Hidalgo

About Hidalgo

Hidalgo sits in central Mexico just north of Mexico City and Mexico State, a landlocked state without coastline that rises from the semi-arid Valle del Mezquital in the west to pine-forested mountains in the east and drops into the tropical Huasteca hidalguense in the north. Pachuca de Soto, the state capital, carries a mining-town identity and a reputation as Mexico's 'Windy City,' centered on the Reloj Monumental clock tower, the mural-covered Barrio del Arte 'Las Palomas,' and pasty-style paste pastries left by 19th-century Cornish miners. Those same Cornish miners shaped nearby Real del Monte (Mineral del Monte), a Pueblo Mágico of steep cobblestone streets, red-roofed houses, the Panteón Inglés English cemetery, and pasty shops that still serve the local take on the Cornish pasty. East of Pachuca, Huasca de Ocampo is another Pueblo Mágico, known for the hexagonal basalt columns of the Prismas Basálticos de Santa María Regla and the historic ex-Hacienda de San Miguel Regla. Pre-Hispanic history centers on Tula de Allende, where the Atlantes de Tula, towering stone warrior columns, mark the former Toltec capital, while the Valle del Mezquital around Ixmiquilpan and the Barranca de Metztitlán Biosphere Reserve showcase the state's Otomi cultural heartland and semi-desert landscapes. Outdoor destinations include the hot-spring pools and river-carved grottoes of Grutas de Tolantongo near Cardonal, and Parque Nacional El Chico near Mineral del Chico, one of Mexico's oldest national parks and a hub for rock climbing and pine-forest hiking. In the north, Huejutla de Reyes anchors the Huasteca hidalguense, home to indigenous Nahua communities and the Xantolo Day of the Dead festival.

Capital

Pachuca de Soto

Largest city

Pachuca de Soto

Population

~3,082,841 (2020 census)

Languages

Spanish, Hñähñu/Otomi, Nahuatl, Tepehua

Currency

Mexican Peso

Time zone

CST/CDT (UTC-6/-5)

Explore Hidalgo by topic

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Best places to visit in Hidalgo

The 23 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.

Reloj Monumental de Pachuca

Barrio del Arte "Las Palomas"

Museo del Ferrocarril Mexicano (Centro Cultural del Ferrocarril)

Museo Nacional de la Fotografía

Museo del Cardenal

Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo (Ciudad del Conocimiento)

Recommended itineraries

Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.

Where to stay in Hidalgo

Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.

Where to eat in Hidalgo

Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.

Getting around Hidalgo

Hidalgo is a landlocked central Mexican state bordering the State of Mexico, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Veracruz, Puebla, and Tlaxcala, and it has no commercial airport of its own. Almost every visitor arrives via Mexico City, either flying into Mexico City International Airport (MEX) and driving roughly 1.5-2 hours north to Pachuca de Soto, the state capital, or flying into the newer Felipe Angeles International Airport (AIFA) in Zumpango, State of Mexico, which sits noticeably closer to southern Hidalgo. From Pachuca, first-class and second-class bus lines and a well-developed highway network reach the state's Pueblos Magicos - Huasca de Ocampo, Real del Monte, Tula de Allende, and Molango - along with the Grutas de Tolantongo hot springs and the Valle del Mezquital towns around Ixmiquilpan. Because Hidalgo's attractions fan out from Pachuca in several directions rather than along a single corridor, a rental car offers the most efficient way to see more than one or two destinations on a single trip; bus and combi service exists between every major town but adds substantial time, especially to Tolantongo and Huejutla.

Budget breakdown

Daily spend by tier in MXN, broken out by category.

Best time to visit Hidalgo

Hidalgo has a varied highland climate: Pachuca and the mining towns sit above 2,400 meters and stay cool year-round, with chilly mornings especially from November to February and near-constant wind that gives Pachuca its 'Windy City' nickname. The Valle del Mezquital and the Huasteca hidalguense in the north are lower and warmer. The dry season from October through April brings clearer skies for visiting the Atlantes de Tula and Prismas Basalticos, while the hot springs at Grutas de Tolantongo are pleasant year-round regardless of season.

Essential travel tips

• Base in Pachuca de Soto for easy day trips to Real del Monte, Huasca de Ocampo, and El Chico National Park
• Rent a car or arrange a private driver to reach Grutas de Tolantongo, since public transport there is limited and the drive takes roughly 3 hours from Pachuca
• Pack layers even in the dry season, since Pachuca and the surrounding mining towns sit above 2,400 meters and can be windy and cool, especially at night
• Try Hidalgo-style paste (a regional take on the Cornish pasty) in Real del Monte, along with barbacoa and pulque, a traditional fermented agave drink common across the state
• Book accommodation in Huasca de Ocampo or Real del Monte in advance for weekends and Mexican holidays, when the Pueblos Magicos draw heavy domestic tourism
• Combine a visit to Tula de Allende with a stop in the Valle del Mezquital or Ixmiquilpan to see Otomi culture and the Barranca de Metztitlan Biosphere Reserve

Hidden gems

Off-the-beaten-path corners most travellers miss.

Safety information

Frequently asked questions

Explore Hidalgo by city

The cities below have their own guides — hotels, attractions and where to eat, in depth.