Acaxochitlán
A striking, crooked little farming town at the base of some of the most dramatic mountains in Mexico, come for the barbacoa but stay for the incredible views.
Acaxochitlán is a charming little town in the state of Hidalgo some 2.5 hours northeast of Mexico City. The town is recognized as a Pueblo Magico, but it has long been famous for the Sunday market where barbacoa is served beneath the soaring tarpaulins in the entire center of the city. Share the tables, and buy lamb by the weight. The experience is unforgettable and the market stays open until late in the afternoon.
The name takes some practice, especially for non-native. Ah-ca-so-chee-tlan means simply place of reeds. The name is a reference to the wetlands at the foot of the Sierra Otomí-Tepehua which open up beyond the town to the east. Above these mountains the warm air from the Gulf of Mexico is constantly crashing into cold air descending from north-central Mexico. The results are seldom short of spectacular and give much of the region its unique atmosphere of cloud forests in the highlands, and biodiversity closer to the parts where people live.
The town is laid out around the central square and the Church of the Assumption of Mary. And when the market is not in full swing, visitors will take off for the great outdoors. The Cascada de la Gloria is likely the most famous waterfall in the area although there are others. The Dos Mundos park is one, but the waterfalls of Chimalapa are arguably the most welcoming, with visitors often taking a swim in the pools beneath.
The little archaeological museum also presents an impressive collection of artifacts. In fact, the area has been populated since well into ancient times. The prize within the museum collection is known as the Yellow Lord of Acaxochitlán, an emblematic work of Otomí art.
As mentioned, barbacoa is a Sunday must, but visitors to the municipal market will find regional specialties being celebrated nearly every day. There are also a couple of small local wineries serving local vintages and they run small outlet stores for visitors on the streets within the historic center.
Estrella Blanca runs regular buses from the Terminal Norte station in Mexico City. Travelers should know that many more buses, including local combis, will leave from the station in Tulancingo and most direct buses will make at least a stop there, also.
