Mexico Pyramids – Awestruck in Teotihuacan

Maybe every civilization, during their time, feels like they are at the apex of what humankind can accomplish. Perhaps we are all insolent about the time we live in (the internet, self-driving cars, come on!). Every now and again, if you are fortunate, you see something that someone else created that took them beyond ANYTHING that could be fathomed at the time. Visiting the Teotihuacan Pyramids in Mexico left us with that sense of wonder.

Teotihuacan Pyramids in Mexico

For someone who sold all her worldly possessions and moved to Mexico, it is astonishing how much I do not know about my new country. I had no idea the third largest pyramid in the WORLD is in Teotihuacan, Mexico. Mexico City is an enormous city with all the accoutrements of urban living; however, just 30 minutes away stands a massive pyramid constructed around 200 AD. For the sake of relatability, imagine going to a Broadway Show in NYC one evening, then checking out a couple of pyramids in New Jersey the following morning. Such is the enigma of Mexico City!

Unsolved Mysteries of the Pyramids

Perhaps the most fascinating thing about these pyramids in Mexico is that they remain quite a mystery. Who built them? What purpose did they serve? Researchers have found buried animals and decapitated human remains. Were there so many sacrifices to the Gods that they needed both the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon? Hopefully, our friends in the anthropology field will keep unearthing clues. Until then, we will make up our own gory version to support Teotihuacan’s existence.

Recap of our visit to the Pyramids in Teotihuacan, Mexico

As the title of this post indicates, the pyramids left us awestruck. The sheer magnitude of the structures filled our minds with a million existential questions. The answers to those questions surely remain at the summit of the Pyramid of the Sun, which we were dismayed to learn visitors are currently not permitted to climb. (There was some sort of COVID-related justification, but the logic is lost on me.) Our disappointment notwithstanding, this was unquestionably a great excursion. If you are ever near Mexico City, you MUST make a quick trip to see this UNESCO World Heritage Site!

Brad’s Side of the Story

Practical Matters:

Tickets – purchased at the gate for 80 pesos each (currently $4 USD).

Transportation – We used Uber both ways. On the way there, our Uber driver told us we would have a hard time finding an Uber back. He offered to stay there and bring us back for an additional $150. Considering it cost us $30 to get there, I decided to call his bluff (knowing our worst case scenario would be riding a public bus back to CDMX). We were ready to leave around 3:00pm and only waited about 10 minutes for an Uber back to CDMX. The ride back cost $15.

Concessions – Lots of small restaurants outside of the site. We ate at Restaurant Estrellas, just outside gate #2. It was simple, but tasty food at a good price.

COVID Protocol – It was an outdoor site where visitors were required to wear masks. Social distancing was suggested, but not necessarily adhered to. If the pyramids had been open to climb, people would have been more dispersed (but perhaps the crowd would have been much larger too).

Restrooms – located outside of gate 2. They looked a little rustic, so I opted to wait until we got to the restaurant.

Teddy Friendly? – I saw signage prohibiting dogs (though there were strays hanging around the entry gate).

Get Off My Lawn Moments – Vendors were selling these god-awful whistles that sound like pumas. It wasn’t just one or two… it was almost CONSTANT puma screaming. Ugh!

Would we go back? – Yes. I am climbing that pyramid!