Modern capitals are often seen as a giant urban sprawl of concrete, noise, and endless traffic. Yet within its vast boundaries, some corners feel like another world – rural, green, and timeless. One of the most remarkable and surprising examples is La Magdalena Contreras.

Mexico City is no exception. But while it dazzles with steel, glass, high-rise buildings, and busy avenues, it also holds layers of history, and even ancient pyramids, and unexpected green escapes. Few places reflect this contrast better than La Magdalena Contreras.

One of the most remarkable examples is La Magdalena Contreras. This borough, located in the southwestern part of the city, feels like a rural retreat far removed from the modern metropolis. Its forests, rivers, and old chapels create a truly unique atmosphere.

This borough offers a refreshing contrast to the capital’s chaos, with forests, rivers, waterfalls, and scenic mountain trails that preserve an authentic countryside atmosphere, making it a unique escape into nature just minutes away from the busy city center.

The rural side of Mexico City

La Magdalena Contreras is one of the city’s 16 boroughs, located in the southwest near the Sierra de las Cruces. Unlike the buzzing Historic Center and Paseo de la Reforma, this area preserves a village-like atmosphere with forests, rivers, and cobblestone streets.

Known as a “barrio mágico,” the borough combines natural beauty with tradition. Here you can wander among colonial-era churches, discover hidden markets, and enjoy authentic food prepared the same way for generations. It’s a true contrast to central Mexico City.

Despite being part of a metropolis of more than 20 million people, La Magdalena Contreras feels remote. The air is cleaner, the climate cooler, and the rhythm of daily life slower. For visitors seeking an alternative to museums and monuments, it’s an ideal escape.

The borough is also home to some of the last remaining free-flowing rivers in Mexico City. The Río Magdalena, running through forests and villages, is a rare natural treasure in a city where most waterways have disappeared or gone underground.

What to see in La Magdalena Contreras

The highlight of the borough is Los Dinamos, a national park carved by rivers and surrounded by mountains. The park is divided into four sections, each offering trails, waterfalls, and picnic areas. Entry is free, making it accessible to everyone.

Hiking paths in Los Dinamos range from easy walks to challenging climbs. Local families gather for weekend picnics, while adventurers come for mountain biking, rock climbing, or horseback riding. The cool air and rushing water make it a favorite retreat.

Besides the park, Contreras is full of traditional villages. San Bernabé Ocotepec, La Magdalena Atlitic, and San Nicolás Totolapan still keep their colonial churches, cobblestone streets, and colorful fiestas patronales, where locals celebrate with music and fireworks.

Markets are another highlight. Street vendors sell barbacoa, tamales, and freshly made tortillas. Visiting on weekends means enjoying authentic food that feels far from tourist-oriented restaurants, yet it’s only a short ride from central Mexico City.

The borough is also known for its festivals. During patron saint days, neighborhoods are filled with processions, traditional dances, and fireworks. For travelers, it’s an authentic look at Mexico’s living traditions away from crowded tourist spots.

Activities and experiences

Los Dinamos is the heart of outdoor adventure. Visitors can go trekking through pine forests, ride horses along clear rivers, or even try rappelling on dramatic natural rock walls. The vast park is large enough to spend a whole day exploring different scenic routes.

Camping is also possible in designated areas. Nights are cooler than in central Mexico, and waking up to the soothing sound of flowing water is a rare experience inside one of the world’s largest cities. It truly feels like a mountain village miles away.

For those who prefer cultural discovery, the historic churches are worth a visit. Many date back to the 16th century and hold unique details, from carved wooden altars to colorful frescoed ceilings. They remain active centers of local community life today.

Food is an essential part of the experience. Roadside stands serve quesadillas stuffed with huitlacoche or flor de calabaza, barbacoa cooked in maguey leaves, and pulque straight from local producers. Eating here connects visitors with Mexico’s countryside flavors.

Historic background and industrial heritage

The name Magdalena Contreras comes from a 16th-century hermitage dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene. “Contreras” refers to a local family that established a textile workshop in the area. The borough’s patron saint statue, the Señor de Contreras, is still venerated today.

The history of Magdalena Contreras is tied to the railway. In 1897, the Mexico-Cuernavaca-Pacific railroad opened, connecting the borough with other cities. This railway boosted local industry, especially textile factories, allowing goods to be transported across the region.

Magdalena Contreras was a key hub for textile production during colonial and post-colonial times. The borough’s industry, powered by water from the Río Magdalena, shaped neighborhoods and influenced the daily lives of workers, leaving a lasting mark on local culture.

During the railway’s heyday, many generations of locals grew up with a deep appreciation for trains. Families relied on the railroad for work, while it also facilitated the constant movement of goods, making it a backbone of economic and social life in the borough for decades.

After nearly a century of service, the Mexico-Balsas railway stopped operations to Iguala in 1997. This closure reflected urban expansion and new transport methods, but the community acted to preserve key elements of the railway’s legacy for historical and cultural memory.

Today, the old Contreras station has been transformed into a recreational and cultural park. Visitors can see restored train cars, locomotives, and machinery, along with murals celebrating the borough’s rich railway history, creating a unique cultural attraction in the city.

Getting to La Magdalena Contreras

Reaching La Magdalena Contreras is actually easier than it seems. The borough lies about 15 kilometers from the bustling city center. The most direct way is by private car or taxi, but public transport also conveniently connects the area through buses and colectivos.

From the center, travelers can take Metro Line 3 to Universidad and continue by local bus toward San Bernabé or La Magdalena Atlitic. The trip can take about an hour, depending on traffic, but the dramatic change in scenery makes it completely worthwhile.

For Los Dinamos, visitors usually take a bus from Metro Miguel Ángel de Quevedo or Taxqueña. The buses drop passengers near the main park entrance, from where it’s easy to walk into the forested areas. Weekends are often busy, but weekdays are quieter.

Although it feels remote, the borough of Magdalena Contreras is safe and welcoming. Locals are used to visitors, especially hikers, bikers, and families looking for fresh air. It’s recommended to bring enough cash, as many food stalls and colectivos still do not accept cards.

A hidden treasure in Mexico City

La Magdalena Contreras shows a fascinating side of Mexico City that few tourists ever expect. Instead of towering skyscrapers or endless traffic, here you find pine forests, flowing rivers, small villages, and enduring traditions that continue to thrive just minutes from the urban core.

For travelers who want to carefully balance cultural sightseeing with nature, this charming borough is a perfect addition to any itinerary. It combines history, local food, and outdoor adventure in a way few other parts of the sprawling city truly can.

In a vast metropolis known for its constant chaos, Contreras reminds visitors that Mexico City also has space for peace and tranquility. Walking by the Río Magdalena, listening to birds, or sharing a meal in a quiet village square feels like stepping gracefully back in time.

Exploring La Magdalena Contreras is more than just a trip to another neighborhood. It’s a discovery of Mexico’s resilience, where ancient landscapes and living traditions coexist with one of the world’s largest cities. For many, it’s the city’s best-kept secret.