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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
They look like raccoons with long snouts.
They typically hang around the metal staircase towards the top, and can be seen scavenging for food.
They appear friendly, but don’t feed them as this may alter their disposition towards humans.
Tepoztlan Pueblo Magico
The town of Tepoztlan itself is charming and has a typical Zocalo with a park, church and market nearby.
Streets and sidewalks are paved with bedrocks and colorful buildings line both sides.
Hidden behind the market is the seed mosaic gate that leads to the Parish of Nativity Church.
Another festive church can be found along Del Tepozteco in addition to numerous restaurants and a dozen massage shops.
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 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.
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.
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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?
Accessible DIY travel to more distant locations via multiple connections or longer forms of public transport
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Visited in February 2016