Major city · Mexico
TeotihuacanTeotihuacán
Go as a day trip from Mexico City: leave at 07:00, be inside at 08:00, done by 13:00. Sleep out here only if you want the 05:00 balloon flight.Go as a day trip from Mexico City: leave at 7:00 AM, be inside at 8:00 AM, done by 1:00 PM. Sleep out here only if you want the 5:00 AM balloon flight.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MXN
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry, clear mornings)
- avoid May–Sep (rain most afternoons), Easter week and 1–2 Nov (crowds)
- Airports
- MEX · NLU
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
Teotihuacan is the largest city of pre-Columbian America, 50 km northeast of Mexico City at 2,300 m. The ceremonial core — Pyramid of the Sun, Pyramid of the Moon, Temple of Quetzalcoatl, the 2 km Avenue of the Dead — takes 2–3 hours on foot. Almost everyone visits on a half-day trip; the site is a UNESCO listing and the reason most travellers come to Mexico State at all.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Teotihuacan, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $).Mexico-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities.Mexico-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.Mexico-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.Mexico-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mexico-wide
- SafetycheckThe site itself is a normal tourist visit by day; the April 2026 incident inside the zone means you should check current restrictions.
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10.Mexico-wide
- Emergency numbers911 All emergencies · 078 Tourist assistance (Ángeles Verdes)
- Sundays & holidaysMost museums and many archaeological sites close on Mondays; banks close on public holidays.Mexico-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMEX Mexico City Benito Juárez (About 1 h 15 min to the site by car via the toll highway; buses run from Terminal del Norte, not the airport.).
- Getting aroundNo transport inside the park: the Avenue of the Dead alone is 2 km, plus the walk back to your gate.No transport inside the park: the Avenue of the Dead alone is 1.2 mi, plus the walk back to your gate.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or fresh orange juice near the gatesM$30–60 (≈ US$2–4)
- Street or quick mealPlate of tacos or a torta in San Juan TeotihuacánM$80–150 (≈ US$5–9)
- BeerBeer at a perimeter vendorM$40–70 (≈ US$3–4)
- Metro or bus rideBus from Mexico City, one waycheckM$81 (≈ US$5)
- Museum or sight ticketSite entry (foreign adult / Mexican citizen or resident with ID)M$210 (≈ US$12)M$105 (≈ US$6)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personMX$250 (≈ US$14)
- Mid-range bedDouble room near the gates, a night, per roomMX$1,100 (≈ US$60)
- High-end bedDouble room near the gates, a night, per roomMX$2,200 (≈ US$120)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$400 (≈ US$25) · Mid MX$800 (≈ US$45) · High MX$1,600 (≈ US$90)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MEX Mexico City Benito Juárez (About 1 h 15 min to the site by car via the toll highway; buses run from Terminal del Norte, not the airport.) · NLU Felipe Ángeles (Santa Lucía) (Closer to the site on the north side of the valley; check current transfer options.)
Weather and climate
Teotihuacan: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
21°C70°F
4°C39°F
2 rd
Feb
23°C73°F
5°C41°F
2 rd
Mar
25°C77°F
7°C45°F
3 rd
Apr
26°C79°F
9°C48°F
5 rd
May
26°C79°F
10°C50°F
9 rd
Jun
24°C75°F
11°C52°F
14 rd
Jul
23°C73°F
10°C50°F
16 rd
Aug
23°C73°F
10°C50°F
15 rd
Sep
23°C73°F
10°C50°F
14 rd
Oct
23°C73°F
8°C46°F
7 rd
Nov
22°C72°F
6°C43°F
3 rd
Dec
21°C70°F
4°C39°F
2 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
No transport inside the park: the Avenue of the Dead alone is 2 km, plus the walk back to your gate. Bring water and a hat; shade is limited at midday. Outside, taxis are cheap but scarce and rideshare coverage is patchy — fix a return time with your driver or note the last bus.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 1.5–2 h
Autobuses Teotihuacán from the site gates or San Martín to Terminal del Norte, then Metro Line 5
The normal pairing: sleep in the city, come out for the morning.
Otumba
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min
Local bus or taxi from San Juan Teotihuacán
Small archaeological site and a Sunday market; only if you have a car or a driver.
Toluca
skipDoor to door: 3–4 h
Back to Mexico City, then a toll-road bus west
Too far for a day from here; do it as its own stop.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
San Juan Teotihuacán
Town at the northwest gate: groceries, bakeries, cheap rooms, buses to Mexico City.
San Martín de las Pirámides
South side, walkable to Puerta 1; the Autobuses Teotihuacán station is here.
West perimeter road
Hotels and homestays facing the park; easiest side to reach by bus, but you still walk to a gate.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- M$400–700 (≈ US$25–40) excl. bed
- Mid
- M$700–1,300 (≈ US$40–75) excl. bed
- High
- M$1,300 (≈ US$75)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room near the gates1 × 1 night × MX$1,100 | MX$1,100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × MX$800 | MX$1,600 |
| Site entry, foreign adult2 × MX$210 | MX$420 |
| Bus Mexico City → ruins, one way2 × MX$81 · check | MX$162 |
| Hot-air balloon flight, shared basket2 × MX$3,500 · check | MX$7,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × MX$250 | MX$500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MX$1,078 |
| Trip total≈ MX$5,930 per person per day, bed included | MX$11,860≈ US$650 |
2026 estimate in pesos; transport from Mexico City excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Site entry (foreign adult / Mexican citizen or resident with ID) | M$210 (≈ US$12) / M$105 (≈ US$6) |
| Bus from Mexico City, one waycheck | M$81 (≈ US$5) |
| Half-day tour from Mexico Citycheck | from about M$700 (≈ US$40) |
| Coffee or fresh orange juice near the gates | M$30–60 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Plate of tacos or a torta in San Juan Teotihuacán | M$80–150 (≈ US$5–9) |
| Beer at a perimeter vendor | M$40–70 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Obsidian souvenirCompare before buying. | M$50–500 (≈ US$3–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- A violent security incident occurred inside the Archaeological Zone in April 2026; the park reopened with extra security and access restrictions. Check the INAH site before you go.
- Climbing is not guaranteed: the Pyramid of the Sun was closed in Jan 2026, and the Moon pyramid was open only to the first platform. Long maintenance closures are common.
- Group tours arrive from about 09:30; the cheapest tours detour through gift shops and land you at the busiest hour.Group tours arrive from about 9:30 AM; the cheapest tours detour through gift shops and land you at the busiest hour.
- Vendors sell 'silver' and obsidian around every gate — compare quality and price before buying.
- Altitude is 2,300 (≈ US$130) m: take the first hour slowly.
Emergency numbers
- All emergencies
- 911
- Tourist assistance (Ángeles Verdes)
- 078
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
TeotihuacanTeotihuacán
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- All emergencies911
- Tourist assistance078
Embassy
No embassies here; they are in Mexico City. US citizens: check the US Embassy in Mexico City for consular help.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Terminal del Norte → Teotihuacán ruins: M$81 (≈ US$5), about 1 h (check)
- Site entry: M$210 (≈ US$12) foreign adult, M$105 (≈ US$6) with Mexican ID
- Taxi San Juan Teotihuacán → Puerta 2: M$60–120 (≈ US$4–7) (check)
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Dónde está la parada del camión? — Where is the bus stop? (DON-deh es-TAH la pa-RA-da del ka-MYON)
- Un boleto, por favor — One ticket, please (oon bo-LEH-toh por fa-VOR)
- ¿A qué hora sale el último camión? — What time is the last bus? (a keh O-ra SA-leh el OOL-tee-mo ka-MYON)
- No quiero guía, gracias — I don't want a guide, thank you (no KYEH-ro GEE-a GRA-syas)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (PWEH-do pa-GAR kon tar-HEH-ta)
Entry is M$210 for foreign adults; bring ID if you hold Mexican citizenship or residency for the M$105 rate.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Teotihuacan. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr (dry, clear mornings) · avoid May–Sep (rain most afternoons), Easter week and 1–2 Nov (crowds) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Gate-by-gate arrival fixtures: Puerta 1, 2 and 3, with the last-bus time field-checked at each.
- Closure status for both pyramids and the museum, re-checked weekly against INAH.
- Balloon-operator list with launch times, weather-cancellation rules and pickup points.
- Eat pages for La Gruta and the San Juan Teotihuacán bakeries with last orders.