Atexca is a small community belonging to the municipality of Zacatlán de las Manzanas (20 minutes away from Zacatlán and 15 minutes from the "Piedras Encimadas" valley), nestled in the Sierra Madre Oriental (Madre Oriental Mountain Range), nearly 9000 feet above sea level. Its populated by around 90 families, most of whom make their living from agriculture (corn, beans, maguey) and livestock (cattle and sheep), as well as the handcraft of pulque (fermented drink made from maguey sap).

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The name Atexca comes from the Nahuatl words "atl" and "ixco", meaning "place mirrored in the waters", as such was the case in ancient times, when there was a lake in which the village was reflected. Atexca's communal land stretches across nearly 700 acres of very well preserved woods, where columns known as "Las Glorias", fantastic rock formations set in a lush area of virgin forest, can also be found. El Refugio offers you the possibility of visiting this magnificent architectonic treasure of Nature.

GETTING HERE

From Mexico DF, take the road to the pyramids of Teotihuacán passing Tulancingo. Two kilometres (1.2 miles) past lake El Tejocotal, take the road branching off to the right, signalled to (Puebla - Apizaco) Zacatlán. Our community is to be found some 30 minutes away from this junction. On the left side of the road, the church's white towers mark its gateway.

From Puebla, take the road leading to Santa Ana Chiautempan across Tlaxcala Estate. Continue north to Apizaco and take the Carretera Federal (Federal Highway) num. 119 until you reach Zacatlán. Continue up along the bypass for about 15 minutes until you see, on the right side of the road, the white towers of the church in the picture. From there, 10 more minutes along a dirt track following our signals will lead you to El Refugio