ancient ruins
Great Pyramid of Cholula
The largest pyramid by volume in the world, topped by a Spanish colonial church, with tunnels revealing layers of ancient construction.
19 km · about 20 min drive
North AmericaMexicoTlaxcala
Zacatelco
Tlaxcala, Mexico · North America
About Zacatelco
Zacatelco works well as a base: 46km from Popocatépetl.
Zacatelco is in Tlaxcala, Mexico, with about 42,000 people. You drive on the right here.
Zacatelco (Spanish pronunciation: [sakaˈtelko] ) is a city and municipal seat of the Zacatelco municipality located in the south of the Mexican state of Tlaxcala. According to a 2010 population census conducted by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography, the city has a population of 38,466 people; it is theRead more
sixth most populous city in the state and is part of the Metropolitan area of Puebla. The city is also head of the third electoral district of Tlaxcala.
The city was founded on December 1, 1529 by Agustín de Castañeda. The Zacateco Republic was founded in 1723; this was achieved by joining the towns of San Juan, San Lorenzo, Santo Toribio, Santa Catarina, San Marcos and San Antonio, which was depended on Tepeyanco.
The most important historical figures of the city were the Arenas brothers, which were prominent revolutionaries. Domingo Arenas took the first land committee of Mexico in 1915 and was one reason for coining the phrase: "Zacatelco; the heart of the south."
Zacatelco is located in the southern part of the valley of Tlaxcala, on the border with the state of Puebla. The city is at an altitude of 2,210 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest cities in Mexico. It is located 11.9 km from the state capital, 27.1 km from the city of Puebla, and 121.8 km from Mexico City.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Zacatelco?
Within an hour or so of Zacatelco: Great Pyramid of Cholula (19 km), Puebla (20 km), Puebla Cathedral (20 km), Museo Amparo (20 km).
Are there any good drives near Zacatelco?
The nearest famous roads are Paso de Cortés.
Where is Zacatelco?
Zacatelco is in Tlaxcala, Mexico.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 42,150
- Continent
- North America
- Country
- Mexico
- Region
- Tlaxcala
- Timezone
- America/Mexico_City
- Coordinates
- 19.2158, -98.2397
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Mexico
Green Angels (free tourist roadside assistance on federal highways): 078.
Full driving guide for MexicoTags
Worth the detour from Zacatelco
7 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
Puebla
A UNESCO-listed colonial city famous for its Talavera tiles, baroque churches, mole poblano cuisine, and views of snow-capped volcanoes.
20 km · about 25 min drive
cathedral
Puebla Cathedral
A Renaissance cathedral on Puebla's Zócalo with Mexico's tallest bell towers, in a UNESCO-listed historic centre off Highway 150D.
20 km · about 25 min drive
museum
Museo Amparo
Two 16th–18th-century buildings in central Puebla housing one of Mexico's finest pre-Hispanic collections alongside colonial art, with a modern rooftop terrace looking straight across at the cathedral towers and Popocatépetl.
20 km · about 25 min drive
racetrack
Autódromo Miguel E. Abed
A Mexican circuit at Amozoc de Mota near Puebla with both a road course and an oval, home to NASCAR Mexico and set against the volcanic backdrop of the central highlands.
34 km · about 40 min drive
mountain pass
Paso de Cortés
The 3,600-m saddle between the volcanoes Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl, reached by a paved mountain road from Amecameca: the route Cortés marched into the Valley of Mexico in 1519.
45 km · about 50 min drive
natural wonder
Popocatépetl
An active 5,426 m stratovolcano southeast of Mexico City, visible from the Puebla highway; the Paso de Cortés road runs on its saddle.
46 km · about 55 min drive
Driving roads near Zacatelco
- 45 kmPaso de CortésThe 3,600-m saddle between the volcanoes Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl, reached by a paved mountain road from Amecameca: the route Cortés marched into the Valley of Mexico in 1519.
When to drive here
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
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