Zimapán
The remarkable old town where the church steeple competes only with the surrounding mountain peaks and, indeed, with the very sky for a place in the Hidalgo sun.
Zimapán is a Magical Town in the west central region of the state of Hidalgo. The town may at first appear as another dusty old mining town. But there is lots of magic in those harsh and foreboding landscapes. Founded way back in 1522, Zimapán has witnessed all kinds of history that still influences its manner and way of life today.
The city is centered around the tremendous Baroque of the John the Baptist church. The church tower has to compete with the towering desert mountains and these remind visitors that Zimapán is a place of great adventure and learning. The Los Mármoles National Park is some 20 minutes northeast of the town center. Here the Sierra Madre Oriental comes to life in a landscapes that is absolutely unique and famous for the biodiversity thriving therein. Canyons open up for mountain bikers, those hiking on foot, and anyone who wants to truly experience
On the opposite side of town (southwest) at just about the same distance, the Presa Zimapán is a treasured local source of water, and a stopping ground for bird life from all over North America. The reservoir is alive with canoes and kayaks, and people come just to walk the trails along the sides.
Local food includes traditional dishes like bean tamales, mixiotes, and carnitas but this is still Hidalgo. The Mercado Municipal Juárez is just a block or so south of the town center. Every day is a celebration of the best foods from across the region.
The town was recognized as a Pueblo Mágico in 2018, and for that local merchants responded with an outpouring of great foods, and great places to stay. Visitors will find everything from boutique hotels around the town center, to some full blown resorts for posher travelers. There's also a tremendous variety of rustic and not-so-rustic cabins and cottages to be hired or rented for long weekends or even longer stays.
From Mexico City, Ovnibus runs direct buses to Zimapán from the Terminal Central de Autobuses del Norte. The bus trip can take just over four hours. One can drive the same trip a little faster. But just as many visitors will arrive from Querétaro to the west or from Pachuca to the southeast. Both cities have bus service to Zimapán for a trip of about 2.5 hours.
