Teotihuacan: the Perfect Day Trip from Mexico City

May 14, 2018
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Guides, Mexico
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0 Comments

There is a ton of stuff to see in Mexico City, enough to fill several days worth, but of course we were a little greedy and wanted to see more! We had about a week in the area, so I figured we could spare some time for a day trip. If you’re visiting Mexico City, and can take one day trip, Teotihuacan is really the place to go, so that is what we did.

Teotihuacan, which translates to “the place where the gods were created” is an ancient city located about an hour northeast of Mexico City (50 kilometers). Although we know the Aztecs lived and flourished in this vast city (at its height, there were nearly 100 thousand residents) the original inhabitants are still a little bit of a mystery. There is still a debate among scholars regarding why this complex was built and by whom, but what they can confirm is that it was used by a mix of cultures throughout its 2,000 year history. While the Aztecs did live in this city, and we attribute much of the ceremonial aspects to them, it was built a thousand years before they even arrived!

For the full story on our road trip through Mexico:

Getting There

We chose not to do an organized tour because it was an easy trip to do on our own. This is how we got there: first, catch the metro to the Autobuses del Norte station on the yellow metro line. The northern bus station is directly across the street from the metro.

We then caught the bus from gate 8. When you walk into the bus station, gate 8 will be to the left, at the far end of the bus station. We bought tickets there, and the bus took us straight to Teotihuacan. We purchased a round trip ticket so that we’d be sure to have a ticket home, but you can purchase a return ticket on the bus at Teotihuacan. Busses run every 20 to 30 minutes and the tickets cost around 105 pesos.

The ticket for your departure will be for a specific time, while the return will be for any bus. The site closes at five, however, so you should verify when the last bus is set to depart (usually the last bus is around six pm). The bus will return to the same bus station in Mexico City that it departed from.

Once at Teotihuacan, we purchased our entry tickets, which were 70 pesos at the time. There is a small museum on the site, which we meandered through for a bit, but we spent most of our time visiting the following:

What to See

Avenue of the Dead

The Avenue of the Dead, which runs north to south, is one of the main reasons why the perfectly geometric city is seen as a model of urban planning. This two-kilometer boulevard stretches the length of the city, and is lined with the most important buildings, including the Pyramid of the Sun. Standing tall at the end of the boulevard, overlooking the city, is the Pyramid of the Moon.

We entered the site on the far end of the boulevard, and it took us 30 minutes or so to reach the base of the Pyramid of the Sun (including a stop or two for photos). If you are planning a visit to Teotihuacan, be prepared to do some walking!

Pyramid of the Sun

The Pyramid of the Sun is the largest pyramid in the complex and third largest in the world! This pyramid was built around 100 AD to honor the sun god. When it was still in use it was painted red, so it must have really stood out!

Visitors can walk the 250 steps to the top. The stairs are steep and narrow, so I felt a bit nervous, but there are railings in place to hold on to, I held on tight! Once at the top, there is a great view that overlooks the rest of the city. The top of this pyramid is considered a mythical or holy spot, and we found several people trying to harness the energy. Spiritual or not, it is pretty breathtaking from the top.

Pyramid of the Moon

The Pyramid of the Moon is a smaller pyramid that sits at the end of the Avenue of the Dead. It was built about 200 years after the Pyramid of the Sun. This Pyramid is part of a ceremonial complex; at its base are twelve smaller pyramids surrounding a ceremonial platform in the center. The Pyramid of the Moon provides the best view of the city, and is definitely worth a climb!

It is quite a big city, and although there is more to see, such as the Palace of Quetzalcóatl, we had already spent several hours walking and climbing and we were hungry!

Where to Eat

After we finished at the site, we headed to La Gruta for a late lunch. A friend of ours told us it was a must if we were in Teotihuacan. The dining room is located in a natural underground cave; it is a pretty impressive setting. Although there is a large seating capacity, it tends to be quite busy so reservations are a good idea.

La Gruta specializes in pre-Hispanic food, meaning you’ll get some pretty authentic eats. I started with a cactus salad, followed by a quesadilla sampler (made with blue corn tortillas). Since I’m a vegetarian, I wasn’t able to try the food that makes this place really unique, the caterpillars and ant larvae!

If you are on a strict budget, La Gruta’s “American prices” may not be your first choice. There are several other restaurants along the main road behind the site. They may not be built into a cave, but I’m sure you could find some good eats!

After our late lunch we caught the last bus back to Mexico City, getting home before the sun even set. Now that was a perfect day trip.

More travel in Mexico:

Baja or Bust: a Road Trip Through Mexico

Crossing the Sea of Cortez: The Ferry to Los Mochis

Five Tips for a Road Trip Through Mexico