Teotihuacan, Mexico, is one of the most impressive cities in pre-Hispanic Mesoamerica. Home to the Pyramid of the Sun (the largest in Mesoamerica) and the Pyramid of the Moon (the second largest), Teotihuacan reveals its secrets as visitors progress along the Causeway of the Dead. 

Huge stone buildings adorned with serpent heads, murals, and staircases recall the magnificence of the site, which reached its peak between the third and fourth centuries A.D. and remains an archeological mystery.

Where is Teotihuacan? Located in the municipality of San Juan Teotihuacan in the State of Mexico, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Given Teotihuacan’s colossal architecture and cultural wealth, it is a well-deserved accolade.

The pyramids of Teotihuacan and other constructions inspire awe, including the Pyramid of the Sun, honoring the god Huitzilopochtli; the Pyramid of the Moon, dedicated to the goddess Chalchiuhtlicue; the Causeway of the Dead; the Citadel; the Temple of Quetzalcoatl; the Palace of the Jaguars, the complex of mythological animals; and the Palace of Quetzalpapalotl.  

This archeological zone is also a center for recreational activities ranging from hot air balloon rides, offering visitors a special view of the area’s splendor, to more mystical journeys such as “energy-charging” sessions with an emphasis on equinoxes and solstices.

To complement this trip to the Mexican past, visit  the Teotihuacan Museum with stone sculptures and works made of obsidian, pottery, shell, and bone created by Teotihuacans and people from elsewhere. The city was a center of trade and, as a result, the museum also includes works from Mexico’s other pre-Hispanic cultures.

Modern crafts can be purchased here, including imitations of pre-Hispanic figures made by local people in black and white obsidian, jade, and wood, along with masks and other typical objects from the entire country.