Town 13 km southwest of Cuetzalan
A misty sierra town above the Zempoala river canyon, with dramatic lookouts, caves, a green pool and chaquira beadwork.
Xochitlán de Vicente Suárez is a small mountain town southwest of Cuetzalan, perched above the deep canyon of the Zempoala river. Its streets are cobbled and many houses still have wooden roofs, and on most mornings a sea of clouds fills the valleys below. The second part of its name honors Vicente Suárez, one of the Niños Héroes who died defending Chapultepec in 1847.
The landscape is the main draw. The Balcón del Diablo is a natural lookout over the Zempoala canyon, hundreds of meters above the river. A walk of about half an hour through the forest leads to the Poza Verde, a small waterfall and pool of clear water. Near the ruins of the old Santa Elena coffee hacienda, a river disappears into a cave, and the area has dozens of caves and caverns in all.
Xochitlán also has a strong craft and music tradition: women embroider blouses with chaquira glass beads, and son huasteco is played at fiestas. It is a good place for walking, bird watching and quiet days away from the busier towns of the sierra.
What to see and do
Look over the Zempoala canyon from the Balcón del Diablo.
Hike about 30 minutes to the Poza Verde waterfall and pool.
See the ruins of the Santa Elena coffee hacienda.
Buy blouses embroidered with chaquira beads.
Only explore caves with a local guide, and only if they are open.
Getting there
Xochitlán is about an hour from Cuetzalan by car, heading back toward Zacapoaxtla and then north on the road to Nauzontla and Xochitlán. Colectivos run from Zacapoaxtla. For the trails and lookouts, ask in town for a local guide.
13 km southwest of Cuetzalan
Directions from Cuetzalan on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Weather mild
Xochitlán de Vicente Suárez shares the climate of Cuetzalan, 13 km away. The best months to visit are Feb, Mar, Apr, Dec.
Make Cuetzalan your base
Xochitlán de Vicente Suárez is an easy trip from Cuetzalan, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Cuetzalan
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Cascada Las Brisas
· Waterfall · 2 km away
Cuetzalan's most visited waterfall, a 17 m horsetail drop reached on foot from San Andrés Tzicuilan, near El Salto. -
San Miguel Tzinacapan
· Town · 2 km away
A Nahua village below Cuetzalan and the way into the Atepolihui caves; go with a certified guide and check the caves are open. -
Yohualichan
· Archaeological site · 5 km away
Totonac ruins in the cloud forest with niche-covered pyramids like El Tajín's and one of the longest ball courts in Mesoamerica. -
Jonotla
· Town · 6 km away
A quiet Nahua and Totonac town near Cuetzalan with a pilgrimage shrine built on a rock and river pools below. -
Huehuetla
· Town · 15 km away
One of the oldest Totonac towns of the sierra, where most people still speak Totonac; warm, green coffee country. -
Zacapoaxtla
· Town · 18 km away
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.