Huichapan

Huichapan is a small town of almost 10,000 people in 2020 in Hidalgo, Mexico. It is a historic town with a colonial era core that includes several churches with stunning architecture and religious artwork. The town is designated as one of Mexico's Pueblos Magicos.

Get in

By bus

From Mexico City's Terminal Autobuses del Norte, direct buses to Huichapan leave hourly. Services are provided by Autobuses Conexion (an Estrella Blanca line). The 4-hour trip costs about M$300 (May 2023).

• 1 Central de Autobuses Conexion, Abundio Martínez, Huichapan. Small, efficient bus terminal. 

See

Church of San Mateo Apostol

Arches of the Saucillo Aqueduct

• 1 Parroquia San Mateo Apostol (Church of St Matthew the Apostol), Manuel González 3-8, Centro Histórico, ☏ +52 761 782 0035. Beautiful colonial church dating from 1753. The pink facade is spectacular with twin belfries, the church's gold altarpieces and its paintings with the passion of Jesus stand out. 
• Templo de la Tercera Orden. Admire its two churrigueresque covers. 
• 2 Capilla de la Virgen de Guadalupe, J G Ledezma 2, Centro Histórico. One of the oldest churches in town, dating from about 1531. Its baroque façade, beautifully carved in pink stone, stands out. 
• Saucillo Aqueduct. This aqueduct is 155 m long and 44 m high and has 14 arches crossing a canyon. The aqueduct is the highest aqueduct built in the New World and was constructed between 1753-1758. 
• 3 El Chapitel, De la Reforma, Centro Historico. This is the site of the balcony from which Father Hidalgo famously cried out for freedom, and event that is re-enacted by Mexican presidents on September 15. There is a small historic museum on site that memorializes local dignitaries. 
• 4 Museo de Arqueología e Historia de Huichapan (Museum of Archaeology and History), Jdn. Ignacio Zaragoza 9, Centro Histórico. 10:00-19:00 (closed M). Exhibits focus on pre-hispanic history and how Huichapan developed and grew through the colonial and revolutionary eras and how it became the city it is today. 

Do

• Bioparque El Saucillo. Great place for outdoor activities like mountain biking, rock climbing, and camping. Access to the famous aqueduct. 

Buy

• 1 Mercado Municipal, Centro Historico. Bustling city marketplace with lots of fresh produce as well as food vendors serving delicious, affordable, authentic regional dishes. The barbacoa is particularly popular here. 

Eat

• 1 El Huarache Veloz, Av Julian Villagran 154, San Mateo, Huichapan, ☏ +52 761 782 1457. 09:00 - 21:30 (closed Th). Tasty traditional Mexican food, guisadas, tortas,etc. Good comida corrida. (updated May 2023)

Sleep

• 1 Hotel Lomas del Calvario, Bernabé Villagrán 6, El Calvario, Huichapan, ☏ +52 773 175 1779. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Clean, comfortable hotel close to centro. Pet friendly. (updated May 2023)
• 2 Hotel Colonial Santa Fe, Chávez Macotela 4, Centro Histórico, ☏ +52 761 782 0327. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Small barebones rooms, nothing luxurious but suitable for budget travel. (updated May 2023)

Go next

• Pachuca