Zozocolco

Zozocolco de Hidalgo is a small town with fewer than 4,000 residents in the Mexican state of Veracruz. It is one of Mexico's designated Pueblos Mágicos.

Costumed dancers during the festival of San Miguel Arcangel

Understand

The town is historically a Totonac indigenous community.

Get in

By taxi

The nearest city with good transportation connections is Poza Rica. From Poza Rica, the best way to get to Zozocolco is to take a taxi.

See

• 1 Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, Miguel Negrete. Old stone church built by Franciscan friars, it was completed in 1600. Rustic exterior with two large belfries. The clock was added to one of the towers in 1929. Local legends say that an image of Saint Michael, formed of gold and silver, appeared on a rock to tell the friars where to build a church in his honor. (updated Jul 2024)

• 2 Parque Hidalgo, Av. Miguel Hidalgo. The town's main plaza is an astoundingly elaborate landscape of shrubbery and flowering trees with paved walkways and a central fountain featuring water pouring from traditional ceramic jugs. Nearby is a series of murals depicting rural life in Zozocolco. (updated Jul 2024)

Do

Chinese paper balloon

• 1 Cascadas Zozocolco, Ninos Heroes. Waterfalls hidden deep in the woods outside town. To get there, go to the end of Calle Azueta and look for the "Cascadas" sign pointing you to a trail. It is about a 30-minute hike to the waterfalls. The cool water is particularly refreshing after a vigorous hike in the woods. (updated Jul 2024)

Festivals

• Festival of San Miguel Arcangel (September) - celebration to the town's patron saint. Midway carnival with games, rides regional foods and traditional music and dance. The party goes on for 8 days.
• Chinese Paper Balloon Festival and Competition (early November) -

Buy

• 1 San Miguel Mercado Municipal, Benito Juarez, Centro. On the lower level of the Auditorio Municipal is the town's traditional marketplace. It's fairly small with a vendors selling household items, farm-fresh produce, and regional prepared foods (including several kinds of sweetened fruits). (updated Jul 2024)

Eat

• 1 Restaurante Maggy, Calle Honorable Galeana 4, Centro, ☏ +52 784 145 1470. Daily 08:00 - 22:00. Traditional Mexican seafood restaurant with a number of regional specialties. Hand-made tortillas and enchiladas are recommended. (updated Jul 2024)
• 2 Pizzaria Monkis, Azueta, ☏ +52 784 141 0988. Tu-Su 14:00 - 22:00, closed M. Family-friendly pizza place with New York style pizzas in Mexican flavors: think chorizo with jalapenos. (updated Jul 2024)
• 3 Nava's Pizza, Veracruz, Norte, ☏ +52 561 150 8568. Daily 10:00 - 22:00. Tasty New York style pizzas. The hawaiian pizza (ham and pineapple) is recommended. (updated Jul 2024)

Sleep

• 1 Posadas San Miguel, Aun costado de la Parroquia Colonia Centro, ☏ +52 784 138 2989. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Boutique hotel in an 1820-era home with pool and gardens. Comfortable rooms and friendly service. (updated Jul 2024)
• 2 Villas Zozocolco, Benito Juárez esq, Libramiento, ☏ +52 784 116 8262. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Comfortable rooms and cabins with swimming pool, off-street parking, on-site restaurant and balloon workshops. (updated Jul 2024)

Go next

• El Tajin
• Tecolutla
• Tuxpan