Private Tour: Tula and Tepotzotlan Day Trip from Mexico City
Description
Discover two pivotal periods in Mexican history on this private full-day tour with pickup and drop-off at your Mexico City hotel, including transportation and a private guide. We begin at the Tula Archaeological Zone, the ancient Toltec capital renowned for its advanced architecture. Admire the imposing Atlantes figures and learn about the innovative construction techniques of this culture, such as the use of columns, reliefs, and stucco finishes that set a precedent in Mesoamerica. Afterward, we'll visit the historic Jesuit complex of the National Museum of the Viceroyalty, located in Tepotzotlán. During the colonial era, the Jesuits played a key role in evangelization. Here, you can marvel at the extraordinary gold leaf decoration of the Temple of San Francisco Javier, a jewel of New Spanish Baroque architecture. An experience that combines pre-Hispanic splendor and colonial artistic richness in an exclusive and culturally enriching tour.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The city was founded by Ce Ácatl Topiltzin Quetzalcóatl, sovereign who gave great prosperity to the region, which was cut short due to the confrontation between followers of the god Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca, gods tremendously opposed in Aztec mythology.
The Society of Jesus came to Tepotzotlán in 1580 to be employed in the work with the Indians and founded a residence where the parents learned Otomi, Nahuatl and Mazahua. He also established the Seminary of San Martin for the education of the children of the principal Indians. Finally, he established the House of Probation so that young people who wished to enter the Society could attend the novitiate. The school was for the exclusive use of the Jesuits, while the hostelry and the temple were public spaces and the Seminary of San Martin was inhabited only by indigenous people. The property was built on a natural promontory that was used to build three levels, currently identified as access plant, ground floor and upper floor.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We have Coverage in all the places of the city of Mexico, Hotels, Airbnb.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(28)
Tula is a very interesting site with its famous giant Atlantean statues as well as a couple of well conserved reliefs of the Toltecs. Unlike other archaeological sites we had the place almost to ourselves (our guide Carlos told us on the weekend it tends to get busier though). The ruins are located inside a national park, thus you get both to experience culture but also nature of this semi arid region with cactea and wildlife such as humming birds (and if you are lucky such as we were with Carlos you will get details about both aspects). The old jesuit college of Tepotzotlan is famous (and recognized as part of a serial UNESCO world heritage) for its amazing gold leaf covered churches and chapels. Be impressed by large retabels, stuccos and paintings. We chose the option with lunch and that was fine as well. Unfortunately the traffic was very heavy due to accidents, nevertheless our driver Cristian brought us smoothly from A to B and we were not rushed through any of the places despite running late in time.
We had an amazing day with our guide Bruno and our driver Luis. Bruno is an impressive source of knowledge for both Mexican and world history, giving us so much information on pre-Colombian, post-Spanish and even modern Mexican history, tying in what was happening in the rest of the world too that made me appreciate it even more. We were also glad to have gone to the vice-royalty museum, which I was skeptical at first but that in the end also covers a period of Mexican history.
A fabulous ride. I answer all our questions. Very friendly guide. 100% recommended. I walk at my own pace. Which was beautiful as I was walking with a cane for an accident I had.
For day two, we again had Carlos as our tour guide and Daniel as our driver. Carlos was exceptional, answering all our questions, explaining both sites, and picked an excellent buffet restaurant for lunch. Would highly recommend Carlos as a tour guide and will hire him again, we we visit Mexico City.
Our private day tour from CDMX to Tula and Topotzotlan was an amazing experience. Our guide Ramon was incredibly knowledgeable about both places and eager to share his appreciation of their histories with us. I have been on many tours to many historical sites around the world, and Ramon was one of the best guides I've experienced by far. His knowledge of both Tula and Topotzotlan (as well as all things having to do with pre-Columbian and Mexican history in general) made our experiences of both places simply fascinating. He was always ready to answer the many questions we had with a smile, and went above and beyond to make sure we had an unforgettable visit. We also appreciated our driver Carlos who after picking us up at our Airbnb in CDMX ensured we made it everywhere we were going safely and efficiently. Tula is a lesser visited archaeological site than the more popular nearby site of Teotihuacan, but no less enthralling when you learn about the history of the enigmatic Toltecs who created and ultimately abandoned it. And a visit to the Jesuit College in Topotzotlan with its beautiful high baroque architecture and rich colonial history is something you won't soon forget. The tour came with a delicious lunch overlooking the historic square of Tepotzotlan and sweeping views of the city. I highly recommend booking a tour with Ramon and visiting both of these fascinating places on your next visit to Mexico City.
This tour replaced the one where they did not show up. Guide Veronica and driver Arturo made it to a very interesting tour in a pleasant athmosfere
Museo Nacional del Virreinato was very interesting. The adjacent cathedral was amazing. We also enjoyed the archeological site at Tula. Our guide was fantastic. He was extremely knowledgeable and spoke English very well.
Ramon was an amazing tour guide. He was so knowledgeable and fun. My family had a wonderful time trekking around Tula and Tepotzotlan. We learned about the history and culture of the Toltecs and the Spanish Conquest in great detail. It was our best tour! Thank you! Christian was also an excellent driver.
We scheduled our tour of Tula on day 2 of our trip to Mexico City. We had the place to ourselves and got great pictures. Our guide, Brenda, educated us from the moment she and Elecio picked us up. It was convenient that we already knew them from day 1 and they are both reliable and kind. Brenda is simply amazing. This site is not the most excavated but what has been revealed is incredible. Tepotzotian is a nice town and the museum is quite interesting, I can definitely say the guide made everything come together. Be mindful no drinks or gum chewing in the museum.
Both the Tula and Tepotzotlan trips were excellent. Brenda was the tour guide and Pedro was the driver. Brenda showed us some of the local markets. The food there was great. This trip give a good feel for Mexico and local life as well as the historical sights.
