Tepoztlan
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Tepoztlan is a popular tourist destination an hour south of Mexico City. It's famous for the El Tepozteco pyramid, which is on the summit of the nearby Tepozteco Mountain. It's also known for its spas, meditation, alternative medicine clinics and a very traditional city center. It is a small town so you don't need a car to travel within the city. Tepoztlan is the Cradle of many Myths from different pre-Hispanic cultures.
Understand
Tepoztlan have been a spiritual center for many cultures, being where Quetzalcoatl, the main pre-Hispanic figure considered as "the pre-Hispanic Jesus Christ", is said to have been born. It is considered a sacred place worldwide and also has hosted different national and international cultural movements. It's the base of Latin America shamanic community, the community of elders of the world, and it has been a retirement town for old war heroes and retired intelligence operatives from around the world. It is also famous for the great number of reported UFO sightings.
Tepoztlán was #2 of now more than 100 so called "Magic Towns of Mexico" Being in the Top 10 more beautiful Magic Town in Mexico in 2019.
Get in
From Mexico City, you may take the metro to the Tasqueña station and follow the "autobuses" signs to the southern bus depot next door. The various bus companies display their destinations and times. Pullman de Morelos offers bus service every 30 minutes and a one-way ticket cost M$134 (pesos) in 2018. The bus ride is comfortable, scenic and takes about an hour and a half (depending on traffic). Upon arrival in Tepoztlan, the bus may drop you at a depot on the edge of town. Taxis will be waiting to take you to the main square for M$40. Walking to the center will take 20-30 minutes or so. The path to walk downtown is marked by a red metal guard rail across from the bus station.
Frequent buses run to and from the Adolfo Lopez Mateos market in Cuernavaca and pick up passengers along the way to the center of Tepoztlan. About M$20.
If you prefer to take a taxi from Mexico City, the standard cost is M$1250-1850.
Get around
Tepoztlan is a small quaint town and is easily walkable. Most of the activity is centered around its main square and along the main avenue, Avenida 5 de Mayo. There is local bus service to surrounding towns.
There are many tourism agencies around. If you choose to use their services, hire a certified guide to go to 1 of the more than 60 hiking routes through mountains, volcanic caverns, sacred spaces, ziplines, rivers and forests.
See
There is an archeological site at the top of an easy-hikeable mountain (assuming you are in decent shape -- there are 400 m of stairs) that is also famous for its "good vibrations". The hike can take up to 2 hours depending on your fitness level. The pyramid, El Tepozteco, offers wonderful views of the surrounding area. The site may be reached by walking down Avenida 5 de mayo (in the direction away from where you entered the town). Continue until the street ends to the steps which mark the beginning of the trail. Make sure to bring water with you. The hike to the top is free but it will cost M$37 (in 2010) to access the pyramid. At the top you will also encounter coati, also known as a tejón. These animals, members of the raccoon family, are curious and will attempt to open backpacks to find food.
There is also a beautiful former convent called Dominico de la Navidad. It has been restored and entrance is free. It is located right off the main square.
If you are curious about it, the locals claim UFO sightings are common, which mostly just adds to the "new age" vibe of the town. Ask about the "ovni" to hear strange tales.
Do
If you love a good festival, try to visit Tepoztlan on September 8 when the town's famous Tepozteco Festival takes place. Murals are created from seeds adorn the Church of the Nativity (the monastery).
Temazcal is an ancient Mexican therapy that consists of a little igloo-shape room in which a group of people enter and medicinal plants are burned inside it and the place gets really warm. A guide asks people to sing ancient songs to make the experience more complete. Many hotels have this option either in groups or individual.
The Mexican Association of Scouts runs a large campground called Meztitla just outside of town. The camp offers warm showers, tent camping, hiking, rock climbing, and rappel. It is open to the public 365 days (except for occasional closings due to special Scout events). First-aid service is available. There is an area for campfires. Food services must be arranged in advance.Mextitla (in Spanish)
The Dominican monastery and museum is another must-see. The building was built in the 16th century but damaged during the 2017 earthquake and may still be closed. There is a small fee (M$10) to enter the monastery/museum. The Pellicer Museum behind the monastery has an extensive collection of archaeological pieces with a particular emphasis on pre-hispanic art.
The market is colorful and offers delicious local dishes. It spreads out to cover an entire street on Sundays and is an excellent place to buy souvenirs.
Adjacent to the town is the Tepozteco National Park (Parque Nacional El Tepozteco). The park is large, encompassing 16 mountains with hiking paths and rock climbing opportunities. The park includes the archaeological site with a well-known Aztec pyramid. No visit to Tepoztlan would be complete without climbing Tepozteco to see the pyramid. The pyramid was built to honor Ometochtli Tepuztécatl, the Aztec god of pulque.
Nature lovers will find quite a lot of interesting flora and fauna to observe in the Tepozteco National Park. Because of the constantly changing elevation, different types of trees and other plant life can be seen as the temperatures and moisture levels change. In the valleys and low-lying plains, there are more grasses and oaks, while the vegetation gives way to ever increasing density of pines, junipers, and firs as you ascend the mountains. The park boasts more than 120 species of birds, about 30 species of reptile, and about 40 species of mammals. Several of the reptile species are endemic to this area, including the Mexican spotted lizard (which is venomous), and three species of rattlesnake that are not usually found outside the national park. Mammals include a large population of white-tail deer, and plenty of curious coatis who will likely befriend you if they think you have food. (Feeding them is prohibited.)
Buy
There are many handicrafts sold in the market and nearby shops, as well as imported knickknacks from around the world. Mezcal and quartz rocks are produced locally.
Eat
Epicures will find some unusual (and unusually delicious) regional specialties in Tepoztlan. Two of the most famous foods from Tepoztlan are mole verde and ice cream (such as from Tepoznieves, listed below). The mole verde is based on ground pumpkin seeds and gets its color from pipian chiles.
- Tepoznieves has multiple locations around town (Av. 5 de mayo, 21) and their ice cream is famous. They may have up to 200 flavors available ranging from the pedestrian chocolate to more exotic rose petal, figs & mescal or carrot with chili.
- La Posada de Tepozteco is two blocks above the main square. In addition to offering beautiful (though pricey) lodging, the restaurant serves delicious local cuisine. Sit on the serene patio to enjoy the mountain and town views. Their Chicken Mole is delicious.
- Cuatecomate is a prehispanic restaurant on Av Revolucion #10, interior of Plaza las Flores.
- El Ciruelo at Zaragoza #10 is a moderately-priced restaurant that features local food. It is apt for vegetarians and vegans. Tel. +52 739-395-1203.
- La Sombra del Sabino is a moderately-priced cafe near the toll booth at Revolucion #45, Barrio San Jose. Tel. +52 739-395-0369. It offers Mexican food for breakfast or afternoon dinner.
- Many visitors choose to eat tacos, gorditas, and quesadillas in the market. Flor de calabaza is quite popular. Dried grasshoppers (chapulines) are also popular.
- La Cava del Valle (by La Posada del Valle)
Drink
Tepoztēcatl was the god who invented pulque in Tepoztlan.
- Pulques El Nectar Tepozteco, 62520, Revolución de 1910 36, San Miguel, ☏ +52 739 395 0212. F-Su 10:00-20:00. pulqueria M$20 for 200 mL.
- Pulques El Rey Tepozteco, Santisima Trinidad. pulqueria
- Lagartija Club Mezcal, Isabel La Católica 12, San Miguel, ☏ +52 739 395 0196. Daily 12:30-19:30 (F Sa to 20:00). mezcal bar
- Mezcalería La Cueva, Av. Revolución 2, Santo Domingo. F 12:00-00:00, Sa 12:00-02:00, Su 12:00-23:00. mezcal bar with live music
Sleep
Sleeping in Tepoztlan can be noisy at times (in December 2010, the church bells seemed to ring on the half hour all night).
There are two campgrounds nearby: Camhomila (YMCA camp; accepts trailers and has cabins) and Meztitla (Scouts of Mexico, tents only; hiking, rock climbing, rappel. ) Both nice, safe, and open to the public.
Posada Ali is nice place with a good view of the cliffs. It costs around M$500 on weekdays (prices seem to vary).
- Amomoxtli, Calle Netzahualcóyotl 115, Valle de Atongo (4 m from tollway, 3 km from ruins), ☏ +52 739 395 0012. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. large gardens, suites, cabins, bar, swimming pool, wi-fi, spa. M$8,500.
- Hotel Boutique Casa Fernanda, De Niño Artillero 20, San Jose, ☏ +52 739 395 0522. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 13:00. couples, wi-fi, air conditioning, cable TV, spa, swimming pool, three gardens, view of mountains M$2,898.
- Hostal de la Luz Spa Holistic Resort, Carretera Federal Tepoztlan Amatlan s/n km 4, ☏ +52 739 395 3374. Provides suites 2 twin beds, junior suite queen bed, junior suite nicho 2 double beds, junior suite balcony king bed, master suite king bed, master suite 2 double beds and gran master suite with complimentary buffet breakfast, private bathroom and telephone. Its facilities and services include a swimming pool, the Shambhala Restaurant, Sirio Holistic Spa and feng shui bioenergetic design.
- Hotel La Posada del Valle (La Cava del valle de Tepoztlán), Calle Camino a Meztitila #5 esq. Revolución de 1910, Valle de Atongo, ☏ +52 739 395 1947, informposadadelvalle@gmail.com. Daily 8:00-20:00. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 13:00. Hotel Posada del Valle is one of the historical places of Tepoztlán. In the heart of the valley, it has 16 rooms with view to the trees and forest, a swimming pool over the river, spa activities and special experiences, workshops and training. Open all year. No TV or radio, but does provide Wifi and spa services. M$1800-2500, US$90-125.
- Hospedaje San Antonio, Calle Netzahualcóyotl 5, Santisima Trinidad, ☏ +52 739 395 7478. Good location, swimming pool M$898.
Connect
The Cultural Center "Centro Cultural CCPLE Pedro Lopez Elias" is the first so called "ecological library" of Mexico and #2 in Latin America, the have different intercultural and interdisciplinary activities. Was a donation of more than 10,000 books and a great part of the house of the Writer Pedro Lopez Elias.
Go next
- Amatlan is a small town east of Tepoztlan in the same municipality. There are several nice hotels and restaurants in the area. You can hire a guide to take you on a short, easy hike to the waterfall and pool where the god Ometochtli-Quetzalcoatl, the inventor of pulque, god of party and drunkness was born. Bring your bathing suit if you come in raining season.
- Tlayacapan is east and slightly north of Tepoztlan. It is a Magic town with a large Augustinian monastery famous for its mummies and black pottery.
- Yautepec is east and slightly south of Tepoztlan. It has an archaeological site and a 16th-century monastery. Continue from there to Oaxtepec, which has the largest water park in Latin America.
- Cuernavaca is 16 km west of Tepoztlan. It is the capital of the state of Morelos and has 350,000 people. It has many museums, parks and interesting places, also historical spaces and