Metztitlán
Metztitlán is a very small town in the Central Mexican state of Hidalgo. It is a popular weekend destination for naturalists and outdoors enthusiasts from Mexico City who come for the hiking trails and the spectacular views of the Barranca de Metztitlan and the protected natural areas of the Reserva de la Biosfera Barranca de Metztitlán, home to hundreds of plant and animal species including 33 kinds of bats and dozens of cacti species. By night, travelers enjoy the historic Centro, home to colonial era churches, cobblestone streets, and charming hotels, restaurants, and shops. Metztitlán is one of Mexico's designated Pueblos Mágicos.
Understand
[edit]The town is very small, little more than a village. It has a population of just over 3,000 inhabitants (2010) but is the largest town in a sparsely inhabited rural region. The town is known for its rugged natural landscapes that include mountains with canyons and ravines as well as high plateaus and desert landscapes.
The deep canyon called Barranca de Metztitlán is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that preserves critical habitat for a large number of species and includes a lake that is a designated Ramsar wetland. In addition to its importance for conservation of the natural environment, the canyon is home to five indigenous Otomi communities, about 25% of whom speak the traditional Hñähñú language, the name of which nobody can figure out how to pronounce. The canyons have several areas with cave paintings and many archaeological explorations in the area have recovered ceramic shards, funerary urns, and artistic works from past civilizations.
Get in
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Metztitlán is a 3-hour journey by car or bus from Mexico City and less than 2 hours by car from Pachuca via Hidalgo state highway 37 (a winding rural road).
By bus
[edit]From Mexico City, take Metro to the Indios Verdes station then walk to the bus terminal area where you will find a ticket counter for Autobuses Conexión, who operate four daily buses to Mezquititlan (2-1/2 hour trip that costs about M$100). It is a 10-minute taxi ride from Mezquititlan to Metztitlán.
Get around
[edit]The town is very small and most easily navigated by walking, though comfortable shoes are a must given the steep streets and the uneven cobblestone pavement. For trips outside the town itself, taxis are available and can be called by your hotel desk staff, or you will find a sitio next to the Plaza de la Independencia where a couple taxis are almost always waiting for a fare.
See
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- 1 Ex Convento de los Santos Reyes, El Calvario. This church dates back to 1539 and is considered one of the most important historical sites in Hidalgo. The name "Santos Reyes" refers to the three kings who were beckoned to pay homage to the baby Jesus. The church was built by the Augustinians under the supervision of Fray Juan de Sevilla. It is a large monastery built of stone with an unusual 7-chamber belfry. It is notable for a tall frieze featuring Cherubini, trees and flowers, birds, dragons and Augustinian shields and symbols of the order. The main church houses a number of 17th century paintings and statues including works by the artist Nicolas Rodriguez Juarez.
- 2 Plaza de la Independencia (Zocalo), Independencia. The town's central plaza (Zocalo) is a neatly kept park with manicured shrubbery and lawns, stone walkways lined with iron benches where you can sit and people watch or feed the pigeons. The center of the plaza is a large bandstand (kiosco).
Do
[edit]Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]Metztitlan is an excellent place to find small, local restaurants serving regional cuisine typical of the state of Hidalgo. Some local specialties to keep an eye open for include: tamales de recaudo (stuffed corn meal pockets), tecoquitos (potato patties with mint), xalita verde (a kind of green mole), and esquites con pollo (corn in a cup with mayonnaise, chilli, lime, cheese and chicken).
- 1 El Rincon del Jardin, 16 de Enero S/N, Centro, ☏ +52 771 213 3853. Daily 09:00 - 22:00. Traditional regional Mexican cuisine in an attractive sidewalk cafe next to the main plaza. Food includes a variety of grilled meats and seafood. Breakfast, lunch and dinner available. M$200.
- 2 Taqueria de Sammy, Porfirio Diaz. Daily 16:30 - 00:00. Super casual taco place. Good for an evening meal or late night munchies.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 Hotel La Luna, Av Isaac Piña Perez S/N Frente Esc Sec Tec # 5, Centro, ☏ +52 774 743 0939. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Comfortable Moderate hotel with clean, spacious rooms set around a central courtyard with a large outdoor swimming pool. Rooms lack air conditioning but have ceiling fans and the town's elevation means most nights aren't particularly hot anyway.
- 2 Hotel Granaditas, Av.Tepeyacapa s/n, Tepeyacapa, ☏ +52 774 743 0917. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Moderate hotel with clean, comfortable rooms. Best rooms face the courtyard while outside rooms that face the street can be noisy. On-site restaurant and off-street parking available. M$500.
- 3 Hotel Quinta Española, Calle Plaza Independencia s/n, Centro, ☏ +52 228 198 8207. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Cozy colonial-style hotel in the center of town, directly on the Zocalo (main plaza). Rooms vary depending on price and location with some very plain and some with upscale amenities like jacuzzi tubs.