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Hidalgo, Mexico
Photo: E.dronism, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Zimapán is a small city of about 15,000 people (2020) in the Central Mexican state of Hidalgo. The city has a charming colonial downtown area with historic churches and cobblestone streets. The natural areas outside town include rugged mountains, the Marmoles National Park, and recreational areas with caves, a lake, and a scenic canyon. The town is one of Mexico's designated Pueblos Magicos.
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Church of St John the Baptist
Completed in 1822, this church is the most outstanding baroque-style in the Sierra Gorda region. Its façade contains extraordinary carved reliefs with the images of San Sebastián and San Jerónimo. The interior was crafted by indigenous stone masons who engineered the building to brilliantly light up the church with three beams of light at the moment of the summer solstice.
Peaceful town square with manicured topiary gardens, a large bandstand, fountains, park benches, and monuments. Busy with families and vendors on Sundays.
Lake Zimapan
The lake was formed in 1996 when a new hydroelectric dam was built on the San Juan and Tula Rivers. The power plant generates 292 megawatts per hour, not to mention creating a wealth of opportunities for outdoorsmen who enjoy boating and fishing on the peaceful waters. Weekend cabins can be rented on an island in the middle of the lake.
Xajha Caves
Off the beaten path natural site for people in good physical shape with a sense of adventure. After you park your car and pay the fee to go in, it will be about 3 hours before you get to the caves or the thermal baths. (That's 3 hours each way... bring water). Along the way you'll be passing through a rocky canyon and wading through burbling streams. The baths are geothermically heated to 40°C. There's also a boat trip to a waterfall. Guides are available for hire in Zimapan and are the best option.
Bright, cheery restaurant with traditional Mexican food.
Comfortably upscale dining room with an extensive international menu.
Cheap, basic dive bar with cold beer and zesty micheladas.
Clean, comfortable rooms at affordable prices. Off-street parking behind the hotel.
Clean, comfortable, quiet hotel with friendly service and secure parking. Cable TV and WiFi.
This is your splurge boutique hotel for pampering. Hacienda style hotel with large traditional rooms. Garden courtyard. Gourmet restaurant and cocktail lounge. Full-service spa. Several swimming pools.
Lodge with hotel-style rooms and a large, very well-maintained camping area with tent sites and a fire pit. Clean communal shower and bathrooms. On-site restaurant serving excellent regional cuisine. Secure parking area for motorcycles.
By car
From Ixmiquilpan, take federal highway MEX 85 north for 40 km, then take the turn-off for the Carr. a Zimapan.
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Querétaro · International · QRO
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