Teotihuacan: Balloon Flight & Cave Breakfast with CDMX Pickup

Summary

Balloon ride sunrise over Teotihuacan then cave breakfast near the pyramids

You’ll float above Teotihuacan’s pyramids at sunrise with a local guide, then share a cozy cave breakfast at La Cueva before exploring ancient ruins on your own time. Includes round-trip pickup from Mexico City so you can just show up (even half-asleep) and let yourself be surprised by what you feel up there.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is how cold the air felt before dawn outside the van, somewhere just beyond Mexico City — and the way everyone went quiet when we saw the balloons getting filled, all orange and flickering in the dark. Our guide, Marisol, handed out coffee (instant, but honestly perfect right then) while she explained how we’d fly over Teotihuacan. She called it “the city where men become gods,” and I tried to picture what that meant as we shuffled into the basket, hearts thumping a bit too loud.

I didn’t expect how smooth it would feel up there. The pilot pointed out the Pyramid of the Sun, and I could see tiny people already walking below on the Avenue of the Dead. The light changed so fast — one minute everything was blue-grey, then suddenly those ancient stones were gold. Someone behind me gasped when we floated right above the Pyramid of the Moon. I mostly remember this weird mix of silence and little bursts of laughter from strangers who’d just met. My hands smelled like rope from holding on too tight.

After landing (softly — I’d worried for nothing), Marisol led us to La Cueva for breakfast inside an actual cave. It was warmer than outside, echoey with clinking plates and families talking softly in Spanish. Tried chilaquiles verdes for the first time; pretty sure I dripped salsa on my shirt but nobody cared. Li laughed when I tried to say “gracias” with a mouthful of eggs. We had a couple hours after that to wander around Teotihuacan at our own pace — I climbed halfway up one pyramid before deciding my legs had done enough for one morning. The sun was already fierce by then.

Even now, sometimes when I smell burnt coffee or hear distant laughter early in the morning, I think about that flight over Teotihuacan — how small everything looked from above, and how big it felt to be there at all.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Teotihuacan balloon flight and breakfast

• Pick up in Mexico City
• Travel to Teotihuacan
• Balloon flight over Teotihuacan
• Breakfast at Restaurante La Cueva
• Free time to explore Teotihuacan
• Return to Mexico City

Top questions

How long does the balloon flight over Teotihuacan last?

The entire tour lasts about 8 hours including transport; balloon flights are typically around 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Is pickup included from Mexico City?

Yes, round-trip transportation from Mexico City is included in your day trip to Teotihuacan.

What do you get for breakfast at La Cueva?

You’ll have a traditional Mexican breakfast inside La Cueva restaurant after your balloon flight.

Do you get free time at Teotihuacan?

Yes, you’ll have about 2 hours to explore Teotihuacan independently after breakfast.

Is this tour suitable for kids or older adults?

The experience is ideal for all ages but not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with certain health conditions.

Where does the tour start in CDMX?

The meeting point is Ángel de la Independencia in Mexico City.

Is public transportation nearby after returning?

Yes, public transportation options are available near the meeting point in Mexico City.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip pickup from Mexico City, a sunrise hot air balloon flight over Teotihuacan with a local guide and personalized certificate, breakfast inside La Cueva restaurant, plus two hours of free time to explore the archaeological site before heading back together in the afternoon.