Metztitlán

What Makes it Magical

The name Metztitlán derives from náhuatl, metzli, which means “moon” and tlan, which means “place”, which is why this Magical Town is known as the “place of the moon”. This place is filled with natural riches, tradition, and culture. Surprising panoramic landscapes, open air activities, and delicious gastronomy are every where you look.

Besides, its warm weather is ideal for a lovely outdoor getaway and enjoying being in nature, as well as the traditions that characterize Hidalgo.

Why You Should Go

Only a 3-hour journey from Mexico City and less than 2 hours from Pachuca, this is the perfect destination for breaking up the usual routine and escape for the weekend. Thanks to its location, it’s surrounded by natural treasures such as the mountain range, plateaus, canyons and plains. Moreover, this beautiful Magical Town is also home to the Barranca de Metztitlán, a ravine declared a Biosphere Reserve in the year 2000.

In the Barranca de Metztitlán there are five indigenous communities, since 25% of its population speak the native language of hñähñú and belong to the Otomí ethnic group. Besides, it protects a great variety of flora and fauna, including 33 different species of bats, five felines, and 271 bird species, local as well as migratory. The plant life is distinguished by cacti such as the candelabra cactus, the Old Man cactus, Blue-Myrtle cactus, Giant Barrel cactus, and various species of nopales and mammillarias. In high altitude areas the Aztec Pines, Coast Live Oaks, Junipers and Strawberry Trees dominate; in the dry forest, Copal trees and Bromelias. There are also cave paintings, ceramic remains, funerary urns and other vestiges of a great civilization.

At the Very Least

Go for hikes through its marvellous natural landscapes and observe the area’s flora and fauna. Likewise, take a stroll through the town to notice its colonial architecture and enjoy its delicious traditional gastronomy.

Don’t Miss

1. Walk along the edge of the Metztitlán lake, one of the most important wetlands. You can spot pelicans and Canadian herons here.
2. Visit the Ex Convento de los Santos Reyes. This church dates back to 1539 and is considered one of the most important monuments in Hidalgo.
3. Try the delicious tamales de recaudo (stuffed corn meal pockets), tecoquitos (potato patties with mint), xalita verde (a kind of green mole) and esquites con pollo (corn in a cup with mayonnaise, chilli, lime, cheese and chicken).