Major city · Mexico
Acaxochitlán
Go for one night, two at most: a Pueblo Mágico of bread ovens, waterfalls and cool pine air, 2 h by bus from Mexico City's north terminal.
Acaxochitlán sits at about 2,200 m in the Sierra Otomí-Tepehua, an hour and a half to two hours northeast of Mexico City in Hidalgo. It is a weekend town: a 16th-century church, an Art Deco clock tower, a small archaeology museum, two waterfalls and two dam lakes within 15 km. Bread and apples are the local trades. Most travellers come for one night from Mexico City or as a stop between Pachuca and Tulancingo; two nights if you want the falls and a lake without rushing.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MXN
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jun–Sep (rain), Dec–Feb nights near freezing
- Airports
- MEX · NLU
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Acaxochitlán911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Acaxochitlán, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $).Mexico-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities.Mexico-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.Mexico-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.Mexico-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mexico-wide
- SafetySmall-town Hidalgo, generally calm; the real risks are mountain roads after rain, unlit trail edges at the falls and cold nights.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10 (≈ under US$1).Mexico-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 078 Tourist assistance (SECTUR) · 078 Green Angels roadside help
- Sundays & holidaysMost museums and many archaeological sites close on Mondays; banks close on public holidays.Mexico-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMEX Mexico City Benito Juárez (Bus from Autobuses del Norte, about 2 h; allow 1 h 30 min from the airport to the terminal by metro or taxi.).
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable in 15 minutes end to end.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee sweetened with piloncilloM$20–40
- Street or quick mealTacos or a plate of the dayM$100–150
- BeerBeer in a shop / with a mealM$25–45M$50–80
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi in townM$50–100
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekM$200–400
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personMX$250 (≈ US$14)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomMX$900 (≈ US$50)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomMX$1,400 (≈ US$80)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$500 (≈ US$30) · Mid MX$1,000 (≈ US$55) · High MX$1,800 (≈ US$100)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MEX Mexico City Benito Juárez (Bus from Autobuses del Norte, about 2 h; allow 1 h 30 min from the airport to the terminal by metro or taxi.) · NLU Felipe Ángeles (Santa Lucía) (Fewer links to the north bus terminal; count on a taxi across the city.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Feb
Avoid
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Mar
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Avoid
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Dec
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Sep, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)), coolest Jan (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Jul (17 rain days), driest Jan (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Acaxochitlán: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
4 rd
Feb
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
4 rd
Mar
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
5 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
15 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
17 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
16 rd
Sep
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
17 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Nov
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
6 rd
Dec
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
4 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable in 15 minutes end to end. For the waterfalls, the dams and the outlying villages, take a taxi from the plaza or arrange one for the afternoon; there is no useful local bus network for visitors. Combis and taxis link the villages along the main roads.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tulancingo
goDoor to door: About 30–45 min
Bus or taxi on the Pachuca road
Bigger market town with more food and transport links; easy half-day.
Pachuca
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Bus via Tulancingo, or drive the toll road
State capital; useful if you are continuing south.
Huasca de Ocampo
overnightDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
Bus or car via Tulancingo
Pueblo Mágico with Prismas Basálticos; better as its own night, not a return trip.
Chignahuapan
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
Bus or car north via Tulancingo
Christmas-ornament town and hot springs; long for a day, fine if you are heading north.
Tula de Allende
skipDoor to door: About 2 h
Bus or car southwest
Too far for a day from here; do it from Pachuca or Mexico City.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Centro (Av. Hidalgo and the plaza)
Church, clock tower, museum and most eating within a 5-minute walk; best for one night without a car.
Tlacpac and Tlamimilolpa
Edge-of-town cabins and guesthouses in wooded ground; you need a taxi for the centre.
Chimalapa road
Closest base for the two waterfalls; very few beds, so book ahead or day-trip by taxi.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- M$500–900 excl. bed
- Mid
- M$900–1,600 excl. bed
- High
- M$1,600+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × MX$900 | MX$900 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × MX$1,000 | MX$2,000 |
| Bus Mexico City north terminal → Acaxochitlán, one way2 × MX$120 | MX$240 |
| Taxi to the waterfalls, return1 × MX$400 | MX$400 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × MX$250 | MX$500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MX$404 |
| Trip total≈ MX$2,222 per person per day, bed included | MX$4,444≈ US$250 |
Hotel la Terraza lists from about M$600; cabins from about M$1,200
2026 estimate in pesos; long-distance buses and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee sweetened with piloncillo | M$20–40 |
| Tacos or a plate of the day | M$100–150 |
| Bread from a wood-fired bakery | M$5–40 |
| Beer in a shop / with a meal | M$25–45 / M$50–80 |
| Taxi in town | M$50–100 |
| Taxi to Chimalapa falls, one way | M$150–250 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | M$200–400 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Afternoon rain from June to September; trails to the falls get slick.
- Waterfalls and dam lakes have no lifeguards: check conditions before swimming.
- Weekend and festival dates fill the few hotels; book ahead for early May and mid-August.
- Altitude about 2,200 m: pace the first day if you came straight from sea level.
- Bring cash; card readers are not universal in small shops and bakeries.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Tourist assistance (SECTUR)
- 078
- Green Angels roadside help
- 078
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
AcaxochitlánAcaxochitlán
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Tourist assistance078
Embassy
No embassy in town: the US, UK and Canadian embassies are in Mexico City; consular help for Hidalgo is handled from there. Check your own country's embassy page before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Mexico City (Autobuses del Norte) → Acaxochitlán: about M$120, just under 2 h
- Taxi plaza → Cascadas Chimalapa: M$150–250 one way
- Taxi plaza → Presa El Tejocotal: M$150–250 one way
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Dónde está la terminal de autobuses? — Where is the bus terminal? (DON-deh es-TAH la ter-mee-NAL deh ow-toh-BOO-ses)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (la KWEN-tah por fah-VOR)
- ¿Están lejos las cascadas? — Is it far to the waterfalls? (es-TAN LEH-hos las kas-KAH-das)
- ¿Tiene pan? — Do you have bread? (TYEH-neh pan)
- Necesito un médico — I need a doctor (neh-seh-SEE-toh oon MEH-dee-koh)
Cash is king in the bakeries and small eateries; ATMs are limited, so withdraw in Tulancingo or Pachuca.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Acaxochitlán. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jun–Sep (rain), Dec–Feb nights near freezing · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Bus-to-bed contract for the Mexico City north terminal: departure windows, terminal-to-hotel walk, late-arrival fallback.
- Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: plaza and Av. Hidalgo, the market and bakery streets, the Tlacpac cabin road.
- Place pages with verified hours for the church, the archaeology museum and the clock tower, plus waterfall access notes.
- Festival fixtures for early May and mid-August so arrival gates can go green.