Taking a day journey from Mexico Metropolis to Teotihuacan is a kind of issues that you just simply should do once you’re visiting the metropolis.
Positioned roughly an hour exterior of Mexico’s capital, the pyramids of Teotihuacan are often known as one of many foremost pre-Columbian Mesoamerican archaeological websites. It’s considered one of my favourite issues to do in Mexico Metropolis as a result of it combines tradition, historical past, and archaeology with an entire lot of exercise and solar.
As with most issues, you possibly can be a part of a bunch tour or ebook a non-public one. Or you possibly can select two ranges of DIY:
- DIY getting from Mexico Metropolis to Teotihuacan after which rent a tour information there.
- DIY your complete go to.
Let’s get going.
How you can get to Teotihuacan from Mexico Metropolis
To get from Mexico Metropolis to Teotihuacan by way of public transit, head first to the Autobuses del Norte metro station. As its title suggests, the station is on the northern finish of the town. You may attain it by way of Metro Line 5.
When you get out of the station, the bus heart itself is unmissable. Head inside and stroll all the way in which to the left. Close to gate 8, you’ll discover a kiosk named “Autobuses Teotihuacan.”
Roundtrip tickets price 104 pesos per particular person and are timed. Our bus was leaving three minutes after we bought the tickets, inflicting a mad rush as we hurried by way of the (very fast) safety line. (There are additionally no bogs on the buses, which made my bladder lower than completely satisfied. Had we identified the bus was leaving so quickly, we’d have requested to be placed on the following bus as a substitute. So maintain that in thoughts!)
The bus trip is comfy and takes slightly below an hour. It’ll doubtless cease two or 3 times en route, so make certain to remain on till the driving force calls out “piramides.”
When you get off the bus, the indicators make it pretty simple the place the doorway is. Tickets are 75 pesos every.
Whereas your journey to Teotihuacan is time-stamped, you possibly can return on any bus that has obtainable seats. Double-check the final bus time of the day earlier than you get off.
After we had been prepared to depart, we merely went again to the gate we entered by way of and stood on the aspect of the road till the following bus got here. In accordance with Autobuses Teotihuacan’s web site although, you don’t have to return to the identical gate. Gates 1, 2, and three will all work.
When to go to Teotihuacan
Let’s see:
- There may be very, little or no shade obtainable at Teotihuacan.
- You need to do a whole lot of strolling and climbing.
- Mexico Metropolis is at a excessive altitude.
In different phrases, go early to keep away from the warmth!
Good sneakers, loads of sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water are extremely advisable as properly.
Additionally of be aware: the advanced is free to Mexicans on Sundays, so it tends to be further crowded then. Keep away from should you can!
Reconsidering doing this as a DIY journey? There are at all times small group excursions and personal ones you possibly can ebook!
Visiting the pyramids of Teotihuacan
Teotihuacan can get fairly crowded, so my suggestion is to climb the Pyramid of the Solar as quickly as you arrive. Not solely is it essentially the most physically-taxing facet of visiting Teotihuacan, it’s additionally the preferred.
Should you’re bodily match, the climb up must be pretty fast. As I climbed, I couldn’t however assist take into consideration simply how people had been capable of construct such constructions 1000’s of years in the past. (I imply, one thing should have occurred in between them and us the place human information and know-how went off a cliff…)
When you’re up on the summit of the Pyramid of the Solar, spend a while to benefit from the views of your complete Teotihuacan advanced laid out beneath you.
Then, make your method over to the Pyramid of the Moon, which was supposedly used for human and animal sacrifices. The climb there may be considerably faster, as you possibly can’t truly make your method to the summit.
To be trustworthy, the Pyramid of the Moon wasn’t as spectacular. However due to its place at one finish of the advanced, the highest of the Pyramid of the Moon does present a fairly improbable view.
Don’t simply hurry to climb the 2 pyramids and go away, although. There are many different delights as you stroll between these two main pyramids. The 2 most pleasant? An astonishingly well-preserved mural of a jaguar and the Palacio de Quetzalpapálotl.
Whereas the jaguar mural is (rightfully) roped off, you possibly can stroll into and discover Palacio de Quetzalpapálotl. Named after the mythological birds that adorned the palace, this construction nonetheless has a really intact courtyard. The main points on its stone reliefs are completely gorgeous.
Lastly, earlier than you permit this a part of Teotihuacan, think about climbing up one of many minor pyramids (the place allowed). Sitting atop one and taking within the scene with out being surrounded by the crowds, you possibly can virtually really feel the sacred nature of the place.
Past the principle pyramids
To be trustworthy, I didn’t know a lot about Teotihuacan earlier than visiting Mexico Metropolis. I actually didn’t understand that there was rather more to it than simply the Pyramids of the Solar and Moon and some extra minor pyramids.
Boy, was I fallacious.
At its peak, Teotihuacan lined greater than 8 sq. miles. (Ahem, that’s larger than the town I reside in). As we speak, the principle websites of the archaeological advanced lay round a two-mile stretch of land.
So after you’ve visited the first pyramids, head down the Avenue of the Useless.
There are such a lot of fascinating sides to discover, from excavated properties to discoveries that present the varied layers of constructing that occurred throughout Teotihuacan’s energetic years.
These had been maybe my favourite points of Teotihuacan, largely as a result of they’re seldomly mentioned or photographed in articles in regards to the advanced.
As you strategy the opposite finish of the Avenue of the Useless, you’ll attain the citadel. There are a number of constructions within the space, essentially the most outstanding of which is the Temple of Quetzalcoatl.
Whereas the Pyramids of the Solar and Moon are structurally extra imposing, the Temple of the Feathered Serpent was essentially the most aesthetically fascinating to me. Who can go up these fantastical creatures?
P.S. Should you can’t fairly “discover” the temple, it’s as a result of it’s totally obscured by the Adosada platform (which to me was simply one other pyramid). I heard one disinterested dad exclaim that there was no method he was going to climb one other pyramid as a result of “they’re all the identical, anyway.” Properly, he and his missed out!
Museums across the pyramids
As you discover Teotihuacan, you’ll discover many plaques speaking about numerous museums and gardens across the web site. Probably the most outstanding of these is Museo Teotihuacan, which holds artifacts from the positioning.
We didn’t get to take a look at the museums as a result of we had been visiting on New Yr’s Eve and wished to get again for some relaxation earlier than the night’s festivities. I undoubtedly want we did, so make certain to save lots of time for this should you’re equally inclined.
We’d arrived at Teotihuacan round 10 a.m. and spent 4 hours exploring. We headed again round 2 p.m., arriving at our lodge about an hour 40 minutes later. Should you’re all for visiting a number of of the museums, I’d counsel budgeting a minimum of one other hour or two in your journey.
