10 Amazing Things to Do and See in Tepoztlán

Tepoztlán is a peaceful little town in the state of Morelos, that becomes a popular tourist destination for Mexico City dwellers on the weekends.

Depending on who you ask, you might get two very different answers about what to do in Tepoztlán: party or relax.

I always find this contrast fascinating, as you can find as many spiritual retreats as bustling bars here.

To help you plan your visit, I have created this guide of the 10 best things to do in Tepoztlán, with all the best activities and attractions, my favorite restaurants and hotels for every budget.

I have also included practical information on how to get there and my tips on how to make the most of your trip.

So, what are the best things to do in Tepoztlán? Where to stay?

What to see in Tepoztlán

1. Visit the Tepozteco, the iconic landmark of Tepoztlán

One of the best things to do in Tepoztlán is to visit the Tepozteco, a temple that was built on the side of Tepozteco mountain by the Xochimilcas in the 12th century, dedicated to Ometochtli-Tepuztécatl, the god of pulque.

The hike takes between 30 minutes and an hour (starting with a section full of souvenirs, micheladas, grills and snacks of all kinds), depending on your fitness level.

At 1970 ft high, the site offers a stunning view of the valley.

• Open Monday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Entrance fee 90 pesos

2. Try the Pre-Hispanic Food

One of the main reasons to visit Tepoztlán is to try the pre-Hispanic food at the market.

Of course, pre-Hispanic dishes are still widely consumed in Mexico, every day, and corn is the staple of the cuisine.

But without getting into a debate about Mexican gastronomy, let’s just say that yes, in Tepoztlán you can find some pre-Hispanic delicacies.

I went to Tlecuil at the market (the most famous place for this style of food) and to Nonantzin, which is a small restaurant on Tezpoteco street.

I personally liked the latter better for the flavors and service, although the market atmosphere is always fun.

Both restaurants offer tlaltequeadas, which are like little veggie patties, made with grains and seeds (chia, amaranth, canary seed, etc.). I tried these ones:

• 7 seeds
• Chaya leaf with squash blossom
• Maguey flower with quelites (which won an award)
• Cazahuate mushrooms with mexica chili peppers
• Alfalfa with artichoke germ and heart

You can find many varieties of tlaltequeadas, savory or sweet, with banana, flowers, and even insects!

Let your curiosity guide you to explore these ancient ingredients, because no matter what you choose, it will be a fascinating experience!

• Expect to pay 35 to 50 pesos for a taco or 100 pesos for a plate of 2 tlaltequeadas with rice and beans and a sauce of your choice.

3. Parque de los Venaditos

Visit the Santuario Los Venaditos (Deer Sanctuary), a natural park with a waterfall, a small lookout point and some white-tailed deer.

You can choose from 3 trails:

• A 10-15 minute walk to the waterfall, over some rocks (make sure you have good shoes)
• A trail to the small lookout point that offers a lovely view
• A trail to the deer sanctuary, where you can see some deer. We were told that you can touch them and even feed them, but why not let nature be? It’s better to observe them from a distance without bothering them. 😉

Some things to keep in mind:

-You can only see the beautiful waterfall in the rainy season (ideally in August-September), otherwise it’s dry. But it’s still worth visiting.

-The park has no facilities, so bring water, and I suggest you go to the bathroom beforehand.

-Bring good hiking shoes and mosquito repellent because they are very active.

• Entrance fee 20 pesos for the maintenance of the place
• It’s a 30 minute walk or 15 minute drive from the center of Tepoztlán
• Parking is available (40 pesos, if I remember correctly)

4. Former Convent of Nativity

The former Convent of Tepoztlán (16th century) is a Unesco World Heritage Site, built by the indigenous people of Tepoztlán under the orders of the Dominicans.

It was badly damaged by the 2017 earthquake, and it had closed its doors to the public… but it finally reopened at the end of 2021!

You can explore the parish of the Nativity with its cloister and the historical museum of Tepoztlán.

Access is limited to the first floor for now (hopefully that will change soon 🤞), but you can also visit the belvedere by reservation.

• Free admission
• Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm

5. Pre-Hispanic Museum

The Museum of Pre-Hispanic Art is located in the complex of the Convent of the Nativity.

It displays the collection of the Mexican poet Carlos Pellicer Cámara: 1,000 archaeological pieces from various cultures, such as Mayan, Totonac, Mexica, Teotihuacan, Zapotec, Olmec, Tlatilco, the coast of the state of Colima and Tepoztlán.

It is a small museum that you can visit in 30 minutes, and I agree that the pieces could be better presented (in my opinion) to highlight their significance, but that often happens with local museums.

However, I think it is a must-see in Tepoztlán!

• Entrance fee 30 pesos
• Open from 10 am to 6 pm (closed Mondays)

6. Street art in Tepoztlán

A few years ago, the Ministry of Tourism invited 23 Mexican artists to paint murals depicting customs, legends and other elements of local culture.

Later, as part of the II International Public Art Festival, other Mexican and international artists came to paint facades in various neighborhoods.

The amazing thing is that besides becoming a tourist attraction in Tepoztlán, this “street art route” has become part of the town’s identity and there are always new works.

7. Walking through the streets

The street leading to the Tepozteco is lined with churches, shops, bars, bakeries and the market.

But for me the best thing to do in Tepoztlán is to wander through its narrow streets: it’s the way to discover its local identity and really enjoy its charming side.

In fact, it was the first time I saw a tortilla mill: locals can bring their corn kernels to use the mill to make them into dough and then into tortillas.

If you’re Mexican you might laugh at my fascination, but I thought it was very authentic!😆

8. Discovering local craft beer

In Mexico there is a lot of very good craft beer, and Tepoztlán is no exception.

I don’t know if the small corner stores sell them (I doubt it) but I found several beers from Tepoztlán at Petricor, which is  an organic and craft store. They have Cerveceria El Chinelo and Punto Rojo Cerveza, among others.

9. Spa and Temazcal

Tepoztlán is a great place to relax and unwind.

Here, you can find many places that offer massages and treatments, and there is something for every budget: from a simple, cozy place on the main street to a hotel with a luxury spa.

I treated myself to the spa at the boutique hotel Casa Fernanda: the anti-stress massage (50 min) which also includes the hydrothermal circuit. It was the best massage of my life! I highly recommend it.

You can also try one of the many temazcales in Tepoztlán, the pre-Hispanic “steam baths” that have both ritual and healing benefits. Several hotels offer this service, such as Valle Mistico, and several spas.

10. Dilao Sculptures

Visit Dilao, a large sculpture garden surrounded by mountains, created by Eduardo Olbés, a Filipino sculptor who came to Mexico 40 years ago.

Dilao means yellow in Tagalog, referring to the abundance of small yellow wildflowers that fill the three-hectare park.

There are about 50 permanent works and collaborations with different artists that change throughout the year.

It’s a wonderful initiative, especially since it’s a self-sufficient space thanks to a rainwater harvesting system and solar panels that help keep the place green all year round.🌱

• You need to make a reservation by email to info@dilao.mx
• Dilao is located at the entrance of Tepoztlán
• Instagram

What to do in Tepoztlán: other activities

In fact, there are many other things to do in and around Tepoztlán such as rappelling, canyoning, hiking, quad biking, visiting the lava tubes, camping, horseback riding, etc.

You can also visit the Poza de Quetzalcoatl waterfall in Amatlán or discover Tlayacapan, another town located 1 hour from Tepoztlán.

Where to stay in Tepoztlán

I stayed at two hotels in Tepoztlán that I really liked, but they were very different, even though they had a similar budget:

• Hotel Boutique Casa Fernanda – From 134 usd

This hotel is a beautiful and cozy luxury place with a large garden and pool.

What I especially liked was its location in a quiet area, but close to the street that leads to Tepozteco with all the bars and restaurants. It was the best of both worlds.

It also had a great restaurant on site (breakfast included) that stayed open late into the night, as well as a small cafe with a few tables for a more relaxed atmosphere.

The hotel spa was worth a visit, with a wide range of massages and treatments, including the hydrothermal circuit.

I have already mentioned it above in the article, and I will happily say it again: the anti-stress massage was the best massage I ever had!

• Ideal for: couples and small families
• The plus: excellent location, great restaurant open all day, the spa

• Hotel Valle Místico (adults only) – From 218 usd

Valle Místico is a hotel with a garden, pool and spacious cabins that blend into the landscape among the mountains of Tepoztlán.

As the name of the hotel suggests, “Mystical Valley” attracts many guests who seek a spiritual retreat, yoga and various cleansing activities. The spa also offers various massages and treatments.

I was looking for a good pet-friendly hotel and I loved the privacy of the place, the calmness and the incredible view of the mountains from my room.

For more details about the hotel, read My Experience at Hotel Valle Mistico in Tepoztlán.

• Ideal for: couples, a relaxing getaway with friends
• The plus: the small number of rooms, the cozy garden, the very friendly service in the restaurant
• Negative points: the location is a bit far (if you want to walk to downtown), the food was good but not amazing

Are you looking for something else? Check out my detailed article: The 7 Best Hotels in Tepoztlan! (Guide + Tips)

Where to eat in Tepoztlán

Los Colorines is probably the most famous restaurant in Tepoztlán, easily recognizable by its pretty pink facade on Calle del Tepozteco.

But I never had the chance to go there, despite my three visits to Tepoztlán. Every time I passed by, it was either not open yet (I’m a morning person), or there was already a long wait.

Fortunately, there are many other restaurants in Tepoztlán. Here are some of my suggestions:

Breakfast

You would be amazed by the huge garden hidden behind the door of the Axitla restaurant. You have to see it for yourself.

I had the chicken enchiladas with green sauce, which were delicious, but the best part was the location: a true oasis of calm, with a view of the Tepozteco!

• Open Wednesday to Friday from 10 am to 7 pm, and Saturday to Sunday from 9 am to 7 pm
• Located on the road to Tepozteco, on the right hand side

Street food

Mexico is a paradise for street food lovers, as you can find it everywhere, from the smallest villages to the biggest cities. And of course Tepoztlán is no exception, especially with all the tourists that come here on weekends.

It’s fast and cheap: a winning combination!

The road to Tepozteco is full of stalls, like the one with shrimp skewers.

Tlaxcales are small sweet corn cakes from the state of Tlaxcala, which were originally used as an offering to the dead, but now are also consumed daily.

Sometimes they are a bit dry, but in Tepoztlán they are fresher and softer, with a slight cinnamon flavor.

At the market

The market is a must-see in Tepoztlán: it is the heart of the town and it is full of life. There you can buy souvenirs and handicrafts, and of course eat.

Besides the pre-Hispanic dishes from Tlecuil that I mentioned earlier in the article, here are my two recommendations for the market:

• For local and affordable food, go to Doña Ange for a quesadilla or an itacate.

The word itacate comes from the Nahuatl language and refers to a packaged food that you take on a trip. In other words, “a packed lunch” that is used mainly in rural areas, as the farmers take their itacate for their lunch break.

In Tepoztlán, as in other parts of central Mexico, the word is also used to refer to a kind of small snack made with corn flour.

The ones I saw were filled with beans, or cheese and cream (my favorite) with some filling such as meat, mushroom, potato, etc. I enjoyed Doña Ange’s!

• With a completely different style, La Guarida de Baco is a restaurant with a terrace that serves Mexican and European cuisine.

They are open for breakfast, but I went for lunch: I had smoked fish dish 250 pesos, artichoke with gorgonzola cream 100 pesos, mixed salad 50 pesos.

The place is nice, the service is good and the dishes were very delicious.

Dessert

If you have a sweet tooth, you can walk down Revolucion de 1910 street, which is next to the market, to Cacao Chocolateria Mexicana.

There you can find chocolate in all its forms (hot and cold drinks, cakes, chocolate bars, etc.) and coffee.

I couldn’t stay because they don’t allow pets and I was with my dog, but I bought some chocolate almonds that were very yummy and ate them as I walked around.

Another place for dessert in Tepoztlán is the “pays de queso” which are sweet cheesecakes that are quite famous here.

I have tasted the ones from Pastelería Julieta and Lola’s. It’s hard to resist the tempting aroma of butter and sugar that fills the air as I walk by.

I also heard good things about El Ciruelo and Desiderata, but I haven’t had a chance to visit them yet.

But there are plenty of cafes and restaurants in Tepoztlán, so explore the streets and keep your eyes open because many places are a bit hidden.

Where to have a drink in Tepoztlán

Since many visitors come to Tepoztlán to party with friends, the Tepozteco street has a lot of bars to choose from for those who want beers and micheladas.

But since some visitors come just for the picturesque side of Tepoztlán and to relax outside of Mexico City, there are also some smaller, quieter and more charming bars.

One of them that I really liked was La Cueva Tepoztlan with its somewhat artistic and plant-filled atmosphere. First we had a singer with his guitar, then a DJ who played some good music. The cocktails were very tasty and there were also several dishes on the menu.  

My opinion about Tepoztlán

If “Tepoz”, as many people call it, attracts so many different people, it is because it has so much to offer.

I’ve been there 3 times, and I’m still fascinated by its narrow cobblestone streets, its chapels, its art, its market and its old men watching people go by.

I usually avoid crowds and noise – very touristy places – but Tepoztlán has always seemed to me a great place to visit.

It’s true that the entrance to the center is a bit chaotic with cars, but as soon as you leave Tepozteco street and Revolucion street, you find a quiet, picturesque and charming town.

Where is Tepoztlán?

Tepoztlán is located in the north of the state of Morelos, about 1h30-2 h from Mexico City and 45 minutes from Cuernavaca, in south-central Mexico.

How to get to Tepoztlán from Mexico City

• By car: 1h30-2h drive from Mexico City, but be aware that traffic can be very heavy. Leave early in the morning, especially since it is the same route as Cuernavaca, which is another common weekend destination. You can calculate tolls with Traza tu Ruta website.

• By bus: regular departures every day (from 6:30 am to 9:30 pm) with OCC or Pullman de Morelos from the Central Camionera del Sur (also called Central Taxqueña) to the Tepoztlán Terminal.

Do you want to rent a car in Mexico?

Renting a car is for sure the best way to explore Tepoztlán and make the most of your stay!

To rent a car, personally, I always use Booking.com Cars, for a few reasons:

• You can easily compare the rental cars prices between all the agencies: for sure the easiest way to find the best rate!
• Cancellation is often offered free of charge: no need to worry if you change your mind
• Booking Cars offers full insurance coverage at a lower price than the rental companies, so it’s an instant saving with no effort

Simply click on the green button to find your rental car at the best price: