Pachuca (also known as Pachuca de Soto) is a city of almost 300,000 people (2020) in the state of Hidalgo, that draws visitors with its well-preserved historical center and mining heritage. Locals call Pachuca "La Bella Airosa" (The Beautiful Windy City). With its colonial Centro, a lively arts community, and nearby forests and mountains to attract nature lovers, there is much a visitor will find "beautiful". You'll have to trust in God to provide the wind.
Understand
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The capital of Hidalgo State, its history is intrinsically entwined with mining since the Aztec days. After the conquista, the Spanish hired Cornish labor and innovation to help with further mining. But due to political instability and wild fluctuations in the price of precious metal values, Pachuca eventually diversified into other areas, including tourism.
The city occupies a small valley and is almost completely surrounded by large hills, which are also covered in colorful houses. The city centre has maintained most of its colonial-era structures, with narrow winding streets. Away from the centre is the modern part of Pachuca, with warehouses, factories, supermarkets and a large football stadium called El Huracán (The Hurricane).
In addition to its role as a regional center, Pachuca may be known to some as the site where much of Club de Cuervos (Club of Crows), a Netflix series, was shot. It is also fortunate to be close to a mountainous natural getaway known as Parque Nacional El Chico.
Pachuca and nearby communities have an interesting and enduring English heritage, which started in 1824 when the Real del Monte Mining Company contracted with many miners in Cornwall to immigrate to Mexico and take on the project to re-open the flooded Real de Monte mine. The English influence can be seen in the architecture of some of their houses and especially in the Methodist church, which they established. The Cornish immigrants are credited with starting Mexico's oldest professional football (soccer) team, Pachuca Football Club (F.C. Pachuca) in 1892. They also introduced the local population to the epicurean delights of the Cornish pasty. Mexicans may have tweaked the recipe a bit over the years, but pastries (spelled paste in Pachuca) remain hugely popular, and are available everywhere. Historical travelers may want to visit the English Cemetery in Real del Monte, where many of the original Cornish immigrants were buried.
Get in
[edit]By plane
[edit]Pachuca is accessed by flights to Mexico City, Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX) has direct buses to Pachuca leaving every 30 minutes from Terminal 1; Felipe Angeles International Airport (NLU), known as AIFA, is the closest major airport if you are driving. Futura and ADO both operate buses from AIFA to Pachuca. A ticket for the 90-minute ride costs M$156 (April 2026). Depending on traffic conditions, it takes about 90 minutes to arrive at this town.
By carpooling
[edit]You can have a look on Blablacar for shared rides. From Mexico City it's around M$70 (Jan 2022) and from Puebla approx. M$130 (Jan 2022).
By bus
[edit]Pachuca is easy to reach by first class bus from several cities in the region, including from Mexico City's North station (Autobuses del Norte) and Puebla's CAPU station (~2 hr, M$200). From the bus station, take a taxi or one of the combi minivans (M$7.5) to get to the old city center. See also Bus travel in Mexico.
- 1 Central de Autobuses, Ex Hacienda de Coscotitlán. 24 hours. Very large regional hub bus terminal served by many bus lines with frequent arrivals and departures. The terminal is very clean and cavernous with large waiting areas and long lines of ticket counters. Restrooms cost M$10 (coins required to allow passage through gate). Many small shops and fast food counters including American fast-grease franchises.
By car
[edit]Pachuca is about 90 km (56 miles) north of Mexico City. The road is flat with very few curves. Because it is a toll-highway, it's usually in good condition.
Get around
[edit]
Pachuca is a good size city so you'll want to use the taxis or public transportation to get around. Taxis are dependable and safe in Pachuca. Most hotels will call a radio taxi for you, if asked. Combis are the cheapest way to get around. Uber ride-hailing service has good coverage of the entire area.
By bus
[edit]
There is local bus service operated by the city that covers major thoroughfares.
- Tuzobús is a bus rapid transit (BRT) system. It is the primary way to move around the city center and to destinations to the north or south. Buses run in dedicated lanes and stop only at permanent stations. As of 2026 the 1-way fare is M$10 and must be paid using a prepaid Tuzocard (available in machines at stations). A Tuzobús app is available for both Apple iOS and Android phones, you can use it to view schedules and get system alerts.
- Peseros are smaller buses that operates routes through the neighborhoods, ending at a Tuzobus stop. The peseros are well-regulated and are integrated with Tuzobus system.
- Garzabus serves the State University of Hidalgo community with stops at ICA Tuzos, Ixo, and Colosio.
By combi
[edit]Combis are small vans that drive along major roads, such as Blvrd. Felipe Angeles or Blvrd Marquez, and will pick up and drop off passengers anywhere along the route for a small fare (often M$10). Ask a local where the nearest combi route is and where it goes, or just look for a busy street and observe where the vans are stopping to pick up and drop off people. If you're not sure where the regular stops are, you can always just wave at an oncoming combi and the driver will stop (unless the van is already full, in which case he will pass you by). Combis have their destination (terminal point of their route) on a sign or painted on the front windshield.
See
[edit]
- 1 Palacio del Gobierno del Estado de Hidalgo (State Capitol), Plaza Benito Juarez. M-F 08:30 - 16:00, Sa 09:00 - 14:00, closed Su. One of the smallest and least interesting of Mexico's state capitols. Built in 1970, the building is modern and sterile feeling with no historical exhibits. Tourists may want to see the exhibit of art works by state artists and can enquire about observing legislative sessions.
Monuments
[edit]- 2 Reloj Monumental de Pachuca (Monumental Clock Tower). A clock tower built in 1910 to commemorate the centennial of the independence of Mexico. It is situated in Plaza Independencia.
- 3 Cristo Rey. Large Jesus statue on a hilltop overlooking the city. Affords some fine views of the city if you walk around the terrace/stairwell.
Plazas
[edit]- 4 Plaza Juárez. Main square (err, zocalo) of Pachuca with a Benito Juarez statue in the center and the state capital building and municipal theater fringing its borders.
- 5 Pisal de Byron Gálvez (Parque David Ben Gurión). 08ː00-18ː00 daily. Outdoor plaza made up of pieced-together mosaics that you can walk upon.
Art
[edit]- 6 Macromural of Pachuca (Mural de Palmitas), Guadalupe 204, Las Palmitas (behind Sam's Club). A whole neighborhood draped in pastel colors. If you feel like you're suddenly in an Easter egg land, you're probably in the right spot.
- 7 Jardin de Arte, General Square, Calle Pedro Ma. Anaya 1, Centro. Urban sculpture garden provides a peaceful oasis next to the state capitol (Palacio de Gobierno Estatal). Lots of colorful murals. Tianguis are here on Saturday market days.
- 8 El Cuartel del Arte (Art Barracks). A sampling of art.
- 9 SINAFO- Fototeca Nacional del INAH (Museo de la Fotografía). Photography museumː could be a little sleepy.
Historic churches
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- 10 Parroquia de la Asuncion, Plaza de la Constitucion. Church from the 16th century with oil canvases from the same era inside, plus surrounding historical quarters around adjacent Plaza de la Constitucion. Murals depicting heaven and the heavens (stars and galaxies) is phenomenal. The church is famous for having been the parish of Father Mariano Matamoros, who was one of the insurgents of the Mexican War of Independence back in 1810 (along with his bud, Father Miguel Hidalgo).
- 11 Parroquia de San Francisco, Mariano Arista 200, La Surtidora. Colonial Catholic temple also from 16th century with the adjacent St. Francis of Asisi convent, which once housed Franciscan missionaries. The church features a 3-level Baroque-style facade with a single bell tower with four bells. Lush gardens fill the grounds where plazas showcase statues. More statues and historic oil paintings, including a revered painting of St. Francis, are found inside the church. Many other saints are also portrayed in the church's artwork, including Saint Jude, Saint Joseph, the Virgin Mary, and Saint Martin of Tours. A side chapel is dedicated to Our Lady of Light.
- 12 Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe (Basilica of Pachuca), Av Benito Juárez 800, Centro. Colonial era church dedicated to the Lady of Guadalupe. It is known for its elegant interior that features three naves with a domed altar and gilded walls filled with paintings of Mary and her devotees. The church features a number of stained glass windows on the second level. Side chapels contain a number of life-size wooden sculptures.
- 13 Mina de Acosta (Acosta Mine Site Museum), Guerrero s/n, San José Acosta, ☏ +52 771 715 0976. W-M 09:30 - 17:30, closed Tu (hours vary seasonally). Historic mine that produced silver, gold, and lead from 1717 to 1985. The tour covers various parts of the mining facility including the Superintendents House, the elevators, the "Hueco" and the "Chacuaco". Visitors don hardhats and boots to descend 450 feet into one of the mines. M$120.
- 14 Archivo Historico y Museo de Mineria, Asociación Civil, Javier Mina 110, ☏ +52 771 715 0976. 10ː00-18ː00 daily. History of mining in the area with mineral specimens and other mining exhibits like smelters and extractors on display.
Fun
[edit]
- 15 Interactive World Soccer Center/Pachuca Soccer Museum and Hall of Fame (Pachuca El Museo Del Futbol Salon De La Fama), ☏ +52 771 138 3040. Pachuca's soccer hall of fame and museum, for the soccer aficionado. Selfie-opportunity available in front of the gigantic soccer ball.
- 16 Museo El Rehilete (Pinwheel Museum), Blvd Felipe Angeles km 84.5, ☏ +52 771 711 4722. More or less a children's museum but fairly interactive with a dino park, planetarium, and botanical garden.
- 17 Museo de Miniaturas Castillo de Dragones. Miniatures/toy museum inside a castle with dragons draped along the exteriors. Could be a bit kitschy.
- 18 Museo del Paste (Pasty Museum), Carr. Huejutla de Reyes - Pachuca 114, Vizcaínas, ☏ +52 771 797 1548. W-M 10:00 - 17:00, closed Tu. A museum dedicated to the Cornish pasty, that savory concoction of pastry filled with meat, potatoes and leeks. If you can't imagine what more could be said about a humble alternative to the sandwich, then you'll want to stop in, learn more about pastries, where they come from, how they're made, what does and does not go into one, and see the amazing Paste Wall of Fame. You'll even get to make one yourself. M$30.
- 19 Ajolotario Miquiztli Xolotl (Axolotl Museum), Av Amado Nervo 524, Morelos, ☏ +52 771 143 8935. Sa-Su 13:00 - 17:00, closed M-F. Small privately run museum and breeding facility for the critically endangered axolotl, a bizarre amphibian creature that lives its youthful years like a fish, but that grows legs and emerges to live on land in its adult years (but still retaining the ability to live and breathe underwater any time it wants to return to an aquatic life). The axolotl also has the ability to re-generate limbs and organs, making it an object of curiosity among biologists seeing dollar signs if they can figure out how to make that work in humans. Always call for an appointment due to the small facility and very limited hours.
Do
[edit]
- 1 Bioparque Convivencia Pachuca, Av Benito Juárez. 10ː00-17ː00 Tu-Su, closed M. Animal conservatory that is pretty dilapidated. Come here if you want to see a sad lion.
- 2 Tuzoofari, Camino Rural Rancho San Pablo (in Epazoyucan) (about 25 km southeast of Pachuca), ☏ +52 771 189 6600. 09ː00-17ː00 daily. A pretty dynamic safari experience with chances to feed the animals with supervision and tram car rides through the park, etc.
- 3 Estadio Hidalgo, 2da B Juárez 102, Los Jales, ☏ +52 686 231 6595. Catch a pro soccer game almost any time of the year since the local team Club de Fútbol Pachuca (often known locally as Los Tuzos) plays in Mexico's top football league, the Liga MX which has two annual seasons. The stadium opened in 1993 and seats 30,000 fans. Pachuca is the oldest team in Mexico, tracing its roots to 1901 when it was founded by miners who had emigrated from Cornwall in southern England.
- El Chico National Park, Mineral del Chico (10 km north of Pachuca). Dense pine forests in the mountains. Good for camping, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
- 4 Teatro San Francisco, De San Francisco. Iconic historic theatre, remodeled in the 1990s, with performing arts events including ballet, dance, music, and live theatre. Very limited off-street parking.
- 5 Cerro del Lobo, A la Bandera el Lobo. Public park with steep trails and cobblestone paths leading up to a mirador featuring the best sunset views in the city. Unfortunately, the park is not well maintained and is in desperate need of a litter cleanup event.
- 6 Cubitos Ecological Park, Av, Vicente Segura 100, Privada la Paz, ☏ +52 771 714 1056. Daily 08:30 - 15:00. Eco-park focusing on the life and environment of the semi-desert ecosystem. Includes one of the largest cacti collections in the region. A petting zoo for children has goats, chickens, sheep and pigs. It's a big park with miles of pea-gravel surface trails, but there's very little shade and a whole lot of sunshine, so bring a hat and a water bottle.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Mercado Primero de Mayo. 09ː00-19ː00 daily. This is the city's traditional main marketplace. A place to try local foods and look for local artisanal products.
- 2 Plaza Galerias Pachuca. Modern shopping mall with theater.
Eat
[edit]"Pastes". Derived from the Cornish pasty (but pronounced with a short "a" and "e",) this foodstuff is close to a baked empanada and was popularized by Cornish miners who took them as ready to eat treats for their lunch inside Hidalgo's silver mines. The original ones were filled with a mixture of leek, potatoes and ground meat, however the variety has now grown into a somewhat larger assortment. While there are literally hundreds of establishments selling pastes in Pachuca, "Kiko's" and "El Duque" are strongly recommended. Inquire about chile heat before tasting.
Budget
[edit]
All these are in the city center:
- 1 Churromania, Calle Guadalupe Victoria 206, ☏ +52 771 159 8520. Daily 10:00 - 21:00. Good pizza and burgers but terrible service. M$150.
- 2 Taquería Guerrero, Calle Vicente Guerrero 904. Su-F 10:00 - 20:00, closed Sa. Simple taqueria with three classic Mexico City style tacos: sudadero, longaniza, and pastor. These are small street tacos, so you'll want at least 5 to make a satisfying lunch. M$10-20 (per taco).
- 3 Burguer la Fiesta S.A. de C.V., C. Belisario Domínguez 103, ☏ +52 771 714 0767. Daily 11:00 - 23:00. Classic diner style burger spot with counter service and a simple menu of burgers and fries with everything ordered a la carte. M$100.
- 4 Cocina Ade, C. Arizpe 307, ☏ +52 771 279 2924. Daily 09:00 - 18:00. Homestyle Mexican and international dishes, from milanesa to spaghetti. Hearty comfort food at reasonable prices. M$100.
- 5 Pastes "Real de Plateros", Calle Miguel Hidalgo 200, ☏ +52 771 169 4874. Daily 09:00 - 20:00. Basic "grab and go" place serving pastes (with meat or chorizo) and empanadas (with chicken and mole). Small seating place, but most people take them to the monumental clock and eat outside. M$20 (each).
Mid-range
[edit]- 6 Benji's, Pl. Benito Juárez 116, ☏ +52 771 716 8996. Daily 13:00 - 20:00. Specialty burgers served on homemade buns. Also serves pasta, salads and other light fare. Other locations around town. M$100.
- 7 Holy Cheese!, Av Revolución 805, ☏ +52 771 532 2342. Daily 15:00 - 22:00 (may vary). Overstuffed hot dogs with cheese, macaroni and cheese, and pizzas with a variety of salads and drinks. M$150.
- 8 El Canibal Pachuca, Calle Gral. Felipe Angeles 604, ☏ +52 771 153 0308. Daily 13:00 - 23:00. Burger place that also offers salads and milkshakes. M$200.
- 9 Aldi Pizza, Av Revolución 1111, ☏ +52 771 180 9722. Tu-Su 11:30 - 21:00, closed M. Pizza place that also serves burgers, hot dogs and salads. Pizzas include some innovative combos with toppings like salmon, or huitlacoche (on the "Michoacana"). M$150.
Splurge
[edit]- 10 Puerto Del Bife, Camino Real de la Plata, Lte. 15, ☏ +52 771 138 3006. Daily 13:30 - 23:00. Besides the beef, they also serve a wide range of pastas, seafood, and poultry dishes. Argentine menu that will appeal to an international clientele, English-speaking staff. M$300.
- 11 Los Portales Pachuca, Pl. Benito Juárez 118, Centro, ☏ +52 771 373 8562. Tu-Sa 09:00 - 21:00, Su-M 10:00 - 17:00. Clean, modern restaurant serving traditional Mexican cuisine. Breakfast menu includes hot cakes, molletes, omelettes, etc. M$250.
- 12 Sotero, Dr. Manuel del Corral 101, Real de Minas, ☏ +52 771 322 0321. Tu-Su 09:00 - 12:30 (breakfast) and 14:00 - 18:00 (lunch/dinner), closed M. Upscale traditional and regional Mexican cuisine with a full-bar and creative cocktails and desserts. Try the rabbit or the octopus. M$250.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Drunk Factory, Viaducto Río de las Avenidas 2303, Industrial la Paz, ☏ +52 771 778 2505. M-Sa 15:00 - 00:00, Su 11:00 - 17:00. Big, casual drinking spot with live bands playing mostly classic rock covers in both English and Spanish. Food is burgers, ribs and similar fare. Fun place but sells cigars and the whole place just reeks of stale stinky smoke. M$200.
- 2 Rokko House, Puerta de Hierro, ☏ +52 771 376 2488. M-Sa 12:00 - 03:00, closed Su. Lively club with a young crowd and DJs spinning a mix of 80s and 90s hits. Occasional live bands.
Craft beer
[edit]- 3 Möwe Biergarten, Av Revolución 702, Revolución. They have pretensions of being German, but their beer lineup is all English ale styles with a bunch of trendy, ubiquitous IPAs, goses, and sours. Look for stouts when they have them because they've done a hugely malty Russian imperial stout and some smooth coffee stouts.
- 4 Un Hidalgo Cerveceria Mexicana, Dr. Francisco Hermosillo 107, Doctores, ☏ +52 771 306 8904. M-Sa 15:00 - 23:00, closed Su. Wide selection of artisanal craft beers from Hidalgo as well as quality imports representing varying styles that an educated beer palate must understand. Includes some beers I've never seen in Mexico, like Schneider Weisse's decadent Aventinus. M$200.
Sleep
[edit]Budget
[edit]- 1 Casa Alí - HOSTAL, Ingeniero Mineros 103, ☏ +52 771 747 0078. A friendly hostel option with breakfast. Also can arrange tours of nearby areas such as Parque Nacional Chico. M$487.
- 2 Hotel Ciros, Plaza de la Independencia 110, Centro, ☏ +52 771 715 5351. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Older hotel in the middle of the historic downtown area. Lobby and public areas are renovated. Rooms are spacious and clean. On-site restaurant available. Free garage parking. Outstanding value for the money. M$600.
- 3 Hotel Pachuca Inn, Blvd Everardo Márquez Km 1.5, Colonia 18 de Marzo, ☏ +52 771 719 0868. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Budget motor inn style motel where you park right outside the door to your room. Rooms were spacious and although clean, reeked of stale cigarette smoke. Good water pressure and cold A/C. Small on-site restaurant. M$600.
Mid-range
[edit]- 4 Privada 400 Casas & Suites, Dr Espinoza Arteaga 400, ☏ +52 771 713 7688. Kind of like staying in an apartment but without the lease. M$ 614.
- 5 Holiday Inn Express Pachuca, Blvd Luis Donaldo Colosio 220 Fracc, ☏ +52 771 273 0900. This is good if you want to stay in a concrete block franchise sort of place out in the suburbs that has a full breakfast and indoor pool. M$ 762.
- 6 Hotel los Baños, Matamoros # 205 Colonia Centro, ☏ +52 771 715 1441. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Cheap and nice looking colonial style hotel. For luxury, you're probably better off in one of the other options nearby; while the rooms are clean, many things don't work well (windows, locks, internet), but it does come with TV access. Renovated in 2015. For the breakfast you have to pay additional M$60, which it probably is not worth it. Better option is to take breakfast in one of the many nice places nearby. M$720.
- 7 Grand Hotel and Casino Via Dorada, Av Ferrocarril Central 121, Zona Plateada, ☏ +52 771 220 6000. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Modern hotel oddly situated inside a shopping mall. Rooms are clean and spacious, but many have no windows and feel claustrophobic. Lobby on the lower level along with a casino and a Japanese restaurant. Free parking available. M$800.
- 8 Casa Basalto, Camino Real de La Plata 206, Zona Plateada, ☏ +52 771 719 0070. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Chic, ultramodern hotel with spacious, clean rooms with good quality furnishings and upscale soaps and linens. On-site workout room. On-site restaurant. M$1200 (Apr 2026).
- 9 La Joya, Blvd Everardo Márquez 100, Ex Hacienda de Coscotitlán, ☏ +52 771 718 3010. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Modern hotel in a neighborhood of commercial buildings, and the convention center. Hotel rooms are spacious and comfortable with good A/C and WiFi. Free underground parking for guests. On-site restaurant is unexciting but there is a door off the lobby to Sanborn's where a better typical Mexican breakfast can be had. M$1100 (Apr 2026).
Splurge
[edit]- 10 Hotel Emily, Calle Plaza de la Independencia, ☏ +52 771 715 0828. Here you can look out on the clock monument, and have a massage. M$ 847.
Stay safe
[edit]Pachuca is generally safe for tourists and has a lower crime rate than its neighboring states. Tourists are not targeted by any criminal group, but opportunistic theft is always a possibility. Visitors should take precautions to secure cash, credit cards, and travel documents (preferably in a room safe at your hotel). Exercise caution and beware of your surroundings when going out at night. When traveling between cities in the region, travel during daylight hours, use first-class buses, and if driving, use toll roads.
Connect
[edit]Cell phone and internet service is reliable across Pachuca and 4G LTE coverage is the minimum in most areas, with some areas having 5G service available. Telcel is the major provider with AT&T and Movistar also available. WiFi service is commonly available in all restaurants and hotels.
Cope
[edit]Some travelers come to Pachuca to visit medical providers (see Medical tourism) while illness or accidents can occur to anyone at anytime. Foreign travelers who need medical care in Pachuca will usually call a private ambulance to take them to a private hospital. Dial 9-1-1 to request an ambulance. Private hospitals expect payment to be made immediately in cash, or to have proof of private (or non-Mexican) insurance.
There are many hospitals and clinics that that cater to foreigners, these include:
- 1 Hospital Intermedica, Blvd. Luis Donaldo Colosio 212, Arboledas de San Javier. +52 771 716 6790. Full service modern hospital. Treats serious cases. 24-hour emergency room.
- 2 Centro De Especialidades Médicas, 16 de Septiembre de 1810 116, Periodistas, ☏ +52 771 713 5212. Specialized care during normal business hours.
Go next
[edit]Mineral del Monte – 17 km
Parque Nacional (National Park) El Chico – 25 km. Not bad, monolithic escarpments rising up out of an alpine forest-type topography. Come prepared for some potentially cold weather while hiking though.
Mineral del Chico – 35 km. A pristine town that sort of functions as a service center or at least interesting respite before or after visiting Parque Nacional El Chico.
San Miguel Regla – 40 km
Santa Maria Regla – 40 km
Thermal baths, for example the Grutas Tolantongo – 120 km. Breathtaking hot springs. Featuring grottos, a water tunnel, river, bridge, waterfalls, pools and trekking. The admission is M$150 (Jan 2022), only payable in cash. The attractions in the park are open daily up to 20:00. You can also do camping there.
Xoxafi Caves – 50 km
Tolantongo Caves – 120 km
Prismas basalticos – 40 km
| Routes through Pachuca |
| Tamazunchale ← Ixmiquilpan ← | N  S
|
→ Ecatepec → Mexico City |