10 Reasons Why Pachuca is Worth Visiting in 2026

The colorful Macromural de Palmitas is a neighborhood that is brightly painted and definitely one of the reasons Pachuca is worth visiting.

Two Empty Passports contains affiliate links and is a member of Amazon Services LLC Program. If you decide to purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read our disclaimer for more information.

Wondering if Pachuca is worth visiting? Well, you’re in the right place!

Often overlooked by tourists, Pachuca, Mexico is a colorful and surprisingly laid–back city that makes a great base for exploring the mountainous region of Hidalgo.

We discovered Pachuca during our six month Mexico road trip while searching for cooler weather — and quickly realized how safe, walkable, and welcoming the city felt.

In this post, we share 10 reasons why Pachuca is worth visiting, along with practical tips to help you decide whether it belongs on your Central Mexico itinerary.

Let’s do this!

Plan Your Trip with My Favorite Resources

🔹Book the best hotels: Booking.com
🔹Find great flight deals: Skyscanner
🔹Reserve a rental car: Discover Cars
🔹Purchase travel insurance: InsureMyTrip
🔹Book a day tour: Viator
🔹Easily stay connected: Airalo
➡️Check out all our Travel Resources here!

👉Is Pachuca Mexico safe?
Pachuca felt safe, friendly, and easy to navigate during our stay. Like any city, basic precautions apply, but we were comfortable walking around the city center and using public transportation.

10 Reasons Pachuca is Worth Visiting

Yes, Pachuca is worth visiting! This artsy city stole our hearts.

We stayed here to explore this beautiful area for 2 weeks and want to share our top reasons for visiting Pachuca.

1. Pachuca is Safe & Friendly ✅

Robyn standing with her arms stretched in front of a white and yellow wall. As a safe and friendly city, Pachuca is worth visiting.

Are you wondering… is Pachuca, Mexico safe?

We fully understand the hesitancy of visiting lesser-known parts of Mexico because of potential safety issues.

But rest assured, during our 2 weeks stay in Pachuca, we always felt safe.

Whether it was wandering the historic center or near our apartment off Avenida Francisco Madero, we experienced no safety issues… day or night.

In our opinion, Pachuca is safe. The people in Pachuca are welcoming and very friendly. Driving on the roads in and around Pachuca was safe.

Despite it being the state capital of Hidalgo, Pachuca has more of a small-town feel, full of corner stores and friendly faces. Just use common sense and you should be fine too!

2. Pachuca Is Less Touristy

One of the quiet, quaint cafes on Revolution Street in Pachuca.

Robyn standing next to a kiosk selling Mexican flags, signs and trinkets in Independence Plaza in Pachuca, Hidalgo.

Pachuca remains an underrated city in Central Mexico, and honestly, we are not sure why.

We quickly fell in love with Pachuca and appreciated the low-key vibe it offers.

Since it flies under the radar, you won’t be inundated with groups of people, large sightseeing buses, or astronomical prices.

This alone is what makes Pachuca Mexico worth visiting!

That means you can visit the Historic Centro, pop into a stylish café, or visit a museum without battling crowds.

Of course, with fewer tourists comes more affordability.

Our quiet apartment in Pachuca was clean, spacious, and comfortable. And it was the cheapest place we stayed when we drove around Mexico for 6 months.

🏨Looking for accommodations?
➡️We loved this safe, gated apartment in Pachuca!

3. Pachuca Has a Cooler Climate

The amazing grey clouds above our townhouse apartment in Pachuca. Despite the clouds, there was little rain.

A bright blue sky on a sunny day. The weather in Pachuca is a wonderful change from the hot beaches.

At nearly 8,000 feet, Pachuca is much cooler and offers a refreshing change from the hot, humid weather that dominates most of Mexico.

The climate here is warm and temperate, and the best months for visiting Pachuca are from May to October.

The highest rainfall (120 – 133 mm) occurs between June and September. But despite the dark skies threatening rain on numerous occasions, it only rained once during our 2-week visit in September.

☀️Summer temperatures: range from 18 – 22°C during the day and 9 – 12°C at night.

☔Winter temperatures: range from 17 – 19°C during the day, and 3 – 6°C at night.

Pachuca is surrounded by mountains, so whatever time of year you visit, remember to dress in layers.

4. Pachuca Is Easy to Explore on Foot

The colorful colonial buildings of Independence Plaza, a definite highlight on a trip to Pachuca.

Despite being surrounded by beautiful mountains, the town of Pachuca is fairly flat and easily accessible. This fits perfectly within our travel style.

Since I live and travel with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, we are always on the search for places that are easy to walk in and won’t add to my pain. Thankfully, Pachuca fit the bill!

Of course, there are some small hills, but the major sightseeing spots like the Historic Centro and Revolution Street are easy to get around, mobility-friendly, and very walkable.

This is incredibly important if you travel with chronic pain and fatigue.

5. Pachuca Is Beautifully Scenic

Pachuca is definitely worth visiting if you crave stunning views like this! The beautiful Hidalgo mountains surround the town.

The city of Pachuca from above with the mountains in the distance.

One of the best reasons Pachuca is worth visiting is that no matter where you are in the city, there is always a wonderful view to admire.

Located less than 2 hours from Mexico City, Pachuca is surrounded by beautiful, green mountains and gently rolling hills.

And because Pachuca is a small city, you can be outside in nature in just a few minutes. Or exploring our favorite Pueblo Magico of Huasca de Ocampo.

The countryside is also a popular spot for cycling, mountain biking, and rock climbing. We witnessed several groups of cyclists heading out of town and onto nearby trails.

Plus, there are several green spaces throughout the city, with sculptures, fountains, and park benches.

6. Pachuca is Colorful & Artsy

The Macromural de Palmitas is a gigantic mural of painted houses on a mountainside. It is one of the top reasons Pachuca is worth visiting.

Pachuca is undeniably artsy, with several murals and photography installations sprinkled throughout the city.

There is also the intricately designed mosaic plaza found in the Parque Cultural Hidalguense.

However, the unmistakable allure of the city is the gigantic Macromural de Palmitas, one of the largest murals in the world!

Honestly, we have never seen anything like it! This magnificent mural consists of hundreds of colorfully painted stacked houses that seem to tumble off the mountainside.

It is a rare and special sight and one of the top things to do when visiting Pachuca.

7. Pachuca Has Incredible Mexican Food

A close up of two pastes on a plate. The region of Hidalgo is known for its delicious, flaky Pastes.

Gavin standing with Leonardo outside of a vegetable store with a Mexican flag in Pachuca.

The food in Pachuca was fresh, delicious, and cheap!

You will find everything from stylish coffee shops and sports bars to a selection of Italian, Argentinian, and Mexican restaurants to choose from.

Both dining out and grocery shopping in Pachuca are reasonably priced. We bought fresh fruits and vegetables daily. Plus, there are local meat shops everywhere… and the Chorizo sausage is fantastic!

As in every part of Mexico, there is a specific food to try… and in the state of Hidalgo, that is pastes!

These empanadas are sold in local shops and larger chains like Pasteko. We did our best to sample every flavor!

Last, but certainly not least, are the bakeries or panaderias. The homemade bread and pastries in Pachuca are beyond tasty and deserve some attention.

8. Pachuca Offers Plenty of Things to Do

A gorgeous pink and turquoise mural on the side of a building. Pachuca is full of street art.

Relaxing in a café on Revolution Street in Pachuca. Less tourists and good food are a reason to visit Pachuca.

Although Pachuca is an excellent base for exploring the nearby towns, it is also packed with interesting things to do and see.

Head to Pachuca’s historic center which features a mix of colonial and Art Nouveau architecture. Relax in the main plaza of the beautiful Historic Centro.

Climb the hillside to see the Cristo Rey Statue and get an excellent view of the Macromural de Palmitas.

Stroll down Revolution Street, discover beautiful street art, and enjoy a tasty Frappuccino at a swanky café.

Or shop at the local markets and find the best paste in town!

9. Pachuca is Close to Pueblo Magicos

The beautiful countryside around Pachuca. It is close to several Pueblo Magicos, making it a reason to visit.

Robyn smiling with her arms raised on an empty street in the Pueblo Magico of Real del Monte.

Pachuca is the perfect base to explore several Pueblo Magicos in the Hidalgo, Puebla, and State of Mexico regions.

Initiated by the Mexican Tourism Board, Pueblo Magicos are small towns recognized for their natural beauty, cultural richness, traditions, and historical significance.

Lucky for you, Pachuca is surrounded by 10 Pueblo Magicos, including beautiful Huasca de Ocampo… which we loved!

This makes it the perfect base for exploring these magical towns. Another big reason Pachuca is worth visiting!

👉Pueblo Magicos 1 Hour from Pachuca:
Huasca de Ocampo
Mineral del Monte
Mineral del Chico
Apan

👉Pueblo Magicos 2 Hours from Pachuca:
Huichapan
Tepotzotlán
Zacatlán
Pahuatlán
Cholula
Xicotepec de Juárez

Plus, you can join a tour of the the archeological sites of Teotihuacán and Tula… both worth checking out, too!

✅We recommend visiting Huasca de Ocampo, our favorite Pueblo Magico!

10. Pachuca Is Known for Its Soccer History

Pachuca is the birthplace of soccer in Mexico. A close up view of a soccer ball on the grass of an empty stadium. — Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay

Did you know Pachuca houses the oldest soccer club in Mexico?! Neither did we!

In the 1880s, Cornish silver miners migrated to the area of Pachuca to work for the Real del Monte mining company.

They brought the sport of fútbol (or soccer, as we call it) with them, creating the Club de Futbol Pachuca in 1901.

The obsession and love for the sport continued and in 2014, Pachuca officially became the birthplace of Mexican fútbol.

One of the best things to do when visiting Pachuca is to join the enthusiasm and take in a game!

How to Get to Pachuca Hidalgo

The highway toll booth as you enter the region around Pachuca.

There are several ways to get to Pachuca from Mexico City and other major cities in Central Mexico.

✈️Airplane

Pachuca does not have an international airport of its own, the closest is Mexico City. To find the best deals on international and domestic flights, we recommend using Skyscanner.

Skyscanner is not an online travel agency. You won’t be paying service fees, and the website is straightforward.

They find the best deals by searching multiple flight airlines at once.

Once you choose a flight, you are directed to the actual provider’s website. There you can read the fine print, and make an informed decision.

👉Find the Best Flights with Skyscanner
✔️compare airlines
✔️find the best price
✔️flexible search options
✔️easy to navigate platform

➡️Book your flights with Skyscanner now!

➡️Learn How to Survive Air Travel with chronic pain here!

🚌Bus

Direct buses are available from Mexico City airport, the main bus station, and other major cities in Central America.

We recommend using Busbud as they allow you to search for the best prices among several different companies.

A direct bus from Mexico City to Pachuca will cost 70 Pesos or $5 CAD. The journey takes 70 minutes.

🚌Prefer to take the bus?
➡️Book your bus from Mexico City to Pachuca here!

🚗Rental Car

Alternatively, you can rent a car and drive yourself. It is an easy and scenic 80-minute drive from Mexico City airport.

Renting a car provides you the opportunity to explore the city, and countryside and discover as many Pueblo Magico towns as you wish.

This is especially important if you travel with chronic pain and fatigue as I do.

When planning a trip, we usually plan on renting a car to make our journey easier. It doesn’t add to my pain and gives us the freedom to travel at our own pace.

We have sampled a couple of different rental car agencies but have found Discover Cars offers the best selection for price, comfort, and customer service.

🚗Need a rental car?
➡️Book your rental car from Mexico City here!

How to Get Around Pachuca

Our white SUV parked outside our green townhouse. Stacked, colorful houses tumble down the mountain in the distance.

The local transportation in Pachuca are collectivos or taxis. Collectivos are small buses that run throughout the city. There are informal bus stations throughout the city.

We recommend speaking to your hotel or tourist information when you arrive to find out about schedules.

Both buses and taxis are very affordable.

But, if you prefer to travel at your own pace, then driving is the best choice! It offers the most flexibility and ease of exploring the city.

We also never needed to pay for parking in Pachuca or any of the surrounding Pueblo Magicos. Driving was a very convenient and affordable option for us.

✅Related Post: If you’re thinking of driving… then make sure to check out our post 25 Tips for Driving in Mexico!

Where to Stay in Pachuca

Traditional dancers posing in front of the Monument Clock in the historic center.

Hotel Emily, located in Independence Plaza, is a great place to stay when visiting Pachuca.

Pachuca has a variety of accommodations for every taste and budget, including hotels and apartments.

🏨Privada 400 Casa & Suites
🗸spacious kitchen & living
🗸comfortable beds
🗸quiet neighborhood
🗸mobility-friendly suites
We enjoyed our stay in this townhouse apartment.
It is close to shops, has 24/7 security, and free parking.

➡️Book your stay at Privada 400 Casa & Suites here!

🏨Hotel Emily
🗸amazing city views
🗸comfortable rooms
🗸old world charm
🗸mobility-friendly suites
Located in the historic center with a restaurant, spa, free parking, and breakfast included in most room rates.

➡️Book your stay at Hotel Emily here!

Travel Insurance

A gigantic mural of the Paste figure painted on a large group of houses as you enter Pachuca.

Travel can be unpredictable, so it’s important to make sure you are always protected.

We never leave home without travel insurance. Ever.

InsureMyTrip is great for international coverage and long-term travel. The process is easy, plus they cover pre-existing conditions, which is very helpful!

➡️We recommend InsureMyTrip for Travel Insurance.
Check Rates & Book Insurance Now

The colonial architecture is a definite highlight on any trip to Pachuca.

FAQs: Pachuca Hidalgo

What is Pachuca famous for?

Pachuca has a rich mining past and was once a major mining center for silver. It is home to one of the most successful football teams in Mexico, CF Pachuca. Pachuca is also famous for its vibrant cultural scene, with numerous museums, theaters, and festivals.

What is Hidalgo known for?

Hidalgo is known for its stunning natural landscapes, including mountains, forests, canyons, and waterfalls. Some popular natural attractions worth visiting include the Basaltic Prisms, the Tolantongo Caves, and the Huasca Valley.

How safe is Pachuca Hidalgo?

The state of Hidalgo, including the city of Pachuca, is considered a relatively safe city for tourists. However, like any city, it is important to take common-sense precautions to ensure your safety while visiting.

The colorful macromural, one of the top reasons to visit Pachuca.

Final Thoughts: Is Pachuca Worth Visiting?

Obviously, we feel that YES, Pachuca is worth visiting!

Pachuca is a safe and friendly destination, with numerous things to do, delicious food to sample, and perfect weather you don’t need to sweat your butt off in!

Plus, it is surrounded by historical sites and countless Pueblo Magicos, and is less than 2 hours from Mexico City.

So, why wouldn’t you make the journey to this colorful, underrated town?

Let us know if you have any questions… otherwise, enjoy your journey!