an equinox, the sun aligns perfectly with the Pyramid.

Walking to the top is no easy feat, with over 250 steep steps, it’s a workout. However, anyone who is determined, regardless of age or ability,y can do it if they want to.

Visit the Pyramid of the Moon

The Pyramid of the Moon is slightly smaller than the Pyramid of the Sun, at around 140 feet or 43 meters. It is believed that this pyramid, although smaller in size, held higher importance for religious ceremonies and is the reason the Avenue of the Dead ends at the Pyramid of the Moon, an awesome place to get shots of the Teotihuacan Pyramids.

Walk the Avenue of the Dead

The Avenue of the Dead intersects the center of Teotihuacan, creating four distinct quadrants or sectors. At the far end, you will find the Pyramid of the Moon. Originally, the pyramids and structures that lined this avenue were believed to be tombs. Hence the name, Avenue of the Dead.

However, it has now been discovered that uses for the structures extended beyond burial tombs. Walking along the Avenue of the Dead should not be skipped.

Along it, you can see several remains of murals, including El Palacio de Los Jaguares. In certain areas, you can walk onto platforms that extend east and west off the avenue into the living quarters of the city, where they have discovered older pyramids that have been well-preserved pyramids because newer civilizations would often build bigger, newer, or more intricate pyramids on top of old ones during new civilization reigns. 

Admire the Temple of Quetzalcoatl

The Temple of Quetzalcoatl, also known as the Temple of the Feathered Serpent, is located in the Citadel. It was our favorite pyramid at Teotihuacan. It is believed to be one of the older pyramids and has very unique statues and designs.

Several bodies have been found at the base of the pyramid. Leading archaeologists to believe this temple was used for important ceremonial rituals, including sacrifices. It’s a bit of a trek considering it’s at the far end of the Teotihuacan pyramids, but is worth the walk.

Visiting the Teotihuacan pyramids is a must-do activity when visiting Mexico City. We are grateful we were able to visit and experience this beautiful site. And for the continued efforts to preserve and educate visitors on the history of this important ancient city.

Want more help planning your trip to CDMX? CHECK OUT OUR OTHER MEXICO CITY GUIDES BELOW.

• Where to Eat in Mexico City: 20 Restaurants You Can’t Miss
• The Chinampas of Xochimilco: Mexico City’s Floating Gardens
• 3 Days in Mexico City: The Best First-Time Itinerary