Yecapixtla, referred to locally as Yeca, is a historic town in the mountainous Central Mexican state of Morelos. It is best known for its huge 16th century monastery, which is part of a 
UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Understand
[edit]Yecapixtla is a small city with a population of about 15,000 (2020). It is a municipal seat and when residents of nearby villages and rural communities are added together, the total municipal population is well over 50,000.
Get in
[edit]
Map of Yecapixtla
The nearest airport is Benito Juárez International Airport in Mexico City. From Mexico City, go to the Taxqueña bus station where several lines have buses that will get you to the nearby town of Oaxtepec. Pullman de Morelos and OCC are good bus lines and each has several daily buses to Oaxtepec at fares of about M$150 for the 90-minute trip. Once you get to Oaxtepec, a local taxi can get you to Yecapixtla in about 10 minutes.
Get around
[edit]Use the YecaBus tourist tram to get a tour of local historic and cultural spots as well as natural areas like the local ravines.
See
[edit]
- 1 Ex-convento San Juan Bautista (Monastery of St John the Baptist), Sufragio Efectivo. Built by the Augustinian monks in the 16th century, the monastery stands as an architectural masterpiece built of granite with carved stone details such as the 3-meter wide Gothic rose window that casts light into the main church. The interior is filled with artistic works including frescoes, statues of saints and religious figures, and paintings of biblical scenes.
- 2 Monument to the Cecinero, Blvd. Las Palmas. Along a busy street is a small plaza with a statue of a guy making shredded, salted, dry meat---a treat that's more popular in this town than free beer.
Do
[edit]Festivals
[edit]- Feria de la Cecina - Held in late October, this is the town's biggest party of the year. It includes popular musical performers, folkloric dancing (especially Brinco del Chinelo), and huge food tastings featuring the star of the festival, cecina, that deliciously salty shredded meat concoction.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Mercado Municipal, Jose Ma. Morelos, Centro. Daily 08ː00 - 18ː00. The town's traditional Mexican marketplace is filled with people, noise, and delightful smells of regional cooking. Farmers bring produce here to sell each day and a bevy of cooks offer their homemade delicacies at very affordable prices. The town's signature dish is cecina (shredded meat) and dozens of vendors in the market offer it.
- Tianguis are traditional street markets that have been happening in towns throughout Mexico for centuries. They're like a cross between a flea market and a farmers market. In Yecapitxtla, every Sunday is market day.
Eat
[edit]- 1 Los Machetes de Zapata, Hidalgo 17, ☏ +52 735 181 0506. W-Su 09ː00 - 17ː00, closed M-Tu. Very popular place serving regional and traditional Mexican cuisine. The house specialty is the "machete", which is like a half-meter long taco stuffed with your choice of meat, cheese, and toppings. Often long lines to get in. M$200.
- 2 Cecina de Yecapixtla, José Ma. Morelos 28-103, Centro, ☏ +52 735 228 8623. M-F 09ː30 - 18ː00, Sa-Su 09ː00 - 19ː30. Specializes in cecina and grilled meats. The best option for first-timers to get the sampler plate that lets you try different kinds of meats and sides to see what you like best. M$200.
- 3 El Conquistador, Sufragio Efectivo 1, ☏ +52 735 327 2332. W-M 09ː00 - 18ː00, close Tu. Open-air sidewalk restaurant with views of the monastery. Serves regional cuisine, particularly cecina. M$200.
- 4 Fonda Regional Dos Potrillos, Carr. Cuautla - Yecapixtla, Centro. M-Th 09ː30 - 18ː00; F-Su 09ː30 - 22ː00. Casual open air restaurant serving regional and traditional Mexican cuisine. M$200.
- 5 Cecina Romi, Carr. Cuautla - Yecapixtla. Daily 08ː30 - 19ː00. Traditional and regional cuisine served in a comfortably rustic space. Cecina (shredded, salted meat) is the house specialty. Full bar with a variety of tequilas and mezcals available. If you're with a group, get the "cantaritos familiar" and you get a punch bowl full of the fruity tequila drink to share (cheaper and more fun than everyone ordering their own drink). M$200.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 Los Alamos, Agua Sarca 1, San Marcos, ☏ +52 735 151 8977. Glamping area with rustic wood cabins for rent. Outdoor swimming pool. Bonfires at night. Friendly staff.
- 2 Hospedeja "Las Marias", Camino Real, Xalps, ☏ +52 735 127 4975. Check-in: 15ː00, check-out: 12ː00. Cozy, quiet hotel with clean, well-equipped rooms that included cable TV and air conditioning. Outdoor swimming pool available. Ample off-street parking. On-site restaurant with delicious, homestyle food. M$1600.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]- Ruta de los Conventos del Popocatépetl for an itinerary through several towns with historic churches in the region
- Cuernavaca - the state capital and home to several spas
- Oaxtepec - once known for its waters, now for its waterslides at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
- Atlatlahucan - nearby town with another grand old 16th century monastery