Teotihuacan Tours: Your Guide to Exploring Mexico City’s Ancient Pyramids

Are you looking for the best Teotihuacan tours from Mexico City?

With a variety of highly rated Teotihuacan Tours, ranging from large group tours to hot air balloon rides, tequila tasting, and more, selecting the best tour can be a bit overwhelming. We’ve outlined the best Teotihuacan Tours tailored to various preferences and travel styles to simplify the booking process.

Tips for Visiting Teotihuacan

1. Early Bird Gets the View

• Join the earliest Teotihuacan tour possible, especially during peak seasons.
• Teotihuacan is a hotspot for tourists and school field trips, so arriving at the opening ensures the best views without the busloads of crowds.

2. No Climbing, No Problem

• Since 2020, climbing the Teotihuacan pyramids has been prohibited to preserve their integrity. At the time of writing this article, you are only able to climb the Temple of the Feathered Serpent. There is currently no information about when visitors can climb the pyramids again.

3. Comfort is Key

• Wear comfortable shoes. The expansive Teotihuacan grounds involve a fair amount of walking, so ensure your footwear is suitable for exploration.

4. Choose Personalized Experiences

• For a more intimate and personal experience, opt for a private tour while visiting Teotihuacan.
• Check the group size on larger tours to ensure it aligns with your preference for a more tailored visit.

5. Stay Cool, Dry & Hydrated

• Pack water and light snacks, as there are no food vendors once you start to tour the Teotihuacan grounds. The small shop at the entrance was not yet open when we arrived for our early morning tour and we have heard from other travelers that the water they sell in this shop is overpriced.
• Wear a hat or other sun protection as there is very little shade on the grounds. Depending on the time of year, I recommend packing a rain jacket and umbrella. Our mini Travel Umbrella came in handy as it started to rain when we were dropped back off at our meeting point.

6. Support Local Descendants

• Vendors within Teotihuacan are descendants of the Teotihuacan people! Our tour guide explained that the Mexican government only gave selling permits to local Teotihuacan families when they took over their land.
• Throughout your tour, vendors persistently try to sell you handmade blankets, handicrafts, and (very annoying) whistles you could hear all over the grounds.
• When purchasing souvenirs, have small pesos ready to support the local Teotihuacan families.

History of San Juan Teotihuacan

We won’t dive too deeply into the history here, as your Tour Guide will provide an extensive overview during your visit!

Situated just 30 miles (48km) outside Mexico City, Teotihuacan, known as the ‘City of the Gods,’ is one of Mesoamerica’s most significant archaeological and historical sites. It boasts a rich history and features the awe-inspiring Temple of the Feathered Serpent, the Pyramid of the Sun, and the Pyramid of the Moon.

Contrary to common belief, many, including myself, initially considered Teotihuacan an Aztec city. But in fact, Archeologists estimate that Teotihuacan’s construction began around 100 BC – way before the Aztecs! Historical estimates suggest that the Aztecs assumed control after the city was abandoned. Our tour guide approximates that over 150,000 inhabitants resided in Teotihuacan at its peak!

Most tour options will guide you up the steps of the Temple and down the Avenue of the Dead to get a closer look at the Pyramids!

Top 3 Teotihuacan Tours:

1. Budget Friendly: Teotihuacan Early Access Tour with Tequila Tasting

Embark on an extraordinary tour of Teotihuacan with our top tour pick – the Teotihuacan Early Access Tour, seamlessly integrated into our 5-day Mexico City itinerary. The Early Access Teotihuacan Tour is our top pick for an informative group tour at a budget-friendly cost.

Description:

Avoid the early crowds with this early morning tour of the Teotihuacan Pyramids, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This guided tour accommodates up to 35 people and is divided into English-speaking and Spanish-speaking groups.

During our December tour, our group comprised 20 individuals, half of whom joined the English-speaking guide, and the other half opted for the Spanish-speaking guide.

Following the Teotihuacan tour, the bus driver will transport you to an obsidian workshop. Here, a local family shares insights into Obsidian, a black volcanic rock native to the area. Indulge in tastings of traditional Mexican drinks, including liqueurs crafted from cactus, mezcal, tequila, and pulque.

After perusing obsidian and weaving souvenirs, venture to the on-site Mexican shop for lunch (at your own expense), which features an array of traditional dishes.

Highlights of the Teotihuacan Tour with Tequilla Tasting:

• Discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Teotihuacan or the City of the Gods.
• Be among the first visitors to explore the archaeological park in the early morning.
• Explore the Avenue of the Dead, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, and Quetzalpapalot with a knowledgeable private guide.
• Gain special insights into lesser-known monuments, intricate murals, and architectural details.
• Capture breathtaking views of the Teotihuacan Pyramids, including the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon.
• Obsidian and weaving demonstration with a local family.
• Tequila, Mezcal, and Pulque tasting

Pricing and Inclusions:

• Duration: Around 5 hours (depending on traffic getting to and from Pyramids)
• Comfortable Transportation pick up and drop off from 2 pickup meeting point locations
• Admission Ticket to San Juan Teotihuacan included
• Liqueur tastings from cactus, mezcal, tequila, and pulque included
• Traditional Mexican lunch available at your own expense

2. Up in the Air: Hot Teotihuacan Tour Hot Air Balloon Flight

Receiving consistent recommendations from friends and knowledgeable Reddit contributors, Teotihuacan Tours with Volare Hot Air Balloon company emerged as the clear and popular choice when seeking advice on exploring the Teotihuacan pyramids of Mexico City by air!

Volare operates a few different Teotihuacan Tours for you to choose from.

Description:

Ascend to new heights and witness the San Juan Teotihuacan temples and pyramids like never before with a hot-air balloon ride! A hot-air balloon Pyramids tour is a great option for travelers who are unafraid of heights. This unforgettable experience offers a unique perspective of the ancient city, providing a bird’ s-eye view of the sprawling archaeological site.

Operated by Volare, a company with unparalleled expertise in hot air balloon rides in Mexico, this experience promises to be one of the most remarkable in the world.

While certain reviewers mention delayed or canceled trips with Volare, even when other hot air balloon companies proceeded, we appreciate Volare’s stringent safety standards and interpret them as a clear commitment to passenger safety.

Who would prioritize a rapid ascent in unfavorable weather conditions over their safety?

Certainly not us!

Highlights of the Hot Air Balloon Flight Over Teotihuacan 

• Soar above the Teotihuacán Valley in a hot air balloon for an unparalleled view of the Teotihuacan Pyramids (Pyramid of the Sun and the Moon) and other incredible views of the Teotihuacan ruins.
• Indulge in light breakfast snacks and coffee post-flight, creating a delightful ambiance.
• Enjoy a champagne toast to commemorate the experience.
• Round-trip transportation from Mexico City is included.
• Optional time to explore Teotihuacan Pyramids by foot.

Pricing and Inclusions:

• Duration: 5 hours
• Comfortable transportation with pick-up and drop-off. Due to wind and thermal conditions, the balloon ride begins early, with a 4 am pickup. Confirm the pickup location with the company upon booking.
• Light breakfast, coffee, and champagne toast.
• An option to explore Teotihuacan independently after the balloon ride. Admission to walk the complex is not included but can be purchased upon arrival. Additionally, you can hire an affordable tour guide (highly recommended) when exploring the Teotihuacan grounds after your balloon ride.

3. Best Private Tour: Teotihuacan Private Tour from Mexico City

For those with a slightly more generous budget, we strongly advocate securing a spot on the Teotihuacan Private Tour from Mexico City. While the larger group option offers affordability, the private tour elevates your experience, providing an intimate setting where you can freely pose questions to a certified guide.

Description:

Book an exclusive guided tour of Teotihuacán with a certified Private Tour Guide well-versed in the history of Teotihuacan. Tailored exclusively for you and your group, this experience promises an intimate encounter with the ancient site.

Departing from your Mexico City hotel in the comfort of a private vehicle, this excursion strategically avoids midday crowds with an early morning pickup from your hotel.

Your tour guide will lead you through the ancient grounds, sharing the history of the initial descendants of Teotihuacan and the subsequent Aztecs who assumed control after the city’s abandonment.

Don’t forget to ask your tour guide about the sacrificial bodies uncovered at the Temple of the Featured Serpent during recent excavations. Following our 5-day Mexico City Guide, you can view the bones from these sacrificial bodies currently on display at the Museum of Archaeology in Mexico City.

Following your visit to the Teotihuacan Pyramids, you’ll be driven to sample local drinks like tequila, mezcal, and pulque before returning to your hotel or other accommodations in Mexico City.

Should I book a private Teotihuacan tour?

Well, for one thing, a private tour of Teotihuacan is more intimate. While our larger group tour was enjoyable, and we learned a lot, there were instances when we had to request our guide to repeat himself amidst the chatter, making us appreciate the personalized touch of a private tour even more. Lastly, these tours have an early morning pickup to beat the crowds. The private tour allowed us to book a pickup from our accommodations directly without having to Uber to a group tour pickup location.

Highlights of the Teotihuacan Private Tour from Mexico City

• Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned private vehicle, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey. No waiting for other group members to arrive.
• Benefit from the expertise of a local guide who will lead the way and share in-depth insights into Mayan history.
• Enjoy the exclusivity of a private tour tailored specifically for you and your group. Ask all the questions you want without hearing insights you already know.
• Beat the crowds with early access to the San Juan Teotihuacan archaeological site.
• Explore the three significant Teotihuacan structures: the Pyramids of the Sun, Moon, and Temple of the Feathered Serpent.
• Opt for a climb to the stairs of the Temple of the Feathered Serpent.
• Discover ancient compounds with murals predating the Mayans and Aztecs, unraveling the artistic styles of Mesoamerican civilizations.
• Conclude the tour by tasting traditional drinks such as pulque (agave wine), tequila, and mezcal.

Pricing and Inclusions:

• Private tour duration: Full day
• Transportation: Private vehicle from your accommodation in Mexico City.
• Certified local guide for an in-depth exploration.
• Early access to Teotihuacan to avoid crowds.
• Tasting session of traditional drinks (pulque, tequila, and mezcal) to culminate the experience.