7 Best Things to Do in Zapotitlán Salinas
Cactus forests, salt mines, and insects for breakfast: Zapotitlán Salinas lies in the biosphere reserve Tehuacán-Cuicatlán, the home of many endemic cactuses. Its position inside a triangle of mountain ranges blocks the precipitation of the seas and makes this area so dry and hot that not much can grow. Additionally, the ground is salty as it once used to be at the bottom of the sea. There are even salty springs that are the reason for the salt mines you can find here. Thus also the full name of the town – Zapotitlán Salinas (salinas means salt mines).
With roughly 2,700 inhabitants, Zapotitlán Salinas is small and can be explored in one day. If you’re ready to travel a less-frequented route and experience a hidden gem of local tourism for insiders, you’re right in Zapotitlán Salinas!
melmextravel.com blog posts may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may receive a small compensation at no extra cost to you. See my Privacy Policy for more information.
At a Glance: TOP 6 Highlights in Zapotitlán Salinas
- Visit the Cactus Fields in the Botanical Garden Helia Bravo Hollis
- Visit the Salt Mines
- Visit the Church San Martín Obispo
- Try Local Ice Cream
- Take a Break in the Municipal Park
- Eat Local Food: Cactus Fruits and Insects
- Relax in the Spa “Balneario La Huerta”
1. Visit the Cactus Fields in the Botanical Garden Helia Bravo Hollis
The best understanding of this area and its uniqueness you’ll gain from visiting the botanical garden about 2 km (1.2 miles) northeast of Zapotitlán. Paths lead you through the cactus forest and a guide explains the history of the botanical garden, the variances of the cacti, and the specialties of the habitat as such.
The tour takes around 1.5-2 hours and passes a lookout from which you have a great view of the mountains and the valley. You’ll also pass a sotolín, or “Elefant foot”, a specific type of tree with a broad trunk that gets thinner at the top and whose scientific name is Beaucarnea gracilis. Learn about the “viejitos” (old man) cacti that grow a beard and bow their head north to protect the cacti seeds or the Popolocas, the indigenous tribe that lived here when the Spaniards arrived. See what happens when a cactus dies and leaves its wooden skeleton behind.
The guides can usually speak basic English. You can also decide to walk through the garden by yourself; the path goes in a loop and several signs (in Spanish) explain more about the cacti.
The entrance fee is 95 MXN (5 USD) and opening hours are from 9 am – 5 pm. The guides’ work is voluntary, so they’re happy to get a tip. To get there, take a taxi (around 40 MXN /2 USD from the town center) or the bus that runs through Zapotitlán every 30 min. to Tehuacán and ask the driver to drop you off here (17 MXN / 1 USD).
Pro Tip
It can get very hot here, so make sure to bring a sun hat or umbrella and something to drink (you can also buy drinks in the shop at the botanic garden).
2. Visit the Salt Mines (Salinas Zapotitlán)
The indigenous population of Mixtecs and Popolocas that founded Zapotitlán in pre-Hispanic times (1000-1560) lived from exploiting the natural salt mines of the area. There are several salty springs because this area used to be a seabed millions of years ago. The hot and dry climate helps to harvest the salt from salt beds. The indigenous tribes used salt to trade it against other goods.
You can see the salt mines when you drive 2.5 km (1.6 miles) further north on the main road from the botanical garden. They can be seen directly from the main road, and if you walk down the gravel road on the right, you can see more salt beds of pink color. The salt miners usually work early in the morning until 9 o’clock and return in the afternoon. We drove by at around 11 o’clock, and one worker who was still there showed us around for 30 MXN (2 USD) per person. Further up the hill, there’s an old deep well where the salty spring water is collected before it’s led down to the salt beds.
Pro Tip
If you’ve seen salt mines before, a short stop on the side of the road for taking a picture might be enough.
If you need a taxi to get from the botanical garden or the town to the salt mines, call +52 238 210 57 20. Or take the bus that passes by.
3. Visit the Church San Martín Obispo
Opposite the municipal park, the baroque church San Martín Obispo surprises with a green-lit interior. Consecrated in 1578, the church is dedicated to Saint Martin the Bishop of Tours, France. The altar is lit in a green light by the sunrays shining through the gree window glass of the dome. The main festival is celebrated on October 24 and a secondary one on November 11, with a fair, processions, and dances.
4. Try Local Ice Cream
Next to the municipal park lies the “Sabores del desierto – Paletas y helados” ice cream parlor. Try the local flavors made from cactus fruit: Garambullo, pitaya, pitahaya, xoconostle, or jiotilla. Or just stick to the standard flavors like mango or strawberry. Enjoy!
A popsicle costs around 20 MXN (1 USD).
5. Take a Break in the Municipal Park
The perfect place to sit on a bench while you’re enjoying your popsicle. In the evenings, one or two food stands sell corn deserts and tacos.
6. Eat Local Food: Cactuses and Insects
Certainly one of the highlights of Zapotitlán is the exceptional local food. Due to the area’s dryness, agriculture wasn’t really possible here, so people used to live from what the land had plenty to offer: Cactuses! In April/May, the cactuses grow fruits that can be harvested and used for several dishes. Cacallas, palmitos, or tetechas are different kinds of cactus flowers. They can be eaten as a vegetable side dish or as an ingredient in other dishes.
The cactus fruits are used for beverages and ice cream (garambulla, pitaya, pitahaya (of white color), xoconostle, or jiotilla). I personally prefer jiotilla for the taste and garambulla for the color.
Another thing that the cactus desert has plenty of are insects: Grasshoppers, caterpillars, worms, etc. Now, I have to admit that I’m not a big fan of eating insects, but to each their own.
Several restaurants offer these special dishes. If nothing else, try the pink waters mixed with the cactus fruits (aguas). Delicious!
Pro Tip
Inside the restaurant Itandehui Flor del Cielo on the main road, you can see pictures of the various cactuses with an explanation of their fruits and which insects feed on which tree or cactus.
7. Relax at the Pool in the “Balneario La Huerta”
Refreshing cool water and a great view over the valley: The spa “Balneario La Huerta” lies at the top of the hill. The pool area could do with a bit of maintenance, but the water is clean and the view is just great. The entry is only 20 MXN (1 USD). During the week, you might well have the area for yourself. There are no sunbeds or hammocks, so bring a towel or something to lie on. There’s enough shade under trees and the area is pretty spacious. It’s a great way to cool down after walking around in the heat.
Opening hours are 9 am-6 pm. Bring your own food and drinks (or ask for a delivery at the entrance).
…What Else Can You Do in Zapotitlán Salinas?
Visit the Dinosaur Footprints in San Juan Raya
If you love paleontology, don’t miss the dinosaur prints in San Juan Raya about 30 km (19 miles) west of Zapotitlán. The Centro Ecoturístico San Juan Raya offers 8 different tours to the footprints by foot, bike, or horse; contact them via Whatsapp at +52 238 178 2005. In the Paleontological Community Museum (Museo Comunitario Paleontologico de San Juan Raya) in town, you can see fossils. If you arrive by car, be aware that the last part of the track to San Juan is via an unpaved road. If you take the bus, make sure to leave in the morning as there aren’t many direct bus rides to San Juan Raya, or book a guide.
Where to Eat in Zapotitlán Salinas
Restaurant Itandehui Flor del Cielo
The perfect place to try local foods: Cactus flowers (cacallas, palmitos, or tetechas) or drinks and ice cream made of cactus fruits (garambulla, pitaya, pitahaya, xoconostle, or jiotilla – I prefer jiotilla for the taste and garambulla for the color). If you want to try insects, they have several dishes.
The restaurant lies directly on the main road, and from its terrace, you have a nice view of the mountains. Inside the restaurant, they have various pictures of the cactuses with an explanation of their fruits and which insects feed on which tree or cactus.
Restaurant Ambar Cocina Regional
Directly opposite the aforementioned restaurant, Ambar Cocina Regional has a very similar yet broader menu. They also have dishes with tempexquistle, another cactus flower. Their insect dishes are a bit cheaper, but I haven’t compared the size of the dishes (as I’m not a big insect fan). I suggest trying out both restaurants if you have the chance to do so.
Where to Stay in Zapotitlán Salinas
Currently, there are only 2 listings on booking.com for Zapotitlán Salinas. You can also decide to stay in Tehuacán and make a day trip to Zapotitlán.
El Calvario
A very economical way of staying in Zapotitlán Salinas is the Hotel El Calvario. It lies uphill and you need to walk about 10-15 minutes to the city center. The owners are very friendly and can also help with calling a taxi or booking a tour guide. They run a small restaurant at the entrance of the hotel where you can buy slices of pizza, and you can also order beverages to your room. The rooms have a fan. The downside is that the windows don’t open to the bathroom, so you’d have to open the bathroom door to the room to air it out. We stayed two nights at this place and didn’t regret it.
La Cabaña
This is a more luxurious way to stay at Zapotitlán Salinas. There’s a pool and a kitchen to prepare your food. Be aware that this lodging lies further up the hill, in case you arrive without a car.
How to Get to Zapotitlán Salinas
Zapotitlán Salinas can be reached by bus from Tehuacán, Puebla. Tehuacán is about 130 km (81 miles) from Puebla and 250 km (155 miles) from Mexico City. We took the climatized ADO bus from Puebla, which leaves about every 2 hours and costs 238 MXN (13 USD). The ADO bus terminal in Tehuacán is only 2 blocks from the main square (Parque Juárez).
Once in Tehuacán, combis leave from the inconspicuous bus stop “Terminal Zapotitlán” in front of a kiosk, close to the Paseo Hidalgo in street C. Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez 111. A bus ride costs 17 MXN (1 USD) and takes about 30 minutes. The buses are white-green and aren’t climatized.
To get back from Zapotitlán to Tehuacán, take the bus leaving every 30 minutes from 6 am-7 pm from the “Abarrotes la Interoceánica” kiosk (next to the Pollería Zapotitlán). However, it stops also at other places in town; best to ask your hotel staff which is closest to you.
So…Is It for Me?
If you’re into nature and would love to see and learn about how people survived in this hostile environment, then Zapotitlán Salinas is worth a visit. The botanic garden is worth spending 2-3 hours on, and the local food of cactuses and insects is an unusual experience. Be aware, however, that the town is small and not everyone speaks English, so make sure to bring your translation app if you don’t speak basic Spanish. For me, it was definitely very interesting and I don’t regret going there.
Plan and Book Your Trip
– Where to find cheap flights: Skyscanner.com
– Get compensation for delayed or canceled flights: AirHelp
– Which Travel Insurance to use: safetywing.com
– Where to book accommodation: booking.com, hostelworld.com
– Where to book rental cars: Discover Cars
– Where to book tours: Get Your Guide, Tripadvisor, Viator
– Transportation: Busbud for sustainable travel by bus, inDrive for city-to-city transportation service
Read Next:
