Templo de San Francisco Javier

Tepotzotlán has a long and fascinating history, having been established by the Otomi indigenous people as early as 2500 B.C. The city is in Mexico State, 40 km northeast of Mexico City. It is a popular weekend destination for residents of Mexico City, who come for the colonial charm, the shopping, and the local food.

Understand

Topotzotlan was settled by the Otomi, who came under the dominion of Teotihuacan, until that city declined. During the Aztec empire, it was part of an alliance with the Aztec that protected it from predations. During the Spanish colonial era, it was a religious stronghold from 1525 onward. It was a place where large churches, cathedrals, and colleges were built to train monks. The Jesuits built a large college campus called the College of San Francisco Javier in 1580, but it was turned over to diocesan clergy when Jesuits were expelled from Mexico in 1767. Many haciendas were built in the area to promote economic development.

Tepotzotlán is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of 60 designated historic sites along the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. Tepotzotlán has been designated by the federal government's department of tourism (SECTUR) as a Pueblo Magico in recognition of its tourist appeal.

Get in

By car

Tepotzotlan is an easy 1-hour drive from Mexico City and the most convenient way to get there is to hire a taxi or Uber to take you there. To drive from Mexico City, take the Autopiste Mexico City-Queretaro (MEX 53D) and exit at km 41. A taxi from Mexico City to Tepotzotlan will cost about M$1000.

By bus

From Mexico city, take Metro to the Tasquena bus terminal. A Pullman de Morelos bus leaves every hour for Tepotzotlan Caseta. It's a 1-1/2 hour ride and costs M$100-180, depending on time of day. Other bus lines also serve Tepotzotlan from terminal del Norte in Mexico City and from other cities in Central Mexico. Some of the bus lines serving Tepotzotlan include Autobuses Pegasso, ETN, Primera Plus, Futura, Flecha Roja, and Omnibus de Mexico.

18th century aquaducts in Tepotzotlan

• 1 Terminal de Autobuses Tepotzotlan, Autopiste Queretaro-Mexico (MEX 53D), KM 425. Clean and modern way station used by a number of northbound buses from Mexico City to Queretaro and beyond. Basic services but very convenient for travelers heading anywhere in the northern part of Mexico State from Mexico City. (updated Sep 2023)

Get around

Walking and taxi are the best ways to move about the city.

See

• 1 Museo del Virreinato, Hidalgo 99, ☏ +52 5558760245. 09ː00 - 18ː00. One of Mexico's most important history museums, and one of the largest outside Mexico City, the Museo del Virreinato tells the story of religious life and its expansion across Mexico in the colonial era. The museum is housed in the former College of San Francisco Javier and also includes the adjacent Church of San Francisco Javier. The museum is very large and will take at least a half day to explore. The museum compex in the former college includes several interior courtyards, a chapel, library, dormitories, and a dining hall and kitchen. At the back of the museum is a 3 hectare garden filled with statues and the original Salta de Agua fountain, which marked the end of an aqueduct that ran to Mexico City. The museum collection is mostly liturgical with a number of colonial-era artworks commissioned for area churches and missions. (updated Jan 2023)
• 2 Parroquia San Pedro Apostol (Church of St. Peter the Apostle), Plaza Virreinal 100, ☏ +52 5558760247. 10ː00 - 16ː00. Historic parish church known for its tranquility, graceful interior architecture, and its ornate doorway. (updated Jan 2023)

Do

• Stroll the downtown streets on a weekend when informal street markets (called tianguises) are open on several streets. Locals sell artesanias, homemade food, furniture, antiques, baskets, and leather works.
• Arcos del Sitio is where you'll see the 18th century aquaducts built to bring drinking water to the city, it's a pleasant park area where many people bring a picnic lunch and spend most of a day. There are zip lines here.
• Festivalsː Everybody loves a party, and there are three big ones in Tepotzotlanː

- Festival of Flowers (mid March)

- Festival of San Pedro (the patron saint of Tepotzotlan) (June)

- Señor del Nicho (Preciosa Sangre de Cristo) (September)

Eat

• 1 La Hacienda, Adolfo López Mateos, ☏ +52 5551243772. 10ː00 - 20ː00. Family friendly restaurant with live music and traditional Mexican cooking. Homemade aguas frescas. (updated Jan 2023)
• 2 Rincon de la Catrina, Calle Ejido 3, ☏ +52 5539309804. Bright, colorful Mexican ambience, family friendly with traditional Mexican cuisine. (updated Jan 2023)
• 3 El Granero, Plaza Virreinal 12, ☏ +52 5558760005. 11ː00 - 23ː00. Bright, spacious dining room in a downtown mansion. Traditional Mexican food. (updated Jan 2023)
• 4 Milenio Tepotzotlan, Esquina Con, Av. Benito Juárez, Almácigo, ☏ +52 5513129761. 09ː00 - 22ː00. Great choice for breakfast with homemade crepes, fresh fruits, and coffees. Cash only...no credit cards accepted. (updated Jan 2023)
• 5 Pulpo Negro, Ignacio Manuel Altamirano 8, ☏ +5 25511008846. 09ː00 - 22ː00 (closed Monday). Casual, moderately priced eatery with light food, pizza, pasta and drinks. (updated Jan 2023)

Drink

• 1 Pulqueria El Mirador (La Cobacha), Av. Lic. Benito Juárez 1, ☏ +5 25511008846. 09ː00 - 00ː00. Fun, popular drinking spot with a variety of natural and flavored fresh pulques. There are also several beers (both national brands and some artesanal craft beers). (updated Jan 2023)

Sleep

• 1 Mansion Tepotzotlan, C. Mariano Galván Rivera 35, ☏ +525535428118. Check-in: 14ː00, check-out: 11ː00. Comfortable hotel on a quiet side street, beautiful garden with large swimming pool and deck area. (updated Jan 2023)
• 2 Puerta al Virreintato, Av. Lic. Benito Juárez 1A, ☏ +52 5558767213. Upscale boutique hotel with colonial decor, ample parking, central location within 5 minute walk of Museo Virreinal. Full-service restaurant on second floor with terrace. (updated Jan 2023)
• 3 Hotel Principal, Av. Eva Samano de López Mateos, ☏ +525558769026. Check-in: 15ː00. Bare bones economy lodging for the budget minded. Clean rooms in a central downtown location. M$500. (updated Jan 2023)
• 4 Posada la Estancia, Av. Insurgentes 31, ☏ +525558761170. Check-in: 13ː00, check-out: 12ː00. Clean, rustic, economical. (updated Jan 2023)

Connect

Cellular coverage is good in Tepotzotlan, with most of the area having 4G service. Cell coverage is reliable along the toll highway between Mexico City and Queretaro.

Go next

• Queretaro
• San Miguel de Allende