Tehuacan Puebla is one of the 217 municipalities that make up this beautiful Mexican state.
Its name means “place of the gods” or “place of the stone serpent” and is well known for being the cradle of corn since the first traces of corn cultivation were found here.
This “Poblano” town is very visited for its traditions and festivities, besides being a place full of history and with exquisite gastronomy.
Where is Tehuacan Puebla?
Tehuacan is just a couple of hours from Puebla City and the Magical Town of Atlixco.
If you’re coming from Mexico City, it will take you around 3.5 hours on highway Mexico 150D. Oaxaca City is 3 hours away.
Recommended hotel in Tehuacan: Hotel Zenith
12 Best things to do in Tehuacan Puebla
1. Visit the Peñafiel and Garci-Crespo Springs
The Peñafiel and Garci-Crespo Springs are well known, as they are said to have curative properties (since 1445).
There is a museum that tells the history of the site and a mural by Desiderio Hernández Xochitiotzin that tells the history of Tehuacan Puebla.
You can also visit the birthplace of a spring, rooms with water machines, and walk through the cactus garden.
2. Tehuacan-Cuicatlan Biosphere Reserve
The Tehuacan-Cuicatlan Biosphere Reserve is a mandatory stop for nature lovers, from where you can appreciate the desert landscape of Puebla.
Its territory is quite extensive and covers 50 municipalities. It has an immense flora of which more than 10% is endemic to the reserve itself.
In addition, within its boundaries is the Helia Bravo Hollis Botanical Garden, where you can find one of the largest cacti on the entire continent.
You may want to read: 17 Best National Parks and Biosphere Reserves in Mexico
3. Helia Bravo Hollis Botanical Garden
The Helia Bravo Hollis Botanical Garden is a cactus garden that is part of the Tehuacan-Cuictlan Biosphere Reserve.
You can appreciate the giant cactus of a species that is in danger of extinction. In addition, you can see the hill of Cuthá, a place of sacred importance for the Popoloca culture.
4. Tehuacan Puebla Evolution Museum
The Museum of the Evolution of Tehuacan compiles all the history of the city.
It has five rooms and fully tells the evolutionary history, starting with the Big Bang theory and following with the events that brought us to today.
The narrating is entirely recreational and didactic, an excellent option to visit for both adults and children. It is open every week from Tuesday to Sunday.
5. Tehuacan Valley Museum
This Museum is located in what used to be the convent of Carmen, a building of the eighteenth century.
Various utensils, pre-Hispanic seeds, ceramics and Chimallis are exhibited.
It shows everything related to corn, from its cultivation, water control, and the teosinte cob, the oldest in Mexico.
6. Cathedral of Tehuacan Puebla
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is the most important religious building in Tehuacan.
It is one of the most emblematic buildings of the city, and it was built on the occasion of the 203rd anniversary of the fall of Tenochtitlán, starting its construction in 1724 and finishing in 1728.
In the cathedral are exhibited codices and green quetzal feathers accompanied by the Renaissance term “Canto leaves.”
You may want to read: Why Our Lady of Guadalupe is a Symbol of Hope for Mexicans
7. Municipal Palace of Tehuacan
The Municipal Palace of Tehuacan is a symbolic place and landmark of the city.
It was the first building with two floors, the reason why it was known as “La Casa de Los Altos” (The tall house).
Inside, you can find a mural called “Tehuacan and its five regions” representing Tehuacan, made by the artists and brothers Turillo, Luis, and Santiago Carpinteyro.
8. Parque Juarez
Juarez Park is located in the main square of Tehuacan. It is ideal for strolling in the afternoons due to its green areas and places to sit and talk.
There are also food outlets in the park, and in many of them, you can find local snacks. In the center of the park, there is a kiosk where you can enjoy live Mexican and classical music on Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons.
9. San Lorenzo Water Park
The San Lorenzo Water Park is located only 2 kilometers from the city of Tehuacan. Its mineral waters make it a special place, with three natural pools.
The first one has an Olympic size pool and a special place to practice diving.
The other two pools are 2 meters deep, and both have a slide for kids’ enjoyment.
10. Adventure Park Spa
Parque Aventura is a trendy family place because of splash pools. Inside the park, there is a lagoon where you can go fishing or rent a boat for an hour.
Many activities and facilities include a gym, sports courts, snack bar, and a restaurant with a varied menu. You can also rent a bicycle and even camp on site.
11. Club de Animalitos Zoo
The Club de Animalitos zoo was an initiative of the municipal government of Tehuacán.
It emerged as a recreational alternative for children. Although it is not a very large zoo, it has a good variety of species, including birds, lions, cougars, crocodiles, snakes, llamas, and monkeys. It is open from 08:00 to 19:00.
12. El Calvario
This temple was completed in 1759. It was built by Joaquín del Moral, who took the initiative to carry out the project due to the apathy of the people of Tehuacán, who refused to help but wanted the Calvary temple.
For this reason, the Calvary became private property. In the limits of what would become the Calvary, three chapels were built. The material used was limestone quarry and adobe.
Explore the Archaeological Zone of Tehuacan Viejo
The archaeological zone of Tehuacan Viejo displays important relics and ruins from the Popoloca culture.
In the museum of the place, there is a collection of more than 80 archaeological pieces and audiovisual elements about Ndachijan, the most important city of the pre-Hispanic era.
They showcase the pieces of skulls fixed with stucco on each one of the lateral walls of the temple, which were offered as tribute to the god of the underworld Mictlantecuhtli.
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