Acaxochitlán is an ancient and timeless small town in the mountains of Central Mexico's state of Hidalgo. The town's original settlers were the Tula and Teotihuacan peoples who pre-dated the Aztecs who dominated the region long before the Spanish conquest. As one of Mexico's Pueblos Magicos, it is a popular weekend destination for romantic couples enjoying small-town hospitality and for naturalists exploring the misty mountains and forests that surround the town.
Understand
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By bus
[edit]From Mexico City, go to the north bus terminal (Autobuses del Norte) and find the Grupo Estrella[dead link] ticket counters where you can get a ticket on the Conexiones bus, direct to Acaxochitlan. Conexiones operates 4 buses per day on the route. The trip takes just under 2 hours and tickets cost M$120. Other bus companies, such as Futura and AVM, also operate on this route.
Get around
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- 1 Parroquia La Asunción de María Santísima (Church of the Assumption of Mary), Av. Hidalgo 11, Centro. Beautiful 16th century church with a bright red facade and twin naves. Murals decorate the ceiling. The church contains a spectacular polychrome sculpture of Christ's Crucixion. The sculpture was made in the late 17th century using a molding compound made from corn stalks. The statue itself weighs 12 kg (plus the weight of the wood cross on which it hangs). The sculpture hangs over the church's altar. The church becomes the focal point of festivities during early May.
- 2 Museo De Arqueología, Av. Hidalgo, Centro, ☏ +52 712 334 9963. M-F 09:00 - 17:00, closed Sa, Su. Small regional museum chronicling the pre-Hispanic history of the local area. Several exhibits with artifacts from the Teotihuacan culture. Free.
- 3 Reloj Monumental (Clock Tower), Jardin de la Fuente, Centro. Which came first? The clock or the tower? In this case, the town bought the clock in 1928 but it would be four years before the tower was completed in 1932. The tower was designed by architects Mauro Sánchez and Luis González Aparicio. The tower is an excellent example of Art Deco architecture, with its symmetry, use of straight vertical lines, and gracefully curved corners.
- 4 Plaza Principal, Av. Hidalgo. The town's main square in the heart of its historic Centro is a pleasant open area for gathering, relaxing, or enjoying family time on the weekends. Landscaped grounds are interspersed with sidewalks and paved areas with park benches, towering palm trees, and carefully manicured shrubbery. The town's famous clock tower is here, along with the main church, the town hall, and boutique shops and small restaurants.
Do
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Travelers who value nature will find abundant opportunities for birdwatching, nature hikes, boating, camping, and mountain biking. The town is set in a forested mountain region called the Sierra Otomí- Tepehua. Abundant small streams flow down the mountain slopes to feed rivers in the lower valleys. Two dams create lakes that can be enjoyed for their scenery, or perhaps for an afternoon of fishing or boating.
- Cascadas Chimalapa (Chimalapa Falls), Chimalapa. Twin 10-meter high waterfalls. Idyllic setting for contemplating nature or enjoying a picnic with friends. The forest trails are lined with towering shade trees, zarzamora, mushrooms and wild flowers. Camping areas are available near the falls. The falls are 12 km from the town center and can be easily reached by taxi.
- Cascadas el Salto de San Francisco (St. Francis' Leap), Chimalapa. This beautiful waterfall has a 30-meter drop. Trails around the falls are great for nature walks while the crystal clear water below the falls invites a refreshing swim. The falls are 15 km from the town and can be reached by taxi, possibly as a combined day trip with a visit to Chimalapa Falls.
- Presa El Tejocotal (Tejocotal Dam), Acaxochitlan. A man-made lake created by damming the Necaxa River 10 km east of Acaxochitlan. Enjoy boating, fishing, swimming or nature watching.
- Presa Santa Ana Tzacuala (Santa Ana Tzacuala Dam), Acaxochitlan. A man-made lake created by damming the Necaxa River 9 km north of Acaxochitlan. Enjoy nature and aquatic activities, but don't miss a chance to visit the village of Santa Ana Tzacuala and its historic church dedicated to St. Michael the Arcangel.
Festivals
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- Festival of the Lord of Colateral - May 3-11, the town's biggest festival of the year honors the sacrifice of Christ. Locals make a brilliantly colorful carpet of sawdust along a parade route leading to the front doors of the town's main church. Religious ceremonies each day along with regional music and dance, a carnival midway, and lots of food and drink.
- Assumption of Mary - August 13-15, the town's festival to honor its patron saint begins on August 13 with the image of the Immaculate Conception lying on a table as a bed. It rises on August 14 and remains the main representation of the altar. The 15th, is the day of the Assumption, beginning with a mass and followed by a procession through the streets.
Buy
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[edit]Acaxochitlan is known for its traditions around baking bread. Certain types of bread are baked for birthdays, weddings, and Day of the Dead. The town is an apple growing region and you may find cider and similar apple-based food and drink around town.
- 1 Lupita, Av Benito Juarez. Daily 08:00 - 20:00. Casual traditional Mexican food. Tacos are a bit spicy but good. Fresh brewed coffee is sweetened with piloncillo. M$100.
- 2 Tlalli, Tlacpac, ☏ +52 771 127 7364. Daily 10:00 - 20:00. Clean casual restaurant serving buffet style traditional Mexican dishes and regional specialties. Affordable tasty food with friendly service. M$100.
- 3 Hamburguesas el Fogoncito, C. Luis Ponce, Tlamimilolpa, ☏ +52 775 157 0264. Daily 18:00 - 00:00. Huge tasty burgers with fries. M$100.
- 4 Cuelguería Juan Panes, Nicolás García de San Vicente. 6, Tlatempa, ☏ +52 776 752 1006. Artisan bakery making fresh bread using traditional recipes and a wood-fired oven. Several types of bread available. The "tacos" are stuffed with cheese. M$5+.
Drink
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[edit]- 1 Rancho los Barriles, Camino a Techachalco, Tlacpac, ☏ +52 775 133 0408. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Rustic cabins on the edge of town in a wooded, natural area. Cabins have fireplaces and barbecue grills. Pet friendly. Walking trails. M$1400.
- 2 Hotel la Terraza, Av. Zaragoza 25, ☏ +52 776 752 0488. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Cozy traditional hotel with friendly service and comfortable, tastefully furnished rooms. No elevator, so be sure you're okay with lugging baggage up stairs if you ask for an upper floor. Rustic cabins are also available starting at M$1200 per night. M$600.
- 3 Agua Morada, Javier Rojo Gómez, ☏ +52 555 106 3872. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Small hotel in a former distillery, renovated into a boutique hotel with a natural setting. Abundant trees on the grounds with animals and even a small lake with ducks. On-site restaurant uses locally sourced ingredients.