Day Trips to Teotihuacan Pyramids and Guadalupe Shrine from Mexico City

Teotihuacan and the Guadalupe Sanctuary are two of the most famous archeological sites in Latin America and sacred spaces of the pre-Columbian culture. Here I tell you the best alternatives to visit them during your trip.
Day Trips to Teotihuacan Pyramids and Guadalupe Shrine from Mexico City

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Booking an excursion to Teotihuacan and the Guadalupe Sanctuary from Mexico City is one of the best ways to get to know these sacred sites, but there are also excursions that include visits to the archaeological sites and Tlatelolco, tours with priority access, balloon rides and bike rides to get to know the sacred sites while combining the activity with physical exercise.

Excursion to Teotihuacan, Sanctuary of Guadalupe and Tlatelolco from Mexico City

Tlatelolco| ©orientalizing
Tlatelolco| ©orientalizing

If you are in Mexico City and you are interested in visiting some of the most important historical sites in the country, a good option is to hire an excursion that will take you to Teotihuacan and the Guadalupe Sanctuary.

This adventure begins early in the morning, when a specialized guide will pick you up at your hotel. Once in Teotihuacan, you will be able to visit some monuments such as:

  • The Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, two impressive stone structures dating back to the 1st century. The Pyramid of the Sun is the third largest in the world, after those of Giza in Egypt.
  • The Causeway of the Dead and visit the Citadel, where the Palace of Quetzalpapallotl is located.

After enjoying Teotihuacan, the tour will take you to the Guadalupe Sanctuary, the most sacred place in Mexico for Catholics. There you will learn about the history of the Virgin of Guadalupe and see the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which is the second most visited church in the world. Finally, the tour will end in Tlatelolco, an ancient pre-Hispanic settlement that was a political center.

Details of interest

  • Price: 51 euros per.
  • Duration: 7 hours.
  • Advantages of these tours: you will get to know three of the most famous archaeological sites in Mexico in a guided tour.
  • Disadvantages of these excursions: they are very intense excursions.

Book an excursion to Teotihuacan and the Sanctuary of Guadalupe

Tour to Teotihuacan with priority access and tequila shot.

Teotihuacan| ©Javier Ogeros
Teotihuacan| ©Javier Ogeros

If you want to have an unforgettable experience, I recommend you to consider an excursion to Teotihuacan with priority access and a complimentary tequila shot, to live a completely Mexican afternoon.

With priority access, you will avoid the long lines and have more time to explore. After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore Teotihuacán at your own pace, so you can climb to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun for breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and enjoy a shot of tequila, a traditional Mexican drink.

The experience of seeing the ancient ruins, accompanied by an expert guide, and finishing with a traditional drink will leave you with an unforgettable memory of your visit to Mexico City.

Details of interest

  • Price: 48 euros.
  • Duration: 8 hours.
  • Advantages of these tours: you will be able to maximize the time of your visit to the archaeological site and have free time to explore the area on your own.
  • Disadvantages of these tours: does not include a tour of the Guadalupe Sanctuary.

Book a tour to Teotihuacan with priority access

Excursion to Teotihuacan with balloon flight from Mexico City

Pyramids and Hot Air Ballooning| ©Avelino Zepeda Martinez
Pyramids and Hot Air Ballooning| ©Avelino Zepeda Martinez

If you are looking for a unique experience in Mexico City, hiring a balloon tour in Teotihuacan is an excellent option. This activity starts early in the morning, where you will be picked up by a private vehicle and transferred to the archaeological site of Teotihuacan. Once there, you will have the opportunity to explore the ancient city and walk through its impressive ruins while learning about its history and culture.

After the hike, it's time for the most exciting part of the excursion, which is a hot air balloon flight over one of Mexico's greatest attractions. Once you are equipped with a life jacket and helmet, you will board the hot air balloon and begin a unique experience. From the air, you will have a breathtaking view of Teotihuacan and its surroundings, allowing you to appreciate the scale and magnitude of the ancient city.

After the balloon flight, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a full breakfast at the launch site, where you can savor some of Mexico's culinary delights such as chilaquiles, huevos rancheros and quesadillas. You will also be offered a champagne toast to celebrate your balloon flight.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 147 euros.
  • Duration: from 3 to 9 hours, depending on the options you choose.
  • Advantages of these tours: you will be able to enjoy one of the most eclectic attractions in Mexico City.
  • Disadvantages of these tours: it can be an expensive experience.

Book a hot air balloon tour in Teotihuacán

Teotihuacan Bike Tour

Getting to know Teotihuacan| ©Lws & Clrk
Getting to know Teotihuacan| ©Lws & Clrk

Exploring Teotihuacan by bicycle is a unique and exciting way to experience the ancient city. On this tour, tourists can explore the ruins of Teotihuacan on a route of up to 10 kilometers in distance. This ride offers a different way to enjoy the site's landscapes and historical monuments, as well as the best panoramic views.

The excursion begins in the morning in Mexico City, where tourists are picked up in a tourist bus and taken to Teotihuacan. Once there, you will receive a brief introduction to the history and culture of Teotihuacan before beginning one of the best bike tours in Mexico City, which will include a visit to some of the city's most popular sites such as the Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon, the Temple of the Feathered Serpent and the Citadel.

At the end of the tour, you will enjoy a typical meal of the region before returning to Mexico City. This Teotihuacan bike tour is a unique and exciting experience that combines active tourism with the history and culture of Mexico, offering tourists a unique opportunity to see the country from a different perspective, especially if you plan to visit Mexico City in the summer.

Details of interest

  • Price: 82 euros.
  • Duration: 8 hours.
  • Advantages of these excursions: it is an alternative experience for adventure sports enthusiasts.
  • Disadvantages of these excursions: not suitable for visitors with reduced mobility.

Book tickets for the tourist bus of the Federal District

How to book an excursion to Teotihuacan from Mexico City?

Book Online| ©Glenn Carstens-Peters
Book Online| ©Glenn Carstens-Peters

You can either book the tours in advance online or book the tour once you are in the city, although the latter will be a less beneficial option if you plan to visit Mexico City in July or during the summer months, which is part of the high season in the country.

In addition, if you book in advance, you will be able to freeze the price, choose the date and secure your place on the tours, which will be ideal for putting together an itinerary if you are planning a short stay in the Mexican capital. If that is your case, here is a list of activities so you can discover Mexico City in 3 days.

Book an excursion to Teotihuacan and the Guadalupe Shrine

What am I going to see in this type of excursion?

Basilica of Guadalupe| ©Ted McGrath
Basilica of Guadalupe| ©Ted McGrath

On an excursion to Teotihuacan, Guadalupe Shrine and Tlatelolco from Mexico City, you will visit three of the most emblematic and representative places of Mexico's history and culture:

  • The tour generally starts at the Guadalupe Shrine, where the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is located, one of the most sacred places for Catholics around the world.
  • Tlatelolco was an important pre-Hispanic city and is famous for its main square, which is one of the places where the Spanish and Aztecs had one of the most important battles in the history of Mexico. There you can visit the Temple of Santiago Tlatelolco.
  • In the archaeological site of Teotihuacan you can admire the impressive pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, as well as other structures and temples.

Book an excursion to Teotihuacan with priority access

Tips for an excursion to Teotihuacan from Mexico City

Comfortable shoes| ©Alexandra Tran
Comfortable shoes| ©Alexandra Tran

If you are planning to visit the main archaeological sites in Mexico City, here are some tips that you may find useful to get the most out of your tour:

  • Plan ahead: be sure to book your tour in advance and check schedules and tour details. It is also important to verify access regulations to the archaeological sites.
  • Wear comfortable clothes and shoes: the hike through the archaeological site of Teotihuacán can be long and tiring, so I recommend that you pack comfortable clothes and shoes. Also, if possible, bring a hat and sunscreen to protect you from the sun.
  • Bring water and snacks: it is important to stay hydrated during the tour. I advise you to carry a bottle of water and some snacks to keep your energy up.
  • Listen to the guide's explanations: the tour guides can provide interesting and valuable information about the history and culture of Teotihuacán. Pay attention to their explanations and don't hesitate to ask questions.

Book a tour to Teotihuacan and the Guadalupe Sanctuary

Why is it advisable to take a tour to Teotihuacan from Mexico City?

Visiting the pyramids| ©Darij Zadnikar
Visiting the pyramids| ©Darij Zadnikar

There are several reasons why it is advisable to take an excursion to Teotihuacan from Mexico City, but mainly because this site is part of the cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO, so visiting the pyramids and exploring the ancient city is a unique opportunity to learn about the history and culture of the pre-Hispanic civilization.

You can also contemplate the historical value and natural beauty of the site, as Teotihuacan is also a space with open views of the mountains and the surrounding landscape. The hike to the top of the Pyramid of the Sun offers a spectacular panoramic view.

Finally, visiting Teotihuacan is a unique experience for you to immerse yourself in Mexican culture. From food and drink to crafts and music, there is much to experience on the way to the archaeological site.

Book a tour to Teotihuacan and the Guadalupe Shrine

What are the advantages of taking a guided tour vs. visiting Teotihuacan from Mexico City on my own?

Teotihuacan Pyramids| ©Herbert Spencer
Teotihuacan Pyramids| ©Herbert Spencer

There are several advantages to taking a guided tour to visit Teotihuacan versus going on your own from Mexico City and among them is that the information and expert knowledge of a tour guide can provide fascinating details about the site that you would not otherwise know. You will also be able to relax and hand over the organization to a third party, which will enhance your experience.

If you plan to visit Mexico City in March or during the high season, an excursion could give you priority access to the archaeological site, meaning you can avoid long lines and make better use of your time, which is ideal if you have a short stay planned in the capital. If that's your case, here's a list of activities to discover Mexico City in 4 days.

On the other hand, you won't have to worry about transportation, which will be quiet and relaxing, and you can join groups of visitors, facilitating cultural exchange and the possibilities of meeting other tourists who are in your same situation, which can be enriching, plus you can take some of the best pictures of your tour from the pyramids and the sanctuary.

Book a balloon tour in Teotihuacan

Reviews from other travellers

4.6
· 30 Reviews
  • K
    K. A.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    Tour Guide Fransisco was great. very helpful, friendly, knowledgable, funny, made a trip really enjoyable
  • I
    I. K.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    This was a great day excursion that I recommend for anyone visiting Mexico City! We arrived at the Miga cafe pick-up point. The tour bus was actually parked down the street, but it was easy to spot and there was already a line forming for check-in, when we got there about 6:15am. Just wanted to mention this, because the bus will not be parked directly in front of the cafe. Diana was our main tour guide who spoke to us on on our bus trip to Teotihuacan. She was very informative and her presentation of whatever we saw, was quite digestible. Her colleague Antonio was the guide for the Spanish-speaking group, while she led our English-speaking group throughout our time at the Aztec ruins/archaeological site. The bus was spacious with comfortable seats. About half way through our drive to Teotihuacan, they made sure to stop for everyone to grab coffee/breakfast/have bathroom break at this nice rest stop/gas station. Once we arrived at Teotihuacan, we disembarked the bus and were kindly guided throughout our approximate 2.5 hour walking tour through the grounds. We had plenty of time to take photos which was nice. The tour bus drove us a short distance afterwards to the Tequila tasting workshop, where there was a bit of time to do some shopping. Then we headed right across to a specific restaurant for lunch. This price is not included in the tour cost. The price was not bad at all and the food was hearty, authentic and delicious. During our lunch break, we were entertained by a female singer and later by some dancers dressed in Aztec apparel, which was cool. Make sure to wear plenty of sunscreen, hats/coverup because I certainly got a bit of a sunburn on my neck and forehead, thinking I wouldn't, just because we weren't in the thick of summer! I was definitely glad we did this in October, instead of the summer months, because I couldn't imagine exploring the Pyramids and attempting to climb them like I did, if it were any warmer (and the weather was actually pretty mild and nice but the sun can exhaust you after all the hours of walking, standing to listen to your guide, as well as climbing a few of the ruins). The steps of the ruins were very very steep so please exercise a lot of caution when climbing up and down. There are handrails in only a few spots. Overall a wonderful experience, glad I get to check it off my bucket list!
  • S
    S.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    We saw 3 amazing places and went to a great place to buy good quality authentic products, it was impressive and majestic.
  • C
    C.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    Great day! Lots of information and well attended.
  • L
    L.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    We loved our day trip to Teotihuacan, the Guadalupe shrine and Tlatelolco.