City in Hidalgo, Mexico
Photo: RubeHM, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Actopan is a small city in Central Mexico in the Mezquital Valley in the state of Hidalgo. It is 35 km from the state capital of Pachuca and 125 km from Mexico City. It is a lively city with several festivals, known for its colonial heritage and for its tasty local cuisine, especially variations of barbacoa.
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Actopan's oldest church was established as an Augustinian monastery, built between 1550-1570. The church has some remarkable 16th century religious artwork inside but is most noted for a unique outdoor chapel decorated with murals painted by indigenous artists in the 1550s. These murals have degraded significantly in the intervening centuries but are remarkable in the way they fuse indigenous Mexica elements with the newly enforced Christian themes being proselytized by the Spanish. The convent too has some remarkable artwork done by European artists featuring elaborate patterns and interpreting biblical passages in more Euro-centric ways. Inside the high cloister of the ex-convent is the Museum of Religious Arts which showcases mostly art from the 19th century with some fascinating exhibits on religious symbology. The collection includes a large number of sculptures, paintings and other religious artifacts. The museum is open 09:00 - 17:00, except Monday, when it is closed.
Acueducto de Actopan
9-km-long aqueduct built between 1546 and 1570.
Actopan's zocalo (principal plaza) is Plaza Juarez, an attractive, quiet park with manicured shrubbery, clean cobblestone paths, towering shade trees, and monuments to popular historical figures. It is adjacent to the Church of San Nicolas and the town hall (Palacio Municipal).
Xoxafi Caverns
Underground caverns with several different add-on adventures, including an extreme tunnel exploration, an opportunity to rappel within the cavern, and zip0line. Cabins are available for overnight guests who want to make a weekend of it with multiple activities.
Actopan Fair, Feria de la Barbacoa, Dajiedhi Fair
Ideally held in early July (to commemorate the city's founding date of July 8), but some years as late as early August, this is a large festival featuring carnival rides, music, dance, charreada, fireworks and lots and lots of food (particularly barbecued meats). A highlight is the barbacoa contest and the ximbo contest.
This popular eatery has both kinds of barbecue, they have barbacoa and ximbo! Eat here or take it to go. Homemade aguas frescas and atole to drink.
Traditional pit-barbecued pork: barbacoa and ximbo. Traditional handmade tortillas. Rich broths and salsas en molcajete.
Clean, modern restaurant by traditional homemade recipes. Try the combo, served on a maguey leaf.
Modern hotel with clean, comfortable rooms and a central location, 2 block walk to Parque Juarez or Church of San Nicolas. On-site restaurant and full-service bar.
Charming, centrally located hotel with rooms facing an indoor garden courtyard. Upscale on-site restaurant.
Comfortable mid-range hotel with off-street parking. About 4 block walk to centro sites like church of San Nicolas.
Modest hotel with basic furnishings but great prices considering the service and location. Off-street parking available, but the lot is very small.
Comfortable mid-range hotel with spotlessly clean, well-equipped rooms. On-site restaurant available that sometimes offers a buffet. Outdoor swimming pool and game room available.
Mid-range hotel with clean, comfortable rooms adjacent to the town square. On-sitre restaurant serves quality Mexican cuisine three meals per day. Off-street parking is available. On-site gym available.
The city's main marketplace. Many vendors selling fresh produce, meat, fish, and prepared foods, as well as household items and craft products. Best place in town to sample authentic regional cuisine from a variety of vendors.
By bus
From Pachuca, Ovnibus has a direct route from Villas de Pachuca to Actopan with one bus at 6pm daily arriving one hour later in Actopan. The fare is about M$100.
The town is compact and easily walkable, though taxis will be useful for getting around outside the central downtown area.
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