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Mexico State, Mexico
Photo: Armando Olivo Martín del Campo, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Tonatico is a small town in southern Mexico State. With its rich indigenous traditions and its wealth of natural attractions, the town is a popular weekend destination for city dwellers from Mexico City. The town has been designated as one of Mexico's Pueblos Mágicos.
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Gardens of Tonatico
The town's main plaza is a large garden-filled area with crosswalks, fountains, and statues. Food and crafts vendors line the sidewalks. Good place for people watching.
Church of Our Lady of Tonatico
Beautiful show cave with hourly guided tours. Tours involve walking long distances with several stairs along the way. Believed to have been an ancient site for worshipping Tlaloc, the rain God, due to the number of objects found in the cave. Rapelling available on a 15-meter cliff. Ample free parking.
Small municipal park with a swinging foot bridge and hiking paths with a waterfall. Park facilities are not well maintained.
Traditional Mexican restaurant with homemade dishes. Large portions.
Light casual fare on the plaza. Burgers, salads, tortas and drinks.
Hot, steaming bowls of pozole (spicy hominy soup) topped with shredded cabbage, onions, cilantro and crushed tostada's. Order it red, white, or green.
Traditional restaurant serving regional specialties. Everything is carefully prepared by hand the way it was done by past generations. The tortillas are hand made, all juices are fresh squeezed from fresh, whole fruits. Try the conejo en mojo al ajo (with a touch of annatto).
Boutique hotel with large gardens with outdoor swimming pool and illuminated at night. On-site restaurant, on-site store. Clean and comfortable.
Moderate hotel in a quiet neighborhood. Large swimming pool available. Off-street parking available.
Moderate hotel with clean, spacious rooms. Heated outdoor swimming pool available.
By bus
From Mexico City's Observatorio bus station, it is a 2-hour trip to Tonatico. Use the Flecha Roja bus to Balneario Ixtapan, the nearest station to Tonatico. Buses depart every 2 hours and cost M$100.
Walking or bicycling is the best way to get around in town. If you need a taxi, you will find them at a sitios near the Jardin Municipal.
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