Nicole & Darrell
Things To Do
El Ciruelo Restaurant
El Ciruelo serves excellent traditional Mexican cuisine. Located in the center of Tepoztlán, the restaurant offers a view of Tepozteco Mountain. https://www.opentable.com/el-ciruelo
Los Colorines Restaurant
Inside the pink exterior of this buzzing restaurant, the hearty traditional Mexican fare bubbles away in cazuelas (clay pots) – try the regional chiles rellenos or huauzontle (broccoli-like flower buds). More than the food, eating here is a joy for the piñatas, terrace views, spaciousness and the sense of being at a fiesta at grandma's colorful ranch.
La Veladora Restaurant by Casa Fernanda Hotel and Spa
A splendid grassy garden makes a wonderful evening out of the already artful meals at this boutique-hotel restaurant in the quiet backstreets of Tepoztlán. Good fish and pasta is outshined by a pre-Hispanic fusion of amaranto risotto, and tacos of escamoles (buttery ant larvae), duck or soft-shell crab. There are elaborate salads and vegetarian options, and varied cocktails and wines.
La Sibarita Restaurant by Posada del Tepozteco Hotel
High on a hill above town, the restaurant at Posada del Tepozteco has gorgeous views of the valley below. With surreal cliffs and a pyramid overhead, the restaurant’s setting is striking. The menu features dishes such as chicken breast stuffed with goat's cheese, róbalo (sea bass) carpaccio in vinaigrette and rose-petal nieve (sorbet), all paired with imported wines.
Pirámide de Tepozteco (Tepotzeco's Pyramid)
Tepoztlán's main sight is this 10m-high pyramid perched atop a sheer cliff at the end of a very steep paved path that begins at the end of Avenida del Tepozteco. Built in honor of Tepoztécatl, the Aztec god of harvest, fertility and pulque, the pyramid is more impressive for its location than actual size. At the top, depending on haze levels, the serenity and the panorama of the valley make the hike worthwhile. Spotting the plentiful coati (raccoon-like animal) here is also a bonus for some, though they can be aggressive in pawing at you for food. Tepotzteco is some 400m above the town. Be warned that the path is tough, so head off early to beat the heat and wear decent shoes. The 2.5km walk is not recommended to anyone not physically fit. A store at the peak sells refreshments, but you should bring water with you anyway. Video-camera use costs M$47. The hike itself is free, but to get close to the pyramid (and the view) you must pay the admission fee.
Magic Adventures Tepoztlán (Mountain Hiking Tour Guide)
Contact information: magicandadventurestepoztlan@gmail.com
Weekend Artisan and Foods Market
Every weekend, Tepoztlán features an artisans’ market with stalls set-up along the town’s principal through-road, Avenida Revolución: the road is closed late on Friday and doesn’t re-open to traffic until Sunday night. This creates a pedestrianized zone for visitors and shoppers and provides an ideal opportunity to purchase genuine works of Mexican art and crafts, taste some local foods and, for the more adventurous, try a local specialty: Pulque—an ancient alcoholic beverage that is fermented from the sap of the Maguey (Agave) plant; while it’s related to Tequila, it has a milky color, thicker viscosity, and a sour —some might say acquired— taste.
Former Convent of the Nativity
This monastery, situated east of the zócalo, and the attached church were built by Dominican priests between 1560 and 1588. The plateresque church facade has Dominican seals interspersed with indigenous symbols, floral designs and various figures, including the sun, moon and stars, animals, angels and the Virgin Mary. Upstairs, various cells house a bookstore, galleries and a regional history museum. The monastery’s arched west entryway is adorned with an elaborate seed mural of pre-Hispanic history and symbolism. Every year during the first week of September, local artists sow a new mural from 60 varieties of seeds. At the time of writing the monastery remained closed for repairs, years after an earthquake, with only the south entrance on the ramp open for access to the grounds. Glimpsing Mass held in the surrounding outdoor grounds is interesting in itself. Declared as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1994.
Tepoznieves (Famous Local Ice Cream Shop)
A homegrown ice-cream emporium, Tepoznieves serves some 100 flavors, including exotic scoops such as cactus and pineapple-chili.
Holistic Centers
A fair amount of Tepoztlán's essence resides in establishments that offer temazcal rituals, holistic massages, aura photography, tarot reading, and mancias (clairvoyance). Many locals and travelers consider this Pueblo Mágico an energy center. Temazcal bath - Posada de Tepozteco Hotel Holistic Massage and detox rituals - Amomoxtli Hotel Aura readings - Luz Azul
