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Municipal seat in Tlaxcala, Mexico
Photo: AlejandroLinaresGarcia, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Huamantla is a scenic small city in the Central Mexican state of Tlaxcala, known for bullfighting.
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Parque Juárez is the main town square. It's a pleasant place to sit and people watch under towering shade trees. The neoclassical Palacio Municipal (city hall) faces the park as does the 16th century Church of San Luis Obispo and a number of 18th- and 19th-century buildings.
The church and monastery were built between 1567 and 1585. It is a grey stone structure with white stucco bell towers. The exterior is simple, but the interior has more elaborate architectural elements with churrigueresque altars of gold, a number of alabaster statues in the main portal, and colonial era paintings throughout the church and monastery. The oldest paintings are in the Third Order chapel.
Our Lady of Charity is the town's patron saint and a 17th century shrine was built in her honor in Huamantla, though the shrine was replaced by a huge, very modern church in the early 1950s (the church was consecrated in 1954). The church features three main naves, two side chapels, and two bell towers. The interior features muraled ceilings in the side chapels, numerous sculptures, and stained glass along the walls of the naves and over the main altar. Former president, Porfirio Diaz credited his prayers to the Virgin for his military success and in 1876, donated a gold crown, halo and palm to the church in thanks for his victory in the Battle of Tecoac. The gold crown is interesting to tourists though many visitors come on pilgrimages to make their own prayers and pleas. The church is a focal point for the annual celebration of "The Night Nobody Sleeps".
National Puppet Museum
Puppetry is a revered craft in Huamantla, where the Rosete Aranda family founded a popular traveling puppet show that performed throughout Mexico for more than a century. The Puppet Museum is in a mansion facing Parque Juarez in the city center. Eight exhibit halls showcase puppets, sets, and related objects from Mexico as well as from European and Asian puppeteers.
Bullfighting Museum
Bullfighting has a long and storied tradition in Huamantla and this 2-story museum located next to the bullfighting arena showcases the long and bloody Hispanic tradition of bullfighting. See the different types of swords used in the ring, capes, matador outfits, model bullrings from other parts of Mexico, and posters advertising past bullfights.
Monumental al Toro
Large sculpture made of fiberglass and resin on a tiled pedestal at one of the main entrances to town. The sculpture, created by architect Diódoro Rodríguez Anaya, commemorates the town's long heritage raising bulls.
Traditional casual patio restaurant with good food and low prices.
Huge freshly made sandwiches. Milanesa is the house specialty, stuffed with potatoes.
Modern, clean, family-friendly restaurant with kids play area. Good breakfast menu, large portions.
Good atmosphere with traditional decor, comfortable and casual. Extensive menu with wider range than most area restaurants. Traditional Central Mexican dishes like chiles nogadas and sopa azteca. Outdoor dining area that's dog friendly.
Small family restaurant. Known for their cochinita pibil and guisadas.
Casual bar, beer and mixed drinks.
Cantina with DJ.
Cozy hostel with spacious rooms, limited services (no off-street parking).
Clean, comfortable hotel. Off-street parking. Steam baths (sauna).
Very cheap barebones hotel on main highway.
Very clean, well maintained property with comfortable rooms and friendly service. Quiet location. No breakfast.
Ideal choice for a romantic weekend getaway, the place is a former hacienda that looks like an enormous castle (complete with turrets). Rooms are spacious, clean, and comfortable with rustic decor (timbered ceilings, wood floors, etc.). Manicured gardens and courtyard restaurant. Golf course.
Traditional Mexican marketplace with local vendors selling fresh produce, meat, cheese and other products. An area with vendors selling regional prepared foods including barbacoa and consomme. Sanitary conditions vary by vendor so caveat emptor.
Huamantla is located about 160 km (100 miles) east of Mexico City, on highway MEX 136. The easiest way to get there is to fly to Mexico City and then take a bus.
Read in the guideHuamantla is a small city and while walking is the best way to get around the Centro, you'll probably want a taxi to fully explore the city's attractions.
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