The Teotihuacán Pyramid of the Sun stands at 65 meters (213 feet) tall, making it the tallest pyramid in Teotihuacán and the third largest pyramid in the world by volume. That’s taller than a 20-story building, and only slightly shorter than the Great Pyramid of Giza.
This massive sun pyramid in Mexico dominates the Avenue of the Dead, its five-tiered steps rising dramatically from the valley floor. From the top—back when climbing was allowed—you could see all of Teotihuacán, from the Pyramid of the Moon to the surrounding highlands. It was the kind of view that made the early sunrise at Teotihuacán feel like a spiritual awakening.
Today, you can still walk around its base and feel its scale. But if you want the full panorama? Book a Teotihuacán sunrise tour or hot air balloon ride—that’s where the magic now lives.
Beneath the Teotihuacán Pyramid of the Sun, archaeologists uncovered a man-made tunnel—five meters deep and nearly 100 meters long—dug directly under the pyramid’s base. The tunnel leads to a chamber believed to be a ceremonial space or possibly a tomb, though no remains have been found.
Recent research using electrical resistivity and radar imaging continues to explore what's inside the Teotihuacán Pyramid of the Sun. While the exact purpose remains uncertain, findings like offerings of obsidian, ceramic fragments, and animal bones suggest it may have been a sacred site for rituals long before the pyramid was completed.
You can’t enter the tunnel, but knowing it exists adds a whole new layer of mystery to the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacán.
Explore the Pyramid of the Moon
In ancient times, the Teotihuacán Pyramid of the Sun stood at the heart of a vast ceremonial city. Surrounding this enormous structure were homes, temples, palaces, and platforms used for rituals—each aligned to the stars and built with an obsessive sense of symmetry. The city wasn’t just powerful; it was organized, sacred, and alive.
To visit the Teotihuacán Pyramid of the Sun, you’ll need to travel about 50 minutes northeast of Mexico City. The easiest options are:
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.
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).
As of now, you can’t climb or go inside the Teotihuacán Pyramid of the Sun. The steps have been closed to visitors since the pandemic, and climbing remains restricted to preserve the structure.
Don’t worry — you can still walk around its massive base and capture stunning shots. For the best view of the Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacán, head to one of the small platforms across the Avenue of the Dead or climb the lower platforms near the Pyramid of the Moon. These angles show off its scale without the crowds.
The Pyramid of the Sun and Moon in Teotihuacán might look similar at first, but here’s the difference: the Pyramid of the Sun is larger and sits at the heart of the city. The Pyramid of the Moon, though smaller, is dramatically aligned with the Cerro Gordo mountain, offering better photo angles and symmetry.
The Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacán, Mexico is the third-largest in the world — it dominates the skyline. But if you're chasing views, the Pyramid of the Moon is where you’ll get the best panorama of the whole city layout.
The Pyramid of the Sun, Teotihuacán, Mexico was built using volcanic stone, adobe, and rubble. Originally, it was coated in stucco and painted red — a visual spectacle under the blazing sun.
The Pyramid of the Sun Teotihuacán Mexico is located in San Juan Teotihuacán, 55800, about an hour northeast of Mexico City. It's the centerpiece of the ancient city along the Avenue of the Dead.
The sun pyramid of Teotihuacán is pre-Aztec. It predates the Aztecs by over 1,000 years. When the Aztecs discovered it in the 1400s, they named the site “Teotihuacán” — the place where the gods were born.