When most people think of pyramids, their minds instantly travel to Egypt. Afterall the most famous pyramids are based in Egypt, but these ancient structures are built all over the world from Asia to America to even Europe. Pyramids in South America have become well known and ancient civilizations such as Aztecs and Maya have built large and impressive structures through what is now Mexico.
Before the crack of dawn, I made my way to a narrow alley in Mexico city to reach my tour guide, who had arranged a sunrise tour to the famous Toutihuacan pyramids. This tourist van would leave before dawn so as to reach the pyramids in time to catch the sunrise lit monument , after driving for more than an hour. I was excited to see this historically significant pyramids and learn the history behind them.
The Teotihuacan pyramids, located about an hour drive from Mexico city downtown are part of an ancient city established around 100BC and stood for centuries. Teotihuacan city is long gone, but the pyramids have been recovered and reconstructed. The pyramids are now a busy attraction for local and international tourists.
A trip to Mexico city will not be complete without spending a day exploring the Teotihuacan pyramids, which boasts of the third largest pyramid in the world – The Pyramid of the Sun. Teotihuacan is no ordinary place. It is ancient, shrouded in mystery and once was Mesoamerica’s greatest city. The complex is famous for two massive pyramids – Pirámide del Sol (Pyramid of the Sun) and Pirámide de la Luna (Pyramid of the Moon).
What to see at Teotihuacan Pyramids
Teotihuacán is a huge UNESCO site with a 2,000 year-old history. Between the pyramids and the museum, there’s a ton to see and you can easily spend a whole day there. Trust me, the site is massive! If you’re short on time or just want to see the main sights, this is what to look for:
- Pyramid of the Sun – The largest pyramid at Teotihuacán and the third largest pyramid in the world.
- Pyramid of the Moon – The second largest pyramid on site, used to conduct ceremonies in honor of the goddess of water, fertility and the earth.
- Temple of the Feathered Serpent – The third largest pyramid at Teotihuacán
- Avenue of the Dead – The main path between the pyramids in Teotihuacán.
- On-site museum – There’s a museum at the entrance to help make sense of it all.
Opening hours: Monday-Sunday 9 am to 5 pm.
Entrance fee: 70 pesos – includes entry into the museum.
Best time to visit: Arrive early in the morning as there is almost no shade and it gets warm fast.
How much time to spend: 4-5 hours. The avenue is 2.5 km long, and it takes time to climb the pyramids.
Brief history of Teotihuacán
For those unfamiliar, Teotihuacán is very old. It was built around 100 BC and collapsed a thousand years later in 550 AD due to invasion or civil war or famine (no one really knows). Unlike the pyramids in Egypt, Teotihuacan wasn’t just a religious temple. It was a city, and a large one. At its highest, this mysterious metropolis reached a peak population of 200,000 people. Also unlike the Egyptian pyramids which were built as tombs to preserve the remain of the kinds and nobility, the Teotihuacán pyramids served as temples to worship the gods and also for human and animal sacrifices to appease the Gods.
Most other famous temples in Mexico were either built by the Aztecs or the Mayans, but no one knows who built Teotihuacán. One thing all experts can agree on is that the Aztecs named the city Teotihuacán, meaning ‘place of the gods’.
In 1971, archeologists found a secret tunnel inside the pyramid that led to more than 50,000 ritual objects and a set of chambers. Experts believe that these chambers were used for rituals and maybe even as a burial-place for the city’s elite.
For the people of Teotihuacán, the Pyramid of the Sun had a strong religious significance. And it continues today more than 2,000 years later. Every year on March 21st, visitors flock to the top of Mexico’s Pyramid of the Sun to celebrate the spring equinox.
Early morning is the best time to tour Teotihuacán as there are fewer tourists and few vendors. As the sun rose, vendors come out making the Jaguar mating calls and trying to scare tourists with the shrill calls. The Mesoamericans who build the Teotihuacán highly revered the Jaguar and painted hundreds of Jaguars all over the city.
Climbing up the Pyramid of the sun is no easy task. It stand over 210 feet tall and is composed of five different levels. Take it easy and budget at least 45 minutes to climb up the pyramids. The view from the top of the Pyramid is breathtaking and you can enjoy a 360 degree view of the Teotihuacán city ruins. Mexico City is roughly 7,000 feet above sea level, so there’s a good chance you’ll already be out of breath due to the altitude
TIPS
- It’s an all-day outdoors trip so bring snacks, water , hats and sunscreen
- Plan your trip early morning before the sun is out, as there is no shade in the harsh sun.
- Many of the recovered artifacts from the pyramids can be found at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City
- I chose to take an Uber back as I had to get back to the city early. I was surprised that I could easily get an Uber even at this remote location outside Mexico city.
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