Otumba

Otumba, officially referred to as Otumba de Gomez Farias, is a small town of less than 10,000 residents in rural Mexico State. Although the big city suburbs are steadily encroaching on the town, it still retains a rural character that is best exemplified by its love of animals, particularly the humble burro. It is one of Mexico's designated Pueblos Mágicos.

History
Otumba has a very colorful history and is most famous for a battle between indigenous natives and the Spanish troops under the command of Cortez.

The town's roots stretch back to about 200 AD, though a large influx of Otomi people settled here around 1200. The name "Otumba" means "place of the Otomi" and there are still residents who consider themselves to be Otomi or mestizo with Otomi heritage. In the 15th century it came under Aztec domination and paid tribute to Texcoco.

The Battle of Otumba occurred in the immediate aftermath of Cortez murder of the Aztec emperor. Cortez and his men were fleeing from Tenochtitaln seeking shelter with their allies in Tlaxcala when, on July 7 1520, they encountered a combined army of several thousand warriors from several cultures that were allied with the Aztec and united under the command of Moctezuma's son Cuitlahuac. Although the home-town team massively outnumbered the pitiful little Spanish army, the Spanish had knights in armor on horseback who struck fear into the native warriors, whose inexplicable cowardice let Cortez and his men escape and survive to fight another day.

Get in
The closest commercial airport to Otumba is Mexico City's Felipe Angeles International Airport (commonly known as AIFA, or Santa Lucia). It is about 1 hour by taxi from Otumba.

By bus
Autobuses Teotihuacanes operates hourly buses to Otumbe. Buses depart from Terminal Autobuses del Norte at half past the hour and cost M$50 for the 1-hour trip.

By car
From Mexico City, Otumba is a 1-hour drive (at low traffic volume times of the day, double or triple that for rush hour). Drive northeast of the city on federal highway 153D (toll) for 40 km. When you reach San Pablo Ixquitlán you will turn east on state highway 9 for about 10 km and you will be in Otumba.

See










Nearby

 * Ex-Convento San Nicolás de Bari - just 10 minutes by taxi (or 30 by bicycle) is a beautiful 16th century monastery that is actively used as a community church. The church was built on top of the platform of a destroyed Aztec temple. The church seems far too large and ornate for a rural small community. The facade, added in 1675, is decorated with vegetable motifs.
 * Haciendas were common in Mexico State during the colonial era and several of the nearby villages have historic haciendas that made pulque in the 18th century. Some of these haciendas lie in ruins but others are well restored and operate as hotels, spas, or wedding venues. Hacienda San Antonio Xala operates as a hotel, restaurant and equestrian center and visitors are welcome to see the property. Other haciendas that you may be able to visit include the Hacienda Santa María de Guadalupe Tepa and the Hacienda Soapayuca.

Festivals

 * Feria del Burro - since 1965, the town's most popular event is the annual Feria del Burro, celebrating the town's favorite animal. In addition to food, music, dance, carnival rides and games, the festival features donkey-oriented events like burro racing, dressing up burros as famous celebrities, and burro polo matches

Eat
Popular foods in Otumba include tlacoyos, quesadillas de flor de calabaza, barbacoa, mixiote, mole, and pulque. In season, a number of unusual specialties are served that will likely offend tourists with squemish stomachs. These include insects like maguey larvae, chinicuiles, escamoles, and snails. You can find these in the Mercado Municipal and at local restaurants that specialize in regional cuisine.

Go next

 * Teotihuacan
 * Texcoco
 * Iztacchuatl-Popocateptl National Park