Mineral del Chico
Mineral del Chico is a small town in the Central Mexico state of Hidalgo. It is an old town with colonial roots that is a gateway to the rugged mountain backcountry of El Chico National Park. Mineral del Chico is also a popular weekend getaway destination that is one of Mexico's designated Pueblos Magicos.
Understand
Mineral del Chico is a traditional mining town with several mine tours available, in and on the north side of the town. There are at least 5 mining sites that are open to visitors.
Get in
Mineral del Chico is a small town that is off the beaten path. First-class buses will get you to Pachuca, and from there you can take a taxi. Mineral del Chico is about 25 km from Pachuca and the 20-minute taxi ride will cost about M$150.
By car
The road to Mineral del Chico is twisty, mountainous and scenic. From Pachuca, take the Carratera a la Estanzuela. You need to make a sharp left after about 10 km (there's a sign there, and a restaurant called Libo's). You'll pass a large reservoir (Presa la Estanzuela) and go through the town of Estanzuela. Watch for the signs to El Chico, that's the road you want. Mineral del Chico is on the north side of the national park, so enjoy the mountain scenery for the rest of the ride into town.
Get around
The town itself is small and compact so you can easily get around on foot. Taxis are available near the town square and are useful for getting out to some of the mines or into the El Chico National Park.
See
- 🌍 Parroquia de la Purisima Concepcion (Church of the Immaculate Conception), Jose María Morelos 12, Barrio de la Sierra. Every town in Mexico has at least one spectacular colonial era church, and the main church in Mineral del Chico is Purisima Concepcion, located in the center of town next to the main plaza. It's a beautiful church with an interior of understated elegant simplicity.
Mines
- 🌍 Mina San Francisco, Tiro Nuevo, Barrio de la Sierra, ☏ +52 771 348 6336. Small mine that offers guided tours. In town.
- 🌍 Mina Guadalupe, C. Gabriel Mancera, Camino Abajo. 10:00 - 18:00. Historic silver mine founded in 1530, the mine operated for more than 400 years. Guided tours last 40 minutes and will take you down 400 meters into bowels of the mountain. In town. M$50.
- 🌍 Mina San Cayetano, Carr. a Plan Grande 4, Río del Milagro, ☏ +52 771 240 0680. 11:00 - 17:00 (closed Tu). Very cool mine tour that's ideal for adventurous travelers in good physical condition. Not a good choice for frail individuals or the claustrophobic. You can rappel down the mine's vent shaft. M$65.
- 🌍 Mina San Antonio, Carr. a Plan Grande, Barrio lo de Sánchez, ☏ +52 771 213 0680. 10:00 - 18:00. 40-minute guided tour into the mine with hardhat and flashlights. Wear good shoes and be prepared for possible water running through the shafts. M$90.
- 🌍 Mina Aurora, Carr. a Plan Grande, Barrio lo de Sanchez. Guided tour that takes you along a 1.4 km walking route into the mines. Hardhat is provided but lights are not, so you may want to bring a small flashlight. Wear good shoes and a jacket since it's always cool in the mine. Oddly, they do allow you to bring a dog on the tour. M$90.
Nature
- 🌍 Cascada de Rio del Milagro (River of Miracles Waterfall), El Potrero, Barrio lo de Sánchez (Carr. a Plan Grande, Río del Milagro). Located on the northwest side of town on the Carratera a Plan Grande, a small parking area is available. You walk about 5 minutes down a trail to get to the falls and a cool suspended cable bridge that looks like something out of an Indiana Jones movie. Along the way you'll see some old mine entrances. The falls are fairly small (drops about 15 meters) and are most impressive during the rainy season (June-July). M$25.
Do
- El Chico National Park (Parque Nacional El Chico). One of Mexico's oldest and most natural national parks lies at the town's front doorway. Forested mountains provide an outdoor playground for rock climbers, hikers, mountain bikers, and nature lovers. If you're into rock climbing and rappelling, head to the Las Ventanas area of the park. If you're into fishing, boating, and swimming, head to Presa el Cedral.
Festivals
- Lluvia de Pétalos - on Easter Sunday, flower petals of all colors are thrown from the upper balcony of the church during the mass. Festivities continue outside after mass.
- Festival de San Isidro Labrador - May 15, patron saint of farmers, celebrated with masses, parades, lots of food and drink, the coronation of a festival queen, and fireworks at dark.
- Apple and Begonia Festival - August, colorful event celebrating two of the town's main agricultural products. Various events throughout town including gastronomic shows and guided tours of the orchards.
- Expo Fair of Mineral del Chico - 1st week of December, contests, live music in the main garden, dance, lighting of the Christmas tree and pastorelas, the festival closes on December 8 with the celebration of the Immaculate Conception.
Buy
Mineral del Chico is largely a weekend getaway destination. Many shops and other businesses close during the week and do a gang-buster business from Friday afternoon through Sunday evening. It is common for businesses to accept only cash, though the larger businesses accept credit cards.
Eat
- 🌍 Herradura, Columba Rivera, Barrio del Calvario, ☏ +52 771 412 9916. Sa Su 09:00 - 22:30, closed M-F. Excellent traditional Mexican restaurant with regional specialties. Family friendly (allows dogs too).
- 🌍 Los Morrongos, Gral. Alfonso Corona del Rosal 7, Barrio de Longinos. Inviting restaurant with eclectic contemporary Mexican cuisine. Gets crowded so expect a wait at peak times.
- 🌍 Gastronomia "El Minero", Gral. Alfonso Corona del Rosal 10, Barrio de Longinos. 08:00 - 17:00. This is the place for inexpensive, authentic street food. it's a marketplace where several vendors serve up huaraches, tacos, and more.
- 🌍 Alegoria Cafe, C. Gabriel Mancera 7, Barrio de la Sierra, ☏ +52 771 149 0768. F-Su 10:00 - 22:00, closed M-Th. Quiet, romantic cafe with espresso, frozen coffee drinks, and light food. Lolas are the house specialty: a sweet roll filled with different types of savory filling.
- 🌍 Sepia Cafe, Gral. Alfonso Corona del Rosal 9, Centro, ☏ +52 771 557 4114. Th F 14:00 - 23:00, Sa Su 08:00 - 23:00, closed M-W. Cozy, romantic cafe with innovative coffee drinks and cocktails. Homemade bread braids with various savory and sweet garnishes. Pizzas from a wood burning oven.
- 🌍 La Trucha Grill, El Calvario 3, Barrio del Calvario, ☏ +52 771 123 4394. 12:00 - 19:00. Great ambiance with ample outdoor decks. As the name promises, grilled trout is the house specialty, served in a number of innovative ways. Chicken, pork and other dishes are available for some reason. M$200.
Drink
- 🌍 El Secreto de Saucavon, Gral. Alfonso Corona del Rosal 10, Barrio de Longinos, ☏ +52 771 684 7331. 09:00 - 22:00. Specializes in hot and cold drinks made with mountain coffee from Veracruz. Cocktails available, wide range of food, from antojitos to full meals.
Sleep
- 🌍 Suites de la Montana Hada Violeta, De la Cruz, Barrio lo de Sánchez, ☏ +52 553 493 3538. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Rustic mountain property with cabins with kitchenettes and space to sleep up to 8. Good choice for families.
- 🌍 Hospedaje Vagabundo De Media Noche, Jose María Morelos S/N, Centro, ☏ +52 771 157 5955. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Clean, comfortable rooms though a bit dated. Convenient downtown location 1 block from the main plaza. Friendly service and low prices.
- 🌍 Posada Santa Maria, C. Columbia Rivera 13, Barrio del Calvario, ☏ +52 771 191 7658. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Friendly, comfortable inn with spacious rooms and several cabins (some with fireplace). Pets may be allowed in cabins at extra charge, but not in inn rooms. Off-street parking. No TV. M$700.
- 🌍 Cabañas Los Pinares, Carretera Pedro Maria Anaya S/N, Barrio La Sierra, ☏ +52 771 275 6833. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Comfortable, clean, spacious, private log cabins set among pine tree groves in a mountain setting. Hot water, kitchens, barbecue grills, WiFi. Great choice for families. Staff can recommend local tour guides and activities.