For a truly unique and unforgettable experience, I went on a hot air balloon ride over Teotihuacan. It’s well worth it for any Mexico City Traveler. The experience was life-changing for me. I had no idea Raziel planned his marriage proposal to me on that early morning hot air balloon ride.

History of Teotihuacan

Teotihuacan is an ancient Mesoamerican city located just outside of Mexico City. It was established around 200 BCE and peaked in the first half of the first millennium CE, when it was one of the largest cities in the world, with a population estimated to be between 100,000 and 200,000.

The city’s name, Teotihuacan, is derived from the Nahuatl language and means “the place where the gods were created.” 

The Aztecs discovered the ruins centuries after Teotihuacan’s decline. They believed that Teotihuacan was the birthplace of the gods and that the pyramids and temples of the city were the dwelling places of deities. They also thought it was the site of a great battle between the gods Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl, which resulted in the sun and moon’s creation.

The Aztecs incorporated Teotihuacan’s mythology and symbolism into their religious beliefs and practices. They also adopted some of the city’s architectural and artistic styles, incorporating elements of Teotihuacan’s monumental stone pyramids and colorful murals into their buildings and artwork.

It is also worth noting that the Aztecs were not the only civilization to be influenced by Teotihuacan. The city’s architecture and art have been found to have similarities with other Mesoamerican cultures, including the Maya and the Zapotec.

Hot air balloon Teotihuacan prices

The hot air balloon ride over Teotihuacan starts just before sunrise. My group purchased tickets with Sky Balloons Mexico. We checked in at 6:15 am, quickly signed paperwork, and left our personal items in lockers under lock and key. 

Prices vary per company and depend on any add-ons you choose. I got a hot air balloon ride with Sky Balloons Mexico for $135, MXN 2,450. The ticket included the following:

• Light Breakfast (Hot Drink and Pastry)
• Approximately 60 min. hot air balloon shared flight
• Champaign Toast
• Flight Certificate
• Flight insurance

Add-ons most companies offer include transportation to and from the hot air balloon airport, private hot air balloon rides over Teotihuacan, photo and video session packages, and post-flight breakfast at a nearby locale.

My group decided to do a photo and video session with Sky Balloons Mexico. Considering the occasion, our marriage engagement, the photo and video add-on was worth it to capture our special day.

TEOTIHUACAN HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE TIP #1:

The mornings can get chilly, so you’ll need a light coat on the ride. Sky balloons allows passengers to take phones and personal digital cameras on board, however selfie-sticks are not allowed.

Teotihuacan hot air ballon sunrise

As you rise into the sky, the cool morning air fills your lungs, and the rising sun’s warm glow begins to paint the landscape a golden hue. From above, you can see iconic stone pyramids of Mexico City, including the Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon, and the Temple of the Feathered Serpent.

The Pyramid of the Sun is the largest structure in Teotihuacan, standing over 200 feet (61 meters) tall. The Pyramid of the Moon is a smaller pyramid located at the northern end.

Multiple hot air balloons take flight over Teotihuacan at sunrise, creating a colorful scene over the ancient city. At one point, our hot air balloon flight rose as high as 7,872 feet at 58-degree temperatures. It’s an incredible experience to fly over Teotihuacan’s tallest structures. You get a unique perspective of the ancient city and the surrounding towns.

As you descend back to the ground. our pilot carefully guided the balloon to a safe landing spot and offered a champagne toast to celebrate a successful flight over Teotihuacan. A team of men drove up at our landing spot to fold the balloon and load it onto a cargo van, a process that took tremendous physical effort from what I could see. 

Meanwhile, vendors sold artisanal Obsidian works to passengers as we wait to be transported back to the Sky Balloons globoport. 

TEOTIHUACAN HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE TIP #2:

Wear 50+ SPF sunscreen on your face, neck, and body. Passengers get a ton of direct sunlight on the hot air balloon flight over Teotihuacan.

Obsidian in Teotihuacan

Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass highly valued in Mesoamerican societies for its sharp edges, which makes it ideal for crafting tools and weapons. Teotihuacan was located near several sources of high-quality Obsidian, including the nearby mountains of Otumba and Pachuca.

Archaeological excavations have revealed large quantities of obsidian artifacts, including knives, blades, spear points, other tools, and ornamental objects such as mirrors and figurines. Obsidian was also used in the construction of Teotihuacan’s buildings and monuments.

Teotihuacan became an important center for the production and distribution of Obsidian, with workshops and mines located within its boundaries. Finished products were traded throughout Mesoamerica, reaching as far as Guatemala and the Gulf Coast of Mexico.

I purchased an obsidian hot air balloon figurine from one of the vendors that approached passengers at our balloon’s landing site, as a souvenir of our engagement. After the hot air balloon ride over Teotihuacan, my group rode up to the Perimeters of the pyramids and found small obsidian rocks scattered on the ground. 

TEOTIHUACAN HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE TIP #3:

Carry cash on you if you want to purchase obsidian souvenirs from vendors in Teotihuacan.

Engagement on Hot Air Balloon Over Teotihuacan 

I can’t imagine a better marriage proposal than our experience on a hot air balloon ride over the ancient city of Teotihuacan. The peaceful and romantic atmosphere of an early morning a hot air balloon ride into the sunrise made the perfect setting for an unforgettable proposal. 

A hot air balloon ride over Teotihuacan is a romantic gesture and makes for an intimate marriage proposal opportunity. Quite literally, love is in the air when you get engaged on a hot air ballon over Teotihuacan.

Raziel asked me to marry him, and I said yes! I was stunned that he picked this special place in Mexico to mark the start of the next chapter of our lives together. 

TEOTIHUACAN HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE TIP #4:

Purchase your Teotihuacan hot air balloon tickets from companies that have been reviewed and recommended by trusted travel bloggers or friends. In an attempt to get the lowest deal, you can end up a victim of fraud, bad service, and unsafe conditions. 

Is hot air balloon at Teotihuacan worth it?

Teotihuacan is a perfect activity for anyone who wants to experience the beauty and wonder of Teotihuacan in a new and unforgettable way. It’s a worthwhile expense when visiting this ancient city near Mexico City.