Mexico City Hot Air Balloon Ride: What to Know BEFORE You Book
If you’re heading to Mexico City, a hot air balloon ride over the Teotihuacán pyramids is one of the most unforgettable experiences you can have. I go to Mexico a few times a year, and this one of the activities I recommend to literally everyone.
It’s also the perfect example of an affordable, luxury activity. Does it cost a little bit more than a standard tour? Yes. Is it worth it to splurge? Absolutely.
It’s not just a hot air balloon tour. It’s the only place in the world where you can float above a UNESCO World Heritage site at sunrise—watching the pyramids emerge from the early morning haze, surrounded by dozens of colorful hot air balloons. I’ve also been to the Mexico City pyramids for a regular (on foot) tour, and I still think it’s worth it to go for the hot air balloons.
It’s a breathtaking mix of ancient history and unreal views (I took about 1,000 photos and videos, and can’t seem to delete any). If you’re even thinking about a Mexico City hot air balloon tour, let me give you the full rundown. Here’s everything you need to know before you go, including pro tips to make your experience worth it, that you won’t find on a generic booking site.
Mexico City Hot Air Balloon Tour: Schedule for the Day
Alright, I’m not gonna lie to you, it’s an early day. There are few things that can get me out of bed before 6am, but a sunrise tour of the Mexico City pyramids is on the list. From the 5am wakeup call to the Lambrusco toast after landing, here’s the exact schedule from the day I went.
💡 Pro Tip! You want to be sure you book a tour that includes entrance to the archeology site (the pyramids themselves). Don’t get me wrong, it’s amazing to see the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon from the air. But, getting to walk among them with a guide and actually learn about the history is a really important and meaningful part of the experience.
What to Expect From Start to Finish
How long is the day? Roughly 6 hours
- 5:00 AM Pickup:
The tour I chose picked me up directly from my Airbnb and I honestly can’t recommend this enough.
The last thing I want to be doing at 5am is calling an uber and worrying about being late to a group pick up. In my opinion, it’s worth every penny to have the van come straight to you. - 1-Hour Drive to Teotihuacán Pyramids:
Teotihuacán is about an hour outside of Mexico City, depending on traffic. This is another reason why it’s worth taking an early morning tour – Mexico City traffic is no joke and you absolutely do not want to turn a 1-hour drive into a 3-hour drive by leaving at the wrong time.
I slept most of the way (because I’m useless without coffee), but you’ll start to see the outline of the pyramids as you get closer. - Arrival, Coffee, and Safety Briefing:
After arriving, you’ll (finally) get a cup of coffee and watch a safety video. It’s easy and efficient.
- Head to the Launch Site & Board:
The balloons are all laid out in a giant field and it’s pretty cool to see them all start to board and inflate.
💡 Pro Tip! They board the balloon in two rings around the pilot in the center. You want to board in the second group so you are on the outside ring and get the best views of the pyramids, the landscape, and the dozens of other balloons. - Flight Time (~45 Minutes):
I’ll dive more into the (incredible) experience in the air, but the hot air balloon flight is about 45 minutes long. It honestly felt like just enough time to soak in the views and take 1,000 photos and videos.
- Landing + Lambrusco Toast:
No Mexico City hot air balloon ride is complete without a little bit of liquor, right? Back on land, they immediately hand you a glass of Lambrusco (sweet red sparkling wine).
It’s not my usual 8am go-to, but it felt fun after such a unique experience. They also tried to sell us photos they took with drones while we were in the air. We didn’t need them, but it’s an option! - Breakfast in a Cave:
Then we headed to a natural cave that has been turned into a restaurant. I’ll admit that I thought this would be cheesy, but it was actually pretty beautiful.
To go from so high in the air to underground really made me appreciate the experiences humans have created. Plus, I love anywhere that serves Chilaquiles. - Market Stop:
We made a quick stop to browse souvenirs and mezcal— this is pretty typical on tours and I didn’t feel too much pressure to buy anything. I did leave with two adorable mezcal glasses though.
- Tour of Teotihuacán Pyramids:
You absolutely need to book a hot air balloon ride that includes an on-the-ground tour of the archaeological site.
It’s one thing to see the Mexico City pyramids from the hot air balloon, but walking through them with a guide made the history feel alive.
Plus, the flight is quite loud, so you want the time on the ground with a tour guide to actually learn about the history - Back to Mexico City
After all was said and done, we hopped back in the car to Mexico City. Again, the ride was about an hour, and again I slept for most of it 😂
Ready for launch! 
Coming up to the pyramids Our view inside the balloon bask One of many pyramid views 
Our cave breakfast setup Pretty incredible view during the meal 
Yes, the ground tour of the pyramids is worth it
A Quick Dive Into the History of the Mexico City Pyramids
Most people don’t realize that there are ancient pyramids so close to bustling Mexico City. I certainly didn’t, and getting to walk through them was a lovely historical, cultural angle to add to our trip filled with lucha libre and food tours.
Teotihuacán isn’t an Aztec site, even though it’s often mistaken as one. It was built by an unknown civilization, and at its peak around 400 AD, it was the largest city in the Western Hemisphere. At one point, over 125,000 people lived here—more than most European cities at the time.
The name “Teotihuacán” means “the place where the gods were created”, and the Aztecs gave it that name long after the original builders disappeared. It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
💡 Pro Tip: I highly recommend going to the anthropology museum in Mexico City before your hot air balloon tour. There’s a lot of great history about the pyramids and it’ll give you good context before your visit.
The Pyramid of the Sun
This is the big one—the third-largest pyramid in the world. It stands at 216 feet tall, and it was built without metal tools or the wheel. Things like that blow my mind considering I can barely install a shelf.
It was used for rituals and offerings, likely to the sun god. Originally, it was covered in red paint and decorated with carvings and statues. Today, you can no longer climb it (which is a good thing—preservation matters), but walking up to it still feels powerful.
The Pyramid of the Moon
This second pyramid, the Pyramid of the Moon, is smaller than the Sun Pyramid but no less impressive. It aligns with the Cerro Gordo mountain in the distance, which the ancient people believed was sacred. It was used for ceremonies and possibly sacrifices. When you fly over it during your hot air balloon ride from Mexico City, it’s easy to see how central it was to the city.
The Avenue of the Dead
This long road connects the two pyramids and runs through the center of the ancient city. From the air, you can clearly see how it was the spine of the whole place. It was once lined with temples, plazas, and homes for the elite.
The layout of the city is based on astronomical alignments—evidence that the people of Teotihuacán were serious mathematicians and astronomers, even 2,000 years ago.
The Magic of the Air: What It’s Like to Fly Over The Mexico City Pyramids in a Hot Air Balloon
So here’s the part you’re really wondering about—what’s it like once you’re actually flying?
First off, it’s not quiet like people think. The burners are LOUD. Every few minutes they blast a huge flame into the balloon, and it sounds a bit like a jet engine going off above your head. But you kind of get used to it pretty quickly—it’s part of the experience.
We took off just as the sun was starting to come up and I’ll admit I was nervous, but it was a pretty peaceful ascent. One minute we were on the ground, and just a few minutes later we were a thousand feet in the air, watching the sun rise.
The best part was the moment when the Teotihuacán pyramids came into full view. It gave me chills (and not just from the cool morning air).
You can see both the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon, along with the Avenue of the Dead that connects them. From above, the layout is so precise—it’s crazy to think this was built thousands of years ago. It’s one of those things you can’t fully appreciate from the ground.
One of the most shocking parts to me was how many other hot air balloon rides were happening at the same time! Everywhere you look there are other air balloon flights happening—at least 30 or 40 balloons in the sky with you, but all at a safe distance.
At one point later in the ride another balloon floated underneath us, and it felt quite magical. We spent most of the time just rotating around the site slowly, taking in all the angles, and taking way too many pictures.
As the sun came up over the mountains, the lighting hit everything perfectly. Golden light on ancient ruins, colorful balloons in the sky, and this feeling of, “I can’t believe I’m actually doing this.” It’s hard to articulate, but I really loved it.
Even if you’re not big on adventure travel or hot air balloon rides, this one’s different. It’s not just about the ride—it’s about where you are. Floating over one of the most important ancient cities in the world? Pretty unbeatable.
If you’ve never done a hot air balloon tour before, this should probably be your first one. You won’t regret it.
How Much Does It Cost To Ride a Hot Air Balloon In Mexico City?
Let’s talk numbers. Most full-day hot air balloon tours that include pickup, breakfast, and a guided visit to the Teotihuacán site will run around $150 to $200 per person. Honestly, if it’s cheaper than that you shouldn’t be doing it. You want to work with a company that takes safety seriously, has 5-star reviews, and comes with a tour.
Here’s what should be covered by your cost:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Mexico City
- Roundtrip transport to the balloon field (~1 hour outside the city)
- Coffee and safety briefing
- 40-60 minute balloon ride over Teotihuacán
- Breakfast in a cave
- A stop at a local market
- Guided tour of the Teotihuacán pyramids (including the entrance fee)
Could you piece this all together on your own? Maybe. But when you factor in logistics, transportation, early morning timing, and the historical context from the guide—it’s absolutely worth it to just book the all-in-one tour.
The Exact Mexico City Hot Air Balloon Tour I Recommend
I booked this exact tour which has over 800 5-star reviews: 👉 Hot Air Balloon Flight with Cave Breakfast and CDMX Pickup
It was super smooth from start to finish, and the guide handled everything. We didn’t have to think about timing, directions, entrance fees—nothing. Just showed up and had an amazing time.
They do book out about a week in advance (more if you’re going in high season), so you want to book early to secure your spot.
I also love booking through Viator because you earn Viator Rewards that you can use towards your next experience (I had some leftover Viator cash from a flamenco show in Malaga!). You also get reliable cancellation policies and clear reviews, which help avoid sketchy operators.
What to Wear for a Mexico City Hot Air Balloon Ride
Like most of Mexico City, layers are key here. The morning in the hot air balloon is chilly but by noon the sun is serious business. If you really want to “do it for the gram”, you can wear a long sleeve flowy dress, but I’d recommend having a change of clothes for walking through the site later. Here’s what I’d recommend:
- Light puffy jacket (you’ll need it pre-sunrise)
- T-shirt
- Comfy pants or leggings (you’ll be stepping into a balloon basket)
- Optional pair of shorts to change into for the afternoon
- Sneakers (lots of walking through the archaeological site)
- Hat + sunglasses
- Reusable water bottle
I have a free Mexico City packing list (including the apps I download before any trip!) here.
Sunscreen
All of my friends will tell you that I am the sunscreen police. But I also plan to look young and healthy forever, so that’s fine by me.
Even early in the morning, the sun is brutal. Mexico City sits at ~7,500 feet, so you need to be wearing sunscreen every single day. You’ll be in the air and then touring wide-open pyramid sites—shade is not happening.
Hot Air Balloon Tour FAQs (Read Before You Book)
You have to do you here, but this is why I highly recommend booking a highly rated tour. These are licensed, well-maintained operations with trained pilots and safety briefings. The burners are loud, but the ride itself is smooth.
Flights are weather-dependent. If it’s too windy or rainy, they’ll cancel for safety. Another reason I like Viator—you get a refund or can rebook easily.
As early as you can. The best flights (especially weekends) fill up fast. I booked about a week in advance, but during high season (spring break, holidays), give it a couple weeks if possible.
I recommend ~$5-$10 per person for the hot air balloon pilot and also for your tour guide. You can always go up from there 🙂
Yes, most hot air balloon tours allow kids over a certain age—usually around 6 years old or a minimum height requirement. It’s a great family experience, but check with your tour operator first. Early mornings and high altitudes can be a lot for little ones.
The actual flight time is usually about 40 to 60 minutes, depending on the weather and wind. But the full tour, including pickup, breakfast, and a visit to the Teotihuacán pyramids, lasts around 6 hours total. With the early start and temperature changes, it’s a long day 😅
My Other Favorite Things to Do in Mexico City
If you’re doing the Mexico City hot air balloon tour, you’ve already nailed one of the most unforgettable experiences in the area. But if you’ve got more time in the city, here are a few more favorites I recommend to pretty much everyone:
1. Do a Mexico City Food Tour
Food in CDMX is next level. From street tacos to Michelin-level dining, this city has range. A food tour helps you dive into the best of it without having to think or plan. Plus, you get history and local context along the way. 👉 Check out my favorite food tours here.
2. See a Lucha Libre Match
Even if you’re not into Mexican wrestling, this is a full-on cultural experience. Loud, colorful, and cinematic in the best way. Go with a guide if it’s your first time—they’ll explain the scenes (and can even take you on a taco and Mezcal tour). 👉 See why I frickin love Lucha Libre here.
3. Walk Through Roma + Condesa
One of my absolutely favorite things to do in Mexico City is just walk around. Roma Norte and Condesa are made for this. Think tree-lined streets, great cafes, vintage bookstores, and parks full of dogs ready to be adopted (seriously, it’s dangerous on a Sunday). Spend a lazy afternoon wandering, snacking, shopping and people-watching.
If you want help structuring your time, I laid out all my favorites (including what to eat, where to stay, and my personal Google map) in my 4-Day Mexico City Itinerary
Is a Mexico City Hot Air Balloon Ride Really Worth It?
Yes. A thousand times yes.
Getting to see the pyramids makes this unbelievably unique from any other hot air balloon ride you can do anywhere else in the world. From the moment you get picked up to the last step of your hot air balloon pyramid tour, everything flows. You’ll get amazing views, learn real history, and have something unforgettable to talk about for years.
If you’re going to splurge on one activity in Mexico City, make it this.
Cheers to your next adventure 🥂 🎈
