TEOTIHUACAN PRIVATE TOUR &SHARED HOT BALLOON

Your English-speaking local expert will be waiting for you at your hotel or Airbnb lobby in Mexico City with a great smile at 5:30 a.m. On this tour we’re not able to change the pickup time, since the hot balloon flights run on a fixed schedule — if you’d rather fly in the second shift (usually an hour after the first), just ask your local expert.

We take the toll highway to Teotihuacán, arriving at the balloon port around 6:20 a.m. for check-in. Since this is your private tour, we won’t make any additional stops unless you want to. On the way, your local expert shares stories about Mexico City, Mexican traditions and local life, plus a broad look at Mexican cultures, so once you’re at the ruins you can focus on the architecture and specific facts of ancient Teotihuacán. The ride is about an hour, with plenty of cold water in the van.

Once at the launch site, you’ll check in — bring an ID for this. Afterward, enjoy a small coffee break while watching the balloons being prepared, with time to take photos on the ground. Staff will then call you to meet your balloon and your captain.

Depending on the weather, the flight can pass close to Teotihuacán with a breathtaking sunrise view. The captain picks the best landing spot, and staff drive you back to the starting point, where a breakfast buffet awaits: chilaquiles, scrambled eggs, black beans, seasonal fruit, yogurt, bread, juices, coffee and tea.

Once at Teotihuacán, we take advantage of arriving early — the first stops are the Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon and the Temple of Quetzalcóatl. You’ll get an intimate encounter with the pyramids and be able to take incredible pictures without crowds.

The site opened to the public in 1910, discovered by Leopoldo Batres, one of Mexico’s first archaeologists. Highlights include the Temple of Quetzalcóatl, the Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon, the Temple of Quetzalpapálotl, the Avenue of the Dead and the Puma Mural. It starts getting hot around 10:30 a.m., so bring water and stay hydrated.

Everything is done at your pace and you can stay as long as you want. Your guide, fluent in English and certified by the INAH, gives an extensive narrative about the site and Teotihuacán culture and loves answering questions.

After Teotihuacán, on the way back to the city you can choose to visit the second-most-visited Catholic site in the world, the Basílica de Guadalupe — a compound of buildings dedicated to Mexico’s most iconic religious tradition, tied to the legend of the vision of the Virgin Mary at the Hill of Tepeyac.

The Basílica opened to the public in the 1700s. Highlights include the New Cathedral, the original 1700s Cathedral, the Capilla de los Indios, the Capilla del Pocito and the Capilla del Cerro del Tepeyac. Weekends can be a little busier, with baptisms and mass taking place.

When you’re ready, we head back to your hotel or Airbnb — traffic into the city can add 30 to 45 minutes to the ride. The tour is planned to be back around 4:00 p.m., but since everything runs at your pace, the exact return time is up to you. You’re free to head back early or skip any activity you don’t want to do.