Mexico City to Metepec and Ixtapan de la Sal: Day trip

Explore one of central Mexico's most colorful and creative Pueblo Mágico towns, where centuries of master pottery-making have produced an art form recognized around the world — and where cobblestone streets, colonial churches, and a lively artisan market make for an endlessly photogenic visit.

What to see

• The Árbol de la Vida — the iconic Tree of Life — Metepec's most celebrated creation, an intricate hand-crafted clay sculpture bursting with figures, animals, and color, which you'll find everywhere from market stalls to dedicated galleries and workshops
• The 16th-century Franciscan convent and Church of San Juan Bautista, a striking colonial complex at the foot of the Cerro de los Magueyes, and the hilltop Iglesia del Calvario above it, where a sweeping panoramic view of the town rewards the climb

What to do

• Visit a working artisan workshop to see the Trees of Life being made by hand from raw clay — many ateliers welcome visitors and offer the chance to try the craft themselves
• Stroll the Plaza Cívica at dusk to see the illuminated Fuente de la Tlanchana, a vivid sculpture of the legendary half-woman, half-serpent figure from local Mazahua mythology

What to try

• Chorizo verde — Metepec's famous green chorizo, unique to the region and utterly unlike any other version in Mexico, best enjoyed in a quesadilla or taco from a market stall

Take note

• Metepec is just 15 minutes from Toluca and around 90 minutes from Mexico City, making it an effortless half-day addition to any itinerary in the State of Mexico

Unwind in central Mexico's celebrated thermal capital, a Pueblo Mágico where natural hot springs, dramatic underground caves, and a charming colonial town center have made it one of the most popular wellness escapes in the entire region.

What to see

• The Grutas de la Estrella, a spectacular system of underground caves near the town where an underground river flows through vast caverns adorned with ancient stalactites and stalagmites — one of the most dramatic natural wonders in the State of Mexico
• The pretty colonial town center, with its flower-filled Jardín de los Mártires, the 17th-century parish church, and the relaxed, unhurried pace of a town that has perfected the art of doing very little very well

What to do

• Soak in the thermal waters at the Parque Acuático Ixtapan, the town's iconic spa complex, combining traditional healing pools of varying temperatures with water slides and a slow-moving lazy river
• For a more private experience, opt for a Roman bath session — a secluded thermal soaking pool available to hire by the hour at the water park

What to try

• Local sweets and candies from the market stalls along the main boulevard — Ixtapan de la Sal is known for its traditional Mexican confections, perfect for taking home as edible souvenirs

Take note

• Ixtapan de la Sal sits around two hours from Mexico City by road and pairs naturally with a visit to nearby Malinalco or Taxco, making it an ideal anchor for a broader weekend escape into the southern State of Mexico