Know Before You Go: Visiting Teotihuacán

Teotihuacán is brimming with attractions worthy of exploration. The Pyramid of the Moon and the Pyramid of the Sun are the site’s two best-known landmarks, thanks to their striking height: the first is a towering 141 feet (43 meters) tall and the second is 213 feet (65 meters). The wide Avenue of the Dead, which runs through the heart of the archeological complex, is also impressive, offering views of surrounding structures. The Temple of the Feathered Serpent and the Teotihuacán Pyramids Museum also rank high on visitors’ lists.

While visitors used to be able to climb the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, the stairs were permanently closed to guests in 2021, due to safety concerns and a desire to protect the site from constant foot traffic. While this may be disappointing for some, rest assured that the pyramids and the myriad of other ancient landmarks in the Teotihuacán Archeological Complex are just as impressive from ground level.

Insider tip: You don’t have to climb the pyramids to enjoy an exceptional aerial view of the site. Opt for an early-morning hot-air balloon tour and you’ll be able to see the archeological complex from above.

Teotihuacán is open to the public 365 days a year, typically from mid-morning to early evening. That said, the best time of year to visit the pyramids is during Mexico City’s dry season, which runs roughly from October to May. It’s also best to visit first thing in the morning, so that you can avoid the biggest crowds and the hottest part of the day. Weekdays are also generally less crowded than weekends, offering a more tranquil experience.

Insider tip: If visiting in March, try to time your Teotihuacán excursion to the spring equinox, when many people come to the site to participate in traditional ceremonies, meditations, and spiritual rituals led by Indigenous groups and local shamans.

To get an overview of Teotihuacán’s top landmarks, plan to spend at least half a day exploring this vast archaeological complex. If you're deeply interested in history and want a thorough understanding of the ancient city, set aside a full day and add visits to the on-site Teotihuacán Museum of Culture and the neighboring Teotihuacán Mural Museum. Both are included in the cost of admission to the archeological site.

The archeological complex has five on-site ticket offices that sell same-day tickets, and the site’s website does not offer a way to purchase tickets in advance. That said, there are third-party ticket vendors offering pre-purchase options for visitors who prefer them. If you’re short on time and you don’t want to spend a chunk of your visit at the ticket office, you could also choose an organized tour that includes skip-the-line tickets so that you can breeze through the entrance and start exploring the site right away.

Insider tip: Admission to the archeological complex includes entry to the on-site Teotihuacán Culture Museum. It also gets you into the nearby Museum of Teotihuacán Murals, located in San Martín de las Pirámides, which is about a 15-minute walk (or 5-minute taxi ride) from the archeological zone's main entrance.

If you choose to visit Teotihuacán without a tour guide, be aware that the site itself doesn’t have much information posted in English (though there are maps to help you to navigate). To get the most out of your trip, check out the on-site Teotihuacán Museum at the start of your visit so you can learn about the city and its people before you explore.

Alternatively, you can opt to join a private or small-group tour with a knowledgeable guide who will provide historical context and share stories and information you might otherwise miss. (Many guided tours also provide transportation to and from the site and skip-the-line tickets, allowing you to relax and enjoy the adventure without worrying about logistics.)

Comfortable clothing and sturdy footwear are essential for exploring Teotihuacán. The archeological complex is expansive, and you'll be exploring on foot, so dress for a day of walking. Remember to bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses—shade is limited. Sporadic rain showers are common (even when they’re not in the weather forecast, and especially in the summertime rainy season), so having an umbrella or a rain jacket on hand is also a good idea.

Insider tip: Consider packing a light jacket or sweater when visiting during the cooler months, generally from December to February; mornings can be chilly.

There are a number of sights you can visit after spending part of a day at the ruins. One good option is a stop in the charming town of San Juan Teotihuacán, where you can savor Mexican mezcal and shop for local crafts, before visiting the Cathedral of the Divine Savior.

Your ticket to the Teotihuacán archeological site also grants you admission to the nearby Museum of Teotihuacán Murals, located within walking distance of the complex’s main entrance. Many tours from Mexico City also combine the pyramids with a visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, another extremely popular attraction.

The Teotihuacán archaeological site is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northeast of Mexico City and can be reached in one to two hours, depending on traffic. If you prefer public transportation, the most convenient way of reaching the site is to take a direct bus from Mexico City's Terminal de Autobuses del Norte, where you can buy a 1-way or round-trip ticket. Buses depart approximately every 20 minutes from early morning to mid-afternoon and return regularly until early evening. Alternatively, you can join a guided tour that includes round-trip transportation.

• What is the history of Teotihuacán? Teotihuacán, a Mesoamerican city-state, was constructed around 150 BCE, and thrived from 200 BCE to 650 CE. The city's cultural influence and trade networks extended across Mesoamerica; however, around 650 CE, Teotihuacán began to decline (due to unknown factors) and the city was eventually destroyed and abandoned. The Aztecs—who discovered the ruins in the 1400s—gave the city the name we use today.

• Who built the Teotihuacán Pyramids in Mexico? The question of who built Teotihuacán remains one of history's mysteries. Initial theories—like one that posited that it may have been built by the Toltec—have been disproven, and archeologists are still working to uncover the city’s history. Many scholars have suggested that Teotihuacán may once have been home to a multi-ethnic population that included Maya, Mixtec, and Zapotec groups.

• How big is Teotihuacán? Covering an expansive area of approximately 8 square miles (20 square kilometers) and boasting approximately 2,000 individual structures, Teotihuacán is one of the largest pre-Columbian archaeological sites in the Americas. Historians believe the expansive city once hosted a population 125,000–200,000 people.