Ocuituco is a historic small town of fewer than 5,000 residents (2010) in the mountains of the Central Mesican state of Morelos. Eco-travelers come to hike in the pine forests and the Barranca del Amatzinac, a canyon formed by waters flowing from the slopes of the Popocatépetl volcano. Travelers interested in history come to see the Ex-convento de Santiago Apóstol, one of the oldest Spanish missions in Mexico, and a 
UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Understand
[edit]Get in
[edit]
The nearest major airport is Benito Juárez International Airport in Mexico City. To get from Mexico City to Ocuituco, take Metro (Line 1 or Line B) to the San Lazaro station, which connects to the TAPO bus station where you can take a Volcanes bus to Nepantla (there is no bus station in Ocuituco). From Nepantla, you can take a taxi for the 20-minute ride to Ocuituco.
Get around
[edit]See
[edit]
- 1 Templo y Ex-convento de Santiago Apóstol (St. James the Apostle Monastery), Calle Asuncion. This was the first mission to be established by the Augustinian order in the Americas. Construction of the church and monastery began in 1534. It features a Rennaissance-style facade on the main church with the cloister surrounding a central courtyard. The courtyard features a fountain of six stone sculptures of lions. Another fountain in the plaza in front of the church features sculptures of mermaids and mythological figures. The monastery is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site that includes several historic 16th-century monasteries near the Popocateptl volcano.
Do
[edit]- Thermal baths and spas are found throughout Morelos
Festivals
[edit]- Festival Santiago Apostol - July 25 is the feast day for the town's patron saint. The whole town turns into a festive carnival with food, music, and traditional dances.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Mercado Municipal, Calle Molotla (along the zocalo). Daily 08ː00 - 16ː00. Small traditional Mexican marketplace with fresh fruits and vegetables and other foodstuffs along with stalls where local cooks prepare regional dishes at affordable prices.
- Tianguis - Saturday is the traditional market day in Ocuituco when a pop-up farmers market and flea market happens in the main plaza (Zocalo)
Eat
[edit]- 1 Cuexcomete, Calle Reforma 16, ☏ +52 735 397 4415. M and W-Sa 13ː30 - 22ː30, Su 09ː30 - 22ː30, closed Tu. Scenic outdoor patio restaurant with Mexican artesanias decorating the space, serving regional and traditional Mexican dishes. Sunday brunch has an expanded menu. Friendly service. M$200.
- 2 El Abuelo Chon, Carretera Ocuituco - Tetela del Volcán km. 13.5, Barrio San Nicolás, ☏ +52 735 127 8063. W-Su 09ː00 - 16ː00, closed M Tu. Beautiful restaurant in a forest setting. Serves regional and traditional Mexican cuisine. The barbecue lamb is recommended. Tortillas are hand-made. Full bar serves large, well-made drinks. M$200.
- 3 La Chilaqueria, Carr. Ocuituco - Tetela del Volcan, ☏ +52 735 128 1899. Daily 08ː30 - 15ː30. Great place for breakfast with several variations on chilaquiles (including cecina, naturally), as well as eggs, hotcakes, omelettes and molletes. Comfortable outdoor dining area with contemporary furnishings and friendly service. M$200.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 Ecohotel Quinta La Joya, Carr. Ocuituco - Jumiltepec 17, Barrio de San Nicolas, ☏ +52 551 379 7123. Check-in: 15ː00, check-out: 12ː00. Ecologically focused small boutique hotel with attractive, well-maintained facilities. Rooms are spacious and comfortably equipped. Dogs allowed (extra fee).
- 2 Hotel Ocuituco, Los Alcranes, ☏ +52 731 170 2756. Check-in: 15ː00, check-out: 12ː00. Moderate hotel with basic amenities.