Teotihuacan
Discover Teotihuacan
Teotihuacan, also known as the City of the Gods, was the largest city in Pre-Columbian America. It is now an archeological site 40 km (25 mi) northeast of Mexico City, home to some of the largest ancient pyramids in the world. Náhuatl for "the place where men became gods", the Aztecs believed it was here where the gods gathered to plan the creation of man. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Teotihuacan at its height was the largest Mesoamerican city, reaching a total population of 150,000 around the same time as the Roman Empire and Classical China. Archaeologists disagree on whether it was the capital of an empire, or a city-state at the center of Mesoamerica's trade networks, but its cultural influence is seen across the region.
What to Experience in Teotihuacan
Taste of Teotihuacan...
There are food vendors just outside the parking lot for Puerta 2. There are plenty of restaurants near the entrances of the complex and in San Juan Teotihuacán and neighboring towns, as well as grocery stores and bakeries. It's possible to order food or drinks "para llevar" (to go), and enter the site with them in a small bag. The rules on this are unclear so if you do so, please be modest and respectful not to leave a mess anywhere. Consider preparing a picnic to enjoy at the park. If you arrive before the site opens, you may not find many options open. Just outside the entrance across from the Pyramid of the Sun, there is only one small 'restaurant' (Nov 2025) open, consisting of a few tables outside under a tarp. There are a lot of small vendors that sell water, juices, and sodas, mostly at the various the gates of the park. Alcohol is available at the hotel and several vendors around the perimeter (on the road) sell cold beer. There are many small hotels, inns, and homestays around the outside of the park, which can be found on aggregator websites. Prices start around M$600 for a room that holds two people. You can only enter the park from one of the five gates (Puertas 1-5), so even if your accommodation appears to be right at the edge of the park, there could still be a significant walk to get to an actual entrance. On the bright side, the perimeter road is a pretty nice place to walk, with wide sidewalks and lots of shade trees.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Teotihuacan into what it is today.
Construction of Teotihuacán commenced around 200 BC, as local farmers began coalescing around nearby springs. Beginning in the first century AD, the city grew explosively, leading to the construction of much of the monumental architecture and sculpture, including the largest pyramids. It became a multicultural city, with neighborhoods of people from all across Mesoamerica. Obsidian was the main source of wealth, and its processing was the most important industry. The nearby mines were the only source in the region, so when the city seized control of them, they profited from the monopoly. Between 650 and 750 AD, Teotihuacan entered a phase of terminal decline. The city's elite housing compounds bear burn marks, suggesting civil strife. There was also disruption in tributary relations, increased social stratification, and power struggles between the ruling and intermediary elites. Teotihuacan continued to be inhabited, though it never reached its previous levels of population. When early Aztecs arrived around 1300, Teotihuacan was already a sparsely-populated ancient ruin. Like the other peoples in the area, they were captivated by what the ancients had built. As they ascended in power to dominate the region, the city became a central spiritual and religious destination for the people of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan (present-day Mexico City). The names used around the site are generally those given by the Aztecs, as no records exist of the original languages....
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Teotihuacan.
There are a lot of vendors selling silver products. In México, silver is thought to be cheap and only for tourists. Also, you will find obsidian rocks for sale. Some of these objects may just be a round or shaped stone, or something more elaborate like a statue. Also, there will be salesmen everywhere with Aztec flutes. Other common souvenirs that can be found around Mexico will also be for sale here, such as magnets, bottle openers, etc. Around the inside perimeter of the site you will find several shops that not only sell, but also manufacture obsidian art and other stone objects for sale. Shop and compare quality and prices before buying. You can exit one of the western gates into the adjacent town of San Juan Teotihuacán. There you can shop for consumer items like groceries, water, bakery items, and fresh orange juice. Nice little town. There are food vendors just outside the parking lot for Puerta 2.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsTeotihuacan is about 50 km (31 mi) northeast of central Mexico City. It takes about 45 minutes from central Mexico City if you use the toll highway. It takes much longer, but is more interesting, if you use the old free road. There is a small fee for parking at the site. A taxi may be prohibitively expensive. Private drivers can be arranged in advance for a more reasonable price. From Mexico City, buses to Teotihuacán leave about every half hour from two locations: A one-way ticket will cost M$75 (November 2025). When alighting the bus, check the last departure with the driver. You will be dropped off and picked up at either Puerta 1 (closest to the Temple of Quetzalcóatl), or at Puerta 3 (in front of the Pyramid of the Sun), depending on your bus. Remember where your bus dropped you off - your return bus will likely be in the same position, but on the opposite side of the street....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Most of the site is enclosed within the 652-acre (264 ha) Zona Arqueológica (Archaeological Zone). There are a handful of minor excavated areas outside this zone. The entrance fee is M$210, or M$105 for Mexican citizens and Permanent Residents with ID. (Jan 2026). The site is open daily from 8:00-17:00. Group tours start arriving en masse around 9:30, though the site is spacious enough for everyone even when busy. There are three main entrances along the west side of the park, with parking lots and ticket booths. There are also two smaller entrances on the east side. This is a large site - the central avenue is about 2 km (1.2 mi) long. A lot of walking is required, as there is no motorized transport inside the park. If you go by bus, you will need to walk back to your drop-off point after exploring the far end of the park. If you tire easily, pack light for this excursion (i.e., no backpacks, heavy purses, etc.). There's limited shade, especially if you go at mid-day.
Where to Stay
There are many small hotels, inns, and homestays around the outside of the park, which can be found on aggregator websites. Prices start around M$600 for a room that holds two people. You can only enter the park from one of the five gates (Puertas 1-5), so even if your accommodation appears to be right at the edge of the park, there could still be a significant walk to get to an actual entrance. On the bright side, the perimeter road is a pretty nice place to walk, with wide sidewalks and lots of shade trees. Places along the west side of the park will be easiest to reach by bus. There are a few taxis in the area, which are reasonably priced, but it's not always easy to find one when you want it. The main thing you will notice inside and around the complex are people constantly approaching you trying to sell you trinkets. If you are familiar with tourist areas in other parts of Mexico, it will feel similar.
Money & Budget
There are a lot of vendors selling silver products. In México, silver is thought to be cheap and only for tourists. Also, you will find obsidian rocks for sale. Some of these objects may just be a round or shaped stone, or something more elaborate like a statue. Also, there will be salesmen everywhere with Aztec flutes. Other common souvenirs that can be found around Mexico will also be for sale here, such as magnets, bottle openers, etc. Around the inside perimeter of the site you will find several shops that not only sell, but also manufacture obsidian art and other stone objects for sale. Shop and compare quality and prices before buying. You can exit one of the western gates into the adjacent town of San Juan Teotihuacán.
Safety Information
Glimpses of Teotihuacan
brown house on green grass field near green mountains during daytime
Sunrise looking at the pyramid of the Sun, in Teotihuacan. Amanecer viendo la piramide del Sol, en Teotihuacán. Mexico, January 2022.
Ancient city of Teotihuacan
a bunch of hot air balloons flying in the sky
The ruin of Teotihuacan Pyramid with people on a sunny day in Mexico
yellow red and blue hot air balloon on brown sand
gray concrete building top-view photography
gray concrete building under blue sky during daytime
La pirámide de la Luna desde el camino central de Teotihuacán, México
Pyramid del Sol Teotihuacán in all of its glory
brown house on green grass field near green mountains during daytime
Sunrise looking at the pyramid of the Sun, in Teotihuacan. Amanecer viendo la piramide del Sol, en Teotihuacán. Mexico, January 2022.
Ancient city of Teotihuacan