A Local's Guide To Tepoztlan Mexico's Stunning Spiritual Hub

The mysterious pre-Hispanic village of Tepoztlan in central Mexico has long had a reputation as a center for mysticism and spirituality. According to legend, the town is the birthplace of the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl. Visitors flock to the village throughout the year for meditation, yoga, and psychedelic drug retreats. Tepoztlan’s streets are lined with shops selling crystals, New Age books, and incense, but its most spiritually healing aspect has to be its stunning natural setting.

The Aztec Pyramid

Undoubtedly the main attraction in the town is the pyramid of Tepozteco, which stands on a mountain 1,300 feet (400 meters) above town. At the summit is a shrine dedicated to Tepoztecatl, the god of fertility and of pulque, the frothy white ancestor to tequila. The shrine used to draw pilgrims from as far away as Guatemala. In the 15th century, Spanish missionaries destroyed the shrine, leaving only the ruins of the pyramid behind.

The view from the summit across the valley below is truly spectacular and is well worth the exhausting hike up the steep stone trail. You can also enjoy the sight of groups of frantically chirping coati (members of the raccoon family) running around the ruins and wrestling for scraps of food.

El Tepozteco, Carretera Federal libre Cuernavaca – Tepoztlan, Tepoztlan, Morelos

The Ex-Dominican Convent

With its cobbled streets and brightly colored buildings, the town of Tepoztlan has retained its traditional look. This is in part because chain stores are not allowed in the area, with the nearest Starbucks and KFC located more than 12 miles (20 kilometers) away.

Tepoztlan has a fascinating open-air market that is open daily, but is at its liveliest on Wednesdays and Sundays. The market is a great place to pick up local handicrafts, including ceramics, yarn, clothing, and jewelry. However, the real highlight is the food. Pre-Hispanic dishes such as tlacoyo, a thick tortilla stuffed with beans, are particularly popular. Keep an eye out for El Tlecuil, one of the very few vegan stands you’ll find in a traditional Mexican market.

East of the central plaza is a former monastery built by Dominican friars in the 16th century. The building has an elegant central courtyard and upstairs are several rooms that have been turned into a bookstore and a small museum.

The strength of indigenous tradition in the region is evident, even in this Christian monastery. The arched entrance is decorated with a seed mural that depicts pre-Hispanic life in the town. The mural is updated annually during the first week of September, when local artists work together on a new one.

Mercado de Tepoztlan, Santo Domingo, Tepoztlan, Morelos

Ex-Convento de Tepoztlan, Envila y no reeleccion, Centro, Tepoztlan, Morelos, +52 7393950255

The Birthplace of Quetzalcóatl

A 20-minute bus or taxi ride from Tepoztlan’s central plaza is the community of Amatlan de Quetzalcóatl. According to Aztec legend, this is the precise birthplace of Quetzalcóatl, the feathered serpent deity. The region surrounding Tepoztlan contains numerous spa hotels, but Hostal de la Luz, situated high in the mountains of Amatlan, may be the most dramatic. Named by the Dalai Lama as a place of world peace on his visit to Mexico in 2006, the hotel has a strong focus on relaxation and spiritual renewal.

https://www.instagram.com/p/YbdxTdvE-P/?taken-by=hostaldelaluz

The venue contains a Zen garden, an outdoor labyrinth, and a central ashram. The hotel also offers yoga, meditation classes, and temazcal rituals – traditional Mayan steam baths that take place in a stone, igloo-like structure.

Hostal de la Luz, Carretera Federal Tepoztlán Km. 4 s/n, Amatlan, Tepoztlan, Morelos, +52 7393953374

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.