Pachuca & Real del Monte

Pachuca, the "Windy City," and a silver-mining town left behind by Cornish miners, surrounded by basalt columns, forest villages and hot-spring canyons; a favorite weekend getaway from Mexico City.

Pachuca, capital of the Mexican state of Hidalgo, sits on a high plateau about 95 km northeast of Mexico City at roughly 2,400 m, and its persistent strong winds have earned it the nickname "La Bella Airosa," the Windy City. Since colonial times it has been one of Mexico's most important silver-mining districts. In the 19th century, large numbers of miners arrived from Cornwall, England, bringing pasties (known locally as pastes), soccer and English-style mining buildings, which is why Pachuca is called the cradle of Mexican soccer. The area divides into three parts: Pachuca's old town has the Monumental Clock, the Mining Museum and the National Photography Museum; Real del Monte, 12 km to the northeast, is a colorful hillside town where you can go down a mine shaft, eat pastes and visit the English Cemetery; to the north, El Chico National Park and Mineral del Chico are great for hiking and rock climbing; and to the east, the Huasca de Ocampo area has basalt columns and silver haciendas. Farther afield, Tolantongo's hot-spring canyon and the archaeological site of Tula make good day trips. The October–May dry season is sunny and the best time to visit; the June–September rainy season brings frequent afternoon thunderstorms but fuller waterfalls. Mornings and evenings in the highlands are much cooler than the daytime, so bring a jacket. Buses from Mexico City's Northern Bus Terminal take about 1.5 hours; the surrounding sights are easiest to reach by car or with a private driver. Plan on 2–3 days.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries