Tepoztlan Village Mexico

Tepoztlan Pueblo Magico: Best Mexico City Day Trip?

In City Guides, Mexico by Erik @ DIY Travel HQ

Visiting Tepoztlan Pueblo Magico is one of the most popular things to do for locals & visitors in Mexico City, especially on the weekend – find out if it is indeed one of the best day trips from Mexico City…

 

El Tepozteco Mountain

At 80km from the capital city, a visit to the Tepoztlan Pueblo Magico is regarded as one of the best day trips from Mexico City.

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But does the influx of visitors each weekend ruin this magical village? Well that’s is in the eye of the beholder….

The big draw in Tepoztlan is the small pyramid on El Tepozteco Mountain, which stands at just 12.4 meters high.

Tepoztlan Magical Village

Hike Up To El Tepozteco Pyramid, one of the best day trips from Mexico City

The challenging part is climbing up the stone stairs to the top, however the view of Tepoztlan Pueblo Magico is reward enough to justify the ascent.

Tepoztlan Pueblo Magico

El Tepozteco Pyramid View Over Tepoztlan

You know you are near the top when you reach the metal gate positioned in a crevice.

Don’t worry if you only want to enjoy the view, but don’t want to pay the 50 peso / $2.65 entrance fee.

The tickets are not purchased until at the top of El Tepozteco, and you can veer left to take pictures of the pyramid and town below for free.

El Tepozteco Entrance Fee Next to Pyramid in Tepoztlan

El Tepozteco Entrance Fee Next to Pyramid

Do this first in case they try to stop you later.

Before heading back down, you can also take a clear shot of the temple while still technically outside.

El Tepozteco Pyramid in Tepoztlan

El Tepozteco Pyramid in Tepoztlan Pueblo Magico

Students with valid ID get in for free so I can assure you the pyramid is nothing special besides a different perspective of Tepoztlan.

One of the more amusing aspects of the climb is when you encounter coatis.

Coati on El Tepozteco Mountain in Tepoztlan

First Glimpse of a Coati

They look like raccoons with long snouts.

They typically hang around the metal staircase towards the top, and can be seen scavenging for food.

Surprised Feeding Coati on Tepozteco Mountain in Tepoztlan

Surprised Feeding Coati

They appear friendly, but don’t feed them as this may alter their disposition towards humans.

Do Not Feed the Coaties on Tepozteco Mountain

Do Not Feed the Coaties!

Tepoztlan Pueblo Magico

The town of Tepoztlan itself is charming and has a typical Zocalo with a park, church and market nearby.

Pueblo Magico Tepoztlan

Making Tortillas at the Tepoztlan Market

Streets and sidewalks are paved with bedrocks and colorful buildings line both sides.

Tepoztlan Mexico

Tepoztlan Cobblestone Streets in the Magical Village

Hidden behind the market is the seed mosaic gate that leads to the Parish of Nativity Church.

Tepoztlan Parish of Nativity Church Seed Mosaic Gate

Mosaic Church Gate Made of Seeds

Mexico City to Tepoztlan

Tepoztlan’s Parish of Nativity Church

Another festive church can be found along Del Tepozteco in addition to numerous restaurants and a dozen massage shops.

Tepoztlan Church

Tepoztlan Church

This was striking as very few, if any, massage businesses were seen in Mexico City and Puebla.

Prices are roughly 400 pesos / $21.40 per hour, which is cheaper than the U.S. but not close to the roughly 100 pesos / $5.35 you would pay in Asia.

It’s up to you whether you think it’s worth it to include on your Tepoztlan Pueblo Magico day trip from Mexico City!

Tepoztlan Massage Street

Tepoztlan Massage StreetLocal restaurants catered to the whims of most tourists with a variety of food, pulque, and micheladas at touristy prices.

One of the vendors in the market even had an English menu.

The local variant of Mexican food is called itacate, and it is a set of triangular gorditas stuffed with a filling of your choosing.

Although Tepoztlan Pueblo Magico is pleasant during the week, it still had a lot of domestic and international tourists.

On weekends and holidays, this small village must be bursting at the seams – avoid visiting at these times and you should enjoy a lovely day trip from Mexico City.

For more information to plan you trip, check out Lonely Planet’s Mexico Travel Guide.

Try Itacates, a local specialty

Try Itacates, a local specialty

How to Get to Tepoztlan

It’s easy to make a Tepoztlan day trip from either Mexico City or Cuernavaca.

From Mexico City, take the subway (5 pesos / $0.25) to Tasquena and choose your bus company at the adjacent terminal. Approximate cost is 120 pesos.

If you are already based in Cuernavaca, then head to Estrella Roja’s terminal to take the bus. Cost is 23 pesos / $1.25, and will drop you off at Tepoztlan’s bus terminal roughly 20 minutes outside the Zocalo by foot.

Bus from Mexico City to Tepoztlan

Tepoztlan Bus Terminal

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***The Final Word: The ruins are rubbish but there are great views from the top of El Tepozteco mountain, making it a highlight of a Tepoztlan day trip from Mexico City***

Do you find Tepoztlan Pueblo Magico to be a tasteful town, or a tourist trap?

3 Shovels

Accessible DIY travel to more distant locations via multiple connections or longer forms of public transport

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Visited in February 2016