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We all know Cancun and its resorts straddling a turquoise waterfront, Mexico City for its stately architecture, and Los Cabos for the laid-back atmosphere, but there’s still a lot about Mexico that remains a total mystery to the average tourist.
This is one of the largest countries in North America, with a cultural diversity like no other, and you’d be a fool to think you’ve done it justice by lounging by a poolside all week.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that, either, but if an all-inclusive getaway to the gringo-dominated Mexican Coast doesn’t sound all that thrilling-a-thought anymore after so many trips south of the border, perhaps it’s time you give Tlaxcala a chance:
Small State, Big Fun
The smallest state of Mexico, with an area of about 1,545 square miles, Tlaxcala is roughly the size of Rhode Island.
Despite being teeny-tiny, it has no shortage of manmade and natural wonders.
It is best known for its eponymous capital, Tlaxcala City, one of the forgotten gems of Mexico that rarely ever gets the same level of praise as the likes of Merida, the colonial centerpiece of the Yucatan Peninsula, or the quaint, postcard-ready San Miguel de Allende do.
Despite its anonymity, it is one of Mexico’s most historically-relevant cities and arguably one of its prettiest:
It is centered around a tree-bounded Constitution Square, flanked by a monumental Government Palace, built in the 1500s and richly decorated with colorful murals that chronicle the settlement’s history, and a twin-towered basilica featuring an ornate Baroque portal and opulent interiors.
The nearby Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption is among the oldest in Mexico, raised by Spaniards back in the 16th century, and if you love art, you can’t miss the local Museo de Arte and its ample collection of both colonial-era and contemporary art.
They even have seven of Frida Kahlo’s lesser-known works!
Tlaxcala Has Some Great Food
If you’re looking for those delicious $1 street tacos and generously-filled tortas, the open-air Tianguis Sabatino market is held every Saturday, and for a memorable dinner, Molino de los Reyes is a traditional restaurant housed in an 18th-century mill:
You can’t go wrong with their crepas de chicharrón and signature sopa blanco y negro, and the best part is, though this is definitely on the pricier end, it’s still hugely affordable to tourists: we’re talking roughly $30 for a three-course menu.
Despite being a state capital, it feels very much like a small town:
It’s barely cracked the 100,000-resident mark, and it doesn’t suffer from the same high criminality as other urban centers in Mexico.
It’s no wonder the U.S. State Department itself considers Tlaxcala a low-risk destination by Mexico standards, having included it at their Level 2 list.
In non-technical terms, Americans are not discouraged from visiting and must simply exercise greater caution due to pickpocketing and non-violent crimes.
Pre-Columbian Ruins, Charming Small Towns & Verdant Nature
Just southwest of the capital, Cacaxtla is a popular day trip for visitors, being a well-preserved pre-Columbian archeological zone attributed to the Olmec-Xicalanca culture––and just in case you’ve been wondering, yes, they do have a pyramid.
A short one-hour drive east, Huamantla is a ‘Magical Town’ distinguished for its unusual traditions: once a year, it hosts the ‘Noche que Nadie Duerme‘, a night-long theme festival where (quite literally) nobody sleeps.
Chiautempan is yet another charming small settlement, dominated by a 16th century church, and boasting a timeless historic center that’s barely changed with the passing of the centuries (and the best part is, there are very few tourists around!)
Tlaxcala is landlocked, so you won’t find any beaches around here, but there is a verdant La Malinche National Park crisscrossed with hiking trails and backed by a mighty volcano that happens to be Mexico’s sixth-highest peak to explore.
If you’re a water baby, and you feel no trip to Mexico is complete without plunging into a crystalline body of water nestled deep in the jungle, La Cueva is a protected preserve dotted with natural springs, an incredibly-accessible 22-minute drive from downtown Tlaxcala.
As we said before, small state, big fun:
It’s hardly a surprise that, since 2019, the number of foreign tourists vacationing here has increased by over 166%.
Oh, and if you plan on staying for the week, the 4-star Hotel Senorial Tlaxcala in the heart of town, within walking distance of many of the landmarks and with a beautiful indoor pool has rooms starting from only $67.
Just saying.
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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