Totolapan is a town in Morelos, a state in central Mexico. It's historic Colonial era Centro dates from the early 1530s and has cobblestone streets and a genteel atmosphere. The town is most famous for its Ex-Convento de San Guillermo de Abad, which is part of a 
UNESCO World Heritage Site (Monasteries on the slopes of Popocatépetl).
Understand
[edit]History
[edit]The town was first settled around 1150 by members of the Chichimecas indigenous culture. In the 1350s it was taken over by the Xochimilcas, and in the 15th century, by the Aztecs under the leadership of Moctezuma I.
The town was invaded by Spanish conquistadors in the 1520s, followed by the Augustinian missionaries in the 1530s.
During the Mexican War of Independence in the early 19th century, the town was a stronghold of Jose Maria Morelos. The Mexican Revolution saw the town align with Emiliano Zapata. It was the site of fighting near the monastery and on Santa Barbara Hill.
Get in
[edit]
The nearest major commercial airport is Benito Juárez International Airport in Mexico City. From there, you can take a taxi, Uber, or bus to Totolapan.
By bus
[edit]Totolapan is just over 2 hours from Mexico City. Transportes Estrella Roja operates hourly buses on the route with fares around M100. Buses depart Mexico City from Central de Autobuses del Sur (Taxqueña).
- 1 Terminal Estrella Roja, De la Conquista.
Get around
[edit]See
[edit]
- 1 Ex-Convento de San Guillermo de Abad, Ignacio Aldama, Purisima Concepción. Built between 1534 and 1545 by Augustinian friars under the direction of Fray Jorge de Ávila. The monastery is part of a group of early 16th century churches that together make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main church features a wide atrium and a long, high central nave and three poza chapels, one where baptisms of the native population would convert them from barbaric savages to civilized Christians (or so they might have hoped). The large main altar features an image of St. William (San Guillermo) along with symbols of the Augustinian order. The site is unique among its sister churches inscribed in the UNESCO citation in that it is the only one left that has its original gardens intact.
- 2 Cerro de Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara Hill), Santa Barbara. Hill that served as lookout post during Mexican War of Independence and Mexican Revolution. Tourists like climbing the hill to the Mirador (scenic overlook), offering panoramic vistas of the town.
Do
[edit]- 1 Plaza de Toros Emiliano Zapata, Purisima Concepcion. The town's bullring was originally built for Bullfighting, but today is most often used to host rodeos and other events.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]- 1 Agustinos, Obregon 2, ☏ +52 735 147 4518. Daily 09ː00 - 22ː00. Clean, modern restaurant serving casual food like burgers, fries, and tacos. Friendly service, full bar. M$200.
- 2 El Porton de Emiliano, Centro. Th-M 09ː00 - 22ː00, closed Tu-W. Traditional Mexican restaurant serving breakfast and light fare (antojitos). "Paquetes" generally consist of a main dish, toast, fruit, and coffee or juice.
- 3 El Campirano, Alarcón Nte. sur, San Sebastian. F-W 09ː00 - 12ː30, closed Th. Cozy coffee shop offering traditional Mexican breakfasts and a variety of fresh coffee drinks, hot and cold, including several kinds of latte. Food is tasty and affordable. M$150.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 Villarreal Lodge, Álvaro Obregón #34. Check-in: 15ː00, check-out: 12ː00. Eco-friendly Villa lodge with 6 guest rooms. Very clean and comfortable with friendly owners. Outdoor non-chemical swimming pool. No on-site restaurant. M$400.
- 2 Capital O Hotel, Camino Real, Rancho Las Marzanas, ☏ +52 800 696 7666. Check-in: 13ː00, check-out: 11ː00. Villa-style inn that's secluded and quiet. Rooms are spacious, clean, and comfortable. On-site swimming pool. On-site restaurant.
- 3 Agua Turquesa, Vicente Guerrero 3. Check-in: 14ː00, check-out: 12ː00. Clean comfortable hotel with a water park area that has water slides and multiple pools. No on-site restaurant, but a nearby restaurant delivers to rooms.