Xochitepec
Xochitepec is a small town in the Central Mexico state of Morelos. It is a popular weekend getaway for couples in Mexico City due to its relatively close proximity, its atmosphere of Colonial Mexico with several old churches and nearby haciendas, and its nearby villages with their colorful local traditions. It is one of Mexico's designated Pueblos Mágicos.
Understand
[edit]Get in
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By air
[edit]Cuernavaca Airport (officially Aeropuerto Internacional General Mariano Matamoros) (CVJ IATA) is actually closer to Xochitepec than it is to Cuernavaca. The airport has no commercial flights and is used by private and charter aircraft. A taxi from the airport will take about 10 minutes and cost about M$100.
By bus
[edit]From Mexico City's Taxquena bus terminal, take a Pullman de Morelos bus direct to Xochitepec. Buses depart hourly for the 2-hour ride, which will cost about M$160 (Apr 2024). (Buses also leave Mexico City from the AICM and AIFA airports).
You can also take a bus from anywhere in Central Mexico to Cuernavaca where Pullman de Morelos buses leave every 15 minutes for Xochitepec.
- 1 Terminal Xochitepec, Cam. de Acceso a Xochitepec, Centro. Very small waiting room with buses departing frequently for Mexico City. Accepts only cash for ticket purchases. No restroom in the waiting area. No vendors in the bus terminal, but there is a nearby pizzaria and Oxxo if you want to buy snacks for your trip.
Get around
[edit]The historic town center is compact and easily walkable, but taxis are useful for visits to nearby communities or to the archaeological site at Xochicalco. Uber is also available. Hotel front desk staff can call a taxi for you, or you can find them waiting at the sitio near the Zocalo.
See
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- 1 Museo Doctor Emeterio González, Av Rep. De Guatemala 2, Centro. M-F 08:00 - 17:00, closed Sa-Su. Eclectic local history museum that was collected by Dr. Emeterio Gonzalez, who was also a former town mayor. The good doctor was interested in history and archaeology as well as the sciences. Housed in a former sugar cane hacienda, the collection includes a meteorite that fell in a nearby ejido, firarms from the Mexican Revolution (including pistols that once belonged to Emiliano Zapata), and commonplace objects of life in the 19th and 20th centuries in a Mexican country town.
- 2 Zocalo de Xochitepec, Colon, Centro. Lively town square with paved walking paths lined with park benches and towering shade trees. Large central bandstand. Roaming vendors, especially on weekends. Several good selfie spots, particularly next to the town letters. Many nearby restaurants and sidewalk cafes.
- 3 Parroquia de San Juan Evangelista (Church of St John the Evangalist), Republica de Guatemala 12, Centro. Historic 16th century church founded by Franciscan missionaries. Contains a number of 400-year old frescoes and oil paintings. The church was heavily damaged by an earthquake in 2017 and is undergoing renovations, however, the roof was rebuilt first and the church now celebrates mass on the roof (a unique experience for many visitors).
- 4 Hacienda de Chiconcuac, Chiconcuac, ☏ +52 555 281 2161. Beautiful hacienda that embodies the spirit of Colonial Mexico. It is a sprawling manor that includes its own church (San Antonio de Padua), its own acuaduct, sprawling gardens, and gloomy ruins. The hacienda is often regarded as the most beautiful in Morelos and is a popular wedding venue for couples wanting the spirit of "old Mexico".
- Xochicalco is a large archaeological site about 20 minutes by taxi from the town center. The site is well worth a visit (and is one of the most visited archaeological sites in Mexico).
Do
[edit]Enjoy the waters. Morelos is known for its abundant mineral springs with water parks, pools, and spas throughout the state. Xochitepec has several places where visitors can relax and enjoy the cooling (or warming) waters.
- Balneario San Ramon. Daily 09:00 - 18:00. Public pools with cool, spring-fed water. M$50 (adults), M$25 (kids).
- Balneario Palo Bolero, Carr. Taxco-Cuernavaca (MEX 95). Palo Bolero is known for its sulfur-rich mineral waters. Several large pools, river access (Rio Cuentepec), and some grottos (caves). Barbecue grills available if you bring your own food. No in-and-out privileges. M$100 (adults).
- Balneario Campestre Xochitepec, Carr. Taxco-Cuernavaca (MEX 95), KM 94.5. Daily 09:00 - 18:00. Two pools with cold and warm water plus a small wading pool for kids. Bathing is allowed in the natural stream but the water is very cold. Come during the week and you'll have the pools to yourself. Dogs allowed on the grounds, but not in the pools.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Mercado Municipal de Xochitepec, Republica de Paraguay, Centro, ☏ +52 777 106 4872. Daily 08:00 - 18:00. Traditional town marketplace that is oddly busy only on Sunday with many empty stalls on other days of the week. You can find traditional regional ingredients and prepared foods that are rarely found in large, commercial stores.
Eat
[edit]- 1 Pozoleria Doña Julia, Jardin Emiliano Zapata, Centro, ☏ +52 777 139 7467. Daily 13:00 - 23:00. Outstanding pozole with your typical red, white, and green, plus the non-pozole house specialty, Tostada de Milanesa. The best pozolerias serve lots of "crunchies" to top off the bowl. Doña Julia includes mixed red and green cabbage, radishes, chopped jalapenos, tostadas, onions, and cilantro. Great food at low prices! M$150.
- 2 Mis Dos Abuelos, República de Costa Rica 5, Centro, ☏ +52 777 338 5606. W-M 09:00 - 22:00, closed Tu. Traditional Mexican restaurant serving full breakfast, lunch buffet, and dinner. The nogales are good as are the enchiladas. Cozy ambiance with attentive service.
- 3 Pozoleria Doña Vicky, Av. Morelos 22, Centro. Th-M 11:00 - 22:30, closed Tu-W. Although they serve tortas and other dishes, why would anyone go beyond pozole when it's the house specialty and you can feed a family of 4 for M$500. Order it red, white, or green and load it up with all the crunchy toppings you like. M$150.
- 4 HUN Fondita, República de Nicaragua 65, Centro, ☏ +52 554 018 5803. M-W 09:00 - 18:00, Th-Su 10:00 - 21:00. Small hole-in-the-wall offering authentic Yucatecan food like cochinita pibil and sopa de lima. Habanero salsas available. Good aguas frescas.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 Rancho La Joya, C. Rep. de Paraguay s/n, Centro, ☏ +52 55 4808 7155. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Historic property that is popular as a wedding venue. Former governor's manor converted to a hotel. Rooms are very spacious with traditional furnishings. Sprawling property with gardens, swimming pools and open spaces. M$1600.
- 2 Fiesta Americana Hacienda San Antonio El Puente, Reforma No. 2 Fracc, Real del Puente, ☏ +52 777 362 0770. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. High-end luxury hotel that is popular as a wedding venue. Extensive manicured grounds. Historic wedding chapel on-site. Several restaurants serving different cuisines. Large, very clean rooms with upscale toiletries. Pets permitted (extra fee). M$3600.
- 3 Hotel Quinta Parroquia, C. Rep. Argentina 18, Centro, ☏ +52 777 365 7197. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Moderate traditional hotel in the historic downtown area. Rooms have basic furnishings but are clean. Off-site parking is available but lot is small.
- 4 Posada Los Delfines, República de Nicaragua 9, Centro, ☏ +52 777 361 3909. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Basic minimally equipped rooms. No air conditioning. Off-site parking available. M$800.