Travel Guide PACHUCA Contents

Home , Barbacoa, Huasca de Ocampo, Mezquital Valley, Mineral del Monte, Pachuquilla, Tolantongo

DISCOVER PACHUCA 01

PACHUCA PROFILE 02

PACHUCA ATTRACTIONS 03

PACHUCA DINING 10

PACHUCA SHOPPING 13

PACHUCA NIGHTLIFE 15

THINGS TO DO IN PACHUCA 16 DISCOVER PACHUCA

Pachuca is nicknamed the “Beautiful Windy City” for the strong winds that blow through its streets, forests, meadows, and fields for most of the year. It has a pleasant climate, making it an ideal place to visit just about any time of year. During colonial times it was known for its rich silver deposits, which led to the mining boom. The capital of the state of Hidalgo is a peaceful city with clean and orderly streets and several architectural gems, including impressive pre-Hispanic archeological sites, baroque style churches and convents, nineteenth century neoclassical buildings with a strong English influence, and modern office buildings with avant-garde designs. It has a new and exclusive business district, the Zona Plateada (Silver Zone), where you’ll find a modern convention center and various hotels designed for business travelers. THE BIRTHPLACE OF MEXICAN SOCCER Pachuca is proud to be known as the birthplace of Mexican soccer. The game was first introduced by a group of Cornish miners in 1901, and later adopted by the locals. Today, the city is the site of the first Soccer University in the country, and it’s also home to a professional soccer team.

The city has modern attractions like the Interactive World Soccer Center, a space that includes a mini stadium, interactive exhibits, and a 3D theater; the Soccer Hall of Fame, an exhibition that promotes the sport and recognizes some of the best Mexican and international players; and the Miguel Hidalgo Stadium, a modern stadium with 35,000 seats that’s the official home of the Pachuca “Tuzos.”

1 PACHUCA PROFILE

Capital of the state of Hidalgo

A city with a renowned mining tradition

The place where the Toltec culture flourished

Birthplace of Mexican Soccer and home of the Pachuca Athletic Club

Business infrastructure

Surrounded by hot springs and water parks

Known for its nearby Magic Towns

A great destination for outdoor recreational activities

Delicious cuisine

2 PACHUCA ATTRACTIONS

In addition to the iconic sites and the architectural beauty of its colonial buildings, Pachuca is surrounded by a variety of attractions, such as haciendas that were once engaged in the extraction and purification of silver or the production of pulque (a traditional alcoholic beverage made from the maguey plant), hot springs, and beautiful towns designated “Magic Towns” for their well-preserved history and important archeological sites.

Just a few minutes outside of the city you’ll find large forested areas, ideal for spelunking and mountaineering, or simply for enjoying a fun day in the country. BIOPARK

This gathering place houses a zoo where you can see birds, lions, monkeys, and pumas, as well as some endangered species. It has outdoor spaces with areas for barbecuing and it’s also a great spot for picnics. EL REHILETE MUSEUM

This interactive children’s museum houses a planetarium, a botanical garden, and an interesting Dinopark with life-size replicas of dinosaurs and scenes that recreate life on earth 60 million years ago. It’s an authentic trip back to pre-historic times.

3 WATER PARKS

Hidalgo boasts an enticing selection of water parks, several of which are located about an hour from Pachuca. In addition to swimming pools, waterslides, sports facilities, and playgrounds, many also feature hot springs enriched with a variety of minerals for health and relaxation, such as at the Tolantongo Caves. The closest ones are located in the areas of Ixmiquilpan-Tasquillo, Ajacuba-Tula, Tizayuca, Huasca, and Apan-Cuautepec.

CHRIST THE KING

Located on the old highway to Mineral del Monte, this splendid monument has a height of 108 feet (33 meters that represents the age of Christ), and offers spectacular views of the city and its surroundings. It was built in 1992 by former miners in keeping with a promise they made to erect a statue to Christ the King if they managed to escape death in the Paricutin mine, since they believed that getting out alive was an act of faith.

4 ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES

Near Pachuca, you’ll find three archeological sites from the ancient Toltec culture that inhabited the region. Tula de Allende is known for its sculptures of “Atlantean figures” that are nearly 16 feet tall, which they believed guarded the Quetzalcoatl Temple, the Tlahuizcalpantecutli Temple, two ball courts, and the pyramid of the sun. Another site, Xihuingo in the municipality of Tepeapulco, is the oldest archeological site in the state and located at the base of a hill of the same name. It is known for its “Tecolote” pyramid. Finally, Huapalcalco is considered one of the first Toltec settlements and is made up of two architectural complexes. Close to this site you can see incredible cave paintings.

EL CHICO NATIONAL PARK

This beautiful park has mountains covered with pine, oak, and fir forests and valleys with impressive rock formations. In this area, which was designated the first natural protected area in Mexico in the late nineteenth century, you can go mountain biking, climbing, fishing, hiking, rappelling, ziplining, and rock climbing. Within its 6,800 acres, you’ll also find the El Cedral Dam where you can fish and paddle row boats.

5 MONUMENTAL CLOCK This clock tower is built of white quarry stone and has an eclectic style. It stands 130 feet tall and was constructed to commemorate the first 100 years of independence. Notable features include four sculptures of women that are made of Carrara marble and symbolize the important eras of Mexican history. The clock sounds similar to Big Ben, as the chime was built by the same company that made the famous English clock. It is located in Plaza Independencia, in the historic center of the city. SAN FRANCISCO CHURCH Built during the mid-to-late seventeenth century, this church and former convent building has a simple architectural style highlighted by a Churrigueresque altarpiece and eighteenth-century oil paintings housed in the sacristy. For centuries, it was the home of Franciscan friars and it currently houses the Regional Museum and the Museum of Photography and Photographic Library of INAH (National Institute of Anthropology and History). BEN GURION CULTURAL PARK Located in the Silver Zone of Pachuca, this park spans more than 64 acres and houses the Tuzoforum Convention Center, the Gota de Plata Auditorium, the Ricardo Garibay Library, and a shopping mall. In the center of the park you’ll find a large mosaic made up of over 2,000 pieces and covering an area of more than 34,400 sq. ft..

6 HUASCA DE OCAMPO This extraordinary town located just over 20 miles from the “Beautiful Windy City” was the first designated Magic Town in Mexico. It is surrounded by fir forests and is ideal for outdoor activities, such as climbing and hiking. In addition to having picturesque streets and colonial architecture, it is also home to two beautiful haciendas, Santa Maria Regla and San Miguel Regla; the San Antonio Regla Dam; the Pena al Aire Canyon; and the Basaltic Prisms with its majestic columns of basalt rock that line a ravine through the impressive Santa Maria Regla Canyon, which is fed by four waterfalls.

7 CONDE RULE HOUSE

This two-story English style building was built in 1896 by a wealthy Cornish miner named Francis Rule. It is located next to Plaza Pedro Maria Anaya and distinguished by the beautiful decoration of the columns on the lower level, the reliefs made of shells and the tin rooftop, typical of mining con- structions. It also houses the Municipal Palace. HACIENDAS

Between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the state of Hidalgo had more than 170 haciendas (plantations) dedicated to working with silver, distilling maguey to make pulque, and raising livestock. Today, you can explore these properties and admire their towers and chapels, as many operate as luxury hotels and are open to the public. REAL DEL MONTE OR MINERAL DEL MONTE

This town is situated just 7.5 miles outside the city of Pachuca. This small and picturesque village nestled between the mountains will make you feel as if you’ve traveled back in time. It has a strong English (mostly Cornish) influence and a hazy cloud cover. The colorful buildings, narrow winding cobblestone streets, historic buildings, two museums, as well as the silver workshops, and small eateries serving delicious Cornish-style pasties, are all worth visiting. In Mineral del Monte you can take advantage of the opportunity to explore the Penas Cargadas nature park, located nearby, for rappelling, ziplining, ATV tours, and horseback riding. MINERAL DEL CHICO

The quaint charm of this centuries-old town is made up of a combination of picturesque scenery, colonial architecture, mining history, friendly residents, spectacular natural surroundings, especially El Chico National Park, and of course, delicious cuisine. Must-see attractions include the Church of the Immaculate Conception, built between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries, the Pena el Cuervo lookout point on the outskirts of town, the Las Monjas rock formations, the San Antonio Mine, and the trout farm.

8 MOUNTAIN TRAIL

One of the top attractions in the area surrounding Pachuca is the Mountain Trail (Corredor de la Montana). This is an area full of natural beauty, picturesque traditional towns with impressive architecture, magnificent haciendas, dams, rivers, parks, and incredible places to enjoy adventure tourism, hunting, and ecotourism, making it an ideal destination for rock climbing, mountain biking, and hiking enthusiasts. It’s also a great opportunity to try some of the delicious regional cuisine.

During your trip, remember to visit the town of Omitlan, which is surrounded by one of the greenest areas in the state, as well as Navajas Hill and the San Andres Church in Epazoyucan. Mineral del Chico, the El Cedral Dam, the Rio Milagros River, and the Mirador Pena del Cuervo lookout point are all must-see attractions. In Metztitlan you can visit the Vega de Metztitlan and the Santos Reyes Church. SOCCER TRADITION

According to history, the first soccer game in Mexico was played by a group of Cornish miners in Pachuca in 1901. In keeping with this tradition, the city has several venues dedicated to the sport, such as the World Soccer Interactive Center with a 3D theater and a mini stadium, the Soccer Hall of Fame honoring outstanding Mexican and international players, the Miguel Hidalgo Stadium that’s home to the Pachuca “Tuzos,” and the first Soccer University in the country. MINING MUSEUM

This neoclassical building also houses the Historic Archive. It offers an interesting retrospective of the mining industry in the state of Hidalgo with displays of furniture, tools, documents, vehicles, and machinery. It has a room available for temporary exhibitions.

9 PACHUCA DINING

The cuisine of Pachuca and the surrounding area offers visitors all types of delicious dishes, each representing the tastes and aromas of pre-Hispanic, Spanish, and Cornish culture.

MIXIOTES

This is a dish that is prepared in a similar way to barbacoa. It is made with sheep, chicken, or rabbit meat that is covered with the thin outer layer of the maguey leaf, exquisitely seasoned, and steamed. CANDIES AND BREADS

Among the traditional candies of the region are amaranth “alegrias”, pumpkin seed “jamoncillos”, and nut, walnut or peanut seed “palanquetas”. Another delicious local treat is pan de pulque (pulque bread), which is often accompanied by café de olla (coffee prepared in clay pots and flavored with cinnamon and brown sugar) or atole (a traditional beverage made from hominy flour and flavored with cinnamon and brown sugar). PASTES

Due to the influence of Cornish miners who arrived in the region, Pachuca produces a type of pastry pie known as a paste, a word derived from the original English word pasty. The pastes are filled with different types of meat and some are also filled with sweet fillings.

10 BARBACOA

Without a doubt, this is the most iconic dish of Hidalgo. The traditional way to prepare it is with lamb marinated in a mixture of chilies, avocado leaves, cinnamon, salt and pepper. It is baked underground on a rack made of wood and stone and wrapped in maguey leaves. This dish is an important part of local celebrations, especially weddings. LA BLANCA RESTAURANT

This colonial style restaurant is located just off the main square and faces the Monumental Clock. It was founded in 1953, making it the most traditional restaurant in Pachuca. Throughout the years, it has served regional dishes in a friendly atmosphere.

EXOTIC DISHES

For a sampling of ancient traditional dishes, try gusanos de maguey (maguey worms) prepared in butter or olive oil, seasoned with a variety of salsas, and eaten in tacos. Also sample the delicious escamoles, which are red ant eggs that resemble grains of rice.

11 PULQUE

This pre-Hispanic drink typical of the maguey growing areas, is made from the extracted juice of the maguey plant and stored in a repository called a tinacal where it is fermented, resulting in a delicious drink that can be enhanced with the flavors of strawberry, guava, mamey, mango, as well as pistachio nuts and various other fruits. PACHUQUILLA

TROUT

As a result of the rise of trout breeding in lakes, dams, and fish farms, you’ll find a wide variety of cuisine based around this fish. The best places to enjoy these dishes are Mineral el Chico, Huasca, Lago la Cruz, the El Cedral Dam, and the Estanques de El Zembo.

12 PACHUCA SHOPPING

Pachuca has several malls, as well as specialty craft shops where you can find beautiful folk art by talented local artisans. SHOPPING MALLS

Among the main shopping malls are Plaza Perisur, Plaza Universidad, and Plaza Bella; all of which have department stores, food courts, electronics stores, jewelers, boutiques, and other entertainment options. SILVER

Silver is one of the most popular items to shop for in Pachuca due to the city’s more than 500 years of mining history. This legacy has led to the production of fine jewelry, platters, bowls, trays, vases, and a wide variety of fine decorative items for special occasions and everyday use. These products can be found in various shops located throughout the city, as well as in the town of Real del Monte, which is located 15 minutes from Pachuca.

13 CASA DE ARTESANIAS HIDARTE

At this handicraft center you can shop for silver jewelry, miniature figurines of miners, replicas of mining tools made of screws, nuts, and other recycled materials, as well as beautiful Tlahuelompa bells, textiles, and colorful pottery. SHOPPING IN NEARBY TOWNS

In the area surrounding Pachuca you can find original crafts, like items carved out of wood, pottery, textiles, and metal items. One example are the products from Mezquital Valley, which are made out of ixtle (maguey fibers) and can be used as decoration or for cleaning, as well as bags, wallets, belts, and tablecloths.

Located to the southeast, Cerro de las Navajas is known for its abundance of obsidian stone. In the town of Nopalillo you’ll find countless decorative pieces made from different shades of this stone. In Huasca de Ocampo, located half an hour from the “Beautiful Windy City,” you can shop for pottery and tableware made of clay from the region called Barro Vidriado.

In Tlahuelompa, located less than an hour from Pachuca, they make quality bells in various sizes, up to several feet tall. This town has been providing the state with bronze bells for over 150 years, both for churches and personal use.

14 PACHUCA NIGHTLIFE

Pachuca is a peaceful and traditional city, and how you spend your evenings is up to you. It offers everything from romantic and bohemian bars to lively nightclubs, like the ones you’ll find in the Zona Plateada (Silver Zone).

Another alternative is to attend a performing arts show at one of the theaters, such as the Auditorio Gota de Plata, which hosts plays, concerts, and interesting conferences; the San Francisco with a capacity for up to 942 people; and the Guillermo Romo de Vivar Theater, which also has a film club.

15 THINGS TO DO IN PACHUCA

Tour the historic center, admire the colonial buildings, and visit Plaza Independencia

Take a photo in front of the Monumental Clock and the Conde Rule House

Learn about the history of the state of Hidalgo at the Mining Museum.

Take the family to the El Rehilete Museum and the Biopark.

Enjoy panoramic views overlooking the city from the Christ the King Monument.

Experience the exciting world of soccer at Miguel Hidalgo Stadium, the Soccer Hall of Fame, and the World Soccer Interactive Center.

Visit the Magic Towns: Huasca de Ocampo with its Basaltic Prisms, Real del Monte with its many silver shops and Mineral del Chico for its colonial charm.

Venture out to explore the natural scenery at El Chico National Park and enjoy a variety of exciting outdoor activities.

Relax in the nearby hot springs and spend a fun day at the water parks.

Tour the Tolantongo Caves and the Tula, Xihuingo, and Huapalcalco archeological sites.

Dine on succulent lamb barbacoa, mixiote, tasty pastes, and all the rest of the delicious cuisine from Hidalgo.

Try the pre-Hispanic drink called pulque.

Shop for silver items, textiles, and pottery.

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