Simply outdoors higher Mexico Metropolis, the ruins of Teotihuacan are a spot of large pyramids and profound thriller.
The traditional metropolis is so previous that the Aztecs, the dominant group within the Valley of Mexico on the time of the arrival of the Spanish, didn’t even know who constructed it.
Right this moment, there’s a lot hypothesis concerning the origins of Teotihuacan, though not many details. Archeological analysis is ongoing, with new tunnels and chambers nonetheless being found and explored.
I used to be lucky sufficient to go to Teotihuacan a number of occasions throughout the a few years I lived in Mexico.
I’ve taken public transportation from Mexico Metropolis to get there, and I’ve pushed alone. I’ve taken associates who have been visiting Mexico for the primary time, and I’ve gone all on my own. Every go to was an unforgettable expertise.
Visiting Teotihuacan is among the prime day journeys from Mexico Metropolis and one of many finest issues to see in Mexico. Don’t miss it.
Study every part that you must find out about visiting the Teotihuacan Ruins on this information.
Teotihuacan Ruins Information and Historical past
As talked about, it’s unclear which tradition based Teotihuacan and constructed its immense pyramids and temples. The 2 almost definitely teams are the Toltecs and the Totonacs.
The Toltecs have been from central Mexico, they usually’re finest identified immediately for his or her improbably large statues and head carvings, which could be seen at archeological websites similar to Tula.
Their peak got here between that of Teotihuacan and the rise of the Aztecs, they usually exerted a deep affect on many Mesoamerican cultures.
The Totonacs are from what’s the state of Veracruz immediately. The folks nonetheless exist, and a part of their perception system is that their ancestors have been those accountable for constructing Teotihuacan.
Proof does present, nonetheless, that Teotihuacan was dwelling to a number of cultures from numerous elements of pre-Hispanic Mexico, together with the Toltecs, Totonacs, Mayans, Mixtecs, and Zapotecs.
Compounding the thriller of its origin is the thriller of its language. The residents of Teotihuacan had a written language, however researchers haven’t but deciphered it.
Consequently, the unique identify of the town additionally isn’t identified. Teotihuacan is a Nahuatl phrase meaning “the place the place males turn into gods.” It was given by the Aztecs, who arrived within the Valley of Mexico round 1250 CE, centuries after the demise of Teotihuacan.
Teotihuacan was most likely settled as early as 400 BC. The height of the town, when it was dwelling to greater than 100,000 folks, was from 100 BC to 650 CE. Town coated 8 sq. miles and was the most important metropolis within the Western Hemisphere.
The lengthy collapse and abandonment of the town got here subsequent. One idea is {that a} brutal class conflict occurred between the town’s highly effective elite and the rather more quite a few poorer lessons.
Supporting this idea is proof of a big hearth that occurred round 550 CE. Regardless of the causes for its decline, Teotihuacan was absolutely deserted by 750 CE.
Teotihuacan Pyramids and Temples to Go to
Right here’s a breakdown of crucial temples to go to at Teotihuacan.
Pyramid of the Solar and Pyramid of the Moon
The 2 most vital buildings are the Pyramid of the Solar and the Pyramid of the Moon, that are often known as the Temple of the Solar and the Temple of the Moon.
The Pyramid of the Solar is the largest construction on the ruins of Teotihuacan. At 213 ft tall, it’s the third-highest pyramid on this planet, slightly greater than half as tall because the Nice Pyramid at Giza, Egypt.
The Pyramid of the Solar is definitely six pyramids, each constructed over the opposite. And beneath all of it is a cave.
Working in entrance of the Pyramid of the Solar is the Avenue of the Lifeless (Calle de los Muertos). This broad thoroughfare goes from the Pyramid of the Moon on its north finish to the Ciudadela advanced on the south finish, close to the primary entrance to the park.
On the best way, the Avenue of the Lifeless passes many ceremonial platforms that home intricate murals and carvings. When Teotihuacan was an lively metropolis, the street was 40 meters broad and 4 kilometers lengthy.
On the far finish of the Avenue of the Lifeless, the 147-foot-tall Pyramid of the Moon is the second largest construction on the archeological website. It was a spot of human and animal sacrifices.
An excavation of the pyramid uncovered 12 human our bodies, 10 of which have been decapitated, together with a menagerie of untamed animal corpses that included jungle cats and eagles.
Palace of Quetzalpapálotl
The Palace of Quetzalpapálotl is essentially the most vital construction within the plaza earlier than the Pyramid of the Moon. The detailed carvings inside its interior courtyard shouldn’t be missed.
Tepantitla Palace
East of the Pyramid of the Moon, the Tepantitla Palace is slightly out of the best way from the Avenue of the Lifeless. It has a number of the most spectacular murals on the whole archeological website.
La Ciudadela
Reverse the Pyramid of the Moon on the Avenue of the Lifeless, La Ciudadela (the Citadel, or ceremonial plaza) is an expansive courtyard that incorporates the Temple of Quetzalcoatl.
Quetzalcoatl was the Feathered Serpent and an essential god to most Mesoamerican cultures. His temple is embellished with giant carvings of toothy snake heads with slithering our bodies, together with pictures of marine life, similar to clams and conch shells.
Issues to Do on the Teotihuacan Ruins
Climbing the pyramids is among the finest issues to do while you’re visiting Teotihuacan. Usually, you’ll be able to go all the best way to the highest to the tallest, the Pyramid of the Solar, and to a platform about midway up the second tallest, the Pyramid of the Moon.
You can even climb and enter lots of the different temples and ceremonial plazas. A few of them include well-restored murals or lurid carvings. Guidelines can change, so be certain that to test and see when you’re allowed to climb the pyramids earlier than doing so.
There are two museums on the ruins of Teotihuacan, and entry to each is included together with your ticket.
The Museum of Teotihuacan Murals, close to Gate 3A, has fragments of various kinds of historic murals, which is a particular Mexican artwork kind that continues to be practiced to the current day.
The Museum of Teotihuacan Tradition, near Gate 5, has everlasting exhibitions of artifacts from the traditional metropolis and details about present archeological analysis. The museum additionally has a sculpture backyard and a botanical backyard.
A well-liked exercise is to fly over the Teotihuacan ruins in a scorching air balloon. Verify the part under about Teotihuacan excursions for extra data.
You possibly can expertise the Teotihuacan ruins after darkish with the Experiencia Nocturna en Teotihuacán (Nocturnal Expertise in Teotihuacan) present, which begins with a guided tour of the park and continues with a light-weight and sound present.
Not like the ruins themselves, that you must purchase advance tickets for the sunshine present by means of Ticketmaster. You should buy tickets from the Ticketmaster webpage after which decide them up at a Ticketmaster outlet in Mexico Metropolis.
The Teotihuacan ruins (and the city of Teotihuacan) are the occasional website of music festivals, such because the Pageant Música para los Dioses (Music for the Gods Pageant), a rock pageant that included tenting. It’s unclear whether or not this pageant will proceed to be held. Verify the Fb web page for extra data.
The city of San Juan Teotihuacan celebrates a number of yearly festivals. An important is the birthday of John the Baptist, the patron saint of the city, which takes place in late June.
It is a good time to spend the evening in a neighborhood resort to expertise an actual small-town Mexican pageant. There might be meals, music, ingesting, dancing, and many fireworks.
After all, visiting Teotihuacan is an effective method to work up an urge for food. Luckily, the Teotihuacan ruins are surrounded by eating places that serve consultant native meals.
The most effective and most attention-grabbing is La Gruta Restaurant. It’s inside a big cave of volcanic origin. It’s considerably on the costly aspect, however the meals is excellent and common folks dance exhibits are placed on. La Gruta has had many well-known diners, even Queen Elizabeth II.
Positioned reverse the park from the primary entrance (and the parking zone), La Gruta is a ten minute drive or 30 minute stroll from there. It’s a lot nearer to Gate 4 (close to the Tepantitla Palace), so when you plan on going, go away the park from that exit.
Finest Teotihuacan Excursions from Mexico Metropolis
Yow will discover many excursions for visiting Teotihuacan, similar to ones that go away early and skip the road. Others embrace liquor tastings, journeys in scorching air balloons, and stops at different Mexico Metropolis points of interest.
From Mexico Metropolis: Teotihuacan Early Entry & Liquor Tasting
This Teotihuacan tour will get you to the ruins early within the morning and skips the road. It contains lunch and a cease for tasting the consultant Mexican liquors tequila, mezcal, and pulque.
Scorching Air Balloon Flight over Teotihuacan, from Mexico Metropolis
On this extremely rated Teotihuacan tour, you’ll spend 45 minutes in a scorching air balloon flying over the archeological zone. The full time is 5 hours, and it contains breakfast and transportation from Mexico Metropolis.
Teotihuacan, Tlatelolco, Guadalupe Shrine and Tequila Tasting Tour
This tour combines a visit to the ruins with two different well-known points of interest in Mexico Metropolis.
The ruins of Tlatelolco, positioned within the Plaza of Three Cultures (pre-Hispanic, Spanish colonial, and trendy Mexico), was the ultimate refuge of the Aztecs throughout the Spanish conquest.
The Guadalupe Shrine incorporates the unique Virgin of Guadalupe portray and is among the most essential Catholic websites in Mexico.
5 Prime Suggestions for Visiting Teotihuacan
Listed here are my finest suggestions for visiting this historic website.
Go early within the day
An important tip for visiting Teotihuacan is to go early. For those who’re doing it by yourself, permit a minimum of three hours for taking the metro to the bus station, shopping for tickets, using the bus, and at last shopping for tickets for the ruins.
Getting there early won’t solely beat the crowds, however you can even climb the pyramids earlier than it will get too scorching.
Put on correct clothes
There’s hardly any shade on the Teotihuacan ruins, so carry safety from the solar. Make sure you put on good footwear for climbing. Flip flops might maintain your ft cool, however they’re not very sturdy on rugged stones.
Be agency, however sort to distributors
Teotihuacan is filled with distributors promoting all types of souvenirs of various levels of tackiness. You’ll certainly get uninterested in listening to the loud jaguar name the seller’s blow each jiffy.
A smile, a fast shake of the pinnacle, and a agency “gracias” (“thanks,” which additionally means “no thanks”) is one of the best ways to take care of them. Please don’t be impolite — they’re solely attempting to make a dwelling — however you shouldn’t apologize or specific curiosity, or one might observe you round for some time, being a nuisance.
Go to the museum
You must make time to go to the museums, that are considerably simple to overlook off of the Avenue of the Lifeless. They’ve attention-grabbing displays and informative explanations, together with air con, which you will discover extra useful.
Cease for a meal (and a drink)
Lastly, I extremely advocate consuming at La Gruta. It has an exquisite setting and the meals is superb, with excellent variations of conventional dishes. They’ve good margaritas too.
Bear in mind to regulate the time when you’ll be taking the bus again to Mexico Metropolis. You don’t wish to miss the final one. It may be laborious to maintain monitor of time while you’re consuming tacos and sipping tequila in a cave.
Planning on visiting different ruins in Mexico? See these associated articles:
- How To Go to The Tulum Ruins
- Visting Chichen Itza: A Information to the Ruins
- 10 Finest Mayan Ruins and Archaeological Websites in Mexico
Continuously Requested Questions
Beneath are some solutions to regularly requested questions on visiting Teotihuacan.
The place Are the Teotihuacan Ruins?
The Teotihuacan ruins are 25 miles (40 kilometers) northeast of Mexico Metropolis. They’re positioned within the State of Mexico within the city of San Juan Teotihuacan.
Methods to Get to Teotihuacan from Mexico Metropolis
Frequent buses depart from Mexico Metropolis’s North Bus Terminal and go on to the archeological website. The metro station on the terminal is known as Autobuses del Norte, and it’s on Line 5, the yellow line.
There’s no want to purchase tickets upfront. Simply present up, purchase the tickets, and get on the bus. You’ll have to stroll by means of the station and have a look at the indicators for every bus firm to search out the appropriate one.
While you purchase the tickets, ask what time the ultimate bus departs for the return journey to Mexico Metropolis. There could also be a timetable behind the counter, however nonetheless, affirm the schedule.
The journey from the North Bus Terminal to the ruins takes about two hours. Alternatively, you’ll be able to be a part of a tour so that you don’t have to fret about transportation.
Teotihuacan Ruins Opening Hours
At present, the ruins are open from 9:00 AM to fifteen:00 PM. Verify the official web site for any modifications.
Can I Climb the Teotihuacan Pyramids?
Throughout regular occasions, you’ll be able to climb all the best way to the highest of the Pyramid of the Solar, the best pyramid, and to a large platform about midway up the Pyramid of the Moon.
It’s a steep climb on lengthy staircases to the highest of the Pyramid of the Solar. Be sure you have good footwear and loads of water. And don’t overlook your digital camera — the views are spectacular.
When Is the Finest Time to Go to?
Mexico Metropolis is heat and sunny year-round. Its excessive elevation retains the temperature from being too oppressive, though the solar does beat down that a lot more durable.
Winter is clearly slightly cooler than summer season, however generally, you’ll be able to anticipate scorching however not brutally scorching climate for visiting Teotihuacan any time of the yr.
There are extra wet days in the summertime, though don’t cancel your plans due to rain, however carry an umbrella or raincoat and be additional cautious when climbing the pyramids.
So, the primary consideration about when to go to Teotihuacan is the crowds. Though there’s loads of area on the Avenue of the Lifeless and the encompassing temple complexes, lengthy traces might kind for climbing the pyramids, particularly the Pyramid of the Solar.
Teotihuacan will get rather more crowded on weekends, notably on Sunday when it’s free for residents and everlasting residents of Mexico.
Additionally, keep away from visiting Teotihuacan throughout peak journey season and Mexican holidays. Many Mexicans journey from December to early January (notably between Christmas and the New Yr) and from late July to early August.
One other busy day is on the spring equinox, when many shamans and spiritually minded folks go to to carry out ceremonies.
And completely keep away from visiting Teotihuacan throughout Semana Santa (Holy Week), the week earlier than Easter. It will likely be extraordinarily crowded each day.
Entrance Charge for the Teotihuacan Ruins
The worth for visiting Teotihuacan is 80 pesos ($4 USD) and there’s an extra payment of 45 pesos when you carry video tools. The ruins are free on Sunday for Mexican residents and everlasting residents of Mexico.
Parking on the Teotihuacan ruins prices 45 pesos.
Conclusion
Visiting Teotihuacan is undoubtedly one of many prime issues to do in Mexico Metropolis. It may nearly be thought-about a proper of passage for first-time guests to Mexico.
Actually, by looking on-line, you’ll discover photographs of all types of well-known folks on the ruins, together with David Bowie, the Doorways, Metallica, and each well-known Mexican and Latin American artist you’ll be able to think about.
Hey, if it was ok for Jim Morrison, James Hetfield, and Frida Kahlo, it’ll positively be ok for you.
Climbing the Teotihuacan pyramids is enjoyable, the view is magnificent, and as soon as on prime, you’ll certainly be overcome by the identical questions posed by the Aztecs greater than 800 years in the past. Who constructed these pyramids? And why?
Like This Article? Pin it!
The submit Visiting Teotihuacan, Mexico: A Information to The Ruins appeared first on Goats On The Street.
