Apizaco
Apizaco is a bustling commercial town of 82,000 people (2016) in Tlaxcala state. Apizaco's not scenic or tourist-oriented, and its main interest for travellers is likely to be as a jumping-off place for climbing the volcano La Malinche.
Understand
Climate
The city's climate is temperate and arid. Temperature in the winter can fall below 0°C, and in the summer, it can reach in excess of 30°C.
Get in
It is approximately 25 minutes by car from the city of Tlaxcala.
By bus
There is frequent bus service (about every 20 minutes, from early in the morning to late at night) to and from Puebla on ATAH, which has a station on Ave Zaragoza, south of Madero.
ATAH runs buses from Puebla to Apizaco from the main bus station CAPU. The first bus leaves 06:00 and you have to be on that in order to get to the collectivo to la Malinche in time from Apizaco (M$60-64 (pesos)). Frequent buses back to Puebla all evening. (Oct 2016)
Collectivo from Apizaco to la Malinche leaves in front of Comex-store very near Elektra-store from the main collectivo launching area. Bus reads Malinz, which is the cabin resort on la Malinche. Collectivo leaves at 08:30 (be early) and leaves at 17:00 to return. (M$20)
Get around
The town is small enough to be easily walkable, but taxis are easy to catch near the ATAH station and along Blvrd. 16 Sept.
See
- 1 La Maquinita. In this central rotunda of Apizaco lies the emblem of the city, a steam engine named "212" atop a pedestal.
- 2 Museo Casa de Piedra, Morelos 812, ☏ +522414180824. Tu-F 09ː30-17ː00, Sa Su 10ː00-15ː00, closed M. Mostly a museum with railway exhibits but also some displays on history and sports pertaining to the city. Sits adjacent to the railway that extends from Veracruz to Mexico City. Given that a lot of it consists of photographs, it is probably not the most exciting museum you have been to.
- 3 Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Misericordia (Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy), Av Cuauhtémoc, ☏ +52 241 417 0001. Ahh, Apizaco's own basilica, sitting opposite the Parque Cuauhtemoc like a tall sentinel, very gothic, yes, looks like it could be in a Van Helsing movie.
Do
The main attraction is the nearby volcano La Malinche, which can be climbed as a day hike. To get to the mountain, either hire a taxi for about M$200 one way, or take the colectivo (with the sign saying C.V. Malinche) for M$25. The colectivo picks up across the street from Elektra on Serdan, three blocks south of 16 Sept. and two blocks east of the cathedral. The first colectivo leaves Apizaco at about 08:20 every morning; show up 10-15 minutes early. The last one down the mountain is at 17:00 every afternoon, and there is also a 15:00 bus F, Sa and Su. The best time to climb the volcano is in the dry season, which is winter. There may be some snow at the higher altitudes, but the hike is usually doable in tennis shoes. The altitude of the summit, 4,462 m (14,640 ft), is about the same as Mount Whitney, the highest peak in California's Sierra Nevada. Some acclimatization for the altitude can be accomplished simply by staying in Apizaco, which is at 2,400 m (7900 ft). Climbers in good physical condition should take about 3 to 6 hours to the summit, plus about 2 to 3 hours to descend. Further information about climbing the mountain is available on summitpost or in R. J. Secor's book: Mexico's Volcanoes: A Climbing Guide.
- 1 Recreation Center El Mirador, Calle Emiliano Zapata 1, San Francisco, 90432 Atexcatzingo, ☏ +52 241 159 9834. Little water park with slides and suspension bridge to hang out at. And well, good luck trying not to get lost if you come out here.
Buy
Eat
The Hotel la Posada has a restaurant with a menu del dia, offering good food at a price competitive with the restaurants at the cheaper hotels. For hikers wanting coffee and a pastry before hopping on the bus for La Malinche, there are Oxxo convenience stores scattered around town. The resort on the mountain has a restaurant.
- 1 Restaurante El Vegetariano, Av. 5 de Mayo 606, ☏ +52 241 160 6634. M-F 09ː00-17ː30, closed Sa Su. This could be interestingː a vegetarian restaurant in Mexico. The two almost seem incongruous, so this might be worth looking into. Buffet available.
- 2 El Plato, Av Cuauhtémoc 613, Centro, ☏ +522411976713. 08:00 - 00:00. Elegant restaurant with quiet atmosphere and international cuisine.
- 3 Antonio's, Av Cuauhtémoc 302, Centro, ☏ +52 2414170032. 08:00 - 18:00. Casual restaurant, good value for breakfast. M$100.
- 4 El Checo, San Isidro Apizaquito, Blvd. 16 de Septiembre 516, Apizaco, ☏ +522414172754. 10:00 - 19:00. Known for their seafood dishes: fish tacos, grilled salmon, caldo susador, huachinango veracruzano. Delicious!
Sleep
Camping
Backcountry camping, with no amenities, is possible on the mountain, the most likely areas being in the forest outside the resort or at the tree line, where there are flatter spots in the terrain. Keep in mind that the high altitude makes the nights cold. There usually is no water on the mountain except at the resort.
Budget
- 1 Hotel Luis Alberto, Blvrd. 16 de Septiembre 303 (near the cathedral), ☏ +52 241 417 0626. Simple lodging. From M$220.
- 2 Hotel Restaurant 1904, Blvrd. 16 Septiembre 2107 (Faces a decorative arch a few blocks west of the big traffic circle where Independencia crosses 16 Sept. Across the street from Hotel Grysell.), hotel1904@hotmail.com. Fancy modern décor. Restaurant downstairs. Unheated rooms with private baths. From M$606.
- 3 Hotel Grysell, Blvrd. 16 Septiembre (faces a decorative arch a few blocks west of the big traffic circle where Independencia crosses 16 Sept. Across the street from Hotel 1904), ☏ +52 241 417 5084. Has a restaurant. Cheerful paint tones. From M$380.
Mid-range
- 4 Hotel la Posada, Blvd. 16 de Septiembre 911 (on the southeast corner of the big traffic circle where Independencia crosses 16 Sept.), ☏ +52 241 417 0815. From M$750.
- 5 Hotel Del Ángel, Calle Jesús Carranza 1909, ☏ +52 241 417 6800. This one has a nice touch of class with its colonial feel. Has a restaurant serving breakfast and bar plus a spa with a massage table and little votive candles, fitness equipment, and a covered pool. M$808.
- 6 City Express Apizaco, Blvrd E. Sánchez Piedras No 100, ☏ +52 241 418 8490. Business-like hotel right by train tracks, so have fun there. Free breakfast though. M$828.
- Centro Vacacional la Malinche (a resort on the mountain at the top of the road from Apizaco), ☏ +52 800 711 0614. Crowded and noisy on the weekends. There is a restaurant. From M$750 for a cabin.