Toluca

Toluca has a subtropical highland climate, with cool temperatures throughout the year due to its high altitude. Winters are often frosty in the mornings, while most days are bright and clear, making it a pleasant climate for sightseeing and enjoying the surroundings and city.

Winters in Toluca are relatively cold and dry, while summers are mild and rainy. The rainy season occurs from June to October, preceded by irregular showers in May. Winters, from November to February, are dry with frequent frosts, and the nights remain cool year-round.

Temperatures in the Toluca region vary throughout the year. The hottest months are May and June, with average highs around 26–27 °C, while the coldest period is from December to February, when lows can reach −2 °C in urban areas and occasionally drop below −7 °C.

Best time to visit Toluca

The ideal time to visit the Toluca region is during the dry and temperate months from November to April. During this period, rainfall is minimal, skies are mostly clear, and daytime temperatures are comfortable for sightseeing and outdoor activities.

When Toluca was first settled by the Matlatzincas, it was named Nepintahihui, or “Land of Corn.” The name highlighted the area’s fertile lands and the central role of maize in local culture, marking the region as a place of sustenance and deep agricultural roots.

The current name, Toluca, comes from the Náhuatl word “Tollocan” (“Place of the god Tolo”). Aztec records also refer to it as Tolutépetl (“Hill of the god Tolo”), a nod to the nearby volcano, showing how geography and mythology were intertwined in the identity of this region.

In 1861, the city was officially named Toluca de Lerdo to honor President Sebastián Lerdo de Tejada. This change marked a new era, blending the city’s pre-Hispanic roots with its modern national significance, while keeping its rich cultural and historical identity alive.

Pre-Columbian era

The Valley of Toluca, once known as the Matlatzinco Valley, was inhabited by four major linguistic groups: the Matlatzinca, Otomi, Mazahua, and Nahua peoples. Their presence shaped a diverse cultural landscape long before the arrival of powerful regional states.

During the Postclassic period, the valley was dominated by a major city whose ruins now lie in the village of Calixtlahuaca, just north of Toluca. This settlement served as the regional capital and controlled surrounding towns until the arrival of the Mexica Empire.

In 1478, Mexica emperor Axayacatl conquered the Toluca Valley, removed the ruling dynasty of Calixtlahuaca, and redistributed lands to nobles from the Valley of Mexico. Some of these territories were granted to the minor city-state of Tollocan.

Tollocan had once been a small rival of Calixtlahuaca, but after Axayacatl destroyed the capital, he established the imperial provincial center there. Through Tollocan, surrounding towns paid tribute to the Aztec Empire, reinforcing its political and economic control.

Colonial period

After the Spanish conquest, the name Tollocan evolved into Toluca. Archaeologists have not found a major Postclassic site within the modern city, suggesting the original settlement may have been destroyed, covered over, or located just outside current urban limits.

A smaller Postclassic site was found on the hill of Tolochi, north of the modern city, but remains suggest it was not large enough to serve as a regional capital. However, the famous tree “Las Manitas Rojas” hints at Toluca’s importance before Spanish rule.

“Las Manitas Rojas,” meaning “little red hands,” was planted before the Spanish conquest in the area now occupied by the monastery of Nuestra Señora del Carmen. Its presence suggests the Aztecs maintained a botanical garden here, showing Toluca’s regional status.

The Spanish conquered the Valley of Toluca in 1521, led by Gonzalo de Sandoval. Pedro Cortés Coyotzin became the first governor. Toluca and the valley were granted to Hernán Cortés as part of a royal concession made by King Carlos V of Spain.

Evangelization began in 1524, led by Fray Andrés Castro from Burgos. He learned the native Matlatzincan language and was admired for defending indigenous people during the early colonial period. Today, a plaza with his statue honors his legacy in the city.

A Spanish community was formally established in 1530, though Toluca was not recognized as a town until 1677. A road to Mexico City began construction in 1793, and in 1799, King Carlos IV officially granted Toluca the title of city on September 12.

Independence and post-independence

During the fight for independence in 1810, Miguel Hidalgo stayed briefly in Toluca on his way to the Battle of Monte de las Cruces. In 1811, Spanish royalists executed local natives; the site is now called the Plaza of the Martyrs in memory of the victims.

Toluca installed its first city council in 1812, and local authorities officially proclaimed independence in 1821. After the formation of the State of Mexico in 1825, the capital shifted several times until Toluca was named the constitutional capital in 1830.

The construction of Los Portales began in 1832, and government institutions temporarily moved to Mexico City in 1836. Cultural development flourished: the Institute of Literature opened in 1847, and the Teatro Principal was built in 1851.

Modernization accelerated under Governor Mariano Riva Palacio in the mid-19th century. In 1881, the Industrial Union was founded, the railroad opened, and the Bank of the State of Mexico issued the first banknotes in the country. A Teachers College followed in 1882.

In 1910, Toluca celebrated the centenary of Mexican independence and inaugurated Plaza España. These developments marked the consolidation of Toluca as an important cultural, political, and economic center in central Mexico.

The major landmarks and main attractions in Toluca Historic Center form a compact and powerful portrait of the city’s identity, where political history, colonial faith, everyday commerce, and modern artistic expression coexist within a few walkable blocks.

Tourist attractions and sightseeing in Toluca

• Plaza de los Mártires (Zócalo of Toluca)
• State Government Palace of the State of Mexico
• Legislative Chamber (State Congress Building)
• Judicial Buildings of Toluca
• Miguel Hidalgo Monument
• Toluca Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral de Toluca)
• Templo del Tercer Orden
• Los Portales de Toluca
• Plaza Fray Andrés de Castro
• Traditional shops around Los Portales
• Cosmovitral
• Jardín 16 de Septiembre
• Temple of Santa Veracruz
• Black Christ of Toluca (Cristo Negro)

From the civic heart of Plaza de los Mártires and the majestic cathedral to the arcades of Los Portales, the spiritual depth of Santa Veracruz, and the cosmic beauty of the Cosmovitral, each stop reveals a different layer of Toluca’s past and present.

Museums in Toluca

Toluca is home to several major museums. It is second only to Mexico City in terms of museum density. Some of them are dedicated to prominent Mexican artists, such as José María Velasco Gómez, Felipe Santiago Gutiérrez, and Luis Nishizawa.

• The Museo de Bellas Artes (Museum of Fine Arts)
• The Museo de Ciencias Naturales (Museum of Natural Sciences)
• The Museo de la Estampa (Print Museum
• The Museo de la Acuarela (Watercolor Museum)
• The Museo de la Numismática (Numismatics Museum)
• The Museo José María Velasco (José María Velasco Museum)
• The Museo Felipe Santiago Gutiérrez (Felipe Santiago Gutiérrez Museum)
• The Museo-Taller Luis Nishizawa (Luis Nishizawa Workshop-Museum)
• The Museo de Arte Moderno (Museum of Modern Art)
• The Museo de Antropología e Historia (Museum of Anthropology and History)
• The Museo de Sitio (Site Museum)
• The CASART or Casa de Artesanias (House of Handcrafts)
• The Museo Modelo de Ciencias e Industria (Modelo Museum of Science and Industry)

Around Toluca, visitors can enjoy a variety of natural escapes and open spaces. Elevated valleys, volcanic craters, and reforested green areas provide opportunities for hiking, photography, cycling, and picnicking, all reachable within a short drive from the city center.

Nevado de Toluca, also called Xinantécatl, rises about 30 kilometers southwest of the city. Its volcanic crater has two lagoons, dramatic cliffs, and panoramic views. Historically sacred, the area now attracts visitors seeking nature, hiking, and alpine scenery.

Sierra Morelos Park, only 3 kilometers from Toluca’s center, is a reforested urban escape. It features walking paths, an artificial lake, playgrounds, and picnic areas. This nearby park is ideal for families and those seeking short outdoor activities without leaving the city.

Metepec, a short drive from Toluca, is famous for its pottery, artisan markets, and vibrant Trees of Life sculptures. Travelers can enjoy local crafts, colorful streets, and traditional cuisine. Metepec offers a cultural contrast to Toluca’s urban and natural attractions.

Other destinations around Toluca include small villages, observation points, and historical sites. Tourists can explore scenic roadways, traditional markets, and viewpoints over the Toluca Valley, combining nature, culture, and gastronomy in convenient day trips from the city.

These nearby destinations make Toluca a perfect base for day trips. Visitors can combine historic city exploration with volcanic landscapes, forest parks, and artisan towns. Short drives allow tourists to experience both nature and culture in one day without long travel times.

Toluca is famous across Mexico for its unique green and red chorizo, a regional sausage made with pork, spices, and local chili blends. It is served grilled, in tacos, or with potatoes and is considered the city’s most iconic culinary symbol.

In Mexico, the word chorizo is often used as a nickname for people from Toluca. Popular local street foods also include tacos de carnitas and tacos de plaza filled with pork barbacoa, chicharrón, fresh herbs, nopales, and spicy sauces sold near plazas.

Traditional Toluca cuisine relies heavily on regional vegetables such as quelites quintoniles huazontles verdolagas spinach carrots, and tomatoes. These ingredients appear in stews, soups, tamales, and everyday home cooking that reflects deep rural culinary traditions.

Toluca is also known for its wide variety of traditional sweets. Visitors will find alegrías made with amaranth jamoncillos in fruit flavors, cocadas palanquetas of peanuts in sugar, and chilacayotes prepared slowly in rich pumpkin syrup.

Local traditional drinks include garapiña (a lightly fermented pineapple beverage) and mosquito (a sweet fruit-infused liquor often flavored with honey or syrup). Both are commonly sold during festivals and in market areas of the historic center.

One of the most important religious traditions in Toluca is the Silent Procession held every Good Friday. Thousands of residents walk through the historic center in silence to honor the Passion of Christ, creating one of the most emotional and symbolic events of the year.

Music is a key part of public celebrations in Toluca. The city is home to the Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de México and a municipal orchestra that performs regularly at civic events, festivals, and cultural seasons in plazas, theaters, and public venues.

Dance and performing arts are supported by institutions such as the Instituto Mexiquense de Cultura and local art schools linked to the UAEM. These organizations promote folklore, ballet, contemporary dance, and regional traditions through public shows and student performances.

Toluca also has a strong marching band tradition. The youth marching band Eagles of Anahuac was founded over three decades ago and became one of the first of its kind in Mexico, performing during parades, civic ceremonies, and school celebrations.

Toluca is well connected by highways to major cities such as Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Cuernavaca. Modern roads make access comfortable for travelers, while bypasses like the Libramiento Toluca allow drivers to avoid city congestion and reach destinations faster.

Toluca is easily reached from Mexico City by frequent intercity buses departing from the Western terminal (Terminal Poniente or Observatorio) and the Northern Terminal (Terminal Norte). Departures run every 10-30 minutes, and the trip usually takes about one hour.

Toluca is also well connected with other major cities in central Mexico. Direct bus routes link the city with Querétaro, Morelia, Puebla, and Guadalajara, making it a convenient base for traveling across the region without passing through Mexico City.

Toluca is served by Licenciado Adolfo López Mateos International Airport, located just 15 km from the city center. With a 4,200-meter runway, it handles domestic flights and serves as a secondary airport for Mexico City, facilitating both business and leisure travel.

Getting around Toluca

Within the city, visitors can use public transport, taxis, or the Huizi bike-share system, launched in 2015 with 27 stations and 350 bicycles. Cycling offers an easy, eco-friendly way to explore Toluca and reach nearby landmarks at a relaxed pace.

Getting around Toluca is simple thanks to its compact layout and multiple transport options. Public buses cover most districts while taxis and ride-hailing apps operate across the city, making short trips between museums, plazas, and markets fast and affordable

Walking is the best way to explore the Toluca downtown area, since most landmarks are close to each other. Streets are flat, well-marked, and filled with cafés, shops, and small parks, allowing visitors to enjoy the city at a relaxed pace without transport