“Beautiful Windy City”
Location: Hidalgo State, central
Mexico
Distance from Mexico City: 75 miles
northeast
Population: 250,000
Closest major airport: Benito Juarez
Intl. aka Mexico City Intl Airport (MEX)
Time Zone: Central Standard Time
Pachuca, the capital of Hidalgo State, was
founded in 1598, and its name is said to
come from the Náhuatl word Pachoacán or
Patlachiuhacan, meaning “place of gold and
silver.”
Surrounded by majestic mountains and windy
deserts, the area around Pachuca is ideal
for ecotourism and adventure sports.
Mountains, ravines, forests, clear streams,
cliffs, reservoirs, lagoons and stunning
scenery are all within close proximity of
Pachuca.
Pachuca’s architectural style is primarily a
combination of neoclassical and modern
buildings. The city’s historic center, north
of the city, is characterized by beautiful
hills and old mining buildings. Its narrow
and winding streets lead into quaint parks
and colorful plazas. The south, on the other
hand, is the modern part of the city, known
primarily for its high industrial activity.
Some of the most beautiful buildings in the
area include the monastery of San Francisco,
Rule House, the Monumental Clock, Hidalgo
Park, the Floral Clock and the Royal
Treasury.
Ecotourism is one of the most popular
activities in Pachuca. The city is
surrounded by several ecosystems that create
a variety of landscapes. It is the starting
point for the mountain ranges of Mineral del
Chico, Real del Monte and Huasca de Ocampo,
which offer lush forests on the mountain
corridor perfect for mountaineering,
climbing, rappelling, rock-climbing and
hiking. The area offers spectacular mountain
scenery, streams and traditional haciendas
at places like Laguna de Atezca and Peñas
Cargadas.
Cuisine in Pachuca is one of the country’s
most varied and exotic. Local dishes are a
distinct blend of indigenous traditions and
Cornish customs from the 19th century.
Together the two cultures have combined to
form some of the most sophisticated dishes
in the country, including zacahuil, an
enormous tamale stuffed with turkey or pork;
mixiote, spicy lamb or chicken wrapped in
the skin of the maguey leaf; platillo
huasteco, a dish made from beef jerky and
escamoles (ant eggs); and a refined dish
made from white maguey worms and chinicuiles.
Also popular are the pastes, pastries
stuffed with meat and vegetables. |