Guide to Visiting the Teotihuacan Pyramids
Pyramids... not in Egypt!
Did you know that there are pyramids in Mexico?
Yep, there are!
I am going to share a complete guide to visiting the Teotihuacan Pyramids with you so you will be prepared when you go.
Teotihuacan
The pyramids are part of an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. You can check out the UNESCO details here: UNESCO-Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan.
These pyramids have a very interesting story. They are a part of an ancient Pre-Hispanic City that is called Teotihuacan.
Teotihuacan means “The City of the Gods” or “The Place Where the Gods were Created” in Nahuatl.
Nahuatl is an Indigenous language of the Aztec people; the Aztec people made Teotihuacan.
As for the pyramids, there are 2 of them, and they are apart of Teotihuacan. Teotihuacan is an ancient mesoamerica city that is about 20 square kilometers!
It is said that the Aztecs started building Teotihuacan in 400 B.C., and it was complete and very powerful by 400 A.D.
There are buildings with smaller rooms, a temple, 2 pyramids, a Citadel, and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl (Temple of the Feathered Serpent) and long walk ways.
The Pyramids
These 2 pyramids were given names: The Pyramid of the Sun and The Pyramid of the Moon.
The Pyramid of the Sun is quite a bit bigger than the other pyramid.
The measurements of the Pyramid of the Sun is 66 meters tall and 220 x 230 meters at the base.
The dimensions of the Pyramid of the Moon is 43 meters tall and 130 x 156 meters at ground level.
Actually, the Pyramid of the Sun is the largest structure in all of Teotihuacan!
The Aztec people believe that there was a Sun God that helped them to provide energy for agriculture, this pyramid helps to represent their belief.
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Before covid you could climb up both pyramids, but since covid they have put up dividers or barriers, so unfortunately that they cannot be climbed.
There are signs like this one all around Teotihuacan, but some of them are sun and weather damaged. Unfortunately, some of the signs can’t be read anymore. I hope that they will renew them soon.
If you are the kind of person who really wants to know all of the cultural meaning and history, then I would recommend getting a guide. There are many guides available there!
This is truly an international tourist area. I heard so many different languages while I was there.
So, you can 100% get a tour guide who speaks English to guide you through Teotihuacan and explain the significance and history of everything to you.
March, specifically March 21st- the 1st day of spring, is the absolute busiest times to go see the pyramids.
Many people go to see the pyramids, when I say many I mean more than 1 million! They usually wear white clothing which has a spiritual meaning. Some people believe that there is a special energy at this time due to the spring equinox. People ask for health and energy at this time.
There have even been live concerts at Teotihuacan on this day in the past.
This video starts at the Pyramid of the Sun and goes along the walkway until the Pyramid of the Moon.
The Citadel
To get to the Citadel you need to go up some stairs and follow a walkway. There are some areas that are roped off, and everyone must travel in only 1 direction.
They do have staff guarding to make sure that everyone follows the rules here.
You can take pictures when you are at the Citadel, but no flash photography is allowed.
The detail in the architecture is amazing!
There is so much cultural symbols and meaning in the citadel.
You can not enter this area but you can look from the side.
I find it simply amazing how all these details were made so long ago, and preserved as well as they are now!
Just look at the detail in that 1 pillar! Amazing!
The Museum
To get to the museum you get to walk through a cacti garden with some sculptures in it first. It is really interesting to walk through.
Make sure when you plan on entering the museum that you don’t have any food of drink with you. You cannot bring any food or beverages in to the musuem, there is someone working the door.
You just show your entry ticket that you bought to enter Teotihuacan and leave your water bottle on a designated shelf for food and drink.
You exit out another door just beside the entrance so it’s easy to get your drink back easily.
Souvenirs & Gifts
There are so many vendors selling different whistles, clothing, hats, and Aztec calendars, cultural figures and much more.
They also sell a lot of oxidian quartz there. The vendors show you how you can see the sun through the quartz. They carve the oxidian into many beautiful sculptures and figures. Oxidian is found naturally in the area of Teotihuacan.
There are many different types of whistles or musical instruments that are handmade and sold here. Some even sound like a jaguar roaring.
A tip: there are many vendors who have the same things, so check it out and remember what you liked. Look around and come back if that is still the one that you want.
What to do & bring at Teotihuacan
It is usually HOT there, and there is extremely limited amount of shade, if you’re lucky to find any…
A hat
and water 
are the top 2 things that you should bring with you.
Along with those 2 items, I would also recommend bringing:
- sunscreen
- snacks
- money
- camera
- good shoes for walking a lot
- clothing that is light and breathable
- sunglasses
- perhaps a shade umbrella
The Pyramids are open 365 days a year from 9:00am – 5:00pm.
I recommend going early in the morning for a couple reasons.
1- you won’t have to wait in line to get it
2-the sun is lower so you can get a bit of shade at that time.
It is free for Mexican citizens and residents to go to Teotihuacan on Sundays, so expect a lot more people if you choose to go on a Sunday.
If you visit the pyramids it take several hours at least if you want to see everything.
For sure you will end up looking for a place to eat.
There are a bunch of different restaurants to choose from. My number 1 recommendation is La Gruta Teotihuacan!
Check out my blog about this amazing restaurant that is actually down inside of a cave here! Restaurant in a Cave – Mexico
If you do go to Teotihuacan, you can write about it in your travel journal! Get a special travel journal and trip planner here: Get My Travel Journal.
Looking for more to do around Mexico City?
Check out some of these tours! You can even click on them for more information here with Viator.
Need a hotel near the pyramids?
If you’re looking for a hotel in the area, so you can stay over and enjoy more the next day, you can use booking.com.
Here you can check out different hotels and then book your hotel here!
Besides being a travel blogger, I am also an English teacher. Check out my English courses, products and other blogs here.
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