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The Tepoztlan day trip from Mexico City combines hiking, ruins, views, markets, and food all into one perfectly packaged escape.
Best of all, this ‘Pueblo Magico’ is just 1.5 hours from the city and easy to visit on public transportation without a car.
If you want to head out to the town of Tepoztlan for the day, this guide covers everything you need to know, including:
- How to get to Tepoztlan from Mexico City
- The top 3 things to do in Tepoztlan
- How to hike to the Tepozteco ruins
- How to get from Tepoztlan to Mexico City
- How much does it cost to visit Tepoztlan?
- Where to stay in Tepoztlan
- And so much more!
Ready to go?
Keep reading to plan an easy and low-key Mexico City day trip to Tepoztlan!
Downtown Tepoztlan all dressed up for the Carnival celebrations
How to Get to Tepoztlan from Mexico City
The best way to get to Tepoztlan from Mexico City is to take a bus from Terminal Tazqueno – click here to find it on Google Maps.
Once there, buy your tickets at the OCC counter. They have buses to Tepoztlan multiple times an hour and a one-way ticket will run you 130 pesos/ 7 usd.
The bus to Tepoztlan is supposed to take an hour and 20 minutes. We hit traffic from a few accidents and ours ended up being closer to two hours, but I don’t think it’s very common.
Once we arrived in the town of Tepoztlan we were dropped off at the gas station/ticket office and had to walk a mile to get to the center. It’s on a nice path along the road though and it really wasn’t too bad.
Tepozteco Ruins
3 Best Things To Do in Tepoztlan
We didn’t know it, but we actually arrived in Tepoztlan during their Carnival celebration!
The streets were shut down and everyone (and I mean everyone) had a beer or a mojito in their hands. Music was blasting, bands were playing, and the vibe was super fun.
Whether you go during Carnival or not, these are the three best things to do in Tepoztlan that you definitely shouldn’t miss.
Intriguing street food stand in the market in Tepoztlan
1. Visit the Market
I know we just got lucky and you probably won’t be in Tepoztlan for Carnival. However, the town is still really cute with small churches, the main square, and a large artisanal market set up year round.
Buy the traditional clay mugs, different handicrafts, and of course my favorite… street food!
We ate giant bbq chicken kebabs, these interesting patty things (I have no idea what was in them) and corn on the cob, but seriously everything looked really good.
Inside the Tepoztlan convent
2. Check out the Former Convent of Tepoztlan
This beautiful convent is about 500 years old and was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994. Even better, entrance is free from 11 am to 5 pm.
The green space outside is nice and the inner courtyard had pretty arches painted with intricate designs.
Everything was written in Spanish so I don’t know too much about the convent besides what I read online after I went, but it’s still a nice place to stop by for a few minutes.
Smoggy-but-still-nice view from the Tepozteco ruins
3. Hike to the Tepozteco Ruins
This is the main reason why people take a day trip to Tepoztlan.
The Tepozteco Pyramid was built to worship Tepoztēcatl, the Aztec god of pulque. It sits on top of a mountain and while the ruins themselves aren’t super impressive, the view definitely is.
Pulque is a fermented drink made from the sap of an agave plant and it’s thick, strange, alcoholic, and a must-try for every visitor to Mexico.
If you haven’t tried it yet, I recommend getting it at La Catedral del Pulque or Pulqueria Insurgentes (which is also part of my Roma rooftop bar crawl route) when you return to Mexico City.
More views from the Tepozteco ruins
How to Hike to the Tepozteco Ruins
To hike to the ruins, all you have to do is walk down the main road of the town and just… keep walking.
The road will turn into a staircase which then turns into a trail. The hike is pretty steep and straight uphill.
It’s also crowded. Obviously, some of that was due to Carnival, but I still recommend going on a weekday or early morning to avoid the masses.
If you’re looking for a peaceful experience, this is not for you. You won’t be “one with nature” at all (but you’ll definitely be one with the family of eight that you just. can’t. pass.)
Honestly, the crowds kind of made the trek up feel more like a chore than something I had willingly chosen to do, but it was worth the climb in the end.
It took us about an hour and 15 minutes to get to the top. I wore leggings and boots, but lots of people were hiking in dresses, sandals and even high heels, drinking beers as they went.
It was not an easy climb at all (remember, even though it may not feel like it you are at high altitude in Mexico City) so definitely go slow and take your time… my legs are still sore two days later!
When we finally reached the summit the views were absolutely phenomenal.
You have to buy a ticket at the top to see the pyramid, but also just to see the view (lame, I know). The tickets cost 55 pesos / 3 usd and let us go down to the overlook and hike up to the Tepozteco Pyramid.
After about 20 minutes, we headed back the way we came. I bought a fresh strawberry popsicle from a vendor on the trail and the way down was just a little easier and more enjoyable than the trek up 🙂
Crowds at the top of the Tepozteco Ruins
How to Get from Tepoztlan to Mexico City
We spent about six hours total in Tepoztlan between exploring the market, climbing to the pyramid and eating lunch.
After our Tepoztlan day trip getting back to Mexico City was easy. Just walk back to the gas station and you can buy a ticket there for the next bus.
The price 130 pesos / 7 usd per person again, and though they do seem to go back to Mexico City less often than they were coming out, we still only had to wait 30 minutes for the next bus.
Hey, a girl’s gotta have her chicken wings
How much does it cost to visit Tepoztlan?
Of course, this will vary based on what you decide to do, where you decide to eat, and more. But, I can share what we spent to visit Tepoztlan to give you an idea of what to budget for the Mexico City day trip.
- Bus Mexico City to Tepoztlan: 130 mxn / 7 usd per person
- Tepozteco ruins entrance cost: 55 mxn / 3 usd per person
- Food and drinks: about 150 mxn / 8 usd per person
- Bus Tepoztlan to Mexico City: 130 mxn / 7 usd per person
In total, we spent about 25 usd per person to visit Tepoztlan from Mexico City.
All smiles ’cause I got hiking, street food, and ruins in one day – that’s pretty much a perfect day trip to me!
Bonus: Where to Stay in Tepoztlan
If you’d like to turn your day trip to Tepoztlan into a weekend escape, there are plenty of places to relax and recharge before returning to the city.
The Bed and Breakfast Madre Tierra is the top-rated place to stay in Tepoztlan while the Hotel Boutique Casa Fernanda and Arete Wellness Villa round out the list of the top three (and both have outdoor pools to cool down in after your hike as well).
The Ekko Hostel is the most budget-friendly place to stay in Tepoztlan with a garden, mountain views, and dorm beds for only $11 per night.
Are you ready to cross Tepoztlan off your Mexico bucket list?
The Tepoztlan day trip from Mexico City is a really great escape. It’s not too far away and the small town feel, vibrant market and amazing views from the Tepozteco Ruins were definitely worth the trip.
Ready to go?
Explore unique stays on Airbnb – like these light-filled lofts in Roma and Condesa – or the top-rated hotels on Booking.com to book your stay in Mexico City.
Then, check out more food, culture, and outdoors experiences in Mexico City to round out your itinerary (or book a multi-day Mexico tour with Intrepid to finish you travel planning in one click!)
This article is part of the Mexico City Hiking Series. Read the rest below:
How to Hike in Izta-Popo National Park and See Active Volcanoes
How to Visit Desierto de Los Leones + Climb Cerro San Miguel
How to Visit Texcotzingo Ruins in Texcoco (and Eat the Best Barbacoa in Mexico)
How to Visit Cumbres del Ajusco National Park in Mexico City
Or, explore the complete Mexico Series for 40+ more articles on what to see, eat, do, and discover in the country.
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