Visit an impressive Augustine monastery and have fun spotting exotic creatures in Epazoyucan. Tour a hilltop artisan village and fly high over the countryside on a zip line course.
Epazoyucan is a pre-Hispanic town nestled in the foothills of the Cerro de las Navajas hill. Its name means place of much epazote, which refers to an aromatic herb that grows freely in the surrounding environment.
Built in 1540, the Ex-Convento de San Andrés Apóstol is a former Augustine monastery set on the site of a pre-Hispanic temple. Admire the arcaded courtyard of the cloister, spot large burial tombs and stroll around the peaceful, leafy gardens. Large archways and stone-carved floral motifs characterize the facade of the chapel. Step inside to see walls adorned with frescoes, monograms and realistic icons of biblical figures.
Head to Tuzoofari Zoo to see wild animals in re-creations of their natural habitats. Among the 250 species are bears, hippos, giraffes, lions, llamas and zebras. Join a guided tour in an open-sided jeep or rent a car and take a self-drive around the park. Night safaris present the chance to witness the activities of the zoo’s nocturnal residents.
Pulque, a milky-white alcoholic drink made from the maguey plant, is native to the state of Hidalgo. Discover living vestiges of two old pulque plantations, Hacienda Tepotzotlan and Hacienda Coporillo, a short drive from Epazoyucan.
Another interesting activity to put on your Epazoyucan itinerary is to visit the artisan village of El Nopalillo. Here local craftspeople create jewelry and ornaments from minerals extracted from an obsidian deposit in Cerro de las Navajas. Enjoy panoramic views of rolling green landscapes from Mirador Navajas. Walk along forested trails, gaze at curious rock formations and ride on a zip line at Parque Ecoturístico Peñas Cargadas.
Epazoyucan is about a 30-minute drive to the southeast of Pachuca. Catch a bus from Mexico City to Pachuca and then use local buses or rent a car to reach Epazoyucan.
