Town 6 km northeast of Naolinco
A small hillside town just north of Naolinco, with the parish of San Andrés Apóstol and a big fiesta every November 30.
Acatlán is a small hillside town just north of Naolinco, on the slopes of the Sierra de Chiconquiaco at about 1,740 meters. Its name comes from Nahuatl and means "place of abundant reeds." It is the seat of one of the smallest municipalities in Veracruz, only about 18 square kilometers, and almost all of its 3,400 or so people live in the town itself.
Life here is quiet and close to the land, watered by the Actopan and Pájaro Verde rivers. Like Naolinco, Acatlán has a tradition of footwear and textile work, and its kitchens are known for moles, pipián, stuffed chiles, white corn atole, and chacos.
Its two main landmarks are the parish of San Andrés Apóstol and the church of El Calvario. The town fills up for its fiestas: the Virgen de los Remedios from August 31 to September 2, and San Andrés on November 30. For Day of the Dead, on November 1 and 2, families set up altars in their homes.
What to see and do
Visit the parish of San Andrés Apóstol and the church of El Calvario.
Come for the fiesta of San Andrés on November 30 or the Virgen de los Remedios at the start of September.
See the home altars during Day of the Dead, which pairs well with La Cantada in Naolinco.
Try local dishes such as mole, pipián and white corn atole.
Getting there
Acatlán is about 6 km north of Naolinco, around 15 minutes by car on the road that continues up toward Chiconquiaco, so it is easy to visit both in one trip.
6 km northeast of Naolinco
Directions from Naolinco on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Weather mild
Acatlán shares the climate of Naolinco, 6 km away. The best months to visit are Feb, Mar, Apr, Dec.
Make Naolinco your base
Acatlán is an easy trip from Naolinco, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Naolinco
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Chiconquiaco
· Town · 11 km away
A misty mountain town in the cloud forests of the Sierra de Chiconquiaco, on the winding scenic road north toward Misantla. -
Ex Hacienda El Lencero
· Landmark · 20 km away
Santa Anna's hacienda on the old royal road east of Xalapa, now a museum with period rooms, a chapel and gardens.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.