San Juan Teotihuacán y San Martín de las Pirámides
Read more
Slide to the left to continue
◈ Situated around what was one of the largest pre-Hispanic cities in Mesoamerica, these two Magical Towns combine ancient and colonial culture. The food is fusion of pre-Hispanic and Spanish cuisine. It’s where the chiming church bells blends with the percussion of the huéhuetl. They offer a chance to learn about ancient history through the life of these two towns.
.
.
- Getting your own obsidian souvenir.
- Flying in a hot air balloon over the archeological site.
- Exploring surrounding areas on bike.
.
.
Check out the palaces and temples of Calzada de los Muertos.
❖ Downtown San Juan Teotihuacan
Walk around the main square, with its porticos and gazebo. Founded in 1548, you can’t miss the sculpture of St. John the Baptist and the tower with floral designs atop the Ex Convento de San Juan Bautista and Catedral del Divino Redentor.
Be sure to check out the Open Chapel with its gorgeous arches and carved wood pulpit.
In Barrio de La Concepción, check out the Templo de Nuestra Señora de la Purificación. The church boasts a stunning, baroque, cantera stone facade.
❖ Teotihuacan Mural Museum
This museum was created in collaboration with the National Autonomous University of Mexico to share the artistic heritage of the pre-Hispanic city of Teotihuacan. It houses an extensive collection of archeological artifacts including carved stone, ceramics, and obsidian, as well as mural fragments, models, and texts explaining how the mural paintings were made.
❖ Palace of Quetzalpapálotl
Southwest of the Pyramid of the Moon there’s this residential area which is thought to have been occupied by an important priest. Quetzalpapálotl, from the Nahuatl quetzalli-papálotl (feather butterfly) is named for the main motif, which adorns the columns of the structure: a mythological bird with the body of a butterfly. Be sure to check out the murals and the pillars of the central courtyard, which are decorated in gorgeous bas-reliefs.
❖ Have an Amusing Afternoon in the Cactus Garden
Covering 37 acres, the garden boasts a collection of cacti from different parts of Mexico. You can visit one of the six ancient caves (preferably with a guide), walk along a hanging bridge, rappel, zipline, and camp. Contact the bike or ATV tour operators.
❖ Head to Reino Animal
This zoo offers pony and carriage rides. You can also see 130 animal species in complete liberty in a safari-like experience. The animals live in special environments ranging from prairies, deserts, woods, and forest.
No car needed to take the tour.
❖ Enjoy Regional Gastronomy
Here, you can enjoy some of the best specialties in the state. In addition to dishes like pozole and barbacoa soup. Be sure to try the garlic mushrooms and rabbit and quail dishes, served with cactus leaf or xoconostle.
If you’re up for it, you can try more out-there dishes like escamoles (ant larva fried in butter with epazote herb), snail soup, or snails with cactus leaf. Don’t leave without trying the michicuiles—the red worms found in the maguey stalk.
❖ Spring Equinox
Every year on March 21st, thousands of people come to Teotihuacan dressed in white for the spring equinox. In this ceremony, with its major ritual aspect, attendees come to “fill up on energy.” As the sun rises at the Palace of Quetzalpapálotl, between 7:15 and 7:45, you can see shadows dance across snake-like bodies.
When: March 21
❖ Obsidian Fair
This celebration is held in the month of March in order to promote the workshops where they shape the stone, a favorite of the ancient Teotihuacanos. The program includes charreadas (Mexican rodeo displays), crowning of the queen, a Mesoamerican ball game presentation, a classic car parade, and a mass meditation.
When: March 16 thru 25
