From the impressive Museo Nacional del Virreinato and the Arcos del Sitio, Tepotzotlán is a great destination for a 1-day trip from Mexico City.
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About Tepotzotlán
Tepotzotlán is one of my favorite pueblos mágicos in Mexico. It is a relatively small town located in the Estado de Mexico, about 45 km northeast of Mexico City. Due to its proximity to Mexico City, Tepotzotlán makes for an excellent 1-day trip if you want to get away from the rush and large crowds of the city.
The main attraction is the Museo Nacional del Virreinato, which houses exhibits relating to the colonial past of the country. Nearby you can also visit the Acueducto de Xalpa—an aqueduct dating back to the 18th century. There are other things to see and do in Tepotzotlán which you can read about below.
Getting There
You can get to Tepotzotlán from Mexico City by taking the autopista (highway) México-Querétaro (marker: 57D). Actually, this highway can take you all the way to Querétaro and San Miguel de Allende—which I highly recommend you visit someday.
Please note that the autopista México-Querétaro is a toll road. There is a toll booth near Tepotzotlán where you’ll have to pay 88 pesos.
The drive to Tepotzotlán is relatively short (about 45 minutes), but your time will vary depending largely on Mexico City traffic.
Things to Do
The best thing you can do in a pueblo mágico is walk the streets, mingle with the people, and explore. However, there are few things you must do when visiting this town.
Museo Nacional del Virreinato
The Museo Nacional del Virreinato is the main feature of Tepotzotlán. Its collection and aesthetics makes it one of the most impressive in the country.
The Jesuits founded the complex on which the museum is located in the 1580s. The college, the Iglesia de San Francisco Javier, and the Iglesia de San Pedro Ápostol comprise the majority of the complex. Today, the college and Iglesia de San Francisco Javier were converted to what is now the Museo Nacional del Virreinato.
The Capilla Doméstica showcases an impressive Churrigueresque main altar piece that you will want to slowly contemplate.
Fuente del Salto del Agua 
Other Things to Try
Here are a few other activities to keep you busy during your visit:
- Enjoy the Food: You can find an excellent sampling of the gastronomy of the region at the Mercado Municipal. Tepotzotlán is known for its delicious quesadillas. You can find various types at the Mercardo Municipal: quesadillas de huitlacoche, hongos, flor de calabaza, and tinga. The mercado is a block away from the Museo Nacional del Virreinato.
- Get a Tasty Treat: Enjoy a delicious ice cream at the Plaza de la Cruz (main plaza in town).
- Visit the Iglesia de San Pedro Ápostol: It is located only a few steps from the main plaza.
- Buy Some Souvenirs: Find some local crafts at the Plaza de las Artesanías, where artisans from the region sell their embroidery, textiles, and ceramics.
Acueducto de Xalpa
The Acueducto de Xalpa, better known as Arcos del Sitio, is an impressive aqueduct constructed by the Jesuits in the 18th century. It is constructed completely of stone and measures about 1400 feet (430 meters) in length and a maximum height of about 200 feet (62 meters).
Arcos del Sitio is actually an ecological park. It is located about 30 km northeast of Tepotzotlán. There is an admission fee: 35 pesos for adults, 20 pesos for students, and 10 pesos for seniors (check their website for latest prices).
You can find many activities at the park. The main attraction is of course the Acueducto de Xalpa, which is an impressive site. You can walk the entire length of the aqueduct and take some pictures from the bottom looking up.
Some examples of other activities the park offers include camping, a zip line, pools, horseback riding, and hot air balloon rides. You can also find food and drinks served at the park.
I hope you enjoyed reading about Tepotzotlán. We really enjoyed the time we spent there and look forward to visiting again soon. Be sure to let me know what you think in the comments section below!
If you are ready to start planning a trip to Mexico, check out my list of travel itineraries.
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Hi, I’m Iván García—I love to travel and photography. I’m big on road trips, just about anywhere in the world. I share information for people to reach truly great places. My goal is to inspire you to visit these places for yourself.
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