Religious history, festive traditions, and a landscape between deep canyons define Huautla.

Church and Festive Culture

The Parroquia de San Juan Bautista is located in Huautla’s main square and was built in the 16th century. Huautla also celebrates its patron saint, San Juan Bautista. Monuments to Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla also stand in central locations throughout the municipality.

The most important traditional festival takes place on December 12 in honor of the Virgen Morena de Guadalupe. It features dances and amusement rides; regional handicrafts are also sold, and a variety of food is offered. Religious devotion, entertainment, handicrafts, and food all come together at this festival. Music in various forms plays an integral role in the municipality’s traditional festivals.

Xantolo and Other Traditions

Xantolo is deeply rooted in Huautla. During the festival, residents traditionally grind cacao to make chocolate. Pan de muerto, also called Pan muñeco, is prepared and offered for Xantolo as well. These customs connect the festive tradition with the preparation of cacao and bread.

All Saints’ Day is observed on November 1 and 2 with colorful altars adorned with food and multicolored flowers. Huautla also celebrates its patron saint, San Juan Bautista. These two festive traditions offer different insights into the town’s religious life.

Clothing is another cultural detail of the region: in some of Huautla’s communities, traditional men’s attire includes manta trousers, an embroidered shirt, huaraches, and a palm hat. This description refers to some communities, not to the town as a whole.

Landscape and Natural Attractions in Huautla

Huautla is located in the geographic region of Huasteca hidalguense. Its terrain is gently rolling, lies between two deep canyons, and includes foothills of the Sierra Oriental. Alongside its festivals, the landscape and natural attractions are also a focus.

The Reserva de la Cascada de Cuatenahuatl is a nature reserve with a waterfall. There is also a zip line in the reserve. El Mirador is another nature reserve in Huautla. Cerro de El Cojolite offers panoramic views over large parts of the municipality, and the Río Cuatzonco is one of its natural attractions.

Rivers also shape the landscape: the Río Beltrán is one of the municipality’s rivers, whose courses and drops form waterfalls. Cascada de Matenco is another waterfall, located about 3 km from Huautla’s administrative center. The natural attractions thus include protected areas, far-reaching views, rivers, and waterfalls.

If you plan to visit the zip line or one of the waterfalls, check in advance whether it is currently open to visitors.

Discover more destinations: Chicontepec De Tejeda, Acaxochitlán, Ixmiquilpan, Tantoyuca.

Back to the main travel overview: Hidalgo.