How to visit and what to see in Teotihuacán, Inca city in Mexico: schedules, prices

Teotihuacán it is considered the most important archaeological site in all of Mexico.

For many it is the most impressive and the most enigmatic and, therefore, the most attractive.

It was probably the most populated city in Mesoamerica in the Precolumbian era and the center of a civilization that lasted for almost a millennium, and today is, of course, one of the most recommended places to include in a trip to Mexico.

It is not surprising that the Unesco will include it in the list of World Heritage.

Teotihuacán It is located about 50 kilometers from CDMX, making it the best possible half-day or day trip from the capital.

The environment that surrounds the place is very different from the one we found when visiting the Mayan cities -What Chichén Itzá o Tulum—, many of them surrounded by dense tropical forest, or the same Monte Albán, embedded in a grandiose panorama.

However, its solemn monumentality created by the enormous dimensions of the pyramids makes it a unique space.

Curiosities of the history of Teotihuacán

When aztecs they arrived at Mexico's valley At the beginning of the 14th century, on their mythical pilgrimage, they discovered the abandoned remains of this great city.

They seemed so enormous that they considered them the work of divine beings, and that is why they gave them the name we now know: Teotihuacán, the "Place where the gods were created".

The Aztecs They continued on their way in search of a suitable place to build their capital, which they did in the place where the town now stands. CDMX, but they always returned to Teotihuacán as pilgrimage destination.

Much of the history of Teotihuacan It is still surrounded by mystery, since it is not even known what its name was, nor that of the civilization that built it.

The city must have gained importance around the year 200 BC, reaching its peak between 350 and 650.

It is likely that at that time it was a larger city than the imperial Rome.

Their cultural and political influence extended to places very far from each other, being evident in some Mayan cities.

As far as is known, the city was about 36 square kilometers in size, and the monumental area that is currently visited barely occupies 10 percent.

Although at first archaeologists thought that Teotihuacán It was the ritual and economic center of a peaceful civilization. The discovery of numerous remains of human sacrifices are changing this initial impression.

A feature of many constructions of Teotihuacán, especially the pyramids, is that they were conceived with the principle known as slope-board in which inclined sections (slope) alternate with other horizontal ones (board).

El urban layout of Teotihuacán It responds to a perfectly conceived criterion that was articulated around two large avenues that crossed perpendicularly.

One of them, the one that runs from north to south, is called Roadway of the Dead, which unites the main monumental places and is the axis of any route.

What to see when visiting Teotihuacán

As is normal in this type of visit, it is advisable to be well prepared to spend several hours walking in a place with very little shade.

Good footwear, water and sun protection (hat, glasses and cream) will make the experience more pleasant.

The place has multiple entries, but it is normally accessed through the 1 gate, the closest to the bus stop.

Temple of Quetzalcoatl in Teotihuacán

The 1 gate you reach the southern end of the Roadway of the Dead, and the building you see right in front is the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, one of the most interesting in the entire complex.

It is a pyramid which shows a profuse decoration on its four sides with numerous representations of feathered serpents.

El Temple of Quetzalcoatl, also known as Pyramid of the Feathered Serpent, is located within a set known as the Citadel.

Its large dimensions and its central location, near where the two main avenues crossed, allow us to assume that it functioned as the residence of rulers and priests.

We then continue north along the Roadway of the Dead, flanked by the remains of palaces, in what must undoubtedly have been one of the most frequented and bustling avenues in the world. Ancient world.

This walk, in any case, is dominated by the imposing presence of the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon.

Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan

La Pyramid of the Sun It is on the right hand side of the road.

Es one of the largest in the world, only surpassed by that of Khufu in Egypt and of Cholula in Mexico.

It is 65 meters high and 225 meters wide and was built in the middle of the XNUMXnd century AD on a natural grotto that was probably part of a primitive sanctuary.

En Mesoamerica The pyramids were built little by little, in different phases, so that one pyramid covered a smaller one.

However, this Pyramid of the Sun It was built in one go, which suggests that the city was experiencing a period of splendor that made it possible to undertake projects of this magnitude.

Despite the name given to it now, archaeologists believe that it was dedicated to the cult of Tláloc, God of rain.

In its heyday it was probably painted red, which would provide a truly impressive image.

The climb is very steep, but it is worth it for the views of the archaeological complex and its surroundings.

Museum of Teotihuacan Culture

Before reaching the pyramid, a path leaves the Roadway of the Dead and heads to Museum of Teotihuacan Culture.

The entrance is included in the complex and shows a good collection of pieces and frescoes, as well as a model that allows you to get a very good idea of ​​the complex.

It also has a sculpture garden, a botanical garden and a rest area where you can have a drink.

The end of the Roadway of the Dead is dominated by Pyramid of the Moon.

To get to it you cross the Moon Square, one of the most important spaces in the city, which is delimited by 13 structures, a fundamental number in the Mesoamerican calendar.

Before going up to the Pyramid of the Moon We recommend detouring to Quetzalpapalotl Palace and Jaguar Courtyard, which takes its name from some murals with representations of felines blowing feathered conch shells.

Climb the Pyramid of the Moon in Teotihuacán

The climb to the Pyramid of the Moon It is another of the special moments of the visit.

The structure is smaller, but being located on higher ground, it ultimately reaches almost the same height.

Now you can't climb to the top but you can go up to half the height.

The view is still magnificent, with all the Roadway of the Dead that begins at your feet and disappears into the distance.

From here you can see a perfect alignment with the tip of the Pyramid of the Sun and the summit of the hill that closes the horizon.

Palaces of Teotihuacan

This is a good place to end your visit, although there are many more points of interest located outside the main area; are a series of palaces They have a very good collection of mural paintings that complete the feeling that Teotihuacán It is much more than the pyramids.

Called palaces In reality they were large buildings where several families lived with some common areas that included patios and temples.

To the west are the palaces of Tetitla and Atetelco.

However, if you only have time to visit one of them, we recommend the Tepantitla palace, which is located to the east of the complex and is accessed through the 4 gate, between the two pyramids.

Here highlights the most famous mural painting of Teotihuacán, known as the Tlaloc Paradise.

Under the powerful presence of the rain god a group of figures bathe, take a nap, fish, dance and hunt butterflies.

An idea of ​​paradise that does not seem very far from that imagined by other cultures in places and times very different and distant from the ancient Teotihuacán.

How to get and visit Teotihuacán

La most comfortable way to visit Teotihuacán is in one organized excursion that includes pickup at the hotel or a nearby location, and in which you will be accompanied by a guide in spanish.

If you think you want to stay longer than usual, you can travel on your own from CDMX.

The buses leave from the North Terminal and the journey lasts approximately one hour.

There are also tourist buses that leave from the Indios Verdes metro station.

Finally, you have the possibility of staying in the town of San Juan Teotihuacan, about two kilometers from the archaeological zone, to be able to access the site first thing in the morning without getting up early.

Teotihuacán visiting hours

The schedules to visit the archaeological zone of Teotihuacán They are, every day of the year, between 9 a.m. and 17 p.m.

Museums and exhibitions usually close half an hour early.

Ticket prices in Teotihuacán

El entrance price to visit Teotihuacán It is 75 pesos per person (a little more than €3).

On Sundays, entry is free for Mexican nationals, making it the most popular day.