Xicotepec

Xicotepec, officially known as Xicotepec de Juarez, is a small town in the mountains of western Puebla known for its historical landmarks and the natural beauty of its mountain forests and rivers. It is the heart of one of Mexico's premier coffee growing regions and a scenic small town that is one of Mexico's Pueblos Magicos.

History
Xicotepec, like most places in Mexico, has a long history with various Mesoamerican societies influencing its growth and culture. It was first settled around 300 B.C. by the Otomi people. In the 5th century A.D., Totonoc people moved into the area. In 1120 it was conquered by the Toltec, in 1325 by the Acolhua, and in 1432 by the Aztec, who forced the town to pay tribute to Texcoco. In 1533, the Spanish moved in with Augustinian friars to convert the population. They built the first churches in town and declared San Juan Bautista (St. John the Baptist) to be the town's patron saint.

The town's 15 minutes of fame was actually 3 days in 1920, when, following the Mexican Revolution, President Venustiano Carranzo was assassinated in a nearby town and his body was taken to Xicotepec. During those 3 days, the official capital of Mexico was this small town. The story is told in exhibits at the Casa Carranza.

Geography
Xicotepec is a mountainous town, lying within an area known as the Sierra Norte. The San Marcos River lies a few kilometers north of the town while the Necaxa River lies a few kilometers to the south. Both rivers are quite scenic and offer recreational opportunities for paddlers as well as some popular waterfalls. Springs within the town (called los Tezontles) feed several small streams. Several more streams are found in the hills and mountains surrounding the town and flowing into one of the two nearby rivers.

Climate
Xicotepec gets quite a bit of rain with rainfalls occurring regularly throughout the year, but the heaviest rains fall between June and October. Conditions change quickly in Xicotepec, with showers appearing and disappearing in an instant.

By bus
From Mexico City, Futura buses leave from Indios Verdes to Xicotepec and cost about M$300 for the 3-1/2 hour ride. They stop in Tulancingo and go onward to Xicotepec. Conexiones also has buses going to Xicotepec leaving from Indios Verdes, but you have to change buses in Tulancingo. The Conexiones buses are about the same price. Buses between Indios Verdes and Tulancingo are frequent, departing hourly throughout the day.

From Puebla, it's a bit more complicated. Autotransportes San Pedro Santa Clara buses go to Huachinango twice daily (M$200). From Huachinango you can take an ODT Ómnibus de Tizayuca bus to Xicotepec. The second-class buses run hourly and cost about M$50.

There is no central bus station in Xicotepec. Companies operate their own facilities.



By car
Xicotepec is about 3 hours by car from either Mexico City or Puebla. From Mexico City, use federal highway MEX 130 (Carr. Piramides-Tulancingo). From Puebla, use federal highway MEX 119 via Santa Ana.

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Go next

 * Huachinango
 * Tulancingo
 * Poza Rica