Another pueblo mágico: Zacatlán de las Manzanas in the mountains of the Sierra Norte of Puebla. Let´s find out what this has to do with apples!

In our last post we visited the Cascadas Tulimán in the state of Puebla – a very nice nature park with hikes, waterfalls, nature pools, zip lines and much more. Since we were travelling over a long weekend we also wanted to visit some other places in the area and started with Zacatlán de las manzanas, where we also stayed over night.

Table of contents

• Everything you need to know in short
• How to get there?
  • Starting from San Luis Potosí
  • Starting from somewhere else
• Where to stay?
• Pueblo Mágico Zacatlán de las Manzanas
  • Introduction and history
  • Sights
• Conclusion
• In the surroundings

Lonely Planet Reiseführer Mexiko

Don´t forget to check the other posts about México. This is my recommendation if you want to carry a guide in your luggage: Travel Guide for México*.

How to get there?

Starting from San Luis Potosí

Take as usual the highway 57 from San Luis Potosí towards Ciudad de México. On your route this road will be called 57D, 45 and again 57D, but you will always continue towards CDMX. After 320 km you will change to the highway 40D (Arco Norte) in direction Puebla. After another 100 km take the exit onto Highway 132 towards Tuxpan. Follow it for 37 km and then head right onto 132D Tuxpan/Poza Rica. After 40 km leave to the right onto 130 towards Tuxpan. Only around 1 km later leave to the right onto street 119 towards Zacatlán, after 40 km you will reach the Pueblo Mágico. You should plan at least 6 h for the trip.

Starting from somewhere else

The closest airports are Puebla (2 h), Xalapa (3 h), Pachuca (2,5 h) und Mexico City (2,5 h). There are busses driving from several major cities to Zacatlán, but I recommend a rental car for the additional sights in the area. Please take my safety advices for México into account (currently only in German, you might use a translator).

Where to stay?

There are two Pueblos Mágicos in the area, but you can also choose to stay close to nature in some cabañas.

My recommendations:

• Zacatlán: Casa San Miguel Hotel Boutique y Spa*: Parking, Restaurant, Spa and Wellness in the city center – what else do you need?
• Zacatlán: Hotel Posada Don Ramon*: Nice patio, central location, parking, restaurant and breakfast.
• Chignahuapan: Hotel Los Portales Chignahuapan*: Good location, parking, restaurant.
• Chignahuapan: Hotel Cristal Chignahuapan*: Parking, breakfast, spa.
• Nature lovers can stay close to the Cascadas Tulimán. Cabañas are available for around 400 – 500 Pesos per person (more information).

You can find more hotels and options here* oder bei Expedia*:

Pueblo Mágico Zacatlán de las Manzanas

Introduction and history

In the mountains of the Sierra Norte in the mexican state of Puebla you can find the charming city of Zacatlán (2.000 m above sea level, around 40.000 inhabtitants). The name Zacatlán comes from the Nahuatl and means Place above the grass land.

First settlements of the Zacateca tribe took place in the area around 583. Later in the 12th century Chichimecas dominated the area before it fell under the control of the Aztecs. After the fall of Tula many Toltecs moved here.

Later the Spanish took over with Hernán López de Avila as the first local ruler. 1562 the town was official founded. In the 17th century the cultivation of apples was introduced in the area and is since then a major economic factor. During the Mexcian war for independence weapons were produced in the town and during the Mexcian American War the government Puebla had it´s seat in Zacatlán.

In 2011 Zacatlán received the title Pueblo Mágico (towns that offer visitors cultural richness, historical relevance, cuisine, art crafts, and great hospitality).

Sights

Zacatlán is a charming colonial town sorrounded by nature and stunning landscapes. Outdoor and adventure lovers will be happy here, since there are many natural attractions in the area, like the Barranca de los Jilgueros (Goldfinch Canyon) directly next to the city, the Cascadas Tulimán from out last report, the impressive Valle De Las Piedras Encimadas or the Cascada las Brisas.

Apples and what you can make out of them

The town is actually called Zacatlán, but since it´s famous nationwide for its apple production people simply added de las manzanas. All around the city you can find apple plantations and you will find many products made with apples, like apple beer, apple cider, marmelade, pastries, liquers and much more (I tried an apple beer and it was actually quite good). Once in a year, usually during the week of the 15th of august, the apple fair (Feria de la Manzana) takes place. It is the most important festival in the area in which local producers bring their products, people come together to celebrate, there are fireworks, music, dance and a parade.

Floral Clock

In the center of the town you can find a beautiful floral clock. It is fully functional and was built by the Centenario clock factory, the first and only clock factory in Latin America. The old factory is still located in the town and you can visit it to learn about the craft of making clocks (Location, Webpage, Mo-Fr 09-16:00, Sa-So 09-15:00, Entrace to the museum 20 Pesos per Person).

Barranca de los Jilgueros

When you visit Zacatlán for the first time you might be surprised by the cliff on the south side of the city. Zacatlán was built directly next to a 400 m deep Canyon, the Barranca de los Jilgueros (Goldfinch Canyon), which was created by the Rio San Pedro. There are several viewpoints (miradores) along the iconic Paseo de la Barranca, one of them features a short glass bridge (Puente Cristal). You can simply enjoy the nature and watch the wildlife, or you can go hiking, camping or jump on the highest and fastest Zipline of Mexico (1400 m long, 500 m in height, speed up to more than 100 km/h)! You can find more information here.

Monument Avioneta and Zacatlán letters

Viewpoints are not the only sights you can find along the Paseo de Barranca: The area features many restaurants and bars (in some areas you can even drink on the street!). Don´t forget your camera since there is a very nice monument of an airplane (Cessa 252S) and colorful letters of Zacatlán, of course. The airplane was installed after an air show which happened on 27.04.2011 when the city was officially announced pueblo mágico.

Vitromural Zacatlán de las Manzanas

Surprise, surprise, there is something else waiting for you along the Paseo de Barrance: A more than 90 m long impressive mural made of thousands of small tiles set together to create a gigantic art work. Mary Carmen Olvera from the Olvera family, who founded the Centenario clock factory, had the idea to remember the years of Zacatlán since its foundation. The mural was built between 2014 and 2016 and is split into three parts: The first part, La vida enterna, contains 11 biblical scenes. The second part shows the history of the city in 12 mosaics (of course with a lot of apples). The final and last part is calles El universo Náhuatl, it shows the prehispanic roots, heavens, underworlds and gods.

More activities:*

Conclusion

I was surprised! I didn´t really inform myself about Zacatlán before our trip. Since the Cascadas Tulimán where our main travel destination I was only reading about them. Then we stayed in Zacatlán and I fell in love with the little town. The location next to the Canyon is spectacular, there are many things to see and the local cuisine tries to mix the already very good cuisine of Puebla (Mole) with local flavours (you know it already – apples). If you are in the area you should definitely visit Zacatlán, you won´t be disappointed!

In the sorroundings

• 
  Zacatlán de las Manzanas: A magic town built on apples
• 
  Cascadas Tulimán: Wasserfälle in Puebla
• 
  Puebla: Die moderne Großstadt neben dem Vulkan
• 
  Tepanapa in Cholula: Die größte Pyramide der Welt
• 
  Val’Quirico – Ein bisschen Italien in Mexiko
• 
  Ex-Hacienda de Chautla – Ein kleines Wasserschloss in Mexiko
• 
  29.08.2012 | Mexico City und Puebla