Day Trips to Teotihuacan Pyramids and Guadalupe Shrine from Mexico City

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.

If you're in Mexico City and you're interested in seeing some of the country's most important historical sites, a good option is to book an excursion that will take you to Teotihuacan and the Guadalupe Sanctuary.

This adventure starts early in the morning, when a specialised guide will pick you up at your hotel. Once in Teotihuacan, you will be able to visit some of the monuments:

• 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 the Pyramids 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 Sanctuary of Guadalupe, 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 centre.

Details of interest

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

If you want to have an unforgettable experience, I advise you to consider a tour to Teotihuacan with priority access and a complimentary shot of tequila for a completely Mexican afternoon.

With priority access, you'll avoid the long queues and have more time to explore. After the guided tour, you'll have free time to explore Teotihuacan 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.

If you are looking for a unique experience in Mexico City, a hot air 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 tour, 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 a unique experience begins. 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 savour 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 excursions: 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.

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 kilometres in distance. This tour offers a different way to enjoy the landscapes and historical monuments of the site, as well as the best panoramic views.

The tour starts 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 Mexico City's best bike tours, 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 can 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.

Interesting details

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

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

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

On a tour of Teotihuacan, the Guadalupe Sanctuary and Tlatelolco from Mexico City, you can visit three of the most emblematic and representative places of Mexico's history and culture:

• The tour generally starts at the Sanctuary of Guadalupe, where the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is located, one of the most sacred places for Catholics worldwide.
• 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.
• At the archaeological site of Teotihuacan you can admire the impressive pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, as well as other structures and temples.

If you plan to visit the main archaeological sites in Mexico City, here are some tips to help you get the most out of your tour:

• Plan ahead: be sure to book your excursion in advance and check schedules and tour details. It is also important to check access regulations to the archaeological sites.
• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes: The hike through the archaeological site of Teotihuacan 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 yourself 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: Tour guides can provide interesting and valuable information about the history and culture of Teotihuacan. Pay attention to their explanations and don't hesitate to ask questions.

There are several reasons why a trip to Teotihuacan from Mexico City is recommended, but mainly because the site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so visiting the pyramids and exploring the ancient city is a unique opportunity to learn about the history and culture of the pre-Hispanic civilisation.

You can also take in the historical value and natural beauty of the site, as Teotihuacan is also a place 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 plenty to experience on the way to the archaeological site.

There are several advantages to taking a guided tour to visit Teotihuacan compared to 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 can also take a break and hand over the organisation to a third party, which will enhance your experience.

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

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