Day Trip to Teotihuacan, Mexico
When you think of Pyramids, most people will likely imagine the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. Many people don’t realize that the country of Mexico is home to ancient pyramids and civilizations that in my opinion rival those of Ancient Egypt. In fact, the Americas have more pyramids then the rest of the world combined. One of the largest archaeological sites in the America’s is Teotihuacan (Pronounced “Tay-Oh-Tay-Wah-Khan”) located just 30 miles (50 Km) from one of my favorite cities, Mexico City. A day trip to Teotihuacan is very doable from Mexico City and highly recommended.
You would think getting to Teotihuacan from one of the world’s biggest cities would be difficult, but in reality it was fairly simple and straight forward. Sure, you can take a taxi or Uber to the pyramids, but it will cost you. Jill and I found the cheapest and more adventurous way was to take the bus.
The buses were actually quite nice and reliable. We did our research beforehand, and found many great sources even with images of how to find the main bus station, which gate to look for and what bus to get on, we wrote these helpful directions down and without any issues we arrived at the great city of Teotihuacan as they opened for the day,
We stayed in the Zocalo, or historic center of Mexico City and hopped on the subway at the Palacio de Bellas Artes and headed toward the bus station. Look for Terminal Central del Norte or Autobuses del Norte Metro Station. Once at the station, head across the street to the bus terminal and walk to the end to Gate 8. At this gate you can buy your ticket, I recommend purchasing round trip tickets, they are only about 100 pesos or $6. Buses leave every twenty minutes and drop you off right at the entrance of Teotihuacan, once you leave the park at the end of the day, come to the same spot the bus dropped you off at and make your way back to Mexico City, that’s it!
History of Teotihuacan
Not much is known about Teotihuacan prior to the arrival of the Aztec’s. Archaeological evidence suggests that Teotihuacan started around 400 BC, and reached its height in 400 AD. At this time Teotihuacan was the most powerful city in Mesoamerica with a population of 200,000 inhabitants. Sometime after the year 800 A.D. Teotihuacan was abandoned for unknown reasons and was not discovered until the Aztec’s discovered the city.
The reason for the inhabitants abandoning the city could be several reasons to include the spread of disease, drought, lack of resources, or conflicts between other tribes or groups of people. Once the Aztecs discovered the city in the 1400’s, they were so amazed by the sheer mass of this city and the pyramids they named it Teotihuacan which translates to “The Place Where the Gods Where Created.”
Entrance Prices and Information
The entrance price to visit Teotihuacan cost 80 pesos which is just under $4. The ticket to the park includes the entire archaeological site of Teotihuacan to include the Cultural Museum. The ticket is good for the entire day. Visitors can leave the park and re-enter, so feel free to leave the park to have lunch at La Gruta. I found this site, Archaeology Travel to have helpful and additional information regarding entrance fees and general information.
Teotihuacan - The Palaces, Plazas, and Temples
Covering a space of roughly 12 square miles, Teotihuacan is a massive site. The site hosts nearly 2,000 buildings and structures. The main road (The Avenue of the Dead) that goes through the city is 1.5 miles long. The most prominent structures along the Avenue of the Dead are the Pyramid of the Moon, Pyramid of the Sun, The Citadel, and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl (Feathered Serpent).
The Pyramid of the Sun – The largest pyramid in Teotihuacan, and third largest pyramid in the whole world. The Pyramid of the Sun stands 216 feet tall (66 m) and has a base of 720 by 760 feet or 220 by 230 meters. This pyramid was most likely built around 200 AD.
There are roughly 250 stairs to the top, which is open to the public, meaning anyone can hike to the top! Here you get great views of the entire archaeological site. The purpose of this temple remains unknown today, but archaeologists continue to discover new findings and clues to this civilizations past. Recently, a tunnel was discovered under the Pyramid of the sun. As of now, not a whole lot of artifacts have been found or reasons to why these tunnels exist.
Pyramid of the Moon – This pyramid is the second largest pyramid at Teotihuacan and was created between the years 100 and 450 AD. The Pyramid of the Moon is located at the end of the Avenue of the Dead. The Pyramid of the Moon was most likely the site of a ritual temple, created to worship the Goddess of water, fertility, and creation.
The Pyramid of the Moon can be climbed as well, from here you get stunning views of the Avenue, surrounding pyramids, and Pyramid of the Sun. Once at the top, keep an eye out and look for several mounds that are hill-like covered in natural vegetation, these are smaller pyramids and structures that have yet to be excavated.
The Temple of the Feathered Serpent – The Temple of the Feathered Serpent is the third largest pyramid at Teotihuacan and to me the most impressive at least when it comes to architecture and design. This pyramid is unique because the carved sculptures that can be seen on the each side of the staircase. This temple can be found on the southern end of the Avenue of the Dead, somewhat close to the entrance. I read an article that said the eyes on the serpents were constructed so that obsidian can be placed within them, once the sun hit them, the eyes would glimmer. Apparently during excavations in the 1980’s, over a hundred sacrificial victims were found lying beneath the temple.
Outside of visiting the pyramids, visitors can walk the length of of the Avenue of the Dead and discover the many plazas and other complexes. There are many side trails that take you to various complexes that are worth visiting. At the time, murals and paintings were abundant on each building and to this day some of these paintings can still be seen on some of the buildings around the plazas. Many of the complexes around the plazas are accessible and have boardwalks.
For a day trip to Teotihuacan, I recommend visiting the Pyramid of the Sun first and then the Pyramid of the Moon. On the way back to the Pyramid of the feathered Serpent near the entrance, take your time and explore all of the plazas and structures to the left and right of the Avenue of the Dead.
Don't Leave Without Visiting la Gruta Restaurant
If it weren’t for doing my research and reading other blogs, I would have never found or even heard of La Gruta, or the “Cave Restaurant” behind Teotihuacan. La Gruta can be found by exiting near the back parking lot near the museum and back side of the Pyramid of the Sun. Walk about 650 ft and you will see yourself looking down into the cave and seeing the lovely restaurant. Like most places in Mexico, the prices were very reasonable. We ordered a sampler plate and a huge bowl of freshly made guacamole, I think the waitress said they use 5 avocados for each order. Walking all day in Teotihuacan under the sun, you should have worked up quite the appetite, so enjoy! No day trip to Teotihuacan is complete without a stop at La Gruta!
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