
Municipality in State of Mexico, Mexico
Photo: A01701086 Abigail, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Aculco (sometimes referred to as Aculco De Espinoza, or more commonly as San Jeronimo Aculco) is a small city of about 40,000 souls in rural Mexico State. It is a historic town with a lot of colonial era charm and a mountain setting with scenic waterfalls. It is one of the designated sites along the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Aculco has also been designated as one of Mexico's Pueblos Magicos by the federal tourism department (SECTUR). Aculco is a popular weekend destination for couples from Mexico City. They come for the romance of the colonial town, with its gleaming white small cobblestone streets (callejons) and its reputation as an artist colony. Aculco is also known for its cheese.
Historic atmosphere, reasonable prices, good food. Traditional cooking with plenty of local cheesesː Enchiladas, arrachera, rabbit.
Comfortable modern restaurant with affordable prices. Outdoor dining area with umbrellas and occasional live music.
Sidewalk cafe with upstairs dining room. Excellent people watching opportunities. Full menu with soups, chicken, arracherra, and pasta. Reasonable prices.
Cheery, colorful modern dining room serving traditional Mexican cuisine with a smattering of regional dishes, like conejo. Breakfast paquetes include brewed coffee and an assortment of sweet breads.
Moderately priced, clean, colonial style hotel in the heart of the city. Cold showers only (no hot water). Excellent restaurant, "Frida", on the ground floor.
Spacious rooms in a colonial era courtyard hotel a half-block off the main plaza. Good service and comfortable rooms done in a modern-rustic style.
Charming garden hotel with upscale restaurant onsite. Limited amenities but clean, comfortable, rustic style rooms.
Modern boutique hotel on the edge of town. Gardens with walking paths. On-site restaurant.
The traditional central marketplace, vendors sell an amazing variety of fresh produce, poultry, meats, household goods, etc. Food vendors sell everything from tacos to hot bowls of soup.
Large selection of different locally made cheese varieties. Other artesanal foods are also available including homemade salsas, fruit preserves, and candies.
Aculco is off the beaten path so it will take some effort to get there. The best way is by bus to Acambay, then take a taxi the last 10 miles or so into Aculco.
Read in the guideAculco is a small town. Walking is the best way to explore, or use a local taxi for longer distances.
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