Town 32 km southeast of Zempoala
The self-styled capital of pulque, ringed by maguey fields and old haciendas you can visit by reservation, like Chimalpa.
Apan is the town that gave its name to the Llanos de Apan, the high, windswept plain of southeastern Hidalgo that for centuries supplied Mexico City with pulque. People here still call it the capital of pulque, and the drink is everywhere: in pulquerías around the center, natural or curado with fruits, oats, nuts and even celery or tomato, and in the fields of maguey that run to the horizon.
The heart of town is the central garden and the parish church of the Asunción, a fine example of Mexican baroque, with the town's markets and food stalls close by. Apan's cooking is a reason to come on its own: barbacoa, the local enchiladas apanenses, cheeses and, in season, escamoles and other insects from the maguey. Each year the town celebrates the fair of maguey, barley and pulque.
Around Apan stand some of the most famous pulque haciendas of the plains. Several open to visitors by reservation: Hacienda Chimalpa offers guided tours of its tinacal, historic rooms and gardens, with food and lodging, and Hacienda Zotoluca, founded in the 1570s and restored in 2015, adds pulque and honey tastings, horseback rides and even balloon flights.
What to see and do
Stroll the central garden and see the baroque parish church of the Asunción.
Try pulque natural and curado in a traditional pulquería.
Eat barbacoa and enchiladas apanenses in the market.
Book a tour of a pulque hacienda such as Chimalpa or Zotoluca.
If you visit during the maguey, barley and pulque fair, join the celebrations.
Getting there
Apan is about 38 kilometers southeast of Zempoala, roughly 40 minutes by car via Ciudad Sahagún. Regional buses connect Apan with Pachuca, Ciudad Sahagún and Mexico City. The haciendas are outside town and only open with a reservation, so arrange your visit in advance.
32 km southeast of Zempoala
Directions from Zempoala on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Weather cool
Apan shares the climate of Zempoala, 32 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec.
Make Zempoala your base
Apan is an easy trip from Zempoala, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Zempoala
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Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.