Teoti Huacan Tours
Teotihuacán Tours

All about Teotihuacán Pyramid of the Moon

Pyramid of the Moon at Teotihuacan, Mexico, with surrounding ancient structures.

From happy customers

Loved by 50 million+
Trustpilot rating: 4.5 out of 5

Humberto T

Solo
2 weeks ago
A highly recommended tour—no delays and excellent service from our guide, Gerson, who shared valuable information with us and made the entire tour very enjoyable.

Santiago L

Colombia
Couple
Dec 2025

+1 more

The tour was very good. Everything worked according to what was offered. Our guide Eleasar managed the group very well, anticipating in a timely manner what we were going to do in each of the places we visited. His explanations were very clear and helped us to take advantage of each visit. The transportation was very comfortable and the restaurant was excellent. The investment was worth it. Thank you very much.

Benjamin R

United States
Family
Apr 2026
Our guide Fer was super informative and gave us lots of cool insights into the pyramids. He also gave us a tip on where to get good photos with less crowds. As a tourist I was worried about the quality of the guide as well as the company but everything was super smooth from the start. Fer sent me a whats up text with photos of where to park and where to meet him which made it easier to locate him. Once we arrived and had parked I shared my location with him and he came to meet us at the shops and brought our tickets which he had already purchased so we didn't even have to wait in line. Inside he walked us around the pyramids and ruins and pointed out all the cool and interesting facts about the structures and paintings. I highly reccommend Fer and Headout!

Johnpromise U

United Kingdom
Solo
Jan 2026

+2 more

My Tour Guide - Silvia, was simply fantastic. She's an expert and took me on a great tour of the place, taking her time to explain all the features, symbols and architecture of the place. She equally explained the two pyramids to me and took excellent pictures of me at many times. I had fun and will recommend her to everyone.

Caroline F

United States
Couple
Feb 2026
Guide and driver fun and informative. Karen grew up in the area so we got a bit more insight. In general everything was fun and picturesque. Especially loved the surprise stop at the obsidian workshop with amazing agave talk and drinks. Would highly recommend. I heard the other local tours from headout were are also well worth it.

Diana J

Couple
Last week
We ran into a minor hiccup at the entrance because there was no signal, and we had to wait about 30 minutes for them to fix it. Since it looked like it was going to take longer than expected, they drove us to Gate 4. Our guide, Arturo, was great! You can tell he’s very knowledgeable and passionate about history. He explained everything in great detail without making it boring. The tour was supposed to be a group tour, but since no one else signed up, we got to enjoy a private tour just for the two of us. A fantastic experience! Highly recommended!

Marcelo R

Couple
Mar 2026
Tour guides were passionate about they were describing plus the tour was really well organized and good level of English and management of both Spanish and English speaking groups

Sara H

Mexico
Solo
Apr 2026
Everything was great—the service was excellent, and the staff at the front desk were so friendly. They offered me coffee and snacks, and the atmosphere was so pleasant that I never felt uncomfortable enjoying the experience on my own. I really loved it—the views are incredible, and everything was top-notch. I would definitely come back for another visit.

The Pyramid of the Moon is one of the most powerful structures in Teotihuacán, second in size only to the Pyramid of the Sun, but arguably more sacred. Located at the northern end of the Avenue of the Dead, the Pyramid of the Moon Teotihuacán mirrors the Cerro Gordo mountain behind it, blending earth and sky in a seamless visual illusion. Built between 100–250 CE, this temple may have been the heart of the city’s ceremonial life, dedicated to a goddess of water, fertility, and the moon.

Quick facts about the Pyramid of the Moon

Pyramid of the Moon and Road of the Dead in Teotihuacan, Mexico, with surrounding landscape.
  • Height: ~43 meters
  • Constructed: 100–250 CE
  • Location: Northern end of Teotihuacán ’s Avenue of the Dead
  • Function: Ceremonial rituals, sacrifices, burials
  • Style: Built in seven layers, like a cosmic staircase
  • Nearby landmarks: Temple of the Feathered Serpent, Plaza of the Moon, Palace of Quetzalpapalotl
All about Teotihuacán

Where is the Pyramid of the Moon located in Teotihuacán?

Teotihuacan's Pyramid of the Moon with Road of the Dead in foreground, Mexico.

From the base of the Temple of the Sun and Moon, your eyes are naturally drawn northward, straight toward the Teotihuacán Pyramid of the Moon and Sun alignment. This was no accident—the Moon Pyramid was deliberately placed to mirror the nearby Cerro Gordo mountain, blending architecture with the natural world. Alongside its larger counterpart, the Temple of Sun and Moon formed the symbolic and spiritual backbone of Teotihuacán’s urban design.

Where is the Pyramid of the Moon located in Teotihuacán?

From the base of the Temple of the Sun and Moon, your eyes are naturally drawn northward, straight toward the Teotihuacán Pyramid of the Moon and directly toward the Teotihuacán Pyramid, aligned with the Moon and Sun alignment. This was no accident, the Moon Pyramid was deliberately placed to mirror the nearby Cerro Gordo mountain, blending architecture with the natural world. Alongside its larger counterpart, the Temple of Sun and Moon formed the symbolic and spiritual backbone of Teotihuacán’s urban design.

​Learn more about the Pyramid of the Sun

What was the Pyramid of the Moon used for?

Guided tour group exploring Pyramid of the Moon, Teotihuacan, Mexico.

While many visitors focus on the Teotihuacán Pyramid of the Sun and Moon, archaeologists believe the Pyramid of the Moon actually predates the Sun Pyramid. It was built in seven stages, each layer burying the previous one like a ritual time capsule. Several of these layers were sealed with human and animal sacrifices—jaguars, eagles, obsidian blades, and figurines—placed with precise spiritual intention.

The temple of the Moon Teotihuacán  may have also hosted royal burials. Some believe high-status individuals were laid to rest here, surrounded by offerings, in a city where death and divinity walked hand in hand.

What’s inside the Pyramid of the Moon: Rituals, sacrifices, and symbolism

Visitors ascending the Pyramid of the Moon at Teotihuacan, Mexico.
Teotihuacan ancient pyramids and ruins in Mexico under a clear sky.
unearthed human skeletons
Teotihuacan wall painting fragments depicting the Great Goddess, Mexico.
Temple of Quetzalcoatl with carved intricate structures in Teotihuacan, Mexico.
Pyramid of the Moon in Teotihuacan, Mexico, with tourists exploring the ancient site.
Pyramid of the Moon viewed from a distance in Teotihuacan, Mexico.
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The Pyramid of the Moon Teotihuacán  was built in seven layers, one stacked over the other.

Archaeologists discovered burial chambers containing obsidian blades, greenstone figurines, conch shells, and animal remains like eagles and jaguars.

Human skeletons were found bound and placed with offerings—likely sacrifices tied to religious ceremonies

Many offerings are linked to the Great Goddess of Teotihuacán, believed to represent fertility and creation.

Some chambers may have served as royal tombs, suggesting the pyramid wasn’t just a temple.

The findings inside make this a key site when studying the temple of the moon Mexico and ancient rituals.

While it’s not a literal pyramid on the moon, what lies beneath adds to its mystery and historical weight.

Astronomical significance of the Pyramid of the Moon

On the summer solstice, the rising sun aligns with the Pyramid of the Moon’s northeast corner and the distant Xihuingo volcano. On the winter solstice, it sets behind Moctezuma Peak. Some believe this alignment dictated the entire city’s orientation, showing just how central the temple of the Sun and Moon Mexico was to cosmic timekeeping.

Despite being called the “Moon” pyramid today, researchers suggest the names Pyramid of the Moon and Sun were likely Aztec-era inventions. The original names are lost to time, but the structure’s alignment with solar and lunar events may reveal what mattered most to the ancient Teotihuacáns: the skies.

​Teotihuacáns from the sky!

How to visit the Pyramid of the Moon, Teotihuacán, Mexico

To visit the Teotihuacán Pyramid of the Sun, you’ll need to travel about 50 minutes northeast of Mexico City. The easiest options are:

  • By car or Uber (most convenient if you're tight on time)
  • Public bus from Autobuses del Norte station (look for the sign “PIRÁMIDES”)
  • Teotihuacán sunrise tour or hot air balloon ride with roundtrip transfers
Tourist climbing Pyramid of the Moon at Teotihuacan, Mexico.

Gate 2 (Puerta 2) is the most direct entry to the pyramid of the sun at Teotihuacán. It drops you right near the base, saving time and energy for the climb.

Tourists walking along Avenue of the Dead, viewing Pyramid of the Moon, Teotihuacan, Mexico.

Get there by 9am to beat the crowds and harsh midday sun. The pyramid faces east, so early mornings offer the best light — especially for that perfect Teotihuacán sunrise shot.
Weekdays are quieter; Sundays get busy with locals (entry is free for Mexican citizens).

Teotihuacan opening times

Visiting the Pyramid of the Moon today

You can’t climb to the very top of the Pyramid of the Moon, but visitors are allowed up to the fifth platform. That’s high enough to take in the full sweep of the Avenue of the Dead and the symmetry of the ancient city.

For an extraordinary experience, the best way to appreciate the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon is from above!

A hot air balloon ride over Teotihuacán gives you a full aerial view of the temple of the moon Teotihuacán , its layered construction, and the surrounding landscape.

Arrive early to beat the crowds and the sun — there’s almost no shade here. Most visitors start at the Pyramid of the Sun, but heading straight to the Moon Pyramid gives you a quieter experience and a wider vantage point.

Quick tips

  • Entrance: Puerta 3 gets you closest to the Moon Pyramid
  • Best time: 8am to 10am
  • Wear sunscreen and comfortable shoes
  • Pair with a guided tour or balloon ride for a deeper context

Frequently asked questions about the Teotihuacán Pyramid of the Moon

The Pyramid of the Moon is the second-largest structure in Teotihuacán, Mexico. It was built around 200 AD and used for ceremonies dedicated to the Great Goddess.

Read more

Pyramid of the Sun

Avenue of the Dead

Temple of feathered serpent