Hotel Secrets

Visit the Barranca de los Jilgueros viewpoint early on a weekday. On weekends, crowds from Mexico City and Puebla fill the glass platform by midday, and the atmosphere changes completely.

Bring warm clothes even in summer. Zacatlán at two thousand metres is cool and misty, and evenings can be cold throughout the year.

About food: go to the town market or a small café for breakfast of tamales, atole and pan de queso. Later, try apple desserts and a glass of local cider in one of the shops around the square.

Walk down to the Tulimán waterfalls in the morning, and plan enough time and energy for the climb back. Comfortable shoes are essential, as paths can be wet and slippery.

Leave the car at the hotel when visiting the centre on weekends. Parking near the square is scarce, and traffic can block streets for long periods.

Combine Zacatlán with Chignahuapan and Piedras Encimadas for a full weekend. Staff can suggest the best order to avoid crowds and fog.

Buy apples and cider directly from local producers. Prices are better and quality higher than at stalls aimed at tourists, and many producers welcome visitors to their orchards.