The Teotihuacan Hot Air Balloon experience we had in Mexico was one of the coolest things we’ve ever done! But it’s totally understandable that you might have some questions about the whole thing. We also had a lot of the same questions, considering we’d never flown in a hot air balloon before. And there are so many options online that it can make it hard to know what to expect from each experience. So I’ve put together a bit of a Teotihuacan Hot Air Balloon FAQ to hopefully answer some of your questions!
And be sure to check out my personal experience and hour-by-hour review of what happened when we took our Teotihuacan Hot Air Balloon experience.
How do you pronounce “Teotihuacan”?
For most English speakers, this pronunciation is pretty good: “Tay-oh-tee-wah-KAHN.” 🙂
Why is Teotihuacan important?
A: Teotihuacan was once the largest city in the pre-Colombian Americas. It is thought to have been inhabited between 100 B.C. and at least 550 A.D. During its peak, this thriving civilization was one of the top most populous cities in the world. These days, Teotihuacan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most-visited archaeological site in Mexico.
How far away is Teotihuacan from Mexico City?
If you book through a hot air balloon experience, the trip to Teotihuacan from Mexico City should take about 30-45 minutes, depending on whether you need to stop to pick up other passengers. The ride back to CDMX will likely take longer dealing with city traffic in the afternoon.
How do I get from Mexico City to Teotihuacan?
While it’s possible to get out there with the public bus — I’ve done it myself — you definitely won’t want to do that if you’re doing the hot air balloon experience. It can take much too long, and it would be too early in the morning as most of the hot air balloons lift off at sunrise. If you book your experience through a reputable company, they should offer pickup at your hotel or from a meet-up point.
What Do You Wear For a hot air balloon in Mexico?
Be sure to wear clothing you’re comfortable in, and remember that being in a hot air balloon, it may be chilly at altitude!
Is there a dress code for visiting Teotihuacan?
There is no dress code for visiting Teotihuacan. But if you’re there in the summer, you may want to wear clothing that will help keep you cool as it can be hot when you’re visiting the archaeological zone, and there is no shade.
How much does a hot air balloon ride at Teotihuacan cost?
You should expect to pay at least $150 per person. While you also might be able to book this type of hot air balloon tour on Airbnb, be careful of booking an Airbnb experience that claims to only be about $11 USD. According to some of the reviews I read on these types of bookings, these are individuals who are basically taking your money as a “booking fee” and then setting you up with one of the main hot air balloon companies, and you still have to pay the rest of the price later. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Is a hot air balloon ride at Teotihuacan safe?
It is true that there was a hot air balloon accident at Teotihuacan in April 2023. However, based on my research — in both English and Spanish — the company operating the hot air balloon that caught fire was a drive-in movie theatre company secretly offering hot air balloon flights under the table, without authorization to do so — and they don’t even advertise hot air balloon flights on their website. With that being said, booking with a reputable company shouldn’t put you in any danger
Is there a weight limit for taking the hot air balloon at Teotihuacan?
One of my readers asked me this, so I reached out to the company we booked with, Flying Pictures, to ask them. While they did not weigh us, I couldn’t be certain that they never weigh people. When they responded to my question, they asked me to provide the passenger’s approximate weight. If you’re not sure, I recommend messaging them on WhatsApp. Their number is +52 555 456 3677. They’ve always been responsive to my questions (in Spanish and English) so hopefully they can help you out!
How long is a hot air balloon ride in Mexico City?
Most of the hot air balloon rides last about 30-45 minutes. It depends on the weather that day, your pilot, and other factors.
How long does the hot air balloon experience last?
Our day started at 5:30 a.m. when we were picked up at our Airbnb, and we were dropped off around 1:30 p.m. — so it was a full 8-hour day! But the day included pickup, the drive there, the hot air balloon experience, a breakfast buffet, time in the archaeological zone of Teotihuacan, and the drive back. We definitely stayed busy.
Is taking a hot air balloon ride at Teotihuacan worth it?
For me, visiting Teotihuacan by hot air balloon in Mexico was totally worth the money. The whole day was impeccably planned and executed by the Flying Pictures team, making it really easy on us travelers. And the views we got, of both the pyramids and the other hot air balloons at sunrise, were breathtaking. If you’re not afraid of heights, I highly recommend it!
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