Zacatlan Travel Guide: Discover the Magic of Zacatlan de las Manzanas, Puebla

I’ve visited all ten pueblos magicos in the state of Puebla and in my opinion, Zacatlán de las Manzanas is one of the most interesting. Nestled in the Sierra Norte mountain range of Puebla, the region is known for its production of apples, cider, and fruit wines and is home to the Relojes Centenario company, the very first manufacturer of monumental clocks in Latin America.

On top of that, Zacatlán de las Manzanas is one of the easiest pueblos magicos to get to from Puebla City (there’s a direct bus). It’s also close to Chignahuapan – one of my favorite pueblos magicos – making it a good choice for anyone looking to go beyond the capital and explore a more off-the-beaten-path destination in central Mexico.

If you’re looking to go on an adventure in Puebla’s Sierra Norte mountains, then this detailed travel guide will tell you all you need to know to plan your trip to this magical town known as Zacatlán de las Manzanas.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MEXICO TOURIST CARD (FMM)

Depending on their passport, some people may need a visa to be allowed entry into Mexico. You can check iVisa.com for more information on Mexico tourist visas.

Whether or not you need a tourist visa to travel to Mexico, all visitors will still need an FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple) to be allowed entry into the country. It’s often referred to as a “tourist card” and it’s something you can get when you enter Mexico by land or by air.

Tourists traveling to Mexico by land can get one at the border (with a fee) while people flying into the country are usually provided one by their airline (cost included in the airline ticket).

You can also process the FMM ahead of time online through the INM website or iVisa.com. Click on the link to learn more about the FMM.

ZACATLÁN DE LAS MANZANAS AT A GLANCE

Zacatlán de las Manzanas is a pueblo mágico (magical town) located in the Sierra Norte mountain region of Puebla state, about 80 miles (130 km) north of Puebla City. It has a population of over 87,000 people and was declared a pueblo mágico by Mexico’s Secretariat of Tourism in 2011.

The name Zacatlán is derived from the Nahuatl language and translates to “place of zacate grass”. The appendage de las manzanas means “of the apples” and is in reference to the hundreds of thousands of apple and other fruit trees that are grown in the region. To celebrate its apple industry, a festival called Feria de la Manzana (“Apple Fair”) is held in Zacatlán every year in August.

Aside from its apple and cider production, Zacatlán is known for being home to the Relojes Centenario company. Open since 1918, it’s recognized as the oldest monumental clock factory in Latin America.

IS ZACATLAN SAFE?

Like neighboring Chignahuapan, Zacatlan de las Manzanas is one of the more visited pueblos magicos in Puebla. I was there during the Feria de la Manzana in 2022 and the city was abuzz with local tourists. Personally, I felt completely safe and at ease when I was there.

Some states in Mexico have a reputation for being unsafe but Puebla isn’t one of them. If you do a search for the safest places in Mexico, then you’ll find Puebla on many lists. According to multiple sources, it’s one of the safest states in Mexico which is why we decided to spend most of our time in Mexico there.

With that said, it doesn’t mean bad things can’t happen in Zacatlan and Puebla. As long as you prioritize safety and observe the usual protocols (which apply to most cities) – don’t wear flashy clothing or jewelry, don’t walk alone at night, stick to populated areas, etc. – then you shouldn’t have any problems in Zacatlan.

The US, Canada, and UK governments give general travel advisories to Mexico but I highly recommend bookmarking the Puebla and Zacatlan Tripadvisor forums as well. If there are any recent incidents that you need to know about, then you should be able to read about them there.

BEST TIME TO VISIT ZACATLAN

Zacatlan de las Manzanas is nestled high up in the Sierra Norte mountains so it experiences a cool, damp climate for most of the year. Temperatures hover between 54-64°F (12-18°C) with fog and intermittent rain throughout the year. I was there in August for the apple fair and it was overcast, foggy, and a little drizzly on most days.

If you want to visit Zacatlan when precipitation is historically at its lowest, then December to February is ideal. But if you want to experience this pueblo mágico when it’s at its liveliest, then it’s best to go in August during the Feria de la Manzana.

Zacatlan’s apple fair is a festive week-long event that typically attracts around 300,000 tourists over the course of the week.

HOW TO GET TO ZACATLAN

Unless you drive there yourself, people visiting Zacatlán de las Manzanas will be arriving by bus at the main bus terminal. The bus terminal is located outside the city, a little over a mile (1.8 km) from the main square. I walked into town but you can also take a colectivo (shared van) for MXN 8. It departs from just outside the bus terminal.

There are many ways to get to Zacatlán de las Manzanas depending on where you are. This guide assumes you’ll be coming from Puebla, Mexico City, or the other nearby pueblos magicos in Puebla.

From Puebla City

BY BUS: You can take a direct bus from Puebla CAPU (main bus station) to Zacatlan via the ATAH and Supra bus lines. Both lines are owned by the same company with Supra buses being the slightly more upscale of the two. The journey takes around 2.5 hours and costs MXN 224 (ATAH) or MXN 246 (Supra). Here’s a bus schedule from August 2022:

Here’s the bus schedule for the return trip from Zacatlan to Puebla CAPU:

BY GUIDED TOUR: If you’d like to visit Zacatlán de las Manzanas only for the day, then you can book a guided tour through Get Your Guide. Because the towns are located so close to each other, many tours will include visits to both Zacatlán and Chignahuapan.

From Mexico City

I haven’t done this but according to Rome2Rio, the Estrella Blanca Group offers direct routes from Mexico City to Zacatlán de las Manzanas. Conexion buses are said to depart from the Indios Verdes station (3.5 hrs) while the company’s more premium Futura buses depart from Central de Autobuses del Norte (3 hrs).

From Other Pueblos Magicos

Many of these pueblos magicos in Puebla are located in the same region so you can travel from one to the other without having to go back to Puebla City. Here’s how you can get to Zacatlán de las Manzanas from nearby magical towns.

FROM CHIGNAHUAPAN: Zacatlán and Chignahuapan are just 30 mins apart so many tourists visit both pueblos magicos on the same trip. Combis/Colectivos (shared vans) or microbuses run frequently between both cities. The microbus fare should be around MXN 21.

FROM XICOTEPEC DE JUAREZ: At gate 1 of the terminal is this bus line that offers routes to Xicotepec de Juarez, a pueblo mágico located around 50 miles (80 km) north of Zacatlán. I assume that you can take this same bus from Xicotepec de Juarez (and nearby Huauchinango) to Zacatlán.

By Rental Car

Driving from city to city in your own car is a popular way of exploring Mexico, especially for tourists coming from the US. If you’d like to rent a car to visit Zacatlán de las Manzanas, then you can do so through rentalcars.com.

WHERE TO STAY IN ZACATLAN

Hotel choices in some of these smaller pueblos magicos can be limited but you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a place to stay in Zacatlán. Here are a few of the most highly-rated hotels in Zacatlán de las Manzanas:

If you don’t think these hotels are right for you, then you can do a search on Booking.com, Agoda, or Airbnb for alternate listings. You can also search for hotels in Zacatlán using the handy map below.

THINGS TO DO IN ZACATLAN

1. Visit During Feria de la Manzana

There isn’t a more festive time to visit Zacatlan de las Manzanas than in the middle of August. It’s when the annual Feria de la Manzana has been held since 1941 to celebrate and promote the region’s apples and its many derivative products.

I was in town for two days during the 2022 event and I joined thousands of mostly local tourists in the festivities. There were parades, concerts, tastings, and fireworks displays.

I read that over a hundred activities are offered during the week-long event, activities that include parades, concerts, rides, expositions, and dance performances. I wasn’t there to catch it but a highlight of the festival is the crowning of the year’s new “Apple Queen”.

On August 15th, Assumption Day, the new queen joins a parade with all the former queens to offer baskets of apples to the Virgin Mary. A priest then blesses the apples to give thanks for a bountiful harvest.

The week-long apple fair draws in an estimated 300,000 people and sells over 100,000 crates of apples every year. Aside from apples, other types of locally grown fruit like plums and pears are sold as well.

At the festival, you’ll find many different types of apple and fruit products on display like jams, juices, sauces, wines, and cider. There were food expos set up in different parts of town and nearly every food or drink shop was offering free tastings to people passing by.

Zacatlan makes different types of fruit wine but what it’s really famous for is its sweet sparkling apple cider. An estimated 10,000 tons of apples are processed to produce a million bottles of cider each year!

During the festival, you don’t even have to buy a bottle of cider. You can take as many of the free tastings that are practically being poured into your mouth.

2. Enjoy the Zocalo

The zocalo or main square is a great place to start your day of sightseeing in any new Mexican city. If I wake up early enough, I’ll buy a tamal and atole and enjoy them at the zocalo.

Reloj Floral

There are certain features that are common to nearly every zocalo in Mexico but the main square in Zacatlán has something unique – this large monumental clock adorned with flowers. Donated by the Relojes Centenario company, this floral clock has been one of the most popular photo backdrops in Zacatlán since 1986.

Manzana Gigante

This giant apple statue decorated with mosaic tiles is another unique feature you’ll find at Zacatlán’s zocalo. As you’ll see later in this list, mosaic murals are another popular attraction in Zacatlán.

Antiguo Convento Franciscano de Zacatlán

You’ll typically find the city’s biggest church near the zocalo. In Zacatlán de las Manzanas, it’s this old Franciscan church that was founded in 1562. It’s said to be one of the first Catholic churches built in the Americas.

3. Learn About Clocks at the Relojes Centenario Museum

Founded by Alberto Olvera Hernández in 1918, Relojez Centenario is recognized as the very first monumental clock factory in Latin America. The company is still in operation to this day and is known for making massive clocks that are used mainly in churches and government buildings.

I was in Zacatlán during the week but I read that an automated show with mechanical figures can be enjoyed at the factory on weekends.

Inside the clock factory is a museum showcasing the many different methods that have been used to measure time over the centuries. You’ll find sundials, candle clocks, and different types of mechanical watches.

The museum isn’t that big but it’s interesting enough to keep you occupied for a good amount of time. Entrance to the museum is a nominal MXN 10.

4. Enjoy the Mosaics

Mosaic murals made by local artists are another popular attraction in Zacatlan. You’ll find these large colorful mosaics clustered in two areas.

Mosaics at the Panteón

The first and older series of mosaic murals can be found along the same street as the lookout canyon. They adorn the entire outer wall of the panteón or cemetery.

If you’re looking for a truly eye-catching backdrop for your Instagram feed, then there’s no better place in Zacatlan than this mosaic wall.

The mosaic murals are mostly flat but some parts are built-up to be three-dimensional like this section.

Mosaic Alley

Everyone knows about the mosaics near the lookout point but fewer tourists have seen this meandering alleyway with a newer set of mosaic murals. Located just a short walk from the cemetery, you can jump to the location map at the bottom of this article to see exactly where it is in Zacatlan.

The murals here are less colorful and earthier in tone but they’re no less impressive.

You can tell the mosaics along this alleyway aren’t as old because many of the murals are still works-in-progress. Like the original, I’m sure they’ll look spectacular when finished.

Here’s one of the artists at work. I chatted with this gentleman for a few minutes and he told me that he’s originally from Spain. He’s working on this beautiful mural that’s three-dimensional in parts.

5. Enjoy the View Over Goldfinches Canyon

This is the lookout point I was referring to earlier. It gives you sweeping views of Barranca de los Jilgueros or “Goldfinches Canyon”. Breathtaking isn’t it?

The views are great from anywhere along this road but taking pictures from this glass bridge and lookout point is a must. The scenery is terrific at any time of the day but it looks especially dramatic when the mountains are blanketed in fog.

You’ll find these letras gigantes (giant letters) in nearly every city and town in Mexico. They’re usually at the zocalo but in Zacatlan, you’ll find them along the lookout point.

6. Taste Artisanal Cider at Convento 1567

You can try Zacatlan’s famous cider at any of the shops around the zocalo but I read that some of the very best is produced at this sidrería called El Convento 1567. Their cider is a bit more expensive than most of the other shops in town, but based on its perfect 5-star Google rating with well over 1,800 reviews, it seems to be worth it.

Entry to the sidrería is free. Tastings are generous and also free, but you’re welcome to buy as many bottles as you like. I was deliberating between apple cider and coffee creme liqueur. I went with the latter.

El Convento 1567 is located in a quieter, more residential part of town. You can refer to our location map for its exact location.

7. Visit Museo del Vino

If you’d rather not walk to El Convento 1567, then you can visit the Museum of Wine which is located much closer to the zocalo. To be fair, it isn’t a true museum, but more a winery and distillery called “La Primavera” that offers visitors a brief tour of its facilities with tastings for MXN 20.

There was already a tour being conducted so I decided not to interrupt and join, but here’s a quick peek into the distillery.

Based on people’s reviews, La Primavera’s wines and spirits are delicious and fairly priced so this may be a good place to get your apple cider.

8. Spend the Day at Cascadas Tuliman and Cascadas Salto de Quetzalapan

Located around halfway between Zacatlan and Chignahuapan are these waterfalls and eco-adventure parks called Cascadas Tuliman and Cascadas Salt de Quetzalapan. They’re home to zip lines, hanging bridges, and hiking trails and are definitely worth visiting if you’re looking to do something more active in Zacatlan.

I went to both falls while I was staying in Chignahuapan but you can visit them from Zacatlan as well. Check out my article on Cascadas Tuliman and Cascadas Salto de Quetzalapan for more pictures and information.

9. Go Hiking in Valle de Piedras Encimadas

I really wanted to do this. Valle de Piedras Encimadas literally means “Valley of Stacked Stones” and refers to a series of small valleys featuring natural basalt rock formations that look like piles of stacked stones.

Valle de Piedras Encimadas is located around 19 miles (30 km) northwest of Zacatlan and isn’t the easiest place to get to. I did find tour providers in town that could take me there but it was too expensive for just one person. One tour guide was kind enough to teach me how to go there on my own by colectivo but unfortunately, none passed in the 1+ hours I waited. Oh well.

If you’re visiting Zacatlan in a large enough group, then booking a tour to Valle de Piedras Encimadas may be something to consider. It’ll be safer than trying to go on your own. You can arrange for a tour with one of the agencies in town or you can book it in advance through Get Your Guide.

10. Go Thrill-Seeking at Zacatlán Adventure

Zacatlán Adventure is an eco-adventure park and hotel located less than 2 miles (3 km) west of the zocalo. The park is home to zip lines, hanging bridges, and other outdoor activities that are designed to raise your adrenaline while taking in the scenic beauty of the Sierra Norte region.

If that sounds like your cup of cider, then check out the Zacatlán Adventure website for more information.

POBLANO FOOD GUIDE

The state of Puebla is famous for its food. It’s home to some of the tastiest and most interesting Mexican dishes in the country. You may have heard of mole poblano and chiles en nogada but there are many other regional dishes that you need to try in Puebla.

If food is a big reason why you travel, then be sure to check out our Poblano food guide for suggestions on what dishes to look for in Zacatlan de las Manzanas and Puebla.

WHERE TO EAT IN ZACATLAN

1. La Vecinita

There’s no shortage of restaurants around Zacatlan’s zocalo but if you’d like a quieter and more local experience, then you may want to have breakfast at this humble eatery called La Vecinita. Located in a more residential part of town, it’s one of those family-owned Mexican restaurants that don’t have a menu.

I started breakfast with my favorite cafe de olla and rolls of pan dulce (sweet bread).

Instead of handing me a menu, my server told me what they had available that day. The enchiladas con salsa verde sounded good so I went with that. This large platter of eight enchiladas, plus my cafe de olla and one pan dulce, set me back just MXN 80.

La Vecinita is located in a quieter part of town, around a 15-min walk east of the zocalo. If you go to the glass lookout bridge early in the morning, when there are fewer people, then this is a good place to have breakfast.

2. Taqueria Alba

I’m a simple guy. If I see a taqueria, then chances are, I’ll go.

Taqueria Alba was the very first restaurant I went to in Zacatlan. I hadn’t even checked in to my Airbnb yet but I couldn’t resist the allure of their tacos. They serve other Mexican dishes like quesadillas and antojitos but what really drew me in were their tacos.

On my plate below are tacos made with cueritos (pork skin), mixiote (pit-barbecued meat), and an interesting variation of tacos al pastor called al pastor Zacatlán. Unlike the iconic pastor, the meat in this version was less orange and darker in color. I don’t know what spices they use but it’s clearly different from regular pastor. ¡Que rico!

Five tacos weren’t enough so I tried the panza or tripe as well.

Taqueria Alba has been serving tasty tacos since 1959. The restaurant is located in a busy part of town, just off the zocalo, so it shouldn’t be hard to find.

3. Taqueria Mi Tenampa II

One taqueria wasn’t enough so I went to Taqueria Mi Tenampa II later that day. Did I already say how much I love Mexican tacos?

Taqueira Mi Tenampa II has similar offerings as Taqueria Alba. They make their tacos with al pastor meat, cueritos, mixiote, and barbacoa.

Like Taqueria Alba, Taqueria Mi Tenampa II is located in the heart of the city so it shouldn’t be hard to find.

4. Agave

As much as I love tacos and Mexcian street food, I felt that I needed to go to at least one sit-down restaurant so I enjoyed my last meal in Zacatlan at Agave. They offer a full menu of antojitos (snacks), breakfast dishes, platos fuertes (main courses), and bar chow. They also have an extensive bar menu with plenty of options for beer, pulque, local wines, and mezcal.

Of all the dishes on their menu, what instantly caught my eye was this mole de 400 chiles. It’s Agave’s house specialty mole seasoned with pulque and made with nine types of chili pepper. This was definitely one of the more interesting moles I had anywhere in Mexico!

Agave is located just a block away from the Relojes Centenario clock factory.

I love these Mexican Equipale chairs. If you’re looking for a proper restaurant to enjoy a good meal in Zacatlán, then Agave is a solid choice. It maintains a commendable 4.4 Google rating even after 1,300 reviews.

POINTS OF INTEREST IN ZACATLAN

To help you find these hotels, attractions, and restaurants in Zacatlan, I’ve pinned them all on this map. Click on the link for a live version of the map.

ZACATLAN ITINERARY

Unless you’re going for the apple fair, then I’d say two nights is more than enough time to spend in Zacatlan. Here’s a sample 2D/2N Zacatlan itinerary to help you plan your trip.

ZACATLAN TRAVEL TIPS

1. Stay Connected with a Mexico Sim Card or eSIM

It’s very important to have a reliable and steady internet connection in Mexico, especially when you’re visiting smaller towns like Zacatlan de las Manzanas. You’ll need it to navigate, translate, and do last-minute research.

In our experience, pocket wifi devices don’t work well in Mexico so you’ll need to get a SIM card for your trip. Telcel is generally regarded as the best ISP in Mexico while airalo is a trusted eSIM provider.

You can purchase a Telcel SIM card anywhere in Mexico but you may want to get one before your trip through Amazon (affiliate link). It’ll come with 3GB of data so you’ll be connected and ready to go as soon as you land in Mexico.

If you’d prefer to get an eSIM instead, then you can purchase one in advance through airalo.

2. Learn Basic Spanish

You don’t need to be fluent in Spanish to enjoy Mexico but it helps to know a few basic phrases:

Por favor: “Please”
(Muchas) gracias: “Thank you (very much)”
Buenos dias: “Good morning”
Buenas tardes: “Good afternoon”
Buenas noches: “Good evening”
Con permiso: “Excuse me” (when passing someone on the street)
Perdon/Desculpe: “Sorry” or “Excuse me” (when you didn’t hear what someone said)
¿Cuanto cuesta?: “How much does it cost?”
La cuenta por favor: “The bill please”

3. Bookmark the Puebla and Zacatlan Tripadvisor Forums

Safety can be a concern in some parts of Mexico so it’s important to always be informed. In my experience, the best way to do that is to watch the Tripadvisor travel forum dedicated to the city you’re visiting. If there are any recent events that you need to know about, then chances are, you’ll learn about them there first.

Click on the links to go to the Puebla and Zacatlan travel forums on Tripadvisor. These forums are manned by locals and expats so it’s a great place to ask any questions as well.

4. Start at the Tourist Information Center

Tourist information centers are a great place to start your trip in any new city in Mexico, especially in these smaller towns where there may not be as much information online. They’re a great resource for information on tours, lesser-known attractions, and other travel-related services.

Tourist information centers in Mexico are usually located around the zocalo. You can refer to our location map to find the tourist office in Zacatlan.

5. Bring Cash

Some of these smaller pueblos magicos don’t have as many banks or ATM machines so it’s a good idea to bring enough cash with you.

6. Wear Proper Hiking Boots

If you visit Cascadas Tuliman on foot, then I highly recommend wearing a good pair of hiking boots. You’ll be walking for at least 2.5 miles (4 km) on rocky mountain roads – often without cover – so hiking boots, sunscreen, and bottled water are a good idea.

7. Don’t Drink Tap Water

It isn’t safe to drink tap water in Mexico so you should always buy bottled water or drink from a filtered water bottle. You don’t want to catch a bad case of diarrhea so check out my article on the drinking water in Mexico for more information.

8. Leave a Tip

While there is a tipping culture in Mexico, I find that it applies more to larger cities that get a lot of foreign tourists. In some of these smaller pueblos magicos, tipping doesn’t seem to be as expected (ie no tip jars).

Personally, I always leave a tip of around 10% of the total bill, whether it be a restaurant, fonda, or street food stall. You can read my article on tipping in Mexico for more information.

9. Get Travel Insurance

You never know what might happen on a trip so in my opinion, travel insurance is a necessity, not a luxury. For peace of mind, we always get travel insurance from SafetyWing. Click on the link to learn more and get a free quotation.

10. Bring the Right Power Adapter

Mexico has Type A or Type B electrical outlets so be sure to bring the right power adapters for your devices. Electrical voltage is 127V and the standard frequency is 60Hz.

WHAT I LOVED ABOUT ZACATLAN

In parting, I just wanted to share some of the things that I personally loved about Zacatlan:

OUR TRAVEL GEAR

Here’s some of the travel equipment and gear I brought with me to Zacatlán de las Manzanas and Mexico. (Amazon affiliate links)

Disclosure

Some of the links in this travel guide to Zacatlan de las Manzanas, Puebla are affiliate links, meaning we’ll make a small commission if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. As always, we only recommend products and services that we use ourselves. We really appreciate your support as it helps us keep this free Puebla travel website going. Thank you!

Thank you for sharing!