Zacatlán and Chignahuapan Day Tour

(Last Updated On: March 13, 2023)

Last November hubby and I booked a last-minute getaway to Puebla. We had such a wonderful time. I highly recommend visiting this popular destination if you ever get the chance. Check out 15 Wonderful Things To Do In Puebla (Mexico) so you can start planning your next adventure in Mexico. I don’t know about you but whenever I find myself staying in any city for more than a few days I always plan a day trip that allows me to explore even more of the surrounding area. This time we booked a day tour to Zacatlán and Chignahuapan.

Zacatlán

Considered a Pueblo Mágico since 2011, Zacatlán de las Manzanas is famous for two things. Firstly, they produce lots of apples and other fruit, as well as making fruit wines and cider which is promoted annually at the Apple Fair and Cider Festival. Secondly, Zacatlán is home to the Relojes Centenario company which is Latin America’s first big clock factory. But there are many other reasons to visit this picturesque pueblito as well. Below are just a few of the sights that were included in our day tour.

The Flower Clock

Built in 1986 and donated by Relojes Centenario, this double-sided clock is adorned by natural flowers that change according to the seasons. For example, during Christmas you will find lots of poinsettias and when we were there just after the Day of the Dead celebrations the clock was full of orange marigolds. This iconic clock also plays a different song every hour and each song hold a special meaning,

Legendary Relojes Centenarios Company

In 1919 Alberto Olvera Hernández founded Relojes Centenarios which today is run by his grandchildren. By 2012 they had already built over two thousand monumental clocks found all over Mexico and in other countries. Today, you can visit the factory and museum to learn more about this hugely impressive family-run business.

Wine and Cider Tasting

Part of our private tour included a brief stop at a store where we sampled all kinds of different wines and ciders that had been produced locally. Although several of them were quite flavourful we just bought a couple jars of spicy salsas to take home with us.

The Murals of Zacatlán

This part of our tour was artistically breathtaking! Thousands of pieces of mosaic, glass and Talavera cover an area of over two thousand square meters. Here, you will find murals that represent the creation of the universe, such as the Big Bang, the emergence of Adam and Eve, the birth of Jesus, representative places of Zacatlán, as well as pre-Hispanic and indigenous engravings.

Lookout Canyon

Across the street from the incredible man-made murals, you will find “Lookout Canyon.” I was blown away by the staggering natural beauty of the Barranca de los Jilgueros. Here you can walk along the small glass platform to better experience the imposing view of the canyon. It made me realize how much this Vancouverite living in Cancun misses such varied landscapes.

Next Stop Chignahuapan

Chignahuapan was designated a Pueblo Mágico in 2012. It is famous for its Festival de la Luz y de la Vida (Light and Life Festival) during the Day of The Dead celebrations. It is also known for fabricating approximately seventy million Christmas spheres a year. There are lots of things to see and do if you are staying in Chignahuapan for a few days but unfortunately, we only had a few hours here.

Quetzalapan Waterfall

I have always been an adrenaline junkie and over the years hubby has also slowly begun to enjoy that intoxicating rush that you feel when doing intense activities. When we arrived at Quetzalapan I was once again struck by the spectacular view that surrounded us. The lush greenery and the sound of the thundering waterfall cascading down to thermal pools over one hundred meters below was simply breathtaking!

High Octane Fun

For our first activity we decided to do the short zip-line over the waterfall. Although exciting it didn’t compare with what came next. After attaching our harnesses to a suspension bridge that spanned the waterfall, we slowly made our way across the bridge as it swayed beneath us. This was no ordinary bridge as we were told to keep our feet on the thin metal bar in the middle so that we didn’t lose our footing and fall between the various metal cords. When I finally made it half-way, I forced myself to look down and enjoy the view for a few minutes before taking a deep breath and pressing forward until I made it to the other side. It usually takes quite a lot to freak me out but this experience for some reason shook me to my very core and I have jumped out of planes on several occasions! I loved it!

There is Even More to Quezalapan

If high octane fun isn’t your thing that’s okay since this beautiful spot also offers stunning views, picnic areas and the opportunity to walk down 365 steps to admire the waterfall from below. Overall, we just loved it here, especially since we were the only people there on a Monday after a typically crowded weekend.

Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

From the outside this basilica doesn’t look like much. However, once inside one cannot help but be impressed by the monumental sculpture of the Virgin Mary. It stands more than twelve meters high and is carved in Cedar wood by Puebla sculptor José Luis Silvia. Considered the largest indoor carving in all Latin America it is quite a remarkable sight.

El Castillo de la Esfera

Our last stop of the day took us to one of the biggest Christmas sphere factories in Puebla. Chignahuapan is home to over three hundred factories that operate 365 days a year to produce over seventy million dazzling hand-made, glass-blown ornaments that are distributed throughout Mexico, USA, Europe, and the Vatican City. At El Castillo de la Esfera we saw first-hand how talented artisans make each sphere. At the end of the tour, we walked around a huge warehouse and bought some souvenirs to take home with us. I couldn’t resist buying a large Grinch head for my tree.

In a Nutshell

There are lots of day tours that you can choose from when staying in Puebla. If we had had more time, I would have loved to have done more of them. But since we could only pick one tour, I was incredibly pleased by our choice. It was the perfect blend of adventure, natural beauty, and local history. If your budget permits, I highly recommend picking a private tour versus a group tour. Oscar, our guide/driver enabled us to experience something far more personal than what you receive when you are traveling with a large group of people.

PRO TIP:

Book your day tour during the week. Weekdays are far less crowded. And, if possible, book a private tour.

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