Before you book a sunrise balloon ride over the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, it's smart to check that everyone in your group can actually fly. Ballooning is gentle and open to far more people than most travelers expect — but there are a few sensible rules around age, weight, pregnancy and health. This guide gives you straight answers so you can book with confidence and avoid surprises on flight morning.
Is there a weight limit to fly a hot air balloon in Teotihuacan?
This is the most common worry, and the good news is simple: there is no fixed maximum weight that automatically excludes a passenger. A balloon is balanced by total basket weight rather than any single person's number on a scale, so we plan each flight by managing the overall load and how guests are distributed across the basket.
What that means in practice: when you book, we ask for the approximate weight of each passenger. We use those figures to assign the right basket and confirm the burner has the lift it needs for a smooth ascent and a soft landing. For most travelers this is invisible — you book the Shared flight at $130 USD ($1,990 MXN) per person and fly with other guests as normal.
Heads-up for larger guests or groups: if a combined weight is high enough that it affects basket balance, we simply recommend booking a Private flight at $245 USD ($3,750 MXN) per person. That gives you a dedicated basket with more room and the right weight distribution — no awkward conversations at check-in.
What happens if your group exceeds the basket weight?
Nobody is ever turned away for weight alone. If your party's total is more than a shared basket can comfortably carry, the solution is a Private flight rather than a refusal. A Private booking guarantees the whole basket is yours, lets us balance the load exactly, and adds the bonus of privacy for a proposal, birthday or family milestone. If you're unsure which fits your group, send us each passenger's approximate weight on WhatsApp and we'll tell you the best option before you pay.
Minimum age: can children fly over Teotihuacan?
Yes — Teotihuacan is a wonderful flight for families, and children can fly from age 5. The ride is calm and the basket walls reach roughly chest height on an adult, so kids generally love floating quietly above the ancient city. Younger children under 5 are not able to fly, mainly because they're too short to see over the basket edge safely and the early start is demanding for toddlers.
Pricing recognizes families, too. There's a dedicated child rate for ages 5 to 10, while passengers aged 11 and over pay the standard fare for whichever package you choose. The age tiers apply across Shared, Birthday and Private flights.
| Passenger | Can they fly? | Which rate applies |
|---|---|---|
| Under 5 | No — too short to see over the basket safely | Not eligible to fly |
| Ages 5–10 | Yes, with an accompanying adult | Child rate |
| Ages 11+ | Yes | Standard fare on the chosen package |
Every child must fly with a paying adult. Minors do not need their own ID: the parent or legal guardian presents a valid government-issued photo ID at check-in, at the We Fly Teotihuacan reception desk, and signs the passenger register on their behalf.
Can you fly a hot air balloon while pregnant?
We do not recommend ballooning during pregnancy. The flight itself is smooth, but landings can be uneven — the basket may tip or bump as it touches down and is dragged a short distance, which is not worth the risk for an expectant passenger. If you're pregnant and already hold a booking, just let us know and we'll move you to a future date or help with the alternatives, no penalty. Because our weather rescheduling is free and flexible, changing plans is straightforward.
Mobility, back, heart and other health conditions
Ballooning is low-impact, but it isn't completely effortless, so a little honesty about your health goes a long way. To board, you need to be able to stand for the duration of the flight (typically 45 to 60 minutes) and climb in and out of the basket, stepping over a side that's roughly waist-to-chest height. There are no seats in the air.
Please check with your doctor and message us before booking if any of the following apply:
- Recent surgery, a fracture or anything limiting your ability to stand or climb.
- Serious heart conditions, uncontrolled blood pressure, or severe back or knee problems.
- Conditions affected by altitude or a brief landing jolt — ask your physician first.
Guests who use a wheelchair or have reduced mobility are not automatically excluded, but boarding requires standing and stepping into the basket, so it depends on the individual. Tell us your situation in advance and we'll be honest about whether we can accommodate you safely. We never want a guest to feel caught out at the launch field at 5:30 a.m.
Other practical eligibility notes
- Footwear and clothing: closed, flat shoes and long pants are required for boarding and landing — no heels or open sandals.
- Sobriety: passengers must be sober; guests under the influence of alcohol cannot fly for safety reasons.
- Photo ID: every passenger must present a valid government-issued photo ID to complete check-in at the We Fly Teotihuacan reception desk. It is what allows us to register you under the travel insurance policy that covers the flight, so without it you cannot board (you may reschedule, subject to availability and our date-change policy). Minors do not need their own ID: a parent or legal guardian presents ID and signs on their behalf.
- One basket, one community: on a Shared flight you'll fly alongside other guests; book Private if you'd prefer your group to have the basket to yourselves.
Still not sure? Ask before you book
If your situation isn't covered above — an unusual height-and-weight mix, a specific medical question, or a child whose age you're unsure about — don't guess. Message our team on WhatsApp with the details and we'll give you a clear yes, no or "book Private" before you pay a peso. We're the direct operator, not a reseller, so the person answering actually flies these baskets and can give you a real answer. Booking direct also means no OTA fees and free weather rescheduling if conditions change.
Ready to plan the rest? See the full experience on our hot air balloon Teotihuacan page, read more about flying with kids in our family balloon flight guide, compare every package on balloon flight prices, or see exactly how we keep every flight safe in is the Teotihuacan balloon flight safe?