Town 25 km southwest of Orizaba
A mountain town below the Cumbres de Acultzingo, the steep, winding pass on the old Puebla road with sweeping valley views.
Acultzingo is a small town at the western edge of Veracruz, where the mountains rise steeply toward the high plateau of Puebla. Above it are the Cumbres de Acultzingo, the pass that has been known since colonial times as the roughest stretch of the road between the port of Veracruz and Mexico City. The old federal highway 150 still climbs it in a chain of tight switchbacks.
The pass has its place in history. On April 28, 1862, French troops marching inland fought Mexican forces under General Ignacio Zaragoza here. Zaragoza pulled back to Puebla, where a week later, on May 5, his army defeated the French in the battle now celebrated as Cinco de Mayo.
Today most traffic takes the toll highway through Maltrata, so the drive over the Cumbres is quieter. On a clear day it opens up long views back over the green Acultzingo valley and the folded ridges of the Sierra Madre Oriental. In town, the parish church of San Juan Bautista is worth a stop.
What to see and do
Drive up the switchbacks of the Cumbres de Acultzingo and stop at safe pullouts for the views.
Visit the church of San Juan Bautista in town.
Remember the 1862 battle that came a week before Cinco de Mayo.
Bring a jacket: the pass is often cool and foggy.
Getting there
Acultzingo is about 45 minutes west of Orizaba by car on the old federal highway 150 through Nogales and Ciudad Mendoza toward Tehuacán. The road over the Cumbres is steep and full of sharp curves, with heavy trucks and frequent fog, so drive slowly and in daylight.
25 km southwest of Orizaba
Directions from Orizaba on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Weather mild
Acultzingo shares the climate of Orizaba, 25 km away. The best months to visit are Feb, Mar, Apr, Dec.
Make Orizaba your base
Acultzingo is an easy trip from Orizaba, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
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Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.