Teotihuacan
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Teotihuacán The City of the Gods, is an Aztec archeological site 40 km northeast of Mexico City. Náhuatl for "the place where men became gods", Teotihuacan is home to some of the largest ancient pyramids in the world. According to legend, it was here where the gods gathered to plan the creation of man.
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[edit] Understand
Teotihuacan was the largest Pre-Columbian city in the Americas, reaching a total population of 150,000 at its height. The name is also used to refer to the civilization this city dominated, which at its greatest extent included most of Mesoamerica.
Construction of Teotihuacán commenced around 300 BC, with the Pyramid of the Sun built by 150 BC. The city reached its zenith approx. 150–450 AD.
It is said that the decendents of this city abandonded this city and relocated in Tenochtitlan because it was thought to be a more sacred location.
A lot of artifacts have wisely been moved to National Anthropological Museum, in Mexico City. Elevation: 2,300m/7482f
[edit] Get in
By car (or taxi) - it will take about 45 minutes from the city center if you use the toll motorway, much longer if you use the old free road. There is a small fee for parking at the site. A taxi may work out prohibitively expensive, though sometimes "tours" with a car and driver/guide can be arranged for a reasonable fee if you want the convenience.
By bus - Take the yellow metro line in Mexico City to Autobuses del Norte. Once inside the station walk towards Gate 8. There is a ticket both almost at the end of the concourse. A one way ticket will run you 27 pesos (October 2006). Autobuses Teotihuacán leave the North bus station every half an hour or so. Check that your bus goes to the site entrance of Teotihuacan ruinas and not just to the town of San Juan Teotihuacán nearby. It will take around an hour, and the buses run until about 6pm - check the last departure before you leave.
By tour bus - most travel agencies offer half or full day tours to the site, often combined with the Plaza de las Tres Culturas and the Basilica of Guadalupe, both of which are outside the city center. It’s a convenient way to combine the three, but note our comments above about getting to the site early. The price is around 200 pesos ($25). As with guided tours everywhere in the world, these tours will waste much of your time by pimping gift shops, but they are still a convenient way to get here for Mexico City-based tourists.
[edit] Get around
There is an entrance fee to enter the park. Walking is required as there is no other way to navigate the complex, unless you have a car, then you can drive around the perimeter (if you are staying at the hotel in the park). If you tire easily, pack light for this excursion (i.e., no backpacks, heavy purses, etc).
There are plenty of park police there, they may limit your driving around the site unless you are staying at the hotel. Taxi drivers are not allowed to drive you around the site, you must have a destination, like the restaraunt, inside of the park.
[edit] See
This site has alot of small pyramids, but essentially there are only four main attractions.
The Temple of the Moon - A medium sized pyramid off from the center of the complex.
The Temple of the Sun - The largest pyramid in the structure with an excellent view of the surrounding mountains. Wear sunscreen, they don't call it the Temple of the Sun for nothing.
The Temple of Quetzacotl - One of the most sacred Temples in the complex. This temple is decorated with many stone dragon heads.
Museo Teotihuacán, The museum at the park with outstanding displays and a miniture recreation of the entire site. Well worth the visit.
There are also some smaller structures surrounding the complex, no more than four or five meters in height. A drive around the perimeter, on the road along the park will provide many surprises and is worth the trip. Hitching a ride or even paying a few peso's for a ride will be worth the effort.
[edit] Do
You can exit one of the back gates into the adjacent town of San Juan Teotihuacán. There you can shop for consumer items like groceries, water, bakery items, fresh OJ and such. Nice little town. Get a Telemex prepaid calling card for Mexico's pay phones. They are available from several vendors and the savings are substantial.
[edit] Buy
There are a lot of vendors selling silver product. Remember in México, silver is thought to be cheap and only for tourists. You will find a lot of silver products at this location. Also, you will find obsidian rocks for sale. Some of these types of things will be just a round stone, or something more elaborate like a statue. Also, there will be salesmen everywhere with Aztec flutes.
Around the inside perimiter of the site you will find several shops that not only sell, but also manufacture obsidian art and other stone objects for sale. Shop and compare quality and prices before buying.
[edit] Eat
There are a plenty of restaurants near the exits of the complex, inside and outside of the park and in the hotels in San Juan Teotihuacan as well as grocery stores and bakeries. Consider having one prepare a picknick for you and enjoy it at the park.
Restaurante La Gruta is located on the eastern perimeter around Teotihuacan, 500 meters down the road across from the "Puerta No. 5" entrance. The restaurant is located deep inside a subterranean cave and illuminated by two large holes on the side along with other ambient lighting. There is a bar with a vast selection of beers, wines, and liquors. Prepare for the possibility of a serenade by a small Mariachi band or weekend shows featuring live Aztec dancers.
HOTEL VILLA ARQUEOLOGICA of TEOTIHUACAN is located inside of the park and close to the entrance it has a very pleasant dining room serving 3 meals a day. It is reasonably priced, food is excellent and the staff very helpful.
Museo Teotihuacán, The museum at the park has a restaurant.
[edit] Drink
There are alot of small vendors in and outside the complex that sell water, juices, and sodas. Alcohol is available at the hotel and several vendors around the perimeter (on the road) sell cold beer.
[edit] Sleep
HOTEL VILLA ARQUEOLOGICA of TEOTIHUACAN, is the only hotel located in the archaeological zone at only 5 minutes walking distance from the main entrance of the site. The hotel is open all year round, and is accessible to the public. There is a small swimming pool, dining room and patio. The rooms are a bit small, but very clean. There is secure parking, having a car at the site is a real plus! You will be allowed to drive around the entire site without much restriction. teocchef01@clubmed.com [1] Phone: 011 52 55 58 36 90 20 (from USA/Canda/Abroad)
[edit] Cope
The main thing you will notice inside and around the complex are people constantly approaching you trying to sell you trinkets. Be prepared, as this will be unusual if you have never been to Mexico before. Sometimes they can be very aggressive and persistant. If you are not interested, don't make eye contact or they will continue to harrass you.
The climb to the top of the pyramids is a long one. You may want to take several breaks on the way up, unless you are exceptionally fit or young.
There are numerous stray dogs around the park, they do not seem to be dangerous, but touching them, feeding them or paying any attention to them is not in your best interest, especially at the restaraunts.
[edit] Get out
The only way to get out of the area is by bus back to México City. They come by the entrance every 30 minutes or so.