Town 15 km northwest of Cuetzalan
One of the oldest Totonac towns of the sierra, where most people still speak Totonac; warm, green coffee country.
Huehuetla sits in the warm lower country northwest of Cuetzalan, near the Veracruz state line, in the region known as the Totonacapan. It is one of the strongest centers of Totonac culture in Puebla: nearly the whole municipality identifies as Indigenous, and Totonac, not Spanish, is the language you hear in the streets and the market.
The town was settled by the Spanish around 1550 on land long occupied by Totonac and Nahua people, and was first known as San Salvador Huehuetla. Life here still turns on coffee and corn, grown on steep plots around town. Huehuetla is known for its decorated wax candles, made for the fiestas, and for traditional dances. In the nearby community of Xonalpu there is a sanctuary to the Virgin of Guadalupe, whose image, locals say, appeared on a tile.
This is not a tourist town, and that is the reason to come: to see daily life in a Totonac community, buy coffee from the people who grow it and swim in the local river on a hot afternoon. Be respectful when taking photos, and ask first.
What to see and do
Walk the town center and its market and hear Totonac spoken all around.
Look for the decorated wax candles made for local fiestas.
Visit the Guadalupe sanctuary in nearby Xonalpu.
Buy coffee from local growers.
Getting there
Huehuetla is roughly an hour and a half from Cuetzalan by car on narrow, winding mountain roads; colectivos also make the trip, usually with a change along the way. Drive in daylight, since fog is common.
15 km northwest of Cuetzalan
Directions from Cuetzalan on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
Plan your trip
Places to stay in Huehuetla
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Photos
Weather mild
Huehuetla shares the climate of Cuetzalan, 15 km away. The best months to visit are Feb, Mar, Apr, Dec.
Make Cuetzalan your base
Huehuetla is an easy trip from Cuetzalan, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
Also close to
- Zozocolco · 6 km away
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Zacapoaxtla
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The sierra town whose Indigenous soldiers fought at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862; on the road up to Cuetzalan.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.