Teotihuacan Hot Air Balloon Flight Mexico City

A balloon flight over Teotihuacan

A balloon flight over Teotihuacan gives a view that is impossible from the ground. As the sun rises, you drift above the Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon and the long Avenue of the Dead, and see how the ancient city was laid out on a grid. The Valley of Mexico spreads out beyond, with mountains on the horizon. Many travellers search for a Teotihuacan hot air balloon ride because of the combination of archaeology and dawn light.

The flight is led by a pilot, and the length depends on the option. The 45-minute and 15-minute options are flights without transport, while the default option includes the flight together with the guided visits. Flights depend on weather and wind, and the pilot makes the final decision, so a change of plan is possible.

An early start and what to wear

The day begins very early, with the default option starting at about 4:20 AM at the meeting point in Mexico City. Mornings at this altitude can be cold, even when the day warms up later, so wear layers, closed shoes and a hat. Sun protection is useful for the guided visit later in the day.

Breakfast is included, and a flight certificate is part of the experience. Professional photographs are not included, so bring your own camera or phone with a secure strap. If you are asking about the best time for a Teotihuacan balloon flight, sunrise is the standard time because winds are usually calmer then.

The guided visit to Teotihuacan

In the default option, the balloon flight is followed by a guided visit to Teotihuacan on foot, with entrance included. Walk the Avenue of the Dead, see the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon from the ground and learn how the city was planned. The site was inscribed by UNESCO in 1987, and it was one of the largest cities of its era.

Seeing the pyramids from above and then from below makes the scale easier to understand. Climbing the pyramids is restricted at present, so follow your guide's instructions. Comfortable shoes are essential for the long walk across open ground, and the sun gets stronger as the morning goes on.

The Basilica of Guadalupe and choosing your option

The default option finishes with a guided visit to the Basilica of Guadalupe, one of the most visited Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world. It honours the Virgin of Guadalupe, who is said to have appeared in 1531 on the Tepeyac hill, and the modern basilica was completed in 1976. Dress respectfully with covered shoulders.

Other options are shorter: the flight with breakfast and return transport takes about six and a half hours, and the 45-minute flight with breakfast takes about four and a half hours with no transport. The 15-minute flight takes about three hours, also without transport, and for these you make your own way to a meeting point near Teotihuacan.