Teotihuacan, City of the Gods

About Teotihuacan, City of the Gods

Teotihuacan rose in the Basin of Mexico centuries before the Aztecs, built by a people whose own name for the city is still unknown. At its height it housed perhaps 100,000 people and spread a vast grid of temples, plazas and apartment compounds around a ceremonial axis. Its builders aligned the great monuments with the surrounding mountains and the movements of the sun, shaping a city that read like a map of the cosmos.

When the Mexica arrived long after its fall, they found the ruins already ancient and gave them the Nahuatl name Teotihuacan, place where the gods were made. In their tradition the gods gathered here and sacrificed themselves so the Fifth Sun could move across the sky. That is why the site is listed here under Aztec religion, though its first builders followed an older, distinct tradition. Today pilgrims still climb the Pyramid of the Sun at the spring equinox to greet the dawn.

What to see

• Pyramid of the Sun, one of the largest pyramids in the Americas
• Pyramid of the Moon and its plaza
• Avenue of the Dead ceremonial axis
• Temple of the Feathered Serpent in the Ciudadela
• Murals of the Tepantitla compound
• Site museum near the Pyramid of the Sun

Visiting Teotihuacan, City of the Gods: practical guide

Best time

November to April, early morning

Hours

Open daily, roughly 9:00 to 17:00; check locally

Entry

Paid entry, moderate fee; free for Mexican residents on Sundays

Dress code

Sun hat, light layers and sturdy shoes

Nearest airport

Mexico City International Airport (MEX), 45 km

Tips from experienced pilgrims

• Arrive at opening to avoid heat and crowds
• Climbing rules on the pyramids change; follow posted guidance
• Bring water and sun protection, as shade is scarce
• Balloon flights at dawn offer a view of the whole axis

Festivals and special days

• Spring Equinox gathering (around 21 March)

Etiquette for visitors

Guidance drawn from Aztec Religion tradition. Always follow signs and local custodians.

• Stay on designated walkways at the Templo Mayor ruins.
• Respect climbing restrictions at pyramids, which change for conservation.
• Do not buy artifacts offered by sellers; most are fakes, and real ones are illegal to export.
• Bring sun protection and water for high-altitude sites.
• Treat Indigenous dancers and ceremonies with respect and ask before photographing.

Location map

Open in OpenStreetMap · Get directions

Frequently asked questions