Mexico City is the most populous city in the Western Hemisphere; geographically, it’s nearly the double the size of New York City. With that being said, you can imagine how it would be difficult to run out of things to do. However, a one-hour bus ride outside CDMX transports visitors to a metropolis from a different era. This is the Mesoamerican city of Teotihuacan.
I first learned about Teotihuacan as a high-school senior in Spanish IV. We were months away from graduation and tasked with taking our first-ever exam completely in Spanish — complete with an essay question. The topic was, of course, Teotihuacan. So when I visited Mexico City — seven years later — I knew I had to see it for myself.
For those who don’t have the same, somewhat-random connection, let me explain why you should visit Teotihuacan.
1. Cultural and archaeological significance
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.
The city’s inhabitants – though historians aren’t exactly sure who they were — had a flourishing obsidian tool industry. They lived in multi-family apartments in diverse neighborhoods. They worshipped the Storm God and the Maize God, and they routinely practiced human sacrifice.
While in Mexico City, visit the famous Anthropology Museum to gain more insight into the people who lived there so long ago. Or, when you arrive at Teotihuacan, hire a guide who can walk you through history as you walk through the ruins. You can also book a trip from Mexico City that can provide a guide and/or transportation.
2. Huge, climeable pyramids
Upon entering the site, you’ll walk along the nearly 3-mile-long “Avenue of the Dead.” This is the city’s main street. At the very end, way in the distance, you’ll see the Pyramid of the Moon; to its right, off to the side, the Pyramid of the Sun. Immediately, you’ll be struck by the sheer size of these pyramids as you begin the trek toward them. They seem big from far away, but when you get up close, they’re somehow even more impressive.
In fact, the giant Pyramid of the Sun is the third-tallest pyramid in the world. Only the Pyramid of Cholula (Mexico) and Pyramid of Giza (Egypt) dwarf it. The best (or worst?) part is that you can climb it, all the way to the very top! You can also climb the Pyramid of the Moon — it’s not as tall, but the view looking down the Avenue of the Dead can’t be beat.
3. Connect with nature and history
With a city the size of CDMX, there are sights and sounds, cars and people, everywhere. Teotihuacan offers visitors the opportunity to get away from the city hustle. While walking along the Avenue of the Dead, it’s not hard to find yourself imagining how the civilization looked thousands of years ago. Who were the people who have walked this same path?
In addition to the two largest pyramids, there are dozens of smaller pyramids along the avenue that you can also climb. You’re more likely to be the only one at the top, so sit down and take it all in. The surrounding mountains and valleys offer a stunning view. Despite a few roped off areas, you can explore almost anywhere at Teotihuacan on your own, even it if’s off the beaten path. Feel free to wander.
4. It’s day-trip material
What makes a good day trip? Though I’ve never actually listed it out before, here are a few things I look for when planning day trips:
- Transportation is simple and/or direct
- Travel time is short relative to the amount of time I will spend there
- Day-trip location is interesting enough to keep me busy/spend several hours there
- Day-trip location offers me something different from where I am spending most of my time
Teotihuacan met all of these guidelines. The bus ride from Mexico City was an easy option, and it was only an hour’s drive each way. I spent four hours exploring the pyramids and ancient ruins, which was far different than anything I could see in the city. With a total day-trip time of six hours, I returned to CDMX just before dinner.
Update 2023: If you want to visit Teotihuacan from the air, I highly recommend it! Learn all about how to visit Teotihuacan by hot air balloon.
5. The price is unbeatable
I’ve been to two other places in my life that I would consider to be somewhat similar to Teotihuacan: Mesa Verde National Park in the U.S., and Angkor Wat Archaeological Park in Cambodia. Since I was at Angkor Wat most recently, this stands out to me. Entrance for one day in the park there was $37 USD. Entrance for one day at Teotihuacán was $70 MEX — or roughly $3.78 USD. Let that sink in… it costs less than $4 USD to spend a day amongst some of the world’s most fascinating ancient ruins. You gotta take that opportunity.
Have I convinced you to visit Teotihuacan? Do you have any questions? Let me know in the comments!
-Cathy
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Originally Published on April 25, 2018.
Nana says
I always wondered how the name is
Renounced.
cathy says
It’s like “Tay-oh-tee-wah-KAHN” 🙂