México, Mexico · North America
Malinalco sits on the route: 10 minutes from San Miguel Tecomatlán, 42km from Tepoztlán.
Malinalco is a town located in México, Mexico. With a population of 8,045, it is an important destination in North America.
On a road trip, Malinalco sits in Mexico, where you drive on the right. It's in the America/Mexico City time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Malinalco to your route.
Malinalco (Spanish pronunciation: [maliˈnalko]) is the municipality inside of Ixtapan Region, is a town and municipality located 65 kilometers south of the city of Toluca in the south of the western portion of the State of Mexico. Malinalco is 115 km (71 mi) southwest of Mexico City.
Malinalco has always beenRead more
associated with magic or sorcery due to the legend that it was the home of the goddess Malinalxochitl. The municipality is home to the famed village of Chalma, where according to legend, an image of a Black Christ miraculously appeared in a cave that was devoted to the god Oxtoteotl. It is the second-most visited shrine in Mexico, after the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
The Aztecs conquered the area in the 1470s, and established a sanctuary for their military elite, the Eagle and Jaguar warriors. The complex was built on the Cerro de los Idolos (Hill of the Idols), over an older ceremonial site. The main attraction of this archeological site is the Cuauhcalli or House of Eagles, which is a building carved out of the side of the mountain.
The name Malinalco comes from the Nahuatl word malinalli, which is a kind of grass (Poaceae) called zacate del carbonero in Spanish, the word xóchitl, which means flower and co, which means place, which a translation of "where they worship the goddess Malinalxóchitl, the malinalli flower". The name also refers to one of the time periods on the Aztec calendar, marked by the malinalli plant, according to the Quauhtinchan Annals. In Aztec and early colonial times, the area was represented by a number of glyphs, often with elements of the malinalli plant and/or a human skull to indicate sacrifice.
Unlike most other municipalities in the state of Mexico, Malinalco does not use an Aztec glyph or coat of arms. Instead, it has a logo that was designed by Ernesto Romero Tetazin in 1985. It consists of the seal of the nation of Mexico, from which rises a figure that simulates a low mountain under a malinalli flower. This includes the motto "Your archeology is the perseverance of our race, culture and work" (Tu arqueología constancia de nuestra raza cultura y trabajo). To the left is the word Malinaltepetl.
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Malinalco offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
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Malinalco is located in México, Mexico, North America. The coordinates are 18.9485 latitude, -99.4962 longitude.
Malinalco has a population of approximately 8,045 people, making it a town in Mexico.
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Essential numbers in Mexico
Green Angels (free tourist roadside assistance on federal highways): 078.
Full driving guide for Mexico5 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
A Morelos town under sheer volcanic cliffs, with a hilltop 13th-century pyramid to the pulque god reached by a steep hour's climb, a fortress-like Dominican convent, and a market known for exotic ice creams.
42 km · about 50 min drive
landmark
A hillside silver-mining town with winding cobblestone streets, baroque Santa Prisca church, and centuries of silversmithing tradition.
45 km · about 50 min drive
landmark
Mexico City's premier amusement park with world-class coasters and seasonal events in the south of the city.
49 km · about 55 min drive
landmark
A network of ancient Aztec canals and artificial islands where colorful trajinera boats glide past floating gardens and mariachi bands.
54 km · about 60 min drive
museum
The vibrant blue house where Frida Kahlo was born, lived, and died, filled with her art, personal objects, and Diego Rivera's collection.
57 km · about 65 min drive
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
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