Sitting in the shadow of the mighty La Malinche in Mexico’s state of Tlaxcala, Huamantla blends Spanish colonial charm with centuries-old cultural traditions. Whether you’re exploring mountain forests, watching puppets perform on stage, or enjoying a glass of pulque against the ever-present chime of church bells, it’s easy to appreciate why this small farm town deserves its Pueblo Mágico status.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
For those with sturdy boots and a love of fresh air, Huamantla makes the ideal base for hiking up La Malinche – an extinct volcano that takes three to four hours to reach its spectacular 4,440-metre summit. Saddle up for a guided horseback trek along highland trails, passing fields of spiky maguey as you glimpse life as it was for haçienda owners centuries ago. And for an experience that’s truly out of this world, take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise for a ringside view of the pastel sky and patchwork of valleys below.
CULTURE
Huamantla’s cultural spirit reflects its Baroque and pre-Hispanic past, indigenous Otomi roots and devout Catholic population. If you’re here on 14th August, you literally can’t miss the La Noche que Nadie Duerme (The night no one sleeps) festival. This is when thousands from all over Mexico come to celebrate the Virgin Mary on streets transformed into colourful carpets of intricate sawdust designs. Join the locals in Juárez Park – a classic Mexican-style plaza with a fountain and landscaped gardens. Or visit artisan workshops creating hand-woven textiles, while street vendors outside turn corn cobs into an art form.
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
The young, and young at heart, will marvel at the thousands of marionettes in the National Puppet Museum. Ranging from folk style to creepily surreal, the puppets also perform in live shows. Walk a little further to the Taurino Museum for an insightful history of bullfighting. 19th August is when you can witness the famous Huamantlada (‘running of the bulls’) through the city. For a refreshing treat, head to the main square for a cone of sweet, burnt-milk ice cream. Or simply relax in a laidback cantina, sipping on pulque – Mexico’s potent, slightly fizzy agave drink.
Treat yourself to a taco filled with escamoles – ant larvae sautéed in butter with onions – a traditional delicacy known as ‘Mexican caviar’.