Teotihuacán
We left for Teotihuacán early in the morning. The 25 mile bus ride from downtown Mexico City cost about 50 pesos or $2.65.
Teotihuacán is the largest pre-Colombian city that was home to around 125,000 people in the first century AD. The city covered around 32 square miles. It was sacked around 550 AD, ending it’s influence in the region. The city was already in ruins when the Aztecs grew in power. It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the most visited archeological site in Mexico, with more visitors than Chichén Itzá. Admission was 70 pesos or $3.75, which includes admission to the museum.
The Pyramid of the Sun (Pirámide del Sol) and the slightly smaller Pyramid of the Moon (Pirámide de la Luna).
What is unusual about Teotihuacán is that climbing on the pyramids is actually encouraged. You can’t do that at Chichén Itzá. The climb is quite strenuous and not for the faint of heart. I found it demoralizing to see the older ladies in high heels walking up without even breathing heavily. How do they do it?
The last stretch has a flimsy railing that you have to share with the folks coming back down. It is a daunting task but well worth the effort for the views from the peak.
After visiting the pyramids we visited the museum.
The scale model depicts the region as it was in it’s heyday.
The day was fun. It wasn’t too hot and we were in and out (look and leave!) before the throngs of tourists arrived.
The site is worth the trip and a very good value.
~ Freddy
