Location: San Juan Teotihuacan
Top Things to do in San Juan Teotihuacan
The 10 Best Things to Do in San Juan Teotihuacan, Mexico
Teotihuacán is a town and municipality located in the State of Mexico. It is in the northeast of the Valley of Mexico, 45 km northeast of Mexico City and 119 km from the state capital of Toluca. Teotihuacan takes its name from the ancient city and World Heritage site that is located next to the municipal seat. "Teotihuacan" is from Nahuatl and means "place of the gods." In Nahua mythology the sun and the moon were created here. The seal of the municipality features the Pyramid of the Sun from the archeological site, which represents the four cardinal directions. The building is tied to a character that represents water which is linked to an arm that is joined to the head of an indigenous person who is seated and speaking. This person represents a god. Much of the history of the area has been tied to the ancient city, most recently involves controversy connected with commerce and development around the site.
Restaurants in San Juan Teotihuacan
1. Zona Arqueologica Teotihuacan
Overall Ratings
5 based on 7 reviews
The Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon dominate the ruins of what was once the sixth largest city in the world.
Reviewed By JDSoui - Irving, Texas
The views of the pyramids and archeological area is mesmerizing. There are areas around the site that clearly have been discovered, but not excavated. The views from the ground level and from the upper levels of the pyramids offer unique photo opportunities not only of the grounds, but surrounding areas as well.
Would recommend starting when the gates open at 8am to avoid traffic and crowds. In our case we started at Gate 3 (Moon temple), and worked our way south to Gate 2 (Sun Temple) and then to Gate 1.
2. Teotihuacan en Bici
Overall Ratings
5 based on 180 reviews
This is your chance to visit the Pyramids of Teotihuacan on a bicycle!It's a new option for you to enjoy the wonders and landscapes of the biggest archaeological zone in Mexico, you will meet around such as Tetitla Atetelco, Tepantitla, among other incredible places.Come, have fun and learn with us because we have the best guides in cycling.
Reviewed By sallyamaris
We had a great experience with this tour. This was my second time in teotihuacan and my husbands 1st. I got more out of this visit that when I came the 1st time . I saw cites I had not seen and other than the main pyramids they were empty and were able to see these cites by ourselves . Our tour guide and driver when above and beyond the call of duty. We did the food walking tour also and it was great , the food was delicious and we enjoyed this experience highly recommend this tour .
3. Piramide de la Serpiente Emplumada
Overall Ratings
5 based on 271 reviews
Reviewed By Nas S - Long Beach, California
What a lovely experience this small city is or was shall I say. It's best to visit in the morning where it's less crowded otherwise this can be a very crowded sight seeing location. It's very inexpensive from Mexico City to take the local bus(very comfortable). Definitely worth the visit!
4. Sky Balloons Mexico
Overall Ratings
5 based on 331 reviews
Leader balloon flights over one of the most important tourist sites in the world company , Teotihuacan enjoyed from a unique view , taking off from Globopuerto Sky Balloons which has all the services required to fully enjoy this incredible scenic drive , plus is recognized as the best strategic point is that the winds take you through the valley of Teotihuacan and its extraordinary architecture.
Reviewed By FerringFerret - Ferring, United Kingdom
We were given a present of a free balloon trip over the Piramides. However this required us to leave our hotel in Mexico City and drive 75 mins to the balloon site to arrive before sunrise. This particular early morning was unusually cold and everyone was dressed in thick clothing except us who thought the weather was not unlike the standard UK weather for this time of year. However, it is worth having some gloves as you do need to hold on to the basket during the 45-60 minutes flight. We had to wait at the site for around an hour (why get people there so early?) before they started inflating the balloons which is pretty quick and quite interesting to watch. We then walked over to our designated balloon and climbed in - we needed some steps to help us climb aboard. We were just two couples and the pilot and that was just comfortable - more than that could be a bit restrictive on moving around in the basket as there are large gas cylinders in each corner. There is quite a bit of noise every time the gas burner is ignited and perhaps worthwhile to have ear defenders on to reduce the noise and keep your ears warm - the pilot had them on. You gradually climb towards the two Piramides and go past each of them allowing you to take photos. Landing is on ground near the Piramides and is somewhat liable to the vagaries of the prevailing wind. We crossed a cactus field on our descent but came to land with hardly a bump - not always the achieved result! We were provided with a celebratory drink while the ground crew deflated the balloon and packed it on to a truck. We then climbed inside the truck and went back to base where we were each given a certificate. Everyone was very friendly - quite a young group of people. If the wind is too strong they would have to cancel flights in the interest of safety which could be a little annoying if you had travelled all the way to the site.
5. Reino Animal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 141 reviews
Reviewed By mikis50 - Mexico City, Mexico
The place is huge, nos so many animals as you would expect, however you can interact with them and that is great.
First with small animals like sheep, calves, you can feed them withouth paying for food. As long as you wish since you are standing by the pens.
Then you board open buses, you buy food, and interact and feed big animals that aproach you, the giraffe´s head was inside the bus! Beautiful zebras and other gorgeous like bulls....
Then you board closed buses to see lions and tigers. The put some chicken liver in the bus´ bars so th animals will eat them and you have them 2 inches just in front of you!!
I went with my grandchildren ages 3.5 and 1.3 and it was a wonderful experience for all.
6. Flying Pictures Mexico
Overall Ratings
5 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By FSYMP - Mt Prospect, IL
This was of our first hot air ballooning experience. Simply AWESOME! Seeing the pyramids and the archaeological site from above is simply breathtaking. And as a bonus you get to fly over the city of San Juan Teotihuacan and its countryside.
Flying Pictures also known as Cameron Balloon Flights has outstanding professional pilots and is well organized. Because of their professionalism, we would recommend them over the 4 other balloon companies that operate in the area.
What sets Teotihuacan apart from other hot air ballooning sites is they operate almost every day of the year. The winds are typically very low. That leads to our last point. Flying Pictures offers great packages that include lodging and/or breakfast.
We highly recommend devoting at least 2 days to Teotihuacan. Visit the site on the ground the first day and then the next morning take a balloon ride. They pick you up at your hotel around 0615-0630 in the morning. Because it is early in the morning, it is best to dress warm with hat and gloves.
7. Volar en Globo
Overall Ratings
5 based on 56 reviews
Enjoy riding a hot-air balloon over Teotihuacan Pyramids, share with others the marvelous experience of this activity. At the end, we will toast together for concluding the adventure.
Reviewed By skemmo - Bedfordshire, United Kingdom
Having conducted a fairly extensive online search to find a balloon trip over Teotihuacan and discovered that the price for all tour operators about the same, I was really pleased to find these guys.
Their website is Spanish only and as my Spanish extends to ordering beers and Tequila, i took the chance to email them to see if they took direct bookings. They replied, in perfect English, very quickly and not only was their rate the best I found but they also could do a Friday trip (most of the tour operators seem to only do weekends) so I paid the initial deposit via PayPal and we waited.
As promised we were picked up from our hotel in Mexico City at the agreed time of 6am by one of the pilots and he drove the two of us the 45 minute ride to their offices and launch site.
There we were able to pay the balance via credit card and we were away!
The trip itself was amazing, as was the private guided tour of the site afterwards. I could way lyrical for hours about how good it was but just book for your self and see! Don't forget to pack your camera!
Do so reassured that these guys can deliver a brilliant day at a brilliant price.
8. FLY VOLARE
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 82 reviews
Reviewed By Tcanuth - Bloomington, Illinois
A little hard to find, especially in the dark at 530 in the morning but definitely worth it. No one really spoke english but they still tried to communicate with us.
We were served coffee/expresso and cookies until it was time to prepare the balloon.
We were invited to watch the preparation and to take a photo inside the balloon itself.
After, they finished filling it and we were helped in, they also offered to take pictures for us throughout.
After the photoshoot, our pilot Saul, pulled on the handle and the balloon began to rise slowly.
As we ascended, we got to watch the small town awaken and come alive. The pyramids became bigger and more detailed and as the sun rose the golden rays cast a beautiful light upon the eastern faces of the pyramids and ruins.
Saul piloted us between them, around them, and then took us higher to see the Mountains and the country side.
At sunrise, he surprised us with a bottle of moscato and a small tray of ham and grapes and other similar food items and we toasted the sunrise over the ruins.
Landing was an adventure and in my opinion was the most fun.
We watched them tear down the balloon immediately and load it into a truck and we all hopped in and drove 10 minutes back to the facility.
They even gave us a certificate of our first flight and gave us a ride to the pyramid gates.
I cannot recommend these guys more. Very helpful and professional and made it unforgettable. We are recommending this to anyone who will listen!
9. Teotihuacan Real Archaeology Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Live the best experience in Teotihuacan with a professional archaeologist as your guide, only in Teotihuacan Real Archaeology. The explanation is given by an specialist of the Teotihuacan culture. The tour takes around 3 to 4 hours. It's a walking tour, includes the pyramid of the Son, Moon, and Quetzalcoatl Temple.
Reviewed By danasta - Helsinki
Perhaps the best guided tour we've ever had, Jorge is knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. He has up to date information on the latest archaeological finds and knows the site very well. He put together a tour tailor made to our interests and tanks to him we saw and learned way more than we would have on our own. His rates are also very fair. Easily deserves 5 stars!
10. Gorila Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Tour company that provides the true Toltec experience with historical details for all Toltec and Aztec sites.
Reviewed By Cotney - Texas
We were picked up on time at our accommodation in Mexico City. Hour drive. Driver was courteous and drove well. Tour given by Quetzel. Informative and engaging. Lots of walking--for which we were prepared. Be sure to bring water. Did not enjoy being deposited at a tourist shop which was thinly disguised as a Tequila tasting. Only other recommendation is to either bring food or ensure a stop to eat. Our tour started at 9:30 am and didn't return until 3:30 pm, so we were hungry!
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