Town 16 km south of Teotihuacán
A small town turned giant clothing market, famous for its wool sweaters, blankets and bargain-hunting crowds.
Chiconcuac, whose Nahuatl name means "place of the seven serpents," is one of the smallest municipalities in the State of Mexico, and one of the best known by shoppers. For centuries its families wove wool blankets, sarapes and sweaters on their own looms, and the town lived from farming and weaving. Everything changed after 1968, when a new road to Texcoco and national publicity, including the passing of the Olympic torch, put Chiconcuac on the map.
Today the town is essentially one huge market. Streets and covered markets are packed with stalls selling wool and acrylic sweaters, jackets, blankets, school uniforms, jeans and almost anything else you can wear, much of it at wholesale prices. Traditional woolen goods are still sold, though a good share of what you see now is factory-made, so look for the stalls that weave their own if you want something local.
Go with time and patience: crowds are heaviest on market days and weekends, and bargaining is normal. The small historic center, with its parish church, is a pleasant place to rest between rounds of shopping.
What to see and do
Shop for wool sweaters, sarapes and blankets.
Look for stalls run by families who still weave their own goods.
Bargain politely; it is expected, especially when buying several pieces.
Rest in the small historic center and its parish church.
Getting there
Chiconcuac is about 25 km south of San Juan Teotihuacan, roughly 30 minutes by car on the Mexico–Pirámides highway and the Texcoco road (Highway 142). Buses run from Mexico City and Texcoco, and some Teotihuacan buses go by way of Chiconcuac. Parking fills up on busy days.
16 km south of Teotihuacán
Directions from Teotihuacán on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Weather mild
Chiconcuac shares the climate of Teotihuacán, 16 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec.
Make Teotihuacán your base
Chiconcuac is an easy trip from Teotihuacán, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
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Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.