Teotihuacan Spring Equinox 2027: What to Expect

In 2027 the spring equinox is on Saturday, March 20, at 2:24 PM Mexico City time.

That's the exact moment the season changes, and it lands on a weekend. So Saturday the 20th and Sunday the 21st will be the two busiest days at the pyramids.

And Sunday is even busier, because entry is free on Sundays for Mexicans and residents. Foreigners still pay the normal ticket.

Every year INAH, the government institute that runs the site, announces an "Operativo Equinoccio" with the hours and rules about a week before. In 2025 the notice came out on March 13. Normally the site is open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM with last entry at 4:30 PM, and in 2026 they opened early at 7:00 AM on the Saturday. So check the hours again in March. I keep them updated in when does Teotihuacan open.

A lot of people come to Teotihuacan on the equinox dressed in white, and they stand with their arms up to the sun to "charge energy" for the new season.

But this is a modern custom. There's no evidence that the people of Teotihuacan did this, and the ancient city was empty for centuries before anyone started doing it.

Now, it's still a fun day to see, and for a lot of Mexicans it's a family tradition to welcome spring. So you don't have to wear white, but you can if you want :)

Whatever you wear, think about the sun first. March is dry season, the mornings are cold and the afternoons get hot, and there's no shade. So bring layers, a hat and sunscreen. Here's my full list of what to wear to Teotihuacan.

Myth: the pyramids line up with the equinox

This is the one I hear the most. But the Pyramid of the Sun does NOT point to the equinox.

The whole city is turned about 15.5 degrees from north, and archaeoastronomer Ivan Sprajc measured where the pyramid points. It lines up with the sunset on April 30 and August 13, and with the sunrise on February 11 and October 29. Those dates are 260 days apart, and 260 days is the sacred calendar people used all over ancient Mexico.

So the people of Teotihuacan watched the sun really closely... just on different days. I explain more about how the city was planned in Teotihuacan history.

Myth: you see a shadow or a serpent on the pyramid

That's Chichen Itza, in Yucatan. There, the shadow on the El Castillo pyramid looks like a snake coming down the steps. At Teotihuacan nothing like that happens, and at 2:24 PM the sun is just high in the sky.

Myth: you can climb to the top to get the energy

No. On the equinox INAH doesn't let anyone climb or do any activity on the pyramids, not even the first section of the Moon. And the Pyramid of the Sun is closed to climbing right now anyway. I keep the rules updated in can you climb the Teotihuacan pyramids.

True: it's the start of spring and a really big day for us

Thousands of families, groups and friends come together at the pyramids, and you see music, white clothes and a lot of happy people. If you like crowds and you want to see a Mexican tradition, you'll have a good time. If you came to learn about the pyramids, it's harder that weekend.

INAH publishes the rules every year. These are the ones from the 2025 equinox, and the 2026 rules were very similar.

• ❌ No climbing or any activity on the pyramids. You stay in the Plaza of the Sun and the Plaza of the Moon.
• ❌ No pets.
• ❌ No backpacks, suitcases or big bags, and no chairs, tents, tarps, blankets or beach umbrellas.
• ❌ No speakers, megaphones, musical instruments, signs or banners.
• ❌ No alcohol, no drones, and no selling things.
• ✅ Bring water, a hat and sunscreen. INAH asks for this too.

Tickets are sold only at the ticket booths at the site and on the official INAH website. The ticket is $210 MXN (about $12 USD) for foreigners, and you can enter by Puerta 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. See how much it costs to go to Teotihuacan for the full breakdown.

So I recommend to bring a small bag with a zipper and carry it in front of you. Teotihuacan is safe, but like any place with thousands of people there can be pickpockets. Here's my guide on is Teotihuacan safe.