Teotihuacan: Balloon Flight & Cave Breakfast from Mexico City

Summary

Hot air balloon sunrise, cave breakfast and ancient ruins near CDMX

You’ll wake before dawn for hotel pickup in Mexico City, then float above Teotihuacan’s pyramids at sunrise on a hot air balloon flight with a local guide. Enjoy breakfast inside a cave restaurant, taste regional mezcal or tequila, and wander ancient ruins—ending your day with new stories (and maybe dust on your shoes).

What’s the experience like?

Honestly, I was still half-asleep when the van rolled up outside my hotel in Mexico City—4:30am is not my hour. But by the time we reached Teotihuacan, the sky was just starting to lighten and there was this quiet excitement in the air. Our guide, Carla, handed out coffee and cookies while the balloon crew fussed with ropes and burners. The hiss of the flame sounded louder than I expected. I kept thinking: am I really about to float over these pyramids before breakfast?

The balloon ride itself—well, it’s hard to describe without sounding dramatic. We drifted up so gently that I barely noticed we’d left the ground until I looked down and saw tiny fields below. The sun came up behind us, turning everything gold for a few minutes. Carla pointed out both pyramids—she said 95% of flights catch them if the wind is right—and we got lucky that morning. It’s weirdly peaceful up there; you can hear dogs barking somewhere far off, and sometimes just silence. My hands were cold from gripping the basket but I didn’t want to let go.

After landing (which was less bumpy than I feared), we piled back into the van for breakfast in this wild cave restaurant nearby. The walls were rough and cool to touch, and they served us chilaquiles with spicy green sauce—I tried to pronounce it right but mostly failed. Someone at another table laughed when I asked for more salsa in broken Spanish; felt like everyone was just happy to be there together after flying through the sky. Later, we tasted mezcal and tequila made in Teotihuacan itself—tiny sips that burned a little but went down easy once you got used to it.

Walking among the ruins after all that felt almost surreal. The stones are warm by late morning and you see families from all over Mexico climbing up or just sitting on steps eating snacks. If you pick the guided option (we did), your guide will tell you stories about Quetzalcoatl and how people used to live here—it’s a lot more than just old rocks when someone explains it like that. By the time we headed back toward Mexico City, my shoes were dusty and my head was full of new things—I still think about that view from above sometimes when I’m stuck on a crowded subway back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Balloon flight and Teotihuacan visit

• Pick up at Mexico City hotel
• Transfer to Teotihuacan Balloon-port
• Stop for coffee and balloon inflation
• Hot air balloon flight over Teotihuacan
• Enjoy buffet or traditional Mexican breakfast
• Taste local liqueurs with workshops
• Visit Teotihuacan ruins and museum
• Return to Mexico City hotel

Top questions

How early is pickup for the Teotihuacan balloon tour?

Pickup is between 4:20am-4:45am from hotels in Mexico City.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

Yes, hotel pickup is included if you choose that option.

Will we fly directly over both pyramids?

The flight path depends on wind direction; 95% of flights pass over both pyramids.

Is breakfast included after the balloon ride?

Yes, you’ll have either a buffet or traditional Mexican breakfast in a cave restaurant depending on your choice.

Are vegetarian or vegan options available for breakfast?

Yes, both vegetarian and vegan options are available at the buffet restaurant.

Can children join the hot air balloon ride?

The minimum age for balloon rides is 4 years old.

Is alcohol tasting part of this tour?

Yes, there’s a tasting of mezcal and tequila made in Teotihuacan for guests aged 18+.

How long does it take to get from Mexico City to Teotihuacan?

The drive usually takes about an hour depending on traffic.

What’s included

Your day includes early morning hotel pickup from Mexico City (if selected), coffee and cookies before your flight, all balloon equipment with certified pilots, entry to Teotihuacan archaeological site with an optional guided tour, traditional Mexican or buffet breakfast (with vegetarian/vegan choices) inside a unique cave restaurant, tastings of local mezcal or tequila through short workshops, plus return transport if booked.