When you ask someone about Tepoztlan, these two words always come up: mysticism and spirituality. “The town has powerful healing energy”, locals say. Some credit this energetic flow to the surrounding mountains and others, to the pre-Hispanic ancestors. Either way, this belief has attracted many esoteric businesses, such as protection charms and crystal shops, aura and palm readings, tarot, magnetic therapy, shaman cleansing, and the famous temazcal ritual (more on this below).
The other attraction is the 2-hour trekking adventure up the Tepozteco hill that leads to a pre-Hispanic temple from 1200 a.C. An experience you can not miss.
Tip: plan your trip from Friday to Sunday, when most of the shops and the local market are open.
What to do in Tepoztlán
1. Breakfast at Los Colorines
No visit to Tepoztlan is complete without this stop. It’s a traditional Mexican restaurant with the most over the top, cliché decoration, which is actually what makes it so great. The only downside is that they don’t accept credit cards, so make sure you have enough cash before you order.
2. Admire the street art scene
After the 2º International Public Art Festival and last year’s Day of the Dead celebration, artists have covered the walls of Tepoztlan with beautiful murals illustrating the town’s history and traditions. You’ll see many down these streets: Del Tepozteco (main street), Calle de Matamoros, Av. Ignacio Zaragoza, and Revolución de 1910.
3. Visit this arch
You can’t miss this gorgeous piece of art, located between the local market and the Parish of the Nativity. It’s an arch that every year, on September 7th, gets covered in illustrations made out of seeds, in honor of the Virgin Mary.
The town gets together two months in advance to agree on a new design, to buy the seeds (more than 50 varieties) and to decorate the arch so that they can change it up on September 7th. They’ve been doing this since 1991!
4. Climb the Tepozteco
This trek isn’t for everyone, but if you can do it, it’ll be worth it. When you reach the top, you’ll have a lovely view of Tepoztlan and the surrounding mountains, and you’ll get to visit the archaeological site that was used in 1200 a.C to venerate Mexica war deities.
Getting to the top can take from 40min to 2 hours, depending on your physical fitness and the human traffic jams that you may encounter. Plus, another hour to get down.
5. Eat pre-Hispanic food at the local market
Now, this was a unique experience. It’s a stall at the center of the market called ‘El Tlecuil Cocina Prehispánica’, where they offer either vegetarian patties or deer, rabbit, wild boar, armadillo, and snake.
We decided on the patties, which are made out of amaranth, corn, chía, an assortment of flowers, herbs, mushrooms, and insects, and are served with mole sauce, black beans, rice, and handmade tortillas.
6. Try the famous Tepoznieves
This local ice-cream shop has +300 ice-cream flavors! Some unique ones are mamey, corn, cajeta, tres leches, fig with mezcal, rompope, tequila, rose petals, horchata, hibiscus, tuna (cactus fruit), black zapote and jicama with chili powder.
7. Immerse in the mysticism of Tepoztlan
You’ll find that most shops are centered around esoterism. So, this is your chance to buy incense, crystals, rune stones, evil eyes, mandalas, dream catchers, etc. You can also get your aura photographed or book a tarot session and a shaman cleansing to clear negative energy.
And if you visit during the Spring Equinox, you can wear all white and join those who climb up the Tepozteco to re-charge their energy on top of the pre-Hispanic temple.
8. Book a Temazcal experience
It’s a pre-Hispanic ceremony to purify one’s body and soul. It begins with a smoke cleansing and a spiritual ritual performed by a Shaman. Then, you are asked to step inside the temazcal (náhuatl for ‘steam house’) and sit in a circle. The Shaman then closes the door and proceeds to place hot lava rocks in the center, while chanting to Mother Earth and adding water and copal to create the healing steam. It gets really hot, really quick, so concentrate on your breathing. The ritual and chantings continue for 1.30 hours, but you can ask to step outside whenever you want.
The idea is that whoever steps inside a temazcal will returning to Mother Earth’s womb, and experience their re-birth free from what was troubling them. Emotional releases are very common, so don’t freak out if you start crying.
Our Airbnb host suggested the temazcal experience offered in Posada Santo Domingo. The ceremony with the Shaman costs $1,850 for two people, and you can book it up to two days in advance.
9. Shop local crafts
Every Saturday and Sunday, Del Tepozteco street and the local crafts market are bustling with stalls selling all kinds of things. Aside from the protection charms and crystals, you can find beautiful handmade pottery, textiles, paintings by local artists and these traditional masks used in Tepoztlan’s Carnival.
10. Dine at Axitla
This Mexican restaurant is located in the foothills of El Tepozteco and is surrounded by nature. Tasty menu and lovely view from the terrace, especially at sunset.
Have you been to Tepoztlan? We’d love to hear about your favorite spots!
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Useful information
Map
We’ve pinpointed all the sites mentioned above on to this map, to save you some time!
Accommodation
Link to the Airbnb we stayed at. Highly recommend it: great host, centric location and beautiful decor.
Tip
Carry cash, because few establishments accept credit cards. And those who do, are constantly battling with the terminals due to the town’s poor internet reception.
More restaurants recommended by our Airbnb host
El Ciruelo, La Luna Meztli, La Sandía Azul & La Sombra del Sabino.
Other day trips from Mexico City:
–One day trip: Cacaxtla to Val’Quirico
–Hidden Corners of Teotihuacán
