Can You Do Teotihuacan Solo Without a Tour from Mexico City?

Hola amigos! I'm Angela 👋

A local and certified tour guide and history enthusiast.

Anyways, I've guided literally 1,000s of people through Teotihuacan... and there's a question I see people ask and give advice about a lot:

"Can I just visit Teotihuacan on my own without a tour?"

A local and certified tour guide, history enthusiast, and If you're wondering this too...

Then you're in the right place!

Here are the honest pros and cons of going solo vs. taking a tour to the Teotihuacan pyramids by Mexico City.

Plus I'll reveal something that most solo travelers don't realize until it's too late... 🙂

So, let's get straight to it...

Can You Visit Teotihuacan Solo?

Short answer: Yes!

Teotihuacan is completely open to individual visitors. You don't need a tour to enter.

You can take a bus from Mexico City, arrive at the site, buy your ticket, and walk around the pyramids all on your own.

(Here's a blog post I did where I talk about how to get to Teotihuacan)

But here's...

What Nobody Tells You About Visiting Teotihuacan Solo

This is what most people do when they visit solo:

After making the journey from Mexico City (about 1-2 hours depending on your transportation).

You walk through the entrance gate... see the massive Pyramid of the Sun rising before you...

And then you think, "Wow, that's a big pile of stones!"

& that's it.

You take some pictures, walk around, maybe read a few information plaques, and head home.

And you missed the amazing secrets, stories and ancient history that makes the pyramids one of the most amazing things in Mexico City.

You never understand why certain pyramids are positioned at very specific astronomical angles...

And you'll never heard about some of the mysterious findings beneath the pyramids...

And you'll miss all kinds of fascinating details that make Teotihuacan so magical.

That's why I WOULDN'T recommend going solo to Teotihuacan.

But... like everything there IS pros and cons.

Pros & Cons of Going Solo to Teotihuacan

✅ Pros of Going Solo

Benefit #1: You *Might* Save Money Going Solo to Teotihuacan

A basic entrance ticket to Teotihuacan costs about $90 MXN ($5 USD). And if you take public transportation, your total cost might be around $165 MXN ($8 USD) round trip. So if you don't pay for a guide at the pyramids, you just spent ~$13-$15 total.

If you take an Uber, you're looking to spend ~$40-$50 round trip.

And if you pay a guide at the pyramids $30-$40.

Which is why I honestly just recommend booking one of my tours because I pick you up from your hotel/Airbnb, bring you there and back, AND give you a complete tour (we can even stop at a restaurant) for just $1,400 MXN (or $70) per person.

But okay okay... I'm a little bias 🙂

Benefit #2: You're Completely Alone

Some people just like to be alone, and that's okay!

On my tours obviously I would be teaching and talking about the things you're seeing (like all the neighborhoods and cool things about how Mexico City REALLY is... the pyramids, and more).

But I understand some people don't care much about those things.

❌ Cons of Going Solo

Con #1: The "What Am I Looking At?" Problem

This is THE biggest problem.

Because Teotihuacan isn't just about pretty pyramids... it's about the STORIES behind them!

Without someone explaining what you're seeing, you're basically looking at piles of stones with zero context.

The archaeological site doesn't have many detailed information signs, and the few that exist don't tell you the fascinating stories, theories, and recent discoveries that make this place so special.

I can't tell you how many times people have said to me that they wish they knew all the stuff I explained when they visited themselves before.

Seriously, that happens ALL the time.

Con #2: Getting to Restaurants Is Hard

Teotihuacan is HUGE - over 8 square miles!

And if you're hungry, you have to walk even further to the restaurants.

But if you're on one of my tours, I just bring you there.

Con #3: Getting to Teotihuacan Solo Can Be a Hassle

Because you'll need to either take a bus (can be a little confusing).

Or pay for an Uber (which is more expensive than one of my tours)... and can be not a good idea to rely on for transportation BACK to the city.

My Suggestion if You DO Go Solo To The Pyramids

If you decide to go alone (I won't judge... much! 😉), here's the route I'd recommend:

1. Go to Teotihuacan on the bus - click here to see how to get there
2. Enter through Gate 1 or 2 - Most buses will drop you off near these entrances
3. Start at the Citadel and Temple of Quetzalcoatl - This gives you a good introduction to the site
4. Check out the Pyramid of the Sun - The third-largest pyramid in the world!
5. Walk down the Avenue of the Dead - The main thoroughfare of ancient Teotihuacan
6. Continue to the Pyramid of the Moon - Smaller but equally impressive
7. Check out the Palace of Quetzalpapalotl - Don't miss the colorful murals underneath!
8. Finish at the on-site museums - They have some artifacts that help explain what you've seen

But the only thing wrong with that is you'll be walking past SO many fascinating details without even realizing they're there!

Which is...

The REAL Reason Why Tours Make a Difference

The real magic of Teotihuacan isn't just SEEING the pyramids - it's UNDERSTANDING them.

And hearing about all the cool things...

Like the mysterious liquid mercury found beneath one pyramid...

Or the evidence of human sacrifice discovered in specific locations...

Or why certain buildings align perfectly with celestial events...

But when you join a tour (whether it's mine or another good one), you're not just paying for transportation or convenience. You're paying for:

1. Stories that bring ancient stones to life - How did people live here 2,000 years ago? What did they believe? Why did they suddenly abandon this massive city?
2. Hidden details you'd walk right past - Special symbols carved into stones, architectural features with astronomical significance, and evidence of ancient rituals
3. Recent discoveries that aren't in guidebooks - The archaeology at Teotihuacan is an ongoing thing and there's always new findings
4. Cultural context - Like how Teotihuacan influenced later civilizations like the Aztecs, and how it continues to shape Mexican culture today.

My Final Advice... To Tour, or Not to Tour?

Can you do Teotihuacan without a tour? Absolutely!

Should you? Well... that depends on what kind of experience you want.

If you just want to see some impressive pyramids and take cool Instagram photos, then going solo is alright.

But if you want to understand Mexican culture, and what you're looking at and experience the wonder of connecting with an ancient civilization... a guided tour makes all the difference.

Whatever you decide, just remember to bring water, wear sunscreen, and prepare to be amazed by one of the most incredible archaeological sites in the world!

Adios!

Your Tour Guide,

Angela

P.S. If you DO want to join one of my small-group or private tours to Teotihuacan (where I'll share all the secrets of Teotihuacan), then click here now!

We leave early to avoid the crowds and heat, and I GUARANTEE you won't find another tour like mine!