Teotihuacan Pyramids and How to Get There

The Teotihuacan Pyramids was my first time visiting pyramids or any kind of ruins. And what a place I choose as my first time. The site is massive, way bigger that you can imagine. It’s comprised by two pyramids, courtyards, streets, murals, temples, and residential sections.

The Pyramid of the Sun is third largest in the world, with a height of 65m and a length of 220m. At its peak the city was home to 125,000 people, making it one of the biggest cities of the ancient world.

Being one of the greatest archeological sites in the world and located just one hour from Mexico City this a must do.

How to get there

In order to see this UNESCO’s world heritage site, you have two options: Book a tour that will cost you somewhere between $40 – $60 US. Or take public transportation which will be way cheaper, about $14.00 US including the metro, bus, and the entrance to the Pyramids. Plus, you have the freedom to stay as long as you’d like.

If you don’t feel safe taking the metro you can take an Uber to the bus station and from there take bus. Personally, I did not had any bad experience but like in many big cities, be wary of pickpocketing.

If you are taking public transportation follow the directions below. Each metro ride is $5 pesos (¢27 US). Mexico’s metro system is actually one of the cheapest in the world. You’ll need to buy a ticket (“taquilla” in Spanish) so once in the station look for the signs that say “Taquilla”.

The directions are from two of the areas where you probably will be staying close to.

From the Zocalo

• Take the blue line (#2) to Hidalgo in direction to “Cuatro Caminos”.
• At Hidalgo switch to the green line (#3) and take the metro to La Raza in direction to “Indios verses” (in this station the walk to switch to the yellow line is quite a bit).
• In La Raza take the yellow line (#5) to Autobuses del Norte in direction to “Politecnica”.

From Roma Norte or La Condesa

• In either Chapultepec or Sevilla metro station take the pink line (#1) to Balderas in direction to “Pantitlan”.
• From here is the same as if you come from the Zocalo.
• At Balderas switch to the green line (#3) and take the metro to La Raza in direction to “Indios verses” (in this station the walk to switch to the yellow line is quite a bit).
• In La Raza, take the yellow line (#5) to Autobuses del Norte in direction to “Politecnica”.

In Autobuses del Norte metro station follow the signs “Salida Autobuses Norte“. When you come out of the stairs, the bus station will be right in front of you. In the bus station walk all the way to the left to Sala/Gate #8. There are several bus vendors in gate 8, so look for Autobuses Teotihuacan.

The ticket cost $50 pesos ($2.75 US) each way. Don’t forget to buy you return ticket as well to avoid any inconvenience on the way back. Although you can buy it from the driver.

If you haven’t bought any snacks or water yet, this is the time to do it. There is a little store in the bus station where you can stock up for the day. You’ll see it on the way to the bus after buying the tickets.

The trip is about one hour long. The bus is big, has a/c, and the seats are comfortable.

Note: The driver will make a stop, and a police man will come on the bus and to record everyone with a camcorder. As far as I know, this is a normal practice, so don’t worry about it.

The bus will leave you at the entrance of the complex. Head to the guard’s stand to buy the entrance ticket. The cost is $70 MXN ($3.88 US) and it includes access to the pyramids and the museum.

Note: If you want to film using your DSRL camera, you have to pay $45 pesos ($2.50 US) for a permit.

I paid it and no one inside the site asked me for it while I was filming, but you never know.

To get to the actual entrance to the pyramids, walk the street along the parking lot until the end and then turn left. Once you get in there are several shops with over price souvenirs and toilets. I would recommend you to go to the toilets here. There are some near the pyramids but they aren’t easy to find.

 

The Pyramid of the Moon on the distance from the Avenue of the Dead.

 

One of the coolest things about this pyramids is that you can climb up to pretty much all the structures. Although is not that easy to go up to the Pyramid of the Sun since the steps are tall and steep, also the altitud may play against you.  

 

 

 Return to the city

To take the bus back to the city is a bit tricky, there are no signs showing where the bus stop is. Don’t worry I got your back. Go to where you got off the bus earlier and across the street you’ll see the islet shown in the photo above, that’s the bus stop.

Tips

• Bring plenty of water and food.
• Put on sunscreen and wear a hat since there is no shade on the site.
• Tripods are not allowed

 

Have you visited Teotihuacan or any other Pyramids?

Which one is your favourite?

Thank you for reading

j ⋀⋁ i e r ✧ ☽

 

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