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Teotihuacán Archaeological Zone
4.3(1,010)

Temple of Quetzalcoatl (Feathered Serpent Pyramid)

Included with Teotihuacán Archaeological Zone tickets

Timings

RECOMMENDED DURATION

5+ hours

Hot air balloons over Pyramid of the Sun, Teotihuacan, Mexico.

From happy customers

Loved by 45 million+
Mitchell Josvai
US

Mitchell

United States
Aug 2025
5/5
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The early tour is a great experience. The bus ride is smooth and they make a stop so that you may use the restroom and grab a snack or coffee. There are no crowds whatsoever when you arrive, which makes for some excellent photos. Lots of time spent at the pyramids, including climbing them, which was amazing. Lunch is not included but is at a spot that we really enjoyed. We felt that we had ample time and were not rushed, but still made it back to CDMX by 3 pm.
Gaspar Saul Cristobal Lucas
US

Gaspar

United States
Aug 2025
5/5
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Karen and Guillermo were great! Karen made our experience fun! She was very knowledgeable about the pyramids and was able to answer our questions. They both were a great vibe and had great laughs. Our group was small that day so the experience felt more personal. We visited the plaza of 3 cultures, the pyramids, and checked out a small cave. Definitely would recommend the Prehispanic Small Group Tour as it did take up our morning and into a bit after lunch time, and we were still able to go explore Mexico City afterwards which was good!
Ruy Noya
CA

Ruy

Canada
Aug 2025
5/5
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Robert and Lili were very professional and demonstrated an unsurpassed level of knowledge, they took care of the group, especially us who were always late. A thousand thanks to both of them and to the driver for his great skill. The food at Rancho Azteca was spectacular.
Tomas

Tomas

Oct 2025
5/5
Our family from Argentina loved this tour. We learned a lot, and the guides were super patient with my parents. Be sure to wear comfy shoes and bring a bottle for water, it gets HOT.
Marcela

Marcela

Oct 2025
4/5
Went with my cousin and we had a BLAST. The drizzle made it kinda magical tbh, tho my shoes got all muddy. Our guide (I think her name was Sofia?) was SO passionate abt the history, made it come alive. Only downside: the souvenir shop was a bit meh and felt like a tourist trap. But pyramids = EPIC. Bring snacks, I got hungry halfway!
Yasmin

Yasmin

Jun 2025
4/5
Visited with my parents, weather was HOT but there’s a nice breeze up top. Pyramid stairs are steep, so we took it slow. The murals in the Temple of the Feathered Serpent were my fave—so colorful! Lots of stray dogs around, super friendly tho. Didn’t love the restroom situation (bring ur own TP...).
Lucas

Lucas

Jun 2025
5/5
Felt like a kid again climbing up. We got there early to beat the crowds (and sun). Local guides hang out near the gate, ours was Jorge—he was hilarious, really brought history alive. Only thing: no food allowed inside, so eat before you go. Marketplace near the exit is fun for souvenirs, got a tiny obsidian jaguar.
Aleksei

Aleksei

Oct 2025
4/5
Loved the balloon ride but felt a bit rushed during the pyramid tour. Not enough time for photos. Guide was knowledgeable and breakfast was tasty. Would do it again, just wish for more free time.

The Temple of Quetzalcoatl, also called the Feathered Serpent Pyramid, is one of the most striking structures in Teotihuacán. Unlike the massive scale of the Sun and Moon Pyramids, this temple captivates visitors with its detailed stone carvings and symbolic meaning. Dedicated to the feathered serpent deity Quetzalcoatl, it was the third-largest pyramid in the ancient city and once a focal point for rituals, offerings, and processions.

Why the Temple of Quetzalcoatl is unique

Temple of Quetzalcoatl with intricate carved stone serpent heads in Teotihuacan, Mexico.

The temple sits inside La Ciudadela, a vast sunken plaza that could hold thousands of people for ceremonies. Its walls are decorated with serpent heads and seashell motifs, representing water, fertility, and cosmic order. When archaeologists excavated the site, they discovered hundreds of human sacrifices buried beneath the steps, likely warriors offered to consecrate the pyramid. This makes it one of the richest archaeological finds in Mesoamerica.

Tip: Bring binoculars or use your camera zoom. The serpent heads are smaller than they appear in photos, but the details are mesmerizing up close.

What to see at the Feathered Serpent Pyramid

Visitors climbing the Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan, Mexico under a clear blue sky.
Ancient pyramids at La Ciudadela de Teotihuacan with mountain backdrop.
Narrow passageway leading to an ancient burial chamber.
Murals at Palace of the Jaguars showing plumed felines with conch shells and a goggled deity.
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Serpent Carvings

Look for alternating depictions of Quetzalcoatl and the goggle-eyed storm god, Tlaloc. Together, they symbolize the balance of earth, water, and sky.

La Ciudadela

The plaza surrounding the temple is massive. Stand at the center to feel the acoustics, your voice will echo through the square, just like it did during rituals.

Burial offerings

While you won’t see the original remains (they’re preserved by archaeologists), panels and signs explain the human sacrifices found here, giving context to the temple’s sacred role.

Murals and reconstructions

Some of the best-preserved fragments are housed at the Teotihuacán Museum inside the archaeological zone, where you can see close-ups of the colors that once covered the temple.

How to include it in your visit

The Temple of Quetzalcoatl is located near the southern end of the Avenue of the Dead. It’s usually the first major structure you’ll encounter if you enter from Gate 1. Most guided tours stop here before leading visitors toward the Pyramid of the Sun. If you’re exploring on your own, plan about 30–40 minutes to wander the plaza, examine the carvings, and soak in the atmosphere.

Teotihuacan pyramids and Avenue of the Dead with visitors exploring the ancient site in Mexico.
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Practical visiting tips

  • Best time to see it: Early morning, when sunlight hits the carved serpent heads and makes their details pop.
  • Photography tip: Stand at a diagonal angle rather than head-on for dramatic shadow play on the carvings.
  • Footwear: Surfaces here are uneven with exposed stones. Comfortable walking shoes make a big difference.
  • Guides: Since the pyramid’s story is steeped in symbolism, a guided tour adds context you might miss if visiting alone.

Practical visiting tips for the Temple of Quetzalcoatl

Temple of Quetzalcoatl with intricate carved stone serpent heads in Teotihuacan, Mexico.
  • Best photo angles nobody tells you about: Don’t shoot the temple straight on—it flattens the carvings. Instead, walk to the far-left corner of La Ciudadela and crouch low. From this angle, you can capture the serpent heads with the Avenue of the Dead stretching behind them, which adds depth and context. Morning light hits from the east, so faces on the left side glow better in photos.
  • Golden hour magic: Most tourists rush to the Sun and Moon pyramids for sunrise, but late afternoon is when this temple shines. Around 4pm, shadows fall into the carved seashells and serpent crests, making them stand out in photos. If you’re vlogging, this is when you’ll get the most dramatic contrasts.
  • Frame the serpent heads with the sky: Use the wide plaza to your advantage. Kneel down, tilt your camera upward, and frame the serpent heads against blue sky instead of stone. This makes the details pop and avoids messy backgrounds full of tourists.
  • Audio hack for vloggers: La Ciudadela has insane acoustics. Stand at the center, clap, and record the echo—it’s eerie and cinematic. Great for adding atmosphere to your travel video or Insta story.
Stone steps and red murals inside the Jaguar Palace, Teotihuacan, Mexico.
  • Skip the crowds with a micro-shift in timing: When groups arrive from Mexico City tours, this spot gets packed for about 20 minutes. If you see a bus unload, hang back near the plaza walls. Within half an hour it clears out, and you’ll get uncluttered shots.
  • What gear to bring:
  • A zoom lens or phone telephoto mode helps capture serpent details that are hard to see with the naked eye.
  • A wide-angle lens lets you fit both the carvings and the sheer scale of La Ciudadela in one frame.
  • Polarizer filter = richer skies and sharper stone contrast.
  • For vlogging, bring a wind muff—the open plaza gets gusty, and audio can get ruined.
  • Best “secret” seat for breaks: On the far-right side of La Ciudadela, behind a stone platform, there’s a shaded ledge where hardly anyone sits. It’s perfect for setting up your tripod for time-lapse shots without foot traffic in the frame.
  • Social content idea: Do a “before and after” reel: film the serpent heads in harsh midday light, then again at 4pm. Put them side by side—you’ll instantly show why timing matters at Teotihuacán.

Frequently asked questions about Temple of Quetzalcoatl

Is the Temple of Quetzalcoatl climbable?

No. Unlike the Sun and Moon Pyramids, climbing has never been allowed here because of its carvings and fragility.

Why is it called both the Feathered Serpent Pyramid and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl?

They are the same structure. Quetzalcoatl is the feathered serpent god, and the pyramid is named after the carved heads decorating its sides.

How old is the temple?

It was built around 200 CE, making it slightly younger than the Pyramid of the Sun but still central to Teotihuacán’s peak period.

Read more

Pyramid of the Sun and Avenue of the Dead in Teotihuacan, Mexico, with surrounding ancient structures.

Pyramid of the Sun

Pyramid of the Moon in Teotihuacan surrounded by trees and tourists exploring.

Pyramid of the Moon

Plaza de las Tres Culturas with ancient ruins and colonial church, Tlatelolco, Mexico City.

Plaza de las Tres Culturas