Chignahuapan is one of my favorite pueblos magicos in Puebla. From its axolotl museum to its spacious zocalo and festive atmosphere, I loved everything about this town.
Located about two hours north of Puebla City, Chignahuapan is known mainly for three things – axolotls, Christmas baubles, and the Festival de la Luz y la Vida.
If you’re planning on visiting this pueblo magico, then this detailed Chignahuapan travel guide will tell you all you need to know to plan your trip.
VISIT CHIGNAHUAPAN QUICK LINKS
TOURS
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HOTELS
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
MEXICO TOURIST CARD (FMM)
We didn’t need visas to visit Mexico but some people may based on the type of passport they carry. You can check iVisa.com for information on tourist visas to Mexico.
Whether or not you need a tourist visa to visit Mexico, visitors will still need an FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple) to be allowed entry into the country. Often referred to as a “tourist card”, you can get an FMM if you’re entering Mexico by land or by air.
Tourists arriving by land can get one at the border (with a fee) while people flying into Mexico are usually provided one by their airline (cost included in the airline ticket).
You can also process the FMM ahead of time online through the INM website or iVisa.com. Click on the link to learn more about the FMM.
CHIGNAHUAPAN AT A GLANCE
Chignahuapan is a pueblo magico (magical town) of over 66,400 people in the northwestern part of Puebla state. It was declared a pueblo magico by Mexico’s Secretariat of Tourism in 2012.
The production of Christmas ornaments is the driving industry in Chignahuapan. This small town produces over 70 million spheres a year, earning it its nickname, the “Christmas spheres capital of Mexico”.
Aside from the production of Christmas baubles, Chignahuapan is also famous for its annual Festival de la Luz y la Vida and for being one of three natural homes to axolotls in Mexico. It’s also a hotspot for thermal pools and houses the largest statue of the Virgin Mary in Latin America.
IS CHIGNAHUAPAN SAFE?
Personally, I felt completely safe and welcome in Chignahuapan. Some of these pueblos magicos don’t get many foreign visitors so I often got surprised looks while walking around town. I got none of that in Chignahuapan. It’s one of the most visited pueblos magicos in Puebla so locals are quite used to tourists, which made me feel more at ease.
Do a search for the safest places in Mexico and you’ll find Puebla on almost every list. It’s one of the safest states in Mexico according to multiple sources. Aside from its amazing poblano food, Puebla’s reputation for being one of the safer cities and states is a big reason why we chose to spend most of our time in Mexico here.
However, that doesn’t mean bad things can’t happen in Chignahuapan and Puebla. They can happen anywhere. As long as you prioritize safety and follow the usual travel precautions – ie don’t be flashy, stay in populated areas, don’t walk around alone at night, etc. – then you should have nothing to worry about in Chignahuapan.
The US, Canada, and UK governments offer general travel advisories to Mexico but I highly recommend bookmarking the Puebla and Chignahuapan Tripadvisor forums as well. If there are any incidents you need to know about, then they should pop up there first. You can post questions there too. People on those forums are usually happy to help.
BEST TIME TO VISIT CHIGNAHUAPAN
Chignahuapan, like Puebla City, experiences temperate weather year-round so there really is no bad time to go. I stayed for two nights in August which is one of the rainiest times of the year and I still had a great time. It rained lightly for just a couple of hours late in the afternoon but otherwise, the skies were clear. I even spent most of one day hiking in Cascadas Tuliman.
If you want to go when rainfall is historically at its lowest, then December to February is the best time to go. If you want to go when the town is at its liveliest, then it’s best to go for the Festival de la Luz y la Vida which happens from late October till early November. More on this festival in the THINGS TO DO section of this guide.
HOW TO GET TO CHIGNAHUAPAN
Unless you drive, people visiting Chignahuapan will arrive by bus at the Chignahuapan bus terminal.
There are many ways to get to Chignahuapan from other cities and towns in Mexico. This guide assumes you’ll be coming from Puebla, Mexico City, or the other nearby pueblos magicos in Puebla state.
From Puebla City
BY BUS: You can take a direct bus from Puebla CAPU (main bus station) to Chignahuapan via the ATAH and Supra bus lines. Both lines are owned by the same company with Supra buses being the slightly more upscale of the two. The journey takes around 2 hours and costs MXN 210 (ATAH) or MXN 232 (Supra). Here’s a bus schedule from August 2022:
Buses back to Puebla depart from Chignahuapan throughout the day. Here’s a picture of the bus schedule posted at the Chignahuapan bus terminal:
BY GUIDED TOUR: If you’re interested in visiting Chignahuapan only for the day, then you can book this guided tour through Get Your Guide. It’s a full-day private tour from Puebla that’ll take you to both Chignahuapan and Zacatlan de las Manzanas.
From Mexico City
You can get to Chignahuapan from Mexico City via the Autotransportes Hidalgo or ATAH bus lines. I couldn’t find a schedule for ATAH but you can click on the link for the Autotransportes Hidalgo schedule.
From Other Pueblos Magicos
Many of these pueblos magicos in Puebla are clustered in the same region so you can travel from one to the other without having to go back to Puebla City. Here are some of the routes to Chignahuapan from other pueblos magicos.
FROM ZACATLAN DE LAS MANZANAS: Chignahuapan and Zacatlan are located just 30 mins from each other so many tourists visit both on the same trip. Combis/Colectivos (shared vans) or microbuses between both cities run frequently. I took a microbus to Chignahuapan from the Zacatlan bus terminal for MXN 21.
FROM TETELA DE OCAMPO: I haven’t done this but colectivos regularly travel between Chignahuapan and Tetela de Ocampo. Travel time is about an hour and the fare is MXN 45 each way.
By Rental Car
Getting around in your own car is a popular way of exploring Mexico, especially for tourists from the US. If you’d like to rent a car to visit Chignahuapan, then you can do so through rentalcars.com.
WHERE TO STAY IN CHIGNAHUAPAN
Hotel choices in these pueblos magicos are fairly limited but Chignahuapan receives a good number of tourists so you shouldn’t have trouble finding accommodations. Personally, I booked a room at Hotel Symer, an old but conveniently located hotel right next to the zocalo. Here are a few highly-rated hotels in Chignahuapan:
If you don’t think these hotels are right for you, then you can do a search on Booking.com, Agoda, or Airbnb for alternate listings. You can also search for hotels in Chignahuapan using the handy map below.
THINGS TO DO IN CHIGNAHUAPAN
1. Enjoy the Zocalo
Every trip to a new Mexican city should start in its zocalo or main square. It’s the heart of every city and where you’ll usually find its biggest church and city hall.
Parroquia de Santiago Apostol
Parroquia de Santiago Apostol isn’t the biggest church in Chignahuapan but it’s definitely the prettiest. It was founded in the 16th century and features the first-ever clock manufactured by the famed Zacatlan Relojes Centenario factory.
Get up close to appreciate the many intricate and colorful details that exemplify the Mexican Baroque style.
The church was closed for most of my stay but luckily, I found it open once on my second day. If it’s your first time visiting this church, then don’t forget to make three wishes.
Kiosco Mudéjar
Every Mexican city will have a zocalo and every zocalo will have a central gazebo called a kiosco. Chignahuapan’s colorful kiosco, called Kiosco Mudéjar, is one of the prettiest I’ve seen in Mexico.
I went on an Axolot-Bus tour and if I understood our tour guide correctly, Kiosco Mudéjar is one of the very few kioscos in Mexico that’s built on stilts. It’s difficult to see in this picture but underneath the kiosco is a fountain.
Palacio Municipal Mural
Be sure to take a quick peep in Chignahuapan’s City Hall to appreciate its colorful mural. Many palacios municipales in Mexico will have elaborate murals and Chignahuapan’s is no exception.
Estatua a Gaspar Henaine “Capulina”
On one side of the zocalo is this statue of Gaspar Henaine. Known by his pseudonym “Capulina”, Gaspar Henaine was a famous Mexican comedian, actor, and singer who was born in Chignahuapan.
2. Learn About Axolotl at MUMAX (Casa del Axolote)
I love amphibians and reptiles so MUMAX was the one attraction I was most excited to visit in Chignahuapan. Also known as Casa del Axolote, MUMAX stands for El Museo Mexicano del Axolote and houses around twenty aquariums featuring these emblematic amphibians.
Before my trip to Chignahuapan, I thought that wild axolotls lived only in Lake Xochimilco in Mexico City but I was wrong. They also lived naturally in two other bodies of water – Lake Patzcuaro in Michoacan and Laguna Chignahuapan.
Axolotls are endemic to Mexico so visiting MUMAX is a must. Entrance to the living museum is MXN 50 and you’ll be taken around by a personal tour guide.
Unfortunately, tours are conducted only in Spanish but it doesn’t really matter. Seeing so many of these strange and beautiful creatures is an experience you can’t have just anywhere.
3. Visit the Basilica of the Inmaculada Concepción
The Basilica of the Inmaculada Concepcion is the biggest church in Chignahuapan. It’s an impressive stone church that’s home to the largest statue of the Virgin Mary in Latin America.
This Virgin Mary statue stands at around 46 feet tall (14 meters). It’s an impressive sight but I’m pretty sure the Virgin Mary statue in Xicotepec de Juarez is bigger. This statue may have the distinction of being the largest indoor statue of the Virgin Mary.
When you visit the Basilica, be sure to walk around to the back of the building to see this large mosaic of the Virgin Mary statue.
4. Enjoy the View at Laguna Chignahuapan
About a 20-minute walk from the zocalo is Laguna Chignahuapan, a body of water that’s fed by nine springs. The water from this laguna in turn feeds nearby Cascadas Tuliman and Cascadas Salto de Quetzalapan.
There isn’t much to see and do at Laguna Chignahuapan on regular days but during the Festival de la Luz y la Vida, it turns into one of the brightest and most festive areas in Mexico. More on that later.
Just like every city and town in Mexico is home to a zocalo and kiosco, many have these large letters as well. These letters are usually at the zocalo but in Chignahuapan, they’re here at the laguna. You’ll also find many colorful murals and trout fisheries here.
If you’d rather not walk to Laguna Chignahuapan, then you can book a seat on the Axolot-Bus. It’s a double-decker tourist bus that makes a stop here.
5. Ride the Axolot-Bus
The Axolot-Bus is Chignahuapan’s double-decker bus that takes visitors on a guided tour to the town’s top tourist attractions. It costs just MXN 120 per person and takes you to Laguna Chignahuapan, a Christmas bauble factory, and a wine cellar. Check out my article on the Axolot-Bus for more information.
6. Spend the Day at Cascadas Tuliman and Cascadas Salto de Quetzalapan
Cascadas Tuliman and Cascadas Salto de Quetzalapan are two sets of waterfalls with two separate eco-adventure parks built around them. Home to zip lines, hanging bridges, and hiking trails, they’re located within minutes of each other halfway between Chignahuapan and Zacatlan.
If you love nature and hiking, then visiting these eco-adventure parks is a must. You can easily catch a combi from Chignahuapan and explore both parks on the same day. Check out my article on Cascadas Tuliman and Cascadas Salto de Quetzalapan for more information.
7. Soak in Hot Springs
I didn’t do this but I saw many combis taking people to Chignahuapan’s hot spring resorts. The region is known for its mineral-rich thermal pools located around 25-minutes east of the town center.
I don’t know if there are other options but the most popular hot spring resort seems to be Hotel Aguas Termales de Chignahuapan. You can check this article on Poblanerias for more information.
The combis bound for the thermal baths are located along Primera Calle de Hidaldo between Calle 2 Sur and Aldama. I assume they take you to Hotel Aguas de Termales but you may want to ask the driver to be sure.
8. Partake in the Festival de la Luz y la Vida
The Festival de la Luz y la Vida is the biggest and brightest festival in Chignahuapan. It’s an annual festival that’s held from the end of October till early November, in conjunction with El Dia de Los Muertos and the Feria Nacional del Árbol y la Esfera.
Every year, thousands of visitors flock to Laguna Chignahuapan to partake in a festive celebration of life and light. At the center of this tradition is the axolotl which is believed to be one of the earthly manifestations of the Aztec god Xolotl.
We’ll be celebrating the Day of the Dead in Oaxaca in 2022 but we’d love to experience the Festival de la Luz y la Vida in Chignahuapan as well. Maybe next year.
Check out the official Festival de la Luz y la Vida Facebook page to stay abreast of festival dates.
POBLANO FOOD GUIDE
The state of Puebla is home to some of the best regional food in Mexico, which is a big reason why we decided to stay here. Local dishes like mole poblano and chiles en nogada are emblematic not just of Puebla, but of Mexican cuisine as a whole. In fact, both are widely perceived to be the national dishes of Mexico.
If you have an interest in local cuisine, then be sure to check out our poblano food guide to learn which dishes to look for in Chignahuapan and Puebla.
WHERE TO EAT IN CHIGNAHUAPAN
1. La Magdalena
I arrived in Chignahuapan pretty early so I tucked into this restaurant to have breakfast. La Magdalena Restaurante is located just off the zocalo and serves typical Mexican breakfast dishes like chilaquiles, huevos al gusto, enchiladas, and enmoladas.
Pictured below is my plate of huevos campesinos with scrambled eggs, bacon, potatoes, and chili peppers. This was seriously delicious.
If you arrive before noon, be sure to get the paquete (package) which comes with coffee or tea, juice or a fruit plate, and a piece of bread. I paid just MXN 75 (before tip) for my entire breakfast.
Cafe de olla and a plate of pan dulce
La Magdalena Restaurante opens bright and early at 7AM. I was there around 8AM and it was already packed with locals.
2. Taqueria Doble O
You’ll find a few taquerias around the zocalo but I suggest going to this one. Taqueria Doble O is located about three blocks east of the zocalo (en route to Laguna Chignahuapan) and features some of the tastiest tacos and quesadillas I’ve had this side of Mexico City.
What you’re looking at below are two quesadillas and two heaping tacos. You can get their tacos with a variety of meats like roast beef, longaniza, cecina, and campechanos. I got the marinada (house specialty) and chorizo argentino. Both were outstanding.
My total bill for two tacos, two quesadillas, and a drink came out to MXN 124.
Taqueria Doble O is an easy 5-minute walk from the zocalo. They don’t open till 6:30PM but they’re definitely worth the wait.
Big menu that’s big on flavor. The people who work at Taqueria Doble O are super nice as well.
3. El Burrito Feliz
I made a beeline for this restaurant after spending the day hiking in Cascadas Tuliman and Cascadas Salto de Quetzalapan. El Burrito Feliz serves burritos and other American-friendly Mexican dishes like tacos, quesadillas, burgers, and nachos.
The burritos in Mexico are rarely as big as their northern counterparts but they’re just as delicious. If I remember correctly, I got the res asada or roast beef.
My roast beef burrito and a soda came out to just MXN 90.
There are no obvious signs outside but El Burrito Feliz is located on the corner of Morelos and Melchor Ocampo streets.
4. Tamal and Atole at the Zocalo
Before going hiking at Cascadas Tuliman and Cascadas Salto de Quetzalapan, I had an Oxxo breakfast of coffee and a croissant at the zocalo. While eating my breakfast, I saw many vendors selling atole and tamales. I thought to myself: “Why am I eating a croissant in Chignahuapan? I should be having atole and a tamal!”
So the next day, before taking a bus back to Puebla City, I made sure to enjoy a Mexican breakfast of tamal and atole at the zocalo. This pre-Hispanic breakfast came out to just MXN 22.
The lady vendor had several types of tamales. I went with the tamal filled with mole poblano. ¡Que rico!
POINTS OF INTEREST IN CHIGNAHUAPAN
To help you find these hotels, attractions, and restaurants in Chignahuapan, I’ve pinned them all on this map. Click on the link for a live version of the map.
CHIGNAHUAPAN ITINERARY
Assuming you’ll be arriving before noon by ATAH or Supra bus from Puebla City or Zacatlan, then one night should be enough time to see the top attractions in Chignahuapan. Here’s a sample 2D/1N Chignahuapan itinerary to help you plan your trip.
| DAY ONE • Cascadas Salto de Quetzalapan • Cascadas Tuliman • Aguas Termales |
| DAY TWO • Explore the zocalo • MUMAX • Basilica of the Inmaculada Concepcion • Axolot-Bus |
CHIGNAHUAPAN TRAVEL TIPS
1. Stay Connected with a Mexico Sim Card or eSIM
It’s essential to have a reliable internet connection in Mexico. In our experience, pocket wifi devices don’t work well so you’ll need a Mexico SIM card or eSIM during your trip. Telcel is generally regarded as the best network while airalo is a trusted provider of eSIMs.
You can purchase a Telcel SIM card in Mexico but I recommend getting one before your trip through Amazon (affiliate link). It’ll come loaded with 3GB of data so you’ll be connected and ready to go as soon as you land in Mexico.
If you’d prefer an eSIM, then you can purchase one in advance through airalo.
2. Bookmark the Puebla and Chignahuapan Tripadvisor Forums
Depending on where you go, safety can be a concern in Mexico so it’s important to always be informed. I find the best way to do that is to periodically check the forums on Tripadvisor.
These Tripadvisor forums are frequented by locals, expats, and regular visitors so if there are any recent incidents or events that you should know about, then chances are, you can read about them there first. People on these forums are usually helpful so you can post any questions there too.
Click on the links to access the Puebla and Chignahuapan forums on Tripadvisor. The Chignahuapan forum isn’t very active but it may be a good idea to post any questions there too.
3. Learn Basic Spanish
Many people in Mexico don’t speak English so it helps to know basic Spanish. Here are some of the most useful phrases in Spanish:
(Muchas) gracias: “Thank you (very much)”
Por favor: “Please”
Buenos dias: “Good morning”
Buenas tardes: “Good afternoon”
Buenas noches: “Good evening”
Con permiso: “Excuse me” (when passing someone on the street)
Perdon/Desculpe: “Sorry” or “Excuse me” (when you didn’t hear what someone said)
¿Cuanto cuesta?: “How much does it cost?”
La cuenta por favor: “The bill please”
4. Start at the Tourist Information Center
There isn’t as much information online about many of these pueblos magicos, so I found it useful visiting the local tourist information center at the start of my visit. They have lots of free pamphlets, maps, and information on attractions and guided tours that you can book to help you make the most of your stay.
Shortly after arriving in Chignahuapan, I suggest visiting the tourist information center which is located near the zocalo. If I remember correctly, it’s on Calle 3 Ote Antes Hidalgo.
5. Bring Cash
Some of these smaller pueblos magicos don’t have as many banks or ATM machines so it’s a good idea to bring enough cash with you.
6. Ride the Axolot-Bus
Riding the Axolot-Bus is one of the easiest ways to see Chignahuapan’s top tourist attractions, especially if you’re short on time. It saves you from walking and the cost includes several tastings at a winery. In my opinion, it’s worth every peso.
7. Wear Proper Hiking Boots
If you visit Cascadas Tuliman on foot, then I highly recommend wearing a good pair of hiking boots. You’ll be walking for at least 2.5 miles (4 km) on unpaved mountain road, often without cover, so hiking boots and bottled water are a good idea.
8. Don’t Drink Tap Water
Tap water isn’t safe to drink in Mexico so you should always buy bottled water or drink from a filtered water bottle. You don’t want to be stricken with Montezuma’s Revenge so check out my article on drinking water in Mexico for more information.
9. Leave a Tip
While there is a tipping culture in Mexico, I find that it applies more to larger cities that get a lot of foreign tourists. In some of these smaller pueblos magicos, tipping doesn’t seem to be as expected (ie no tip jars).
With that said, Chignahuapan is one of the more visited pueblos magicos in Puebla so a tip may be expected. Personally, I always left a tip of around 10% of the total bill. You can read my article on tipping in Mexico for more information.
10. Get Travel Insurance
Getting travel insurance is a must when traveling, especially in times of COVID. Frankly, you never know what might happen. For peace of mind, we always pick up a travel insurance policy from SafetyWing. Click on the link to learn more and get a free quotation.
11. Bring the Right Power Adapter
Mexico has Type A or Type B electrical outlets so be sure to bring the right power adapters for your devices. Electrical voltage is 127V and the standard frequency is 60Hz.
WHAT I LOVED ABOUT CHIGNAHUAPAN
In parting, I just wanted to share some of the things that I personally loved about Chignahuapan:
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OUR TRAVEL GEAR
Here’s some of the travel equipment and gear I brought with me to Chignhauapan and Mexico. (Amazon affiliate links)
Disclosure
Some of the links in this travel guide to Chignahuapan, Puebla are affiliate links, meaning we’ll make a small commission if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. As always, we only recommend products and services that we use ourselves. We really appreciate your support as it helps us keep this free Puebla travel website going. Thank you!