Estado de Mexico
Exceptionally rich in cultural assets, Estado de Mexico is the kind of place where you can visit volcanoes, learn about indigenous traditions, find handcrafted wares, and savour unique dishes. It’s the most populous state in the country with 16 million residents. It has mild weather, with an average temperature of 15°C.
The state, boasts an average elevation exceeding 3,000 metres above sea level, has nine Pueblos Mágicos (cities that exude charm and uniqueness): Valle de Bravo, Aculco, El Oro, Villa del Carbón, Tepotzotlán, Ixtapan de la Sal, Metepec y Malinalco, and Teotihuacan. This last city whose name means “Place of the Gods” is an incredible UNESCO World Heritage site.
Toluca de Lerdo is the state capital. In walking its streets, you will bear witness to architectural styles that blossomed in the pre-Columbian period including the social and commercial life of the city, Los Portales. The 120 arches (or “portals”) leads you into a space where you’ll find shops serving traditional cuisine like pambazos (sandwiches filled with potatoes and chorizo), carnitas (local meats) and nopalitos (cactus in chipotle). Just thinking about this makes my mouth water!
Another Toluca must-see is the Cosmovitral. This botanical garden is renowned for its collection of more than 500 plants and flowers that are indigenous to central Mexico, South America, Africa and Asia. Equally as impressive is the 3,000 square metres of oversized stained glass panes, created by the famed Mexican artist, Leopoldo Flores.
THREE SPECIAL SPOTS TO DISCOVER
It would be impossible for me to list all the worthy places to visit in Estado de Mexico but I’ll whet your appetite for a visit by presenting my top three recommendations.
Sprawling across both ancient towns of San Juan Teotihuacan and San Martin de las Pirámides, Teotihuacan is one of the most important places in Mexico. Though it has thousands of residential compounds and many pyramid-temples, an area of 264 acres is open to the public. Visitors can explore and see impressive feats of architecture and design including the Ciudadela (a 17-acre sunken square at the center of the complex), the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Moon, and the Temple of the Feathered Serpent.
Xinantécat, meaning “naked man”, and better known as Nevado de Toluca, is a dormant volcano located in the capital city. Underwater archeologists have discovered 52 pre-Hispanic ritual objects in one of the two lagoons found in its crater. The Nevado is the fourth-highest formation in Mexico and if you were to climb to the top, you would reach an altitude of 4,645 meters above sea level. The volcano is open to the public for exploration year round though you should be aware that it is often snow-capped during the winter months.
Valle de Bravo is an adventurer's dream. It’s a lakeside community two hours from Mexico city, perched on pine-covered hills. Many visitors enjoy water skiing, motocross, and paragliding and then retreat to rest in charming cabins. On their down days, they might explore this mid-size city (population: ~60,000) and find handicrafts including textiles, forged ironworks, fine jewelry, and coffee clay pottery that is very characteristic of this region.
CUISINE
Estado de Mexico makes a very distinct culinary impression. Have you ever heard of green chorizo or tlacoyos? Well, if you visit the Estado de Mexico you will for sure because these are the state’s two signature dishes.
Green chorizo, characteristic of Toluca, is a sausage made with pork, beef, chicken or turkey. It gains its green hue from the addition of local plants, and other green ingredients like serrano peppers, pumpkin seeds, bay leaves, celery, oregano, tomatillo and spinach. It is usually sold raw. Once cooked by pan frying or grilling, it can be enjoyed in a taco topped with cilantro, onion, a squeeze of lime and salsa, or as an ingredient in a more elaborated dish. Yum, right?
Tlacoyos are classically made with blue corn masa, stuffed with refried beans, or pork rinds in a sauce, and topped with cactus, fresh cheese and salsa. This is a delight that you can’t miss.
FESTIVITIES
Though celebrations take place in all parts of Mexico, others are exclusive to municipalities, cities or states. Here are some of the ones that are unique to Estado de Mexico.
The legend says that Acolman is the place where posadas began. A posada, in the Catholic religion in Mexico, is a representation of Mary and Joseph’s pilgrimage to Bethlehem as they searched for a room. During fairtime, people gather in their homes to reenact this, share a meal, and at the end, break a seven pointed star piñata. At the fair, they take in dance shows, horse racing, and a contest that rewards the largest and most original piñata. Everyone in the community can participate.
This fair—held since 1943—takes place between March and April, depending on when Holy Week is observed. Though it had its origins as a celebration of horses, it now encompasses not only livestock exhibitions but also big-name acts, bullfighting, traditional foods and beer.
This one takes place on November 2nd of every year. It's a celebration of the Day of the Dead. For many Mexicans, death is celebrated and it is customary to receive it with great joy and colour on this date. The festival organizers plan activities for the whole family to enjoy including musical performances, a supersized Day of The Dead altar, and workshops like piñata making, Day of the Dead bread making, legend telling. One of the big draws is the hot air balloon rides. Can you imagine the sight of the pyramids from high above?