Tepotzotlán is a town in the State of Mexico with beautiful landscapes and jewels of viceregal culture that invites you to relive its colonial past; We will help you get to know him better with this complete guide to this Magic Town.
1. Where is Tepozotlán and how to get there?
Tepotzotlán is part of the metropolitan area of the Valley of Mexico and is located 43.5 km from the capital, Toluca, being a central Magical Town with easy access. To get to Tepotzotlán starting from Mexico DF you must head north from the peripheral ring, to the Mexico-Queretano highway and at Km 44 you will find a stone detour that takes you directly to the center of town. Other important cities near Tepotzotlán are Pachuca de Soto, which is located 102 km away, Cuernavaca (130 km), Santiago de Querétaro (173 km) and Puebla (185 km).
2. What is the history of the town?
The territory was initially occupied by the Otomíes, who gave way to the Teotihuacan culture, to finally be populated by Chichimecas during pre-Columbian times. In 1521, with the arrival of Hernán Cortés and his conquering army, the well-known battle of La Sad night, in which the indigenous people fought not to give up their territory; they were finally defeated and the evangelization process began, which intensified at the end of the 16th century when the town was handed over to the order of the Jesuits. Tepotzotlán was designated a Magic Town in 2002 to stimulate its tourism development.
3. What weather should I expect in Tepotzotlán?
Tepotzotlán enjoys a pleasant climate. The average temperature is 16 ° C, the maximum 30 ° C and the extreme minimum is close to 4 ° C, a situation that rarely occurs. With a mildly humid temperate climate, with little rainfall in winter and more rainy in summer, the annual average reaches 628 mm. The height of the mountains, in which the Magic Town is located 2,269 meters above sea level, favors a cool climate, so you should not forget your jacket or warm clothes if you visit it in the coldest season, December and January.
4. What are the most outstanding tourist attractions?
The entrance way to the town leads directly to its majestic square. A center full of restaurants and craft shops brings this picturesque town to life. Among the main attractions of Tepotzotlán we can find the former convent of San Francisco Javier, which is part of the National Museum of the Viceroyalty, the old Aqueduct and places of contact with nature such as the Xochitla Ecological Park and the Sierra de Tepotzotlán State Park. This combination of colonial culture and green areas make this Magical Town a center of family entertainment for adults and children.
5. What is the Ex Convent of San Francisco Javier like?
Its construction began in 1670 by a donation from the Medina Picazo family. In 1933 it was declared a national monument and in 2010 declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It was originally an old Jesuit college that bore the same name as the convent, with a Churrigueresque baroque architectural style, one of the most striking that can be found in Mexico today. The external façade was carved in gray chiluca stone and the interior is adorned with ten gilded altarpieces from the 18th century, dedicated to San Francisco Javier, the Virgin of Guadalupe and San Ignacio de Loyola, among other saints. This jewel of New Spanish construction is a must for any tourist interested in the roots of the town of Tepotzotlán.
6. What is the National Museum of the Viceroyalty like?
Only the premises of the National Museum is in itself a work of art. The great building is a superb architectural sample of the Baroque in Mexico during the viceregal era. It was built by the Jesuits in 1580 and initially functioned as a school to train the fathers of the order and teach them indigenous languages, the learning of which was essential for successful evangelization. The museum has an important collection of objects that date back to the colonial period, ranging even from the travels of Christopher Columbus to the consolidation of the colonizers in Mexican territory. Many pieces, mostly religious themed, are found in the form of oil paintings and sculptures, adorning the entire site. You cannot miss the guided tour of the museum, which, although it has its sad passages, will allow you to better understand everything related to the process of conquest and colonization of Mexico.
7. ¿What is the interest of the Tepotzotlán Aqueduct?
It is also called "Los Arcos de Xalpa" and its construction began in the 18th century. This building designed by the Jesuits had the function of transferring part of the waters of the Tule river to the Xalpa estate. Because the order was expelled, the work remained unfinished and was finally finished in the 19th century by Don Manuel Romero de Terreros, third count of Regla and heir to the estate. The total length of the aqueduct is 430 meters and an ecotourism park was installed inside it, where a large number of recreational activities can be carried out.
8. What is Sierra de Tepotzotlán State Park like?
Covering more than 13,000 hectares between the municipalities of Huehuetoca and Tepotzotlán is the Sierra de Tepotzotlán State Park. Decreened in 1977 by the national executive as an ecological preservation zone, it is surrounded by oak forests, scrub areas and meadows in the upper part of the mountain range, as well as cacti and agaves in the lower part of it. The park's animal life is made up of small coyotes, squirrels and a large number of birds of various species and harmless to visitors. In the park you can enjoy all kinds of activities such as recreational games in its green areas, rock climbing and rappelling, camping and swimming.
9. What are the best hotels and restaurants in town?
Tepotzotlán is surrounded by excellent restaurants. In the Plaza Virreinal there is the Los Virreyes Restaurant, with an exquisite Mexican artisan menu. Also in the square, you can go for a drink at Bar Montecarlo, with an excellent atmosphere and international menu. A little further away is Mesón del Molino, located on Avenida Benito Juárez, a place recognized as one of the best in Tepotzotlán to eat roasted meat with its typical Mexican contours and sauces. Among the best places to stay is the City Express Hotel, with comfortable rooms and excellent service. The Hotel Finca Las Hortensias has a cozy private atmosphere and a large garden, being an ideal place to rest. La Posada del Fraile is a small, hospitable and very well located room, in addition to having excellent prices.
10. How are the fiestas in Tepotzotlán?
The San Pedro festivities, in honor of the patron saint of Tepotzotlán, take place in the second half of June. Apart from the music, fireworks and fervor that characterize Mexican religious festivities, fairs with mechanical attractions are set up for children and young people and various shows are held for the enjoyment of all. Another important event on the annual billboard in Tepotzotlán is the International Music Festival, held in the second half of October, with presentations by artists from all over the country, with the National Museum of the Viceroyalty as its main venue. Another commemoration celebrated in style by the Tepotzotlenses is the Independence of Mexico, which reaches its climax when everyone gathers in the Plaza Virreinal to give the cry of independence. Without a doubt, Tepotzotlán is a very lively Magic Town where you will not get bored.
Tepotzotlán is waiting for you. With this Complete Guide you have everything you need to enjoy an excellent vacation in this historic Mexican town.
