Tepotzotlán

Tepotzotlán is a colonial town around 40 km (25 miles) northwest of Mexico City in the State of Mexico. Stone buildings line cobbled streets that lead to a central plaza with a church and former college buildings, all sitting at an elevation of 2300 meters (7500 feet).

The Jesuits founded the College of San Francisco Javier here in 1580, using it as an educational center for over three centuries. After closing during the Mexican Revolution in 1914, the buildings became home to a museum of colonial life.

The town takes its name from the Aztec ruler Tepōtzohtzin, whose memory lives on in local place names. Families arrive on weekends to eat at the restaurants around the main plaza, where mole and barbacoa are popular choices.

The town sits along the Mexico City–Querétaro highway, around 45 minutes by car from the capital. Buses leave regularly from the Norte station in Mexico City and drop passengers near the town center.

The Xalpa Aqueduct stretches across a valley with 43 arches and reaches a height of 438 meters (1437 feet), making it the tallest structure of its kind in Latin America. The arches stand free in the landscape and can be seen from several viewpoints around the town.

Location: Tepotzotlán Municipality

Inception: 1525

Elevation above the sea: 2,300 m

Website: http://tepotzotlan.gob.mx

GPS coordinates: 19.71611,-99.22361

Latest update: December 13, 2025 18:19