Chalma

Chalma is a peaceful and little-visited town in the Huasteca region of Veracruz. Just a few minutes (about 25) from Huejutla de Reyes in Hidalgo, the town is in a magnificent landscapes that just begins to prepare visitors for the vibrant culture of the Huasteca to come. Many will continue further northward, but the enchanting nature and palpable characteristics of the region begin here. 

Chalma is named for the Señor de Chalma far off in the State of Mexico. The legendary black Christ figure there replaced an earlier indigenous cult devoted to Oztoteotl and Tlazacotl. He was replaced by the black Christian figure by the Augustinians already in the 16th century. The devotion reached at least this far and is frequently cited as an example of folk Catholicism. Curiously, the church of San Nicolas Chalma is actually devoted to Saint Nicolas the early Greek bishop and attendee at the First Council of Nicaea in 325 CE. 

People visit today to take to the Rio La Bomba, near the San Francisco, Platón Sánchez localidad a few minutes to the north of town. The winding green river continues to Piedra de Techichil in Chapopote Chico, a little closer and just to south of town. This riverside swimming holes are just the beginning of the Huasteca-style naturalism that often concludes with towering waterfalls, and pure turquoise pools. The Lázaro Cárdenas is another with crystal clear water and ideal spots for bird watching and exploring. For arts, visitors tend to take off for San Pedro Coyutla where the traditional crafts are on sale in the town square. Enchiladas are made with dried beef and complemented with zacahuil, sweet xojol, and there is beef barbecue on special occasions. 

The little town is usually reached by way of Huejutla, which is a good seven hours from Mexico City by bus. From there, a combi will take you the remaining 25 minutes. But some travelers will arrive via Orizatlán. Conexión makes the trip from Mexico City in about 4.5 hours. For those continuing on to Xilitla, the drive takes just about two hours from Chalma. Most bus services, (Frontera, Oriente) will let you get off at Tamazunchale, about an hour from Xilitla and one of the first Huastecan cities in San Luis Potosi.