Mexico Private and Small Group Walking Tours

Jens was incredibly knowledgeable, not just about Teotihuacán, but about Mexican history in general and the social, political and economic forces shaping each era. We had an amazing day and would ask for Jens again in a heartbeat.

Our tour of Teotihuacan with Jazmín was absolutely exceptional. From the moment we left our Mexico City hotel, her expertise and passion for pre-Spanish civilizations transformed what could have been a simple sightseeing trip into a deeply immersive historical experience. The tour began perfectly during our 45-minute drive, where Jazmín used pictures and diagrams on her iPad to provide essential context about the region’s ancient peoples and how Teotihuacan fit into this broader narrative. Her academic background (she’s working on a PhD focused on pre-Spanish peoples) was evident in both the depth of her knowledge and her ability to make complex history accessible and engaging. At the site, we started with the Temple of the Feathered Snake, where Jazmín’s vivid descriptions brought the ancient ceremonies to life. Her attention to detail helped us truly envision how these spaces were used and what the city’s residents would have experienced during religious gatherings. She has a remarkable gift for making this humbling and awe-inspiring archaeological site feel immediate and real. The highlight was definitely climbing the Pyramid of the Moon - the best preserved of the three major pyramids. Walking down the Avenue of the Dead and then ascending halfway up this ancient structure was breathtaking. Jazmín’s enthusiasm was infectious as she guided us through the Pyramid of the Sun and the other major structures. But the tour went far beyond just the famous pyramids. We explored the Palace of the Jaguars and admired remarkably preserved murals while learning about the complex layers of historical interpretation at the site. Jazmín expertly guided us through how our understanding comes from multiple, sometimes conflicting sources: the Mexica (Aztec) historical accounts (whose accuracy is questionable), Spanish colonial narratives that served to justify conquest and conversion, and modern forensic archaeology that attempts to interpret the mute record of artifacts themselves. She showed us how these different sources of data have been woven together to create the interpretation we have today. We also visited a nearby Spanish colonial convent, which provided fascinating context as these ancient sites again changed hands. The juxtaposition of the pre-Columbian ruins with colonial religious architecture illustrated the cultural transformation that occurred after the Spanish arrival. Jazmín’s energy never flagged throughout the entire day, and her ability to weave together multiple historical narratives made this one of the most educational and memorable tours we’ve ever taken. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to truly understand this incredible World Heritage site.

Natalia was very knowledgeable not just about the history of the art and the lives of Kahlo, Rivera and Trotsky but about the political and social forces shaping the era in which they lived in Mexico and how they fit into that context. Having Natalia as a guide made our experience in the museums so much more meaningful.