El Oro de Hidalgo
El Oro de Hidalgo is a small colonial era town in northwestern Mexico State that was once a hub of mining activity (particularly gold). Many visitors come for its colorful history and charming old-world atmosphere, but it also offers opportunities for outdoor recreation, particularly on Presa Brockman, a man-made lake, and the pine forests of nearby Rayon National Park. El Oro de Hidalgo is one of Mexico's designated Pueblos Mágicos.
Understand
[edit]History
[edit]The area in and around El Oro de Hidalgo was settled around 500 AD by the Mazahua indigenous people with members of other cultures occasionally migrating to the area in subsequent centuries. The Aztec came to the area in 1474 and the local population paid tribute toe the Triple Alliance until the arrival of Spanish conquistadors who established the town of El Oro de Hidalgo sometime after gold was discovered in nearby Tlalpujahua.
Get in
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By bus
[edit]Caminante operates frequent direct buses that leave the west side of Mexico City from the Observatorio (Poniente) bus terminal. The buses depart every hour on the hour and cost M$225 (Nov 2024) per person, one way. This is generally the fastest and most comfortable way to travel. Caminante buses also leave from Toluca.
- 1 Terminal Autobuses El Oro (Bus station), Blvd. Jacinto Salinas Manzana 008, Centro, ☏ +52 712 122 6018. Small bus station with a comfortable, clean waiting area.
By car
[edit]It is a 190-km trip from the north side of Mexico City to El Oro de Hidalgo via modern toll highways. The drive will take about 3 hours. From Mexico City, drive north on federal toll highway MEX-57D to the state toll highway 400 heading west.
Get around
[edit]See
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- 1 Jardin de Madero (Zocalo), Av. Independencia. The town's main plaza is an attractive park with manicured gardens and shrubbery with mature shade trees, paved walkways, benches, and a prominent central kiosk. It is a central landmark that is popular for casual strolls, particularly on Sunday when families come out to enjoy an afternoon in the town center.
- 2 Teatro Juarez, Lic. Benito Juárez, Manzana 013, Centro, ☏ +52 711 125 0882. Early 20th century neoclassical theatre that opened in 1908. It known for its opulent art nouveau interior with grand balconies, intricate woodwork, and velvet upholstered chairs. Open for public tours for M$5.
- 3 Parroquia de Santa María de Guadalupe (Church of Holy Mary of Guadalupe), Del Socorro S/N, Centro. This is the town's main church. It's a beautiful 18th century stone church built in a neo-classical style with twin bell towers framing its entrance and facade and 3 vaulted ceilings, the largest being an intricately tiled dome over the main nave and the others being smaller twin chapels on either side of the main altar.
- 4 Socavón de San Juan, Lic. Benito Juárez SNC. W-Su 10:00 - 18:00, closed M-Tu. Historic gold mine with exhibits about historical mining technology. The highlight is donning a helmet and heading into the old mining tunnels for a guided tour that takes about 1 hour. Ample parking across the street (M$25). Small gift shop on site. Bring a sweater because temperatures in the mine are cooler than outdoors. M$60.
- 5 Mina Tiro Norte, Tiro Norte, Manzana 015, ☏ +52 711 125 0036. Tu-Su 10:00 - 17:00, closed M. Iconic historic gold mine with a tower that you can climb for some of the best views of the town. The mine itself is not open to the public and there is a glass pane through which you can look down into the shaft. M$20.
- 6 Museo de la Minería, Tiro Nte. Manzana 017, Centro. Tu-Su 10:00 - 18:00, closed M. Housed in an historic gold mine, the museum documents the town's history as one of Mexico's most important gold mines from the 17th through the late 19th century. Tons of old photos and a collection of mining equipment and tools. A re-created laboratory shows how chemists of the time would assess the purity of the gold. Cafeteria and gift shop available. Ample free parking. Handicap accessible. Free.
Do
[edit]- Presa Brockman and its smaller sister Presa Victoria are two man-made lakes that were created by damming the river in the late 19th century. The lakes are calm and tranquil, surrounded by pine forests. They are popular for hiking, picnics, boating, and trout fishing. Visitors will find rustic cabins for rent as well as a spa and restaurant.
Buy
[edit]The town is known for its artesanias, traditional crafts of various types including metalwork, ceramics, and textiles (particularly embroidery). The town boasts over 700 master craftsmen of various trades.
- 1 Mercado Alvaro Obregon, Lic. Benito Juárez Manzana 024, Centro. Daily 07:00 - 18:00. The town's traditional marketplace is full of fresh food vendors from farms and ranches throughout the local region. Mountains of fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and seafood vendors, and a wide range of small booths selling prepared fresh food including the most authentic regional cuisine. Good place for an inexpensive breakfast or lunch.
Eat
[edit]- 1 El Callejon Mina, Priv. Guadalupe 2, Centro. Daily 08:00 - midnight. This is the place for good, inexpensive street food in El Oro. Various merchants occupy stands here preparing their own house specialties, mole in one, barbacoa in another, Huaraches in yet another. You may get lucky and arrive when the man with the locally made sweet breads arrives.
- 2 La Mina, Jdn. Madero Manzana 005, Centro, ☏ +52 711 125 1698. Daily 08:00 - 20:00. Traditional Mexican cuisine in a cozy small space. Good variety of breakfast and dinner dishes. Ample portions and reasonable prices. M$200.
- 3 La Ventana, Av. Independencia 52, Centro, ☏ +52 711 125 0327. W-M 09:00 - 21:30, closed Tu. Traditional Mexican restaurant serving regional cuisine including rabbit (conejo) and sopa de Tarascan. Friendly service and tasty food at reasonable prices. M$250.
- 4 Vagón Exprés Minero, Av. del Ferrocarril 1, Centro, ☏ +52 711 125 0283. Tu-Su 09:00 - 18:30, closed M. Popular diner serving grilled meats, salads, soup, and a full breakfast. M$200.
- 5 Aldea Pizzaria, Angela Peralta 9, Centro. Tu-Su 12:00 - 21:30. Modern casual restaurant serving pizza, burgers and other light fare. Good food and friendly service. M$150.
- 6 El Meson. Tu-Su 10:00 - 19:00. Casual rustic restaurant serving traditional Mexican food. Grilled steaks, seafood, etc. M$200.
Drink
[edit]Chiva is a unique herbal liqueur made from a blend of 21 herbs, some bitter, some sweet (including 3 kinds of mint) that is emblematic of the local area.
- 1 El Patron, Jdn. Madero 5, Centro. Sa 14:00 - 23:30, closed Su-F. Rustic historic atmosphere with stone floors and wood paneling and beams. The bar serves a variety of beers including their own house-label artesanal craft beers (a pale ale and a stout). Cocktails and micheladas available. Live music Saturday evenings, quiet atmosphere with game boards in the afternoon. M$200.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Hotel Casa Blanca, Av. Hidalgo 30, Centro, ☏ +52 711 125 0382. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Budget hotel with minimal amenities. Some maintenance issues.
- 2 Posada Oro Viejero, 5 de Mayo 9, Centro, ☏ +52 712 130 1915. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Moderate colonial style hotel.
- 3 Mi Pueblito Magico, Libramiento, ☏ +52 712 135 7935. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Moderate hotel with spacious comfortable rooms. M$950.
- 4 Hotel Real del Oro, Maravatio - Atlacomulco Km.29 5, Centro, ☏ +52 711 125 0548. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Small traditional hotel with good amenities and affordable rates. Rooms are spacious and clean. Off-street parking is available. On-site gym and jacuzzi spa. On-site restaurant available. M$800.
Connect
[edit]Cell coverage is reliable in El Oro de Hidalgo but is mostly 4G with areas of slower speeds. Most hotels and restauarants offer WiFi connectivity.