My girlfriend and I decided we needed to get out of the city for a weekend recently, and our choice landed on Tepoztlan, a small mountain town about an hour and a half north of CDMX.

The Place

After the quick bus ride and a short taxi ride, we arrived at our hotel, the Hotel Las Puertas de Tepoztlan. Our room was very large and spacious, and we had our own balcony. The hotel also has a pool which we took advantage of, taking a quick plunge and enjoying reading by the pool, all while being immersed in Tepoztlan’s beauty.

The town is surrounded by mountains topped with greenery and adorned with steep cliffs. There is even a historical site on top of the most prominent peak, the Tepozteco. Since we were there during rainy season, the path to the top was closed, but we were still able to see the pyramid from afar.

The town itself is small and charming. Walls are covered in colorful artworks. Walking around on the cobblestone streets, you’ll see tons of artisanry, and many places offering massages (relaxation is a Tepoztlan specialty), with the various spas offering all sorts of relaxation treatments. We enjoyed a relaxing couple’s massage at a spa right next to our hotel.

One of the highlights is the zocalo (or town square), where you’ll be able to find just about any Mexican snack you fancy, from elote to nieves (ice cream).

The Food

Speaking of ice cream, Tepoztlan is well known for them, being the birthplace of Tepoznieves. The chain has several locations in Tepoztlan (and across the rest of Mexico). There, you’ll be able to choose between literally hundreds of flavors, the variety is truly astonishing.

Besides ice cream and street food, Tepoztlan also has a small but impressive culinary scene. Our favorite of the trip was our stop at Margarita Concept Garden. Essentially a speakeasy restaurant (it is located on a side street and there are no visible signs outside, you really have to know it’s there), the setting, once you climb up the mysterious entrance, is a beautiful garden full of vegetation, giving you lots of privacy. The food, an interesting menu of Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, and creative cocktails were delicious. full review here

The second foodie stop on our list was La Veladora, a chic, charming restaurant located inside the Casa Fernanda Hotel (a short walk away from the main area). Here, we enjoyed elevated modern mexican cuisine in a relaxing ambiance. full review here

Our third and final foodie stop of the weekend was Mesa de Origen, which is located fairly far out of the way, inside the luxurious Amomoxtli hotel. Both the decor and the food looked quite impressive, but the taste did not end up living up to expectations, especially given the price. full review here

Finally, Tepoztlan also has a farm-to-table restaurant, Parcela. Unfortunately, we tried going on a Monday where they closed earlier, so we were not able to sample the food. But the ambiance felt authentic and we will definitely be trying out this place on our next visit.

Overall, I highly recommend Tepoztlan if you’re looking for a relaxing weekend getaway from Mexico City. You can hike up the Tepozteco (when the weather allows for it), explore the ruins, enjoy a relaxing massage, lounge by the pool at your hotel and enjoy some delicious food from Tepoztlan’s hidden gems.