Huamantla

Huamantla is a designated Pueblo Magico offering a charming colonial downtown and one of Mexico's most unique festivals. The city draws adventurous travelers for the annual Huamantlada, a running-of-the-bulls tradition similar to Pamplona that takes place during August's 2-week Feria de Huamantla. It's a popular weekend destination for Mexico City residents seeking authentic Mexican culture without the tourist crowds of larger cities.

This region of Tlaxcala was the domain of the Otomi people before Spanish conquistadors arrived. Huamantla was founded in 1534 and was the site of a battle in 1847 between Santa Anna's army and U.S. forces under Gen. Joseph Lane. During the Reform era from 1858 to 1863, Huamantla served as the state capital of Tlaxcala. The city has deep bullfighting traditions and is renowned for its puppet-making craft, particularly the Rosete Aranda traveling puppet show that performed throughout Mexico for over a century.

Huamantla is located about 160 km (100 miles) east of Mexico City on highway MEX 136. The easiest approach is flying to Mexico City and taking a bus. Suprabus operates direct first-class buses from TAPO (Terminal Autobuses Poniente) in Mexico City every hour, costing M$158 with a 2 hour 15 minute journey time. From Puebla, Suprabus or ADO provides service with the trip taking nearly 4 hours and requiring a bus change in Apizaco.

Huamantla is a small city where walking is the best way to explore the Centro neighborhood. For reaching attractions beyond the central area, taxis are readily available and affordable.

The prime time to visit is August during the annual Feria de Huamantla, a 2-week celebration honoring Our Lady of Charity that has occurred annually since 1870. The festival features the famous Night Nobody Sleeps when locals create elaborate tapete carpets throughout the streets, and the adrenaline-filled Huamantlada bull run. August visits offer the most immersive cultural experience but also draw larger crowds.

Accommodation options in Huamantla range from budget motels to boutique hotels and a romantic hacienda. The Hostal de Dulce Nombre in Centro offers dormitory-style rooms from M$1000 with spacious accommodations. Hotel Azucena provides clean comfort from M$540 with off-street parking and steam baths. For luxury, Hacienda Soltepec near the Puebla highway is a former hacienda resembling a castle with manicured gardens, a courtyard restaurant, and golf course from M$2100.

Traditional Mexican cuisine is well-represented in Huamantla's Centro restaurants. La Plazuela on Hidalgo Pte 404 serves traditional patio dining with good food and low prices from 09:00-19:00. Tortas Gaby offers huge freshly made sandwiches with milanesa as the house specialty at Abasolo Ote 201 from 09:00-21:00. Xnipac at Reforma Nte 302 is known for cochinita pibil and guisadas. For evening entertainment, La Pasadita at Negrete Ote 116 operates 16:00-05:00 as a cantina with DJ.

Parroquia de San Luis Obispo, built between 1567 and 1585, features churrigueresque altars of gold and colonial-era paintings. The Museo Nacional de Titeres (National Puppet Museum) showcases puppets from Mexico, Europe, and Asia in eight exhibit halls within a mansion facing Parque Juarez. The Museo Taurino Huamantla displays bullfighting swords, capes, matador outfits, and model bullrings from across Mexico. Adventure seekers can climb La Malinche volcano at 4,462m elevation near the Puebla border, popular with beginner mountaineers.

Huamantla is generally safe for tourists in the Centro area. During the Huamantlada bull run, dozens are injured annually and deaths from goring or trampling occur despite the city limiting bull numbers and size. Visitors should observe from rooftops or bleachers rather than running with the bulls unless experienced in such events.

Bull ranch tours are available from Huamantla operators, visiting paddocks and fields where fighting bulls are raised, including Rancho Seco, Ganaderia el Grullo, and Hacienda la Laguna. La Malinche National Park offers day hiking on the volcano's slopes. Nearby cities worth visiting include Tlaxcala (state capital), Puebla (colonial UNESCO site), and Xalapa (coffee country and university city).

From Huamantla, travelers can continue to nearby destinations. Tlaxcala city offers additional colonial architecture and the state's archaeological sites. Puebla is one of Mexico's most impressive colonial cities with UNESCO-recognized historic center. Xalapa provides a different cultural experience with its university atmosphere and proximity to coffee plantations. ADO buses operate from the terminal on Zaragoza Ote. 202 in Centro.