Ixmiquilpan

Ixmiquilpan is a small city with a population of about 37,000 (2020 census). It was settled by the Hñahñus, a subculture of the Otomi indigenous people, along the banks of the Tula River. The Otomi would later be dominated by the Toltec and eventually the Aztec, but all of these peoples shared some common culture, and all spoke the Nahuatl language (and as much as a third of the town's population still do).

Spanish invaders moved into the area and established Ixmiquilpan as a town in 1530. Augustinian monks settled in the area and established the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel in 1550 (though the church and monastery were big projects that wouldn't be completed until the early 1600's). The Chapel of Nuestra Señora del Carmen was built by Patricio Joseph Tovar between 1752 and 1772.

Walking is the best way to get around within the town but taxis are a necessity for exploring the areas outside of town. A taxi sitio is at Plaza Juarez, in the heart of Ixmiquilpan’s centro historico.

• 🌍 Plaza Juarez, Lib. al Cardonal 13, Centro. The town square with benches, sidewalks, fountains, and towering shade trees. The Town Hall (Palacio Municipal) faces one side of the park with two sides consisting of charming colonial era buildings with graceful arched porticos under which you'll find shady sidewalk cafes, ice cream shops, and shops selling souvenirs and local hand crafts. The plaza features a famous Diana sculpture. This is the original Diana sculpture from Paseo de la Reforma in Mexico City, but it caused a political scandal when it was first unveiled in the capital. Sadly, President Avila's wife, Soledad Orozco de Ávila Camacho, was an uncultured philistine who declared it "indecent" and forced the artist to re-cast the statue with a loincloth for modesty. The more classically inspired statue of the huntress now graces Ixmiquilpan. 

• 🌍 Ex-Convento de San Miguel Arcángel (Church of St Michael the Archangel), Nicolás Romero 34, Centro, ☏ +52 772 110 0507. Augustinian church and monastery built in the 16th century and designed by Fray Andrés de Mata de Barrios. It's a spectacular church that embodies everything tourists love about Mexican churches of the viceregal era. This one stands out because of a series of murals that were originally painted by indigenous artists but were covered up for a couple hundred years until being re-discovered during a mid 20th century renovation. The murals mix Christian symbology with Mexica symbols, jaguar warriors, and fanciful creatures reminscent of the alebrijes that are part of Mexican popular art culture. Historians say that these murals were created by Otomi artists and chronicle Otomi battles against nomadic Chichimecas, who were hostile to the Spanish missionaries. The friars evidently didn't take to having their missions attacked and encouraged the Otomi to take care of the problem "their way", and so the friars rewarded the Otomi by letting them immortalize the story in murals on the church walls. 
• 🌍 Capilla de Nuestra Señora del Carmen (Chapel of Our Lady of Carmen), Fco Javier Mina 8. Elaborate churrigueresque style church built in the 18th century. Stunning interior with gilded altars and many paintings of biblical scenes. 
• 🌍 Museo de la Cultura Hñähñú, Av. Insurgentes No. 1, Centro (across the street from the bus station), ☏ +52 759 723 4408. M-F 10:00-19:00, Sa 10:00-14:00, closed Su. This place holds the world's record for most unpronouncable name. It's a small museum with 5 galleries showcasing the Hñähñú indigenous culture. Items include religious objects, everyday household items, artifacts that demonstrate the interrelationship of the people with their natural environment, rituals, calendars, and more. The museum includes a botanical garden with about 40 plants that are endemic to the Mezquital River Valley. (updated May 2023)

• 🌍 Mercado Morelos, Jesús del Rosal 10, San Antonio. 10:00 - 19:30. Typical town marketplace with vendors selling fresh produce, meat, prepared foods, and household items. (updated May 2023)

• 🌍 Matador Cucina Ahumada, Segunda Cerrada Dalia #1 La Purisima. Barrio del Carmen, ☏ +52 331 089 0247. W-Su 14:00 - 23:00. Comfortable family-style restaurant with an eclectic international menu. Traditional latin foods like empanadas and shrimp tacos live comfortably with pasta dishes like spaghetti bolognese. Great atmosphere in the outdoor patio dining area. (updated May 2023)
• 🌍 Estrella de Mar, San Antonio, ☏ +52 552 069 2151. 11:00 - 19:00. Seafood restaurant with a wide range of dishes including fresh oysters on the half shell, ceviche, grilled fillets and more. (updated May 2023)
• 🌍 Casa Azul, Centenario 7, ☏ +52 759 723 0893. 12:00 - 20:00 (closed Su). Comfortable quiet restaurant serving traditional Mexican food. Try the supreme nachos! (updated May 2023)

• 🌍 Cantaritos, Fernando Montes de Oca, El Fithzi, ☏ +52 772 144 9888. 12:00 - 22:00 (closed M). More of a "bar & grill" than strictly a bar. They have light food like sandwiches, shrimp cocktails, and nachos. Known for their micheladas and cantaritos (hence the name). (updated May 2023)

• 🌍 Hotel Posada Centenario, Centenario 10, Centro, ☏ +52 759 723 3783. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Small, comfortable hotel with affordable rates. Charges extra for WiFi and deposit on TV remote. M$600 (May 2023). (updated May 2023)
• 🌍 Hotel del Valle Inn, Lib. a Cardonal 50, ☏ +527597232454. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Clean, comfortable rooms. (updated May 2023)
• 🌍 Hotel La Posta, Lib. a Cardonal 15, Barrio El Carmen, ☏ +52 759 723 3167. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Comfortable family atmosphere with complimentary breakfast and off-street parking. Walking distance to several spas. (updated May 2023)

• Pachuca
• Tula